Antarctica is one of the hardest destinations to reach. This is true for a number of reasons. Not only is it one of the most remote locations in the world, but the journey also carries a hefty price tag. Antarctica was at the top of my bucket list for many years. Often thought as a place of unspoiled adventure, it was also the last continent for me to visit, which would complete a dream of seeing all seven. Taking a Celebrity Cruise to Antarctica opened my eyes to the “White Continent” and definitely made me want to return in the future.

Getting to Antarctica

There are basically four ways to get to Antarctica. The first is to take a (Scenic Cruise), which is what I did with Celebrity. While this cruise allows you to embark in the Falkland Islands and multiple other ports in South America, getting off in Antarctica is not an option, hence the (Scenic Cruise) part. Another option is the more expensive (Expedition Cruise) where you leave the ship on small zodiacs to shore and actually set foot on the continent. There is also the (Fly/Sail) trip where you can take a flight to King George Island in the South Shetland Islands to meet your ship, explore Antarctica, and then sail back across the Drake Passage. And then the last option of course is to (Fly Roundtrip), which is SUPER expensive and unless you’re VERY rich, I would recommend sticking to the other options.

Scenic Only Cruising

I chose the scenic only cruise because it was the cheapest option available and I really wanted to get down there. The perfect introduction to Antarctica, it’s a great way to see the peninsula along with whales, penguins, and floating glaciers. However, I’m not going to lie, I really wanted to get off of the ship. Going to shore and exploring the ice on foot has long been a dream of mine, but I realize in order to do that, I’ll need to save money and take an expedition cruise. But that’s ok, just another adventure to look forward to in the future.

Does Scenic Cruising Count?

Some people will say that if you don’t actually step foot on Antarctica, you haven’t really been there. Well, I have mixed feelings about that. I do understand what they mean, however you are still basically there and have parts of the continent around you in all directions. An example I like to use is if you put a canoe on the Missouri River in North Dakota and float down to Nebraska without ever getting out in South Dakota, have you been to South Dakota? I guess everyone has their own opinion on this debate, so I will leave it up to you.

Departing Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is an amazing city and one of my favorites in South America. There is lots to see and the weather at that time of year is absolutely perfect. Be sure to arrive a few days ahead if you have never been to give yourself plenty of time to sightsee and take in the culture. It also has some of the best steak in the world so don’t miss out on that.

Ushuaia, Argentina

Ushuaia is the southern most city in the world and because of this, often nicknamed the “End of the World.” Its geographic location makes it the gateway to most Antarctica cruises and expeditions. However, there is also much to see and do here. One of the highlights is Tierra del Fuego archipelago. Known for its dramatic landscape of snowy mountains, tundra, and wind-sculpted trees, this is a paradise of nature.

The Drake Passage

After leaving Ushuaia, you’ll start heading south passing Cape Horn. This is where the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern Oceans meet and has long been known for some of the roughest seas on the planet. Countless sailors have lost their lives here while attempting to sail around the Cape. The Drake Passage is the body of water that separates South America and Antarctica and it generally takes about 48 hours to cross. The seas here can be very unpredictable. You may encounter what is known as the “Drake Lake” (calm seas) or the “Drake Shake” (rough seas). I was very fortunate to experience relatively calm seas both going and coming back.

Antarctica

As you start to enter Antarctic waters, the sight of floating ice will start to make an appearance and then in the horizon, ANTARCTICA! – The main reason you booked this cruise. And what a beautiful sight! The weather down there can change very quickly and what started as an overcast morning of fog turned into an absolute beautiful day. Being in Antarctica is such an amazing experience. At first sight you are seeing landscapes that resemble that of Alaska or Greenland, but then you realize where you are exactly, “The Bottom of the World”. If you are connected to the ships WIFI, be sure to look at your location on the map. Very cool…

Elephant Island

Elephant Island – named for its shape resembling that of an elephant’s head is a remote mountainous island located off the coast of Antarctica in the outer reaches of the South Shetland Islands. This island is most famous for its role in the incredible 1916 survival story of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. After their ship, the Endurance, was crushed by ice in the Weddell Sea, Shackleton and his 27 crew members made a harrowing journey by lifeboat to Elephant Island.

The Falkland Islands

The second best part of this cruise outside of Antarctica was visiting the Falkland Islands. And while a lot of (Expedition Cruises) skip these islands, you are not only going to go, but also disembark. The town of Stanley is really cool. One of the best things to do here is to book a tour with (Joe’s Gentoo Penguins). The excursion offers a visit to a penguin colony at Newans Station where you will have close-up views of approximately 200 breeding pairs of Gentoo penguins and if you’re lucky enough, you might even see a few King Penguins. I did…

Puerto Madryn, Argentina

Puerto Madryn is an Argentine city on the coast of northern Patagonia. Its sandy beaches and restaurant-lined promenade make it the perfect place to walk and have lunch. There are also a number of excursions that you can book here, but I chose to just spend the afternoon walking around and taking in the city.

Montevideo, Uruguay

Montevideo is Uruguay’s capital and sits along the Montevideo Bay. The city revolves around the Plaza de la Independencia and is culturally very similar to Argentina. Ciudad Vieja (Old Town) is definitely a highlight worth checking out and when you get hungry, grab a bite to eat at Mercado del Puerto which is an old port market filled with many steakhouses.

Returning To Buenos Aires

After an adventurous trip you’ll finish right where you started from in Buenos Aires. You can always spend some more time here if you didn’t see enough before the cruise instead of taking your flight back home right away. I would highly recommend taking a Celebrity Cruise to Antarctica. Like I mentioned earlier, not getting off the ship in Antarctica is of course the only drawback, but just think of all the money you will be saving. Being able to enter Antarctic waters, seeing the glaciers, the mainland, as well as the local wildlife still make it an adventure of a lifetime.