What to expect from your Antarctic Journey

As members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), we are committed to the principle that planned tourism activities will have no more than a minor or transitory impact on the Antarctic environment. To guide your enthusiasm into a set of realistic expectations, here are some factors to keep in mind for your Antarctic journey:

● Each voyage to Antarctica encounters unique weather, sea-ice conditions and wildlife-viewing opportunities. Your trip will be one-of-a-kind, and may not visit some of the landing sites or scientific stations you may have heard about. Every activity is dependent on many factors, including weather and sea conditions, which can be a fascinating and memorable part of the journey.

● Expedition cruising to Antarctica is about the whole experience, and your expedition team strives to create remarkable experiences for each traveler.

● There may be opportunities for close-up viewing of wildlife and observing from further away – on Zodiac excursions, for example, or from the deck of your ship, which are some of the best ways to “see the big picture” and minimize disturbance. These platforms allow you to explore the ice, the glaciers, and to put wildlife in the larger context of the continent’s unique grandeur.

● Expedition cruising is all about spontaneity, discovery, exploration and an appreciation of the need for flexibility. It’s a chance to depart from the familiar and the expected – to slow down to observe a pod of whales or massive iceberg, for example.

● Your captain and expedition team – some of whom have visited Antarctic dozens or even hundreds of times and undergone rigorous training – return each year for the chance to see something new and to enhance their own appreciation and knowledge of this unique place. Take advantage of their expertise, ask them questions and listen to their stories.

● Onboard presentations, briefings and recaps are a very important and time-honored component of expedition cruising that will complement and round-out your shoreside experience immensely. Your participation is encouraged.

● Stepping ashore in Antarctica is a privilege, not a right, and your expedition team will always plan shoreside activities in the best interest of the wildlife following recommended guidelines and long-standing protective measures.

● Traveling to Antarctica represents a unique opportunity to learn about the continent and its ecosystems. Your experience will deepen your understanding of the importance of conserving Antarctica for current and future generations. These lessons that you take home are as important as photographs.

● Be flexible and open to changes in the planned itinerary. With this approach to your expedition, you won’t be disappointed.

Each one of us who visits Antarctica is responsible for keeping it pristine. The great ambitions, hopes and goals that naturally accompany such a journey should factor in the weather, wildlife, the enjoyment of fellow travelers, and the expertise of the guides. Antarctic travel is a visceral experience, offering you an opportunity to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, silence, smells, spray, chill and majesty of the one and only White Continent. Our goal is to help you experience all that Antarctica has to offer and leave it as you found it – a wondrous and unexpected first-time discovery for the next guest.