A DAY IN ANTARCTICA

Imagine a comfortable hotel with almost as many staff as guests, spectacular views out of every window, superb international cuisine, and a range of facilities including a well-stocked library. Then move the hotel to a different wild and remote location every day, add a team of international experts on everything from polar exploration to birds or seals, throw in many once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as whale watching, penguin watching, Zodiac cruises, visits to scientific research stations … and you begin to get the idea.

Admittedly, an Antarctica expeditions cruise can be challenging. One of the problems with visiting the Antarctic in mid-summer, for example, is the almost 24-hour daylight. The problem has nothing to do with being unable to sleep, but it has a lot to do with not wanting to sleep. Even after a full day of adventure, with the ship well on its way to the next breathtaking destination, you do not want to sleep for fear of missing something. You want to be on deck, or on the bridge, to glimpse just one more iceberg or one more penguin, to watch the vessel break through one more frozen stretch of sea or to take just one more front cover photograph, before the next day of intrepid adventure.

A typical day on a cruise begins with a friendly wake-up call and breakfast. Everyone will have been briefed the night before, so talk will be of the adventures ahead. The morning might begin with an entertaining lecture by a world-renowned expert, or a chance to watch as the ship wends its way through the polar landscape. Then comes the call to get ready for the first shore landing of the day.

Every ship carries a fleet of sturdy Zodiac craft to transfer expedition staff and passengers quickly and safely to otherwise inaccessible wildlife, cultural and historical sites. Getting in and out of the Zodiacs soon becomes second nature and the expedition staff and crew take the utmost care to get everyone ashore efficiently and safely.

Many people stay ashore for the maximum time allowed – typically from two to four hours depending on the day’s itinerary – but others are ready to return to the mother ship sooner. Wherever possible, your Expedition Leader will tailor excursions to several levels of activity, offering options of long or short walks or Zodiac cruises.

There’s time to change and clean up before lunch, while the ship cruises to the next spectacular venue. Be prepared, though, for frequent interruptions by some amazing views and spectacular wildlife spied through the panoramic windows. It’s the ultimate comfortable adventure: few vacations offer such awe-inspiring and ever-changing scenery over a single meal.

The afternoon’s activities might include a second shore landing at a different site, or a Zodiac cruise. A highlight of many trips is the opportunity to cruise through beautiful ice scenery, past seals sleeping on ice floes, or among whales. Whatever the activity, by the time supper arrives, everyone will be talking animatedly about the adventures of the day.

Evenings are for relaxing. Well, not necessarily. By all means, curl up with a good book, spend a few hours chatting in the bar, or watch a movie. But there are some rather more exhilarating alternatives. There may be another shore landing or Zodiac cruise, a lecture in the auditorium or, of course, you could always spend a few more hours on the deck, or on the Bridge, looking for just one more iceberg...