Cruises

Adventure to Antarctica with Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten is an exploration company in the truest sense of the word, offering unparalleled experiences in the most remote corners of the world. As the largest operator in both poles, and with 125 years of know-how, our captains, crew, and expedition teams have the most expertise in polar destinations; notably, in Antarctica.

Antarctica is the world’s largest desert, home to truly stunning landscapes and a simply tremendous amount of wildlife. Guests searching for immersive and authentic experiences need look no further than a Hurtigruten expedition cruise to the region.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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They’ll see chinstrap penguins porpoising around the ship; wandering albatross, the largest seabird in the world, soaring through the sky; humpback whales feeding on krill; and leopard seals, lounging on icebergs.

These experiences can all be found in a variety of Antarctic locations: Deception Island, the ring-shaped volcanic caldera with a natural harbor; Brown Bluff, the 2,440-foot-high rust-colored cliff that is home to Adélie and gentoo penguins; Wilhelmina Bay, nicknamed “Whale-mina Bay” for the amount of whales that appear; Neko Harbor, one of the few places where it’s hopeful to land on the continent; and Lemaire Channel, nicknamed “Kodak Channel” for its spectacular views and amazing photo opportunities, among others. 

Hurtigruten is a member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), created to promote the practice of safe and environmentally responsible travel to the region. Hurtigruten puts great effort into strengthening their environmental initiatives in the destinations they visit, like Antarctica, and aims to run a responsible and sustainable operation.  

Through 2020, Hurtigruten has three expedition ships cruising through the Antarctic region, with 30 departure dates that offer itineraries ranging from a 13-day concentrated Antarctica immersion, to a 23-day ultimate Antarctica adventure that includes South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.  

When traveling with Hurtigruten, guests will find comfort in their “base-camp-at-sea”: MS Fram, MS Midnatsol, and beginning in 2019, MS Roald Amundsen are all state-of-the-art expedition ships that cruise the polar waters of the Southern Ocean. And, no matter which ship one takes, guests will have the adventure of a lifetime, as each one offers incredible opportunities: cruising in small explorer boats, specially designed for extreme conditions; hiking on glaciers in snowshoes; and the ultimate experience—camping overnight in Antarctica. (In the style of early explorers, guests are able to camp out on the continent, using top quality camping gear; truly, an item to check off one’s bucket list.) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Hurtigruten even offers a sea kayaking certification program. Guests will learn how to effectively maneuver kayaks and perform simple, practical kayaking exercises and drills. The course is up to 16 hours in duration, with sessions split over several days, and all equipment is included—even a dry suit. By the end of the expedition, guests will be able to kayak in the nooks and crannies of the Antarctic Peninsula, soaking up some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes from the point of view of a breaching whale.

For those longing to enjoy the warmth of a comfortable expedition ship, Hurtigruten also offers Explorer Photography School. This three-hour course, taken over several days, teaches curious photographers how to take the best photographs in Antarctic conditions, as well as how to store and edit photos, and properly clean a camera.There will even be special outings in the explorer boats, filled with course-takers only, for a lesson in action shots.

In short, an expedition cruise to Antarctica is THE way to explore the Great White Continent. Guests will have opportunities to explore the vast polar desert, meet the curious wildlife, and rest assured knowing they’re traveling with the experts in polar travel. And, if guests book before September 30, 2018, Hurtigruten is offering free roundtrip flights from New York, Miami, and Los Angeles on select 2019 expeditions to the region.

For reservations or more information on Hurtigruten’s Antarctica—including their brand-new 2019/2020 Expedition Cruises Brochure—call +1 (866) 552-0371 or visit www.hurtigruten.com, today. 

The editorial staff had no role in this post's creation.