ON A "TYPICAL" DAY IN ANTARCTICA

The nature of expedition travel means that a “typical” day can vary wildly from day to day, and that the plan for any given day can change at a moment’s notice. This isn’t always a negative, as the changes are often to the benefit of the traveler! Sure, weather and wave conditions can alter the plan, but so can the sudden appearance of a pod of orca or crossing the path of wandering albatross.

With that said, there is a “typical” pattern to a day on an expedition ship visiting the White Continent:

NB: A “day” actually begins the previous night when you receive a briefing on the plan for the following day.

As mentioned above, this plan can change, but you’ll wake up each day with an idea of what’s in store.

BREAKFAST

Depending on the timing of the morning landing (see below), breakfast is served before or after the landing (usually before). If the landing is due to be very early in the morning due to changing conditions, a light breakfast will be made available before the landing, and a full breakfast with heartier offerings upon your return. Weather permitting, breakfast can be enjoyed out on deck in the sunshine!

MORNING LANDING

Depending on tide, wind, and weather conditions, there is a “landing” in the morning, usually to visit a penguin colony, historic site, a particularly picturesque location, or all of the above! All landings are done by small Zodiac from the expedition ship, departing in groups of 8-12 on the military-grade, rigid-inflatable Zodiacs.

Once ashore, you’ll be reminded of the areas you are allowed to explore, the timings for departure back to the ship, do/don’ts, etc., and then you’re free to wander, take photos, enjoy information from guides stationed around various locations in your landing zone.

Generally, there are Zodiacs running back to the ship at regular intervals over the course of a few hours, so you can spend as little or as much time as you like at the landing site, until it’s time to get everyone back aboard ship.

LUNCH

Generally served after returning from your morning landing, lunch can usually be enjoyed on deck as your ship relocates to the destination for the afternoon landing. Dining with the spectacular views of Antarctica all around you is an unforgettable experience, and don’t forget to keep an eye out for passing whales, pelagic birds, and porpoising penguins.

AFTERNOON LANDING or ZODIAC CRUISE

Following lunch, it’s likely you’ll have some time to rest before heading out for another landing at a different site, or perhaps a guided Zodiac cruise to visit a pod of whales or a close-up view of icebergs!

EVENING RECAP/INFO and DINNER

After refreshing with a shower and perhaps a pre-dinner cocktail, there is usually a recap by the naturalists on what we’ve seen that day, or perhaps a short presentation on the history of exploration in the area, or polar wildlife in general.

We’ll also get a short briefing on the following day’s plan before heading down for dinner.

Often, sunset extends well past the end of dinner and you’ll have the chance to enjoy the incredible colors of an Antarctic sunset on deck before heading in for the night.