Words by Michelle Ashcroft
Vast, rugged and inhospitable - Antarctica is the last frontier… and its beauty will take your breath away!
Known as the white continent, with 98% covered by ice, Antarctica stands today as it has for hundreds of thousands of years. With nature in control, nowhere on earth will captivate you like this, on an adventure of a lifetime!
I have travelled much of the world, but as a lover of nature and wildlife, Antarctica had always been #1 on my bucket list; but nothing could have prepared me for the way the experience would move me, with a deeper understanding and respect for the world we live in.
Travelling on the incredible Viking Polaris, I was blown away by this polar class 6 ship, purpose built, blending relaxed luxury with the most up to date equipment, bringing the adventurer out of even the most unlikely travellers.
Built in 2022 at 30,000 tonnes, she holds 378 passengers and has the latest technology and comforts. She is perfection! It isn’t often you can say that, but she really is!
Multiple restaurants, stunning Scandinavian design, amazing outdoor spaces, thermal spa, and a speakeasy style den - perfect for a rugged-up whisky, called the Hide, on deck 1. The ship is designed to bring the outside in, so views and space is never a challenge.
Viking is known as ‘the thinking person’s cruise’, with the itinerary, touring options and daily schedule geared to educating guests through hands on experience. Built to explore the world’s most remote locations, the ‘hangar’ is an industry first, and operates 2x12 seater special operations boats, designed by the navy seals, for day excursions to explore more and further than I could have ever imagined. 17 professionally designed zodiacs offer comfort exploration, where you can turn off the engines, sit in silence, and hear the ice break. Many travellers experienced the kayaks, and some even the submarines (there are 2 onboard), holding only 6 guests, taking you to the floor of a world unseen.
The only cruise in Antarctica to have a working science lab onboard, and the first civilian vessel to be designated an official weather ballon launch station, guests are encouraged to visit the lab, talk to the scientists and see the work being undertaken to preserve the environment. A highlight for me was taking part in a science excursion for the day, supporting the science team in putting microphones into the water to monitor humpback whales. Hearing the whales ‘sing’ and communicate with each other underwater, is an experience I will never forget!
The ’landings’ were more than I could have ever dreamed of, entering a world of hundreds of penguins, each with their own personality, waddling, sliding and communicating – they were beautiful! We saw countless humpback whales, and I woke many times to the noise of water being exhaled from their blowhole, as they swam right next to the ship, checking us out. We saw a leopard seal, solitary as they live, sunning itself on an iceberg, and so many seals in colonies, along with amazing birdlife. It was surreal, and so very epic!
What made the journey so special, was the Viking crew. They were so experienced, knowledgeable and educated, with many doctors and specialists in their field, ready to share their knowledge, answer questions and ensure we left the continent as ambassadors for the protection of the beautiful, mostly still untouched, environment. A highlight was a zodiac cruise with a geologist, who picked up a piece of ice from the water and explained it was over 10,000 years old, and how he knew that, and listening to a presentation on orcas and the life they have in Antarctica, but also the heartbreaking impact of humans. I especially loved the nighttime entertainment in the Hide, where a crew member would tell their story, how they came to Antarctica, what they have learned along the way, and their dreams of the future. The way the crew brought guests into their family for the 10 days we sailed, will be forever remembered.
The memories and impact of how beautiful this land of contrast is, will stay with me forever. It was my 7th continent, and with 0.1% of the population expected to experience the last frontier, I feel so very lucky and privileged. Part of the calling is that it is so remote and untouched, and so I say if it’s ever been a thought, I wholeheartedly say do it now, expect the unexpected, and be prepared for a shift inside of you of understanding, respect and awe all at once. That’s what happened to me, and I am forever grateful."
