HANDPICKEDVESSELS& EXPERIENCES
VARIETYANDCHOICE
HOWDOES SHIP SIZEMATTER? Thesizeofshipwillhaveasignificant impactonyourAntarctic experience, withshipcapacities ranging from50passengers to over 250. Styles of ships also range fromsimple research vessels with basic accommodation and amenities, through to larger cruise ships that offer suites and a wider range of on-board facilities. The smaller ships are able to access the most landing sites on the Antarctic Peninsula. But the larger vessels have the advantage that they tend to bemore stable in rollingwaters, and this may be an important consideration if you are prone to seasickness. Ships that carry 250 passengers are not considered large. They focus not only on shore visits and wildlife viewing, but also on providing an extremely comfortable and often luxurious environment inwhich to explore the Polar regions. Their layouts are designed to allow easy disembarkation for shore excursions and Zodiac cruises, some vessels even having elevators between decks. These bigger vessels tend to offer a more extensive range of facilities such as a spa, sauna, Jacuzzi, gym and fitness centre, swimming pool and sun decks equippedwith loungers. If your goal is to maximise time spent on shore enabling you to see as much wildlife and as much of Antarctica as possible, then you will need to select a ship that carries fewer passengers. The smaller expedition ships also tend to offer more adventurous and more flexible itineraries, focusing more on shore landings and wildlife viewing that on accommodation and on-board facilities, often offering a range of activities such as kayaking, skiing, hiking and snow- shoeing.Thesemay all be important factors inyour choiceof Polar vessel.
Viva Expeditions is proud to present a selection of reputable expedition ships, which all have their own special qualities to help provide a unique experience. We have close relationships with a multitude of ships in Antarctica, from smaller ships with fewer than 100 passengers to large vessels with over 250 passengers. Assuch,weare inauniqueposition tooffer youthemost suitable on board and off board experiences for your individual voyage. Whether your choice depends on a specific ship, a particular itinerary or with an exact date in mind, our multiplealternativeswill giveyouall theflexibility youwill need. Most expeditions to Antarctica depart from either Ushuaia inArgentinaorPuntaArenas inChile, bothat the southern tip of South America. Some seasons there are alsoaselect fewdepartures fromNewZealand.
ON-SHOREZODIACEXCURSIONS
Toensureyouget themost out of your trip toAntarctica, all of our chosen ships offer regular landings for you to explore the wildlife and landscape from up close. Your expedition team will be sure to make the most of these opportunities so that you can spend as much time as possible exploring nature’s most spectacular wonderlands. Your shipwill also be equippedwith a fleet ofZodiacstocruisetheAntarcticwaters.Theyareagreat way to explore remote bays and cruise around icebergs and through narrow channels. For those who would like to add evenmore adventure to their trip, we also offer a wide rangeof optional activities.
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