Ngaire, I saw you mention this in the Crystal thread and wanted to elevate this into its own topic. I was very keen on seeing Antarctica but was not impressed with the Explorer II's reviews. However, based on what little I know about ResidenSea, that really does seem like a great way to see Antarctica. Do you know when we would hear about this itinerary? The complication for me is that if ResidenSea goes to Antarctica in 2006, that's a conflict with ROAR. I can't take that many days off in the first half of the year (and I also fear the size of the single supplement on ResidenSea). What would you recommend? Or is this discussion a bit pre-mature at this point in time?

Lawrence

A friend of mine is doing Antaractica through her college alumni program, along with 2 other universities. I do not know which cruise line, but she says the price is fantastic. She is coming to mu house for Xmas dinner so I will see what I can find out.

Cool! Thanks in advance. I hope it's warmer in TX than it is here. It was -15 with wind chill this morning.

Didn't you see my post. Shorts, barefoot, RSSC T-shirt, high today 70.
But they are talking about a few flakes on the 24th. If you want to see something really scary - watch Houstonians try to drive on snow or ice. It is not pretty & I am not sure if the city even owns any sort of de-ice or snow removal equipment. A disaster waiting to happen.

Betty, it is supposed to hit us here in Dallas on Wednesday. You are right it is really scary. We are not prepared like people in the north that have to deal with this stuff every day. We just aren't set up for it.

Oh, I guess we were talking about Antartica. I am sure that cruises that do this are prepared though.

Wonder what the snorkeling is like??? LOL

I think I am the Queen of taking these posts off topic. And now that I will not be working until after Feb 5th, heaven help what I might do to this board.
How back to penquins and snorkeling.
Don, I would just settle for a short trip to Colorado at this point. We have had all of 4 days of fall weather this year so a little cool will not be bad. Talk about global warming - there I go again. Lucky you, it is time for the news.
Bye!!!

We love you just the same, Betty. :)

Lawrence - we'd be interested as well. Not sure if the kid would appreciate the cold or not but what the heck ... :)

Masaki

FWIW, when I saw Ngaire mention the ship last night, I went to the site and played around. The prices I saw, which were mindboggingly high, said "for two". So is that a 100% single supplement?

For instance: one of the studio accomodations said $2000 per day for two. I didn't read on to see if that included meals, but I'm assuming it did since I didn't see kitchens in the studios.

I think a trip to antarctica would make a good MINT-style cruise. I'm going to talk it up at our house and see if anyone gets interested.

MarnaLou

I can't imagine that Residensea is equipped for landings in the Antarctic. They must be talking about an "around the Horn" fly by. Would be interested in hearing more.

Actually hrprof they did it right. They had all the zodiacs and naturilists and the report back from the people we sent were fanstastic. I had very serious doubts myself about them handling this properly - I was wrong.

The ship only holds 300 or so when it is FULL and every resident and cabin is taken. I think they limited the passengers (I am not positive of this fact) to under 200. Therefore they ran the landings as they did when we were on the Hanseatic. Two groups. One went ashore one went out exploring in the zodiacs and then they switch. Two to Three landings a day. In fact it sounded like a duplicate of the trip I took on the Hanseatic.

So IF they do this again and IF they do it the same it will be without a doubt the most luxurious way to see all that the Antarctica has to offer. It is still way up in the air they are just "talking" about doing it again. Linda actually handles Residensea not me so there may be more news I dont know. I think however they are talking either at the end of 06 - December or at the beginning of 07. If they do this then Ken and I will most likely be jumping aboard. Will let everyone know when anything definite is announced and able to booked. I think quick booking will be necessary as it was so "hot" and well received last time they did it.

There are many other ships that do the Antarctica. Linblad, Russian Freighters etc. However none of these is a first class ship of course. Will be much cheaper it just depends on what you are looking for in the trip.

Now anyone that can stay in the wilds of Africa and watch wild dogs for hours will I am sure be able to handle a less than 6 star ship experience for the nature of the Antarctica. I was thinking about you the other day and I am becoming such an advocate for Southern Africa I figured one of these days I might be right there with you watching those wild dogs. Africa and the wildlife grows on you that is for sure. Missed your posts glad to see you back.

As to pricing. It changes with itineraries. I honestly dont know right now how the single supplement works. I did a lot of booking on Residensea initially. Had over 100 on the ship for the Americas cup in New Zealand. Then the single supplement was reasonable but I cannot remember how it worked. However the ownership has now changed to the people who actually own the condos on the ships so things have changed.

All fares are FULLY INCLUSIVE this means all food, room service, with alcohol and tips and port taxes included. The cabins are nice about like a Voyager cabin, better fabrics, with balconies. The area between the bed and the wall is ridicuously tight. Just a bad design. Free standing shower and full bath tub in the bathrooms. The ship is beautiful.

Amazing! I hope that you'll keep us up to date on future developments - I have missed creature comforts on previous Antarctic trips in order to maximize shore time - this might tempt us to return. Have been reading with great interest your reports on Southern Africa, and am delighted to sense your enthusiasm - Cape Town is a wonderful city and Singita unbeatable as a first safari destination. I wish you had spent more time at Mombo (I know, no AC or hairdryers!) - We'll make you a wild dog convert yet!

Ted

I hope they sail to South Georgia Island too! Also, without any form of ice breaking hull (A1A?) how do they go down the "Kodak" channel among the icebergs?

Glad to see Antarctica now has its own topic (I'm the initial questioner.)

In Residensea's '05 itineraries and they aren't going to S. America so perhaps it will be on schedule for early '06 - they are in the Caribbean in Dec. 05.

There is a new ship called the Orion that does Antarctica that looks posher than the other expedition ships. Butterfield and Robinson used it for a special departure last year and a search on google comes up with other tour companies offering it as well.

here's one link to ship info:

http://www.antarctica-journeys.com/antarctica/journey_types/luxury/orion/

Leslie, I think this ship came up in a discussion a long time ago when RSSC lost the contract on the ship before what they are using now. Marc, do you remember? (Marc remembers everything)

I do not remember Orion relative to Antarctica. However, I have heard Orion frequently mentioned for soft adventuring. Isn't it booked by A&K?

I still like Society Expedition's World Discoverer for Antarctica based on itinerary, amenities, and cost. Of course, as hrprof would say, the most important things are the naturalists aboard and the landings.

My ideal Antarctica experience would be to have a great itinerary with world class naturalists, lecturers & a well stocked library relating to Antarctica PLUS a good size cabin (225 plus sq ft) with a real bathroom,on board space for stuff like a fitness center, availability of spa treatments etc.

Over on the Crystal thread Susan mentioned that Residensea is tentatively going to Antarctica in early '07. A&K uses the Explorer II,also used by Radisson?

I spoke with ResidenSea today. Antarctica is tentatively on the ResidenSea schedule for January 2007. It is scheduled to include the Falklands Islands. I am going to double check in the morning to see if this will include South Georgia as Marc had requested. The residents vote on the itinerary and this is always subject to change, but as with Radisson it traditionally is scheduled for January and is not on the ResidenSea schedule for January 2006, but is for January 2007. There have been mixed reviews about Explorer II but I have a very good review from a discerning passenger that I will be happy to post tomorrow as well as any additional information I receive from ResidenSea. I have put together a list of people that have responded about Antarctica and ResidenSea for 2007 and if you would like to be included when we send out information, please just let me know.

I agree with Marc, South Georgia is a must for an Antarctic itinerary (a year ago right now, we were standing in the midst of 500,000 King Penguins on S. Georgia)but, it does expand the cruise and the cost! The Falklands, at least Port Stanley, is a standard stop off for many cruise ships. Outlying Falklands, esp. Steeple Jason, are magnificent - but, with difficult landings. NGAIRE compared the cabins to Voyager - assume this means 350 sq ft, right? We would like to be included in any further developments. Also, Marc raises a valid point about ice strengthening of the hull - that and the Captain's experience dictate the reach of the vessel - if the cruise is in early January, there will be be lots of ice to navigate.

Doesn't Navigator have an ice breaking hull? Has RSSC considered using it for this kind of trip?

2007 is still a long way off to make any definite plans, but we would be interested in any information on a group cruise to Antarctica. That, Africa (as a cruise), and the Suez Canal are on my personal wish list.

The Marco Polo has the ice breaking hull and cruised Antarctica. We sailed on it in the Med years ago, it it still part of Orient Lines?

I have spoken further with ResidenSea and the tentative schedule for January 2007 is Ushuaia, Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Ushuaia, Antarctica then on to Argentina for February. At this point if you plan on doing the Falklands, S. Georgia, and Antarctica it would be approximately 30 days. You can book either the Falklands and South Georgia separately or just do Antarctica. The ship has an ice class rating of 1C. They don't go where the ice would be too dense. Islands they have visited include Palmer Station, Elephant Island, and Deception Bay. If you are on ResidenSea for over 30 days you receive an additional savings of 5%. For singles, there are studio apartments available at 185% instead of 200%. So there is some discount for a single. If you would like any additional information, don't hesitate to ask.

Susan - I'd also like to be notified if any further information on this itinerary comes up. :)

Masaki

Susan, my wife and I would love to be put on the list. January is perfect for us. Thanks Dan

Me Me Me!! This would be my dream vacation. I don't know about 30 days.... Please include us in any emails. thanks

Those who have been to the Antarctica peninsula can just do the Shetlands Island part and those who have never been to Antarctica can do the Antarctica Peninsula part. Actually that was a pretty good idea for Residensea to split it that way when you think about it. Maybe I would prefer it together but I can see why they did it that way. It will be expensive though so be prepared. There are a few smaller cabins but very few. Will need to book right away to get those.

The Marco Polo does only a few landings we saw it when we were down there but could not compare to the proper landings like we did on the Hanseatic. It did not even land people in Deception Bay which is an easy landing. I am not sure it has an ice breaking hull Marcie they just have reinforced hulls. The Navigator has an ice reinforced hull wish they would take her down there - but she is too many passengers also.

BOY I WISH RSSC would charter the Hanseatic again.

I think I will pass. I think there are other options out there that will provide a better antarctica experience. The worst thing that can happen would be to skip the Lemaire Channel just because there was too much ice for the ResidenceSea. I guess hrprof's reviews have rubbed off on me. It is far better to give up something with regard to the ship to see more of antarctica. Now, this doesn't mean I will take a Russian icebreaker, just that I want one with a minimal ice protected hull and a good itinerary that I could afford.

I understand Marc, it may be cost prohibitive as well we just dont know yet. We need RSSC to take the Hanseatic then we would all be set.

The Orion - I had seen some information on that ship and that might be worth investigating.

Unfortunately, there are no bargains in the Antarctic. Just looked at the '06 fares for Lindblad's Antarctic-S. Georgia-Falklands itineraries (the trip we took last year)- 30K to 53k for two. Great expedition experience, but short on creature comforts - 6 star it is not! We happened to see the Orion last year - understand it is a step or 2 up from Lindblad, but wouldn't compare to Residensea.

hrprof - did you get an opportunity to see the inside of the Orion, or just from the outside? It is so hard to tell from diagrams.

In searching for Orion and Antarctica I came across a link to an article about the Orion going to Australia. A search for '06 come up with a departure from Christchurch - return to Hobart.

hrprof - did you get an opportunity to see the inside of the Orion, or just from the outside? It is so hard to tell from diagrams

Leslie,

Alas, no. We passed like ships in the night! It was the only ship we saw - it was on its maiden voyage.

Lawrence

This is the info on my friend's trip to Antartica with the IU alumni group. She really doesn't know that much about the ship.

February 1 – 17

Join the 122-passenger Clipper Adventurer on a cruise to the southern periphery of the world, when the long hours of austral summer’s sunlight bring the region to exuberant life. Begin with two nights in the vibrant Argentinean capital of Buenos Aires. Continue to Ushuaia to embark the Adventurer and cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula. Sailing aboard one of the world’s few vessels specifically constructed to navigate the waters of this remote environment, witness colonies of penguins that stretch as far as the eye can see; wildflowers and tundra grasses in full splendor; thawed coves and waterways that host migrating whales; and seals loafing on the warm, sun-lit beaches. We’ll also explore the remote Falkland Islands, home to a wide variety of penguins and other fauna.

From approximately $5,595, plus air

Have some friends who did the Antarctic on the Clipper Adventurer and found the experience rewarding. The CA achieved some notoriety a few years back when it got stuck in the ice and had to be rescued by ice breakers out of Ushuaia - there is an exhibit describing this event in the Maritime museum there. I'm sure that passengers on board are still re-telling that story at cocktail parties!

I believe the Clipper Adventurer has only single beds; at least in the categories that we could afford. I will also say that it was 2001 when I was researching the ship. Otherwise, I thought the ship a wonderful choice for Antarctica.