We Spent 22 Days Cruising to Antarctica — Was It Worth Skipping the $20,000 Expedition Ship?

Comments · 65

• AC

  @ACruisingGoodTime · 3 months ago · pinned

  Are you team cruise ship or team expedition ship?   Please let us know with a comment below!   Happy cruising!

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• JF

  @jf0817bl · 3 months ago

  I am team expedition.  It takes so long to get down to that area, and I wanted to be truly up close.  My ship had only 190 people on it and the ability to get right up close was important to me.  Not only stepping onto the continent, but also taking the zodiacs right up to the seals and the whales (within 2 feet of them) was important to me.  Yes, it was more expensive, but I felt it was worth it.  Someone here talks about environmental impact, but I think the impact of the ships and their huge carbon discharge is worse than a few hundred people stepping on to the land itself, and the care that is taken.  One could say that stepping into areas of the other places on this cruise are detrimental too.

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• LI

  @lindab5789 · 3 months ago

  Although I do not believe we met, my husband and I were on the same cruise with you. Initially, we had a similar concern about not actually stepping on the continent, however, now that we experienced it, we are totally satisfied with the trip. We researched taking an expedition cruise with our other favorite line - Viking. However, the price was actually double that of the HAL cruise. In addition, a lot of the expedition trips only sail to Antarctica. We so enjoyed visiting Chile, Argentina and Uruguay, and those other ports really make this a bucket list cruise!  This cruise is probably our absolute favorite of all the cruises we had done. Your portrayal of the cruise is spot on. We look forward to your upcoming videos detailing some of the other ports of call!  Thanks so much!!!

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• MI

  @Mitzi73 · 3 months ago (edited)

  I took an expedition to Antarctica and being on land is a vastly different experience. &nbsp;Hanging out with the penguins, going to the Antarctic post office, hiking snowy mountains and just sitting on snowy hills watching what is going on around you was so special. &nbsp;Felt like I was in God’s heaven.<br><br>Doing a “drive-by” on a cruise is fine but does not compare. &nbsp;However, it is more affordable and you have more ports of call which is nice. &nbsp;It is a good alternative.<br><br>My expedition was a once in a lifetime experience because I cannot afford to go again.

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• LY

  @lynnetaylor4919 · 8 days ago

  Great video! So helpful and full of great tips!

• JU

  @justramblinaround · 3 months ago (edited)

  WoW guys what a bucket list trip. We had a few of these locations on our list but you showed us a few more we didnt even know about. Couldnt believe how much stuff you can see and do with penguins. Looks like you were able to see so many places on this cruise and do so much!! The overnight in Buenos Aires sounds really neat! Thx for sharing your experience. Hope we see you on a cruise some day again!!😊

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• AG

  @AgingOnYourTerms · 3 months ago

  An Antarctica expedition cruise was my husband&apos;s #1 bucket list destination. We went in February this year and I am now team Expedition Ship because of the off-ship experiences we had in Antarctica. <br><br>But I can see myself as a member of Team Cruise Ship for the other destinations on your itinerary.

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• LO

  @losfp · 3 months ago

  I don&apos;t think it has to be one being objectively better than the other. I think both styles of cruising are great, for different reasons.<br><br>We haven&apos;t done Antarctica yet (more on that in a minute) but we have done Alaska twice. Once on an expedition-style ship (85ish oassengers) and a traditional mid-sized ship, the old Star Princess (around 2500 passengers). We did the expedition ship on our honeymoon in 2007 and did the cruise ship on our 10th anniversary with our kids and my parents. Both were amazing experiences. &nbsp;The bigger ship was more comfortable, there were more onboard amenities and spaces, had more entertainment, lots of different food options and the kids clubs were fantastic. &nbsp;The smaller ship was very intimate, we could go to places that the big ship couldn&apos;t, and we were so much closer to everything. We had whales come up right beside the ship. To this day, that expedition cruise was the best experience we ever had cruising. No doubt at all in my mind.<br><br>Antarctica is on our to-do list, and we are hoping to save up and do an expedition trip in around 7-10 years just as we are retiring. Based on our experiences in Alaska, I would expect that if your number one priority is the destination, you will get the better experience in a smaller ship, so I think we are happy to save up the extra money to do it. I would also love to do a cruise around south America, and if we do one that happens to do scenic cruising in antarctica, that would be an amazing way to return after our big splurge on the expedition cruise.<br><br>Thanks for the informative video, IMO as long as you&apos;re travelling and learning, there is no WRONG way to do it.

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• KI

  @kimber4350 · 3 months ago

  I just love that scenery around Puerto Montt and the Lake District. It looks so much like something you would see in Germany or the Alps.

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• TM

  @tmpbrash3351 · 3 months ago

  Great video. Thanks for all the hard work you do.

• PA

  @patsytan1327 · 3 months ago

  Agree on your research, &nbsp;we choose HAL on Falkland for coming trips.

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• AL

  @alexisbaumann1631 · 3 months ago

  What an adventure!! ty for sharing