Do a little research or sign up for a cruise, and you'll easily stumble upon countless packing lists for an expedition cruise to Antarctica. Most of them are generally the same with a few basic, non-negotiable items:

Layers: multiple layers starting with a thermal base layer, an insulating mid-layer, and a waterproof outer layer



*I …

Once you board your expedition cruise ship, your trip starts to feel an awful lot like summer camp for adults. You have a daily schedule that starts to feel routine after a few days: breakfast, followed by an excursion, followed by lunch, followed by another excursion, followed by a recap/briefing, then dinner, and if you've still got any …

If you are considering a trip to Antarctica or are even remotely interested in the 7th continent, there are some excellent books and documentaries that will immerse you into the history of the region, focusing on some of the admirable expeditions that took place in the 19th and 20th centuries. Names like Shackleton, Ross, and Amundsen are …

Antarctica is notoriously one of the most remote, harsh, and unpredictable places on the planet. I knew this, and yet I was still amazed at how truly dynamic it is. Every day spent there was a humbling experience and a reminder that mother nature is a force to be reckoned with. We are not in control.

When you board an Antarctic expedition cruise, …

A swimsuit is not something you would expect to find on a packing list for Antarctica. And yet, if you don't bring one, you may find yourself disappointed and left out of a crazy but fun activity.

I have done the "polar bear plunge" at home on New Year's Day, running into the Atlantic Ocean as fast as I could to ring in the new …

Antarctica is one of the most remote locations on earth. So, it should come as no surprise that it's not just a "hop, skip, and a jump" away from home - more like 2-3 plane rides and two days by sea! Regardless of where you live on the globe, it is not a simple, short journey. For most travelers coming from anywhere that is not …

Once upon a time, Ushuaia was a missionary base, a penal colony, and a naval base. Until recently, it was not on the radar of many tourists. Ushuaia is the gateway to Antarctica, but the city and surrounding region itself deserve some attention as well. While it may not offer the epic views of Torres del Paine or Fitz Roy, it is still a part of …

An expedition to Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime trip. For some, it's a dream come true. For others, it's simply a check off the old bucket list. Regardless of your motivation for traveling to Antarctica, it's increasingly important to choose an operator that advocates for responsible travel and follows IAATO's guidelines.

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The season in Antarctica generally runs from November to March, during the austral summer when the temperatures rise and the sea ice breaks up enough for ships to access the Antarctic Peninsula, the part of the continent that stretches closest to the tip of South America. In my opinion, there is no "bad" time to visit Antarctica during …