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Some cruise lines and travel advisors are seeing increased demand for flyovers of the notoriously choppy Drake Passage when visiting Antarctica. This option appeals to people who prefer shorter sailings or fear seasickness. Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic is the latest line to offer flyover options, with roundtrip charter flights from southern Chile to Antarctica. While fly-cruises come with drawbacks, such as unpredictable weather and flight cancellations, they are becoming more popular among travelers who want to experience Antarctica without the rough seas of the Drake Passage. However, some still prefer the traditional Drake crossing as part of the anticipation and excitement of the journey. [Extracted from the article]

Advisors on Antarctica sailing say recent deaths don't give rise to fear Although there was a lot of chatter about recent fatalities on expedition ships sailing in Antarctica, there was little fear among the more than 100 guests aboard Swan Hellenic's new expedition ship, the Vega, which sailed the region from Ushuaia, Argentina, last week. Cashman, the Vega's captain, also stressed the importance of having very experienced crew in polar regions, especially Antarctica. [Extracted from the article]

Practically every expedition cruise line is seizing on this rare event to offer sailings where their ships will be positioned in the path of eclipse totality. Among the more exciting trips travelers can look forward to once cruising resumes will be to experience a solar eclipse from Antarctica. [Extracted from the article]

Australia-based Aurora Expeditions' new flagship, the 77-cabin Greg Mortimer, launched in late 2019. The ship, designed for Arctic and Antarctic sailings, can carry a maximum of 126 passengers, twice the capacity of Aurora's previous craft, the Polar Pioneer, which was retired last year. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers the author's insights on the Antarctic cruise of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's Sam Simon fleet and its crew member, Alistair Allan. The author relates that the fleet is preparing to sail on Antarctic waters to stalk and hassle Japanese whaling boats. He says that he Allan shows him around the ship.

This article reports that while 110,000 people have visited Antarctica since the mid-1960s, the Southern Ocean is not a benign place. In February 2001, the author aboard the Caledonian Star, sailing from the Falklands to Argentina, and caught in a massive hurricane. The shallow waters and high winds make for enormous waves and three such monsters buried the ship in succession. The last, 33 meters high, smashed the windows on the bridge, crumpled one of the bridge wings, and washed away a lifeboat. With the bridge flooded and the helmsman knocked off the wheel, the first officer swam up to the wheel and got us back into the wind.

Relates a sailing experience across the Ross Sea in Antarctica. Problems encountered while sailing; Description of the icebergs.

The article discusses the Shackleton Epic expedition of Intrepid Travel in Antarctica. It mentions that the said Antarctic excursion is made to recreate polar explorer Ernest Shackleton's voyage in extreme southern waters from Elephant Island to South Georgia and then across the mountains of the island. It also notes that the voyage will be led by veteran explorer Tim Jarvis along with 10 clients aboard the TS Pelican yacht.

The article offers information on the 56-foot aluminum cutter, Seal, available for charters by its owners Kate and Hamish Laird. Hamish is considered one of Antarctica's veteran expedition leaders with 14 years experience in the area. Groups can charter the boat for five-or six-week trips to Antarctica as well as other destinations. Rates and contact information is offered. INSET: MAIL BOAT.

The article reports on the approval of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) members on the new sailing guidelines for the White Continent in Antarctica. It notes that the 43 members will join in a satellite vessel tracking system to improve marine safety. It mentions that the guidelines will require one ice captain or ice pilot in the ships.