Expedition Cruise Holidays in Antarctica

By Hannah L Green

An expedition cruise holiday in Antarctica which departs from South America or New Zealand is one of the most popular and best value ways to explore the vast beautiful wilderness that is Antarctica.

You will enjoy all the aspects of a standard Antarctica cruise such as zodiac trips, onboard lectures and wildlife watching as well as more adventurous activities which may include camping, kayaking, hiking, cross-country skiing and mountain climbing.

Therefore an expedition cruise holiday in Antarctica is ideal for the intrepid traveller who is seeking an unforgettable adventure holiday. What better way to explore this vast and demanding continent?

The cruises last from between seven and twenty-nine nights and cater to a range of budgets; however, it is worth paying more to ensure you have the trip of a lifetime in this fragile environment.

Besides all the activities that are mentioned above you can also choose between holidays as diverse as bird watching tours, cruises that visit historic sites and follow in the footsteps of the legendary Antarctic explorers; Scott and Shackleton, wildlife watching cruises to see penguins, orcas, whales and seabirds, and adventurous cruises that venture further afield to the Polar Circle.

On an expedition cruise you will have the opportunity to visit a number of destinations, often depending on the length and the price of the trip. Destinations that you may visit include the Antarctic Peninsula, the Ross Sea and other local islands.

So for the ultimate in adventure and exploration, an expedition cruise holiday in Antarctica is the choice for you.

The Best Way to Travel

By Lavana James

The best way to travel is really dependent upon the person who is going on holiday and the destination they have chosen.

The more independent, adventurous personality will, in all likelihood, opt for the flexibility of a self drive tour, whereas the individual who prefers to have everything cut and dried and taken care of on their behalf will possibly choose either a guided or group tour, depending on how sociable they are.

'Flexi-drives' for the adventurous
In truth, self drive tours are really 'flexi-drives' where the intrepid journeyman can add, modify, adapt and exchange virtually any aspect of their itinerary, including preferred routes, activities and even accommodation.

There is absolutely no rigidity to the sojourn but at the same time they will have tapped into the extensive knowledge and local know-how of dedicated tour operators who will have assisted them every step of the way, from planning the itinerary with the client's continual feedback to the point of meeting and greeting them at the airport to hand over the hired car keys.

As long as the destination is a relatively safe one with suitable road networks and a reasonable infrastructure, the self drive tour option is arguably the best way to experience an African safari for some.

Advantages of self drive tours:

* Tailor-made itinerary
* Routes and departure times that suit the client, not the group
* Freedom to 'shop till you drop' en route, as there are no baggage constraints except for the size of the boot
* A safety net in place in case of emergencies or any other problems
* The ability to drive off the beaten track for unique sight-seeing; a big plus on a Big 5 safari
* No dodgy travelling companions

Disadvantages of self drive tours:
Undoubtedly the cost. Rental cars and petrol come at a premium these days and the tour operator will not have the benefit of 'volume' buying that generally keeps the costs of accommodation and transport much lower in the group scenario.

Escorted or guided tours are the best of both worlds
Escorted or guided tours are the best of both worlds. The client still has all the benefits of privacy and flexibility, yet at the same time can hand over the reins to the local guide, who will generally act as a driver too.

The one major drawback of an escorted tour is that it can prove to be rather expensive. The client and his party will not only have to fork out for the guide's expertise but all his or her meals, accommodation and entry fees to national parks or any other excursions too.

Group tours offer security, companionship and little effort
Group tours are possibly the ideal mode of travel for single people, females and senior citizens. The group offers security, companionship and comfort as well as the ideal opportunity to make new friends. It is also the cheapest way to travel purely because of volume purchasing.

Disadvantages of group tours are:

* Stuck with that group of people and an inflexible itinerary
* Often not enough time to enjoy any one place
* Can sometimes miss out on cultural experiences if too busy interacting with the group