Let me get right to the bottom line: There are great deals—across the board—on polar expeditions (Arctic and Antarctic). It doesn’t matter if it is luxury or premium, hardcore or easier going. Because of this, NOW is the time to take that first (or second, third, or fourth) visit to the ice!
The reality is that I anticipated this happening, I just wasn’t sure when. (You can skip the analysis and skip to the bargains or, of course, read on.) There are a number of reasons.
I. The Number of Expedition Ships
The number of expedition ships in Antarctica has significantly increased. About a decade ago, there were probably 20 ships suitable for consumer expeditions. Now, there are reportedly over 80. While those ships range in size from less than one hundred to over four hundred passengers, the fact is that there are a lot more beds to fill. In 2015, there were about 36,000 tourists visiting Antarctica (including “sail by” – no landing), and in 2018 (my first visit), there were about the same; literally not seeing another ship. Two years later, seeing another ship seemed like an invasion of privacy. Now, however, with the numbers approaching 125,000, seeing multiple ships at the same time is not out of the ordinary. (The good news is that IATTO, the organization that coordinates, among other things, the landings, assures that only one ship at a time is present at any particular site.)
The increase in passenger traffic in the Arctic is not quite as dramatic, but then again, the demand is not great. In 2015, there were about 35 expedition ships that visited Svalbard (the archipelago off the coast of Norway), and which remains about the same; however, Norwegian regulations limit the number of guests per ship to 200. That has resulted in more ships visiting Greenland and northern Canada (the Northwest Passage being an example: Reflections: Quark Ultramarine-Northwest Passage.) While the Arctic doesn’t sell itself like Antarctica does, the scenery is breathtaking, the cultural experiences are incredible, the hiking is amazing, and well, polar bears and walrus. Aurora Expeditions: Goldring Travel Checks It Out – Part VII Svalbard – WOW…Again!
II. Major and New Cruise Lines Are Now Involved
When eyes turned toward Antarctica and the prices the traditional expedition companies were fetching while offering on “rustic” ships (my worst ship, but an otherwise fantastic experience, was on an old Polish-built Russian ferry that was converted into an expedition ship: Antarctica: Ocean Endeavour – Getting There & Beyond), it became obvious that if modern ships with comfortable onboard experiences and ice-hardened hulls demand would increase…and it did. And that, in turn, led to the construction of even more new ships by stalwarts such as Lindblad (now NatGeo/Lindblad) and the entry or expansion into the market of small, specialized, expedition companies such as Aurora Expeditions and Quark Expeditions as well as Silversea, Scenic, Seabourn, and on the premium-ish side, Viking and HX. Silversea Silver Endeavour Journeys to Antarctica
III. The Age and Cost of Expedition Ships
There is not only a demand by guests for more modern ships, but there are safety and, more importantly, environmental requirements that are slowly but surely forcing the older ships out of the polar markets because the cost of upgrading them (if it is even possible) just doesn’t make sense. These “classic” expedition ships are being in-filled by more modern ones, though some companies, such as G Adventures and Intrepid, still utilize them, enabling them to offer lower-cost options in some, but not all, polar areas.
And then there are the operators that have new builds in order to fill markets that were otherwise not really able to be specifically targeted. For example, Aurora Expeditions focuses on small (130 or so guests) ships with X-Bow hulls with upscale, but not luxury, really “get out there” experiences. Quark Expeditions has a 200-passenger ship, offering an upscale experience including two helicopters (and another more aligned with Aurora). Seabourn has a more cruiseship-esque luxury experience, including submarines. Scenic offers 200 guests nine dining venues and both submarine and helicopter experiences. And, without limitation, Silversea offers large suites and butlers along with a focused but what I call “expedition-light” experience. All of these operators and ships have defined their markets and have elevated the expedition experience for each of them.
But these new ships are expensive, not only to build, but to operate. Gone are worn sheets, ordinary buffets, small expedition teams, and inexpensive beverages and spirits. More safety equipment, upgraded zodiacs and more are required. And while these ships are far more fuel efficient (some even being hybrid) they operate on cleaner, more expensive, fuels and being faster can operate over longer distances causing more fuel consumption.
IV. Demand Curves and Demographics
As I mentioned above, there was a huge increase in the demand for Antarctic expeditions, much of that was a combination of pent-up demand among travelers unwilling to endure old ships and less than gentile experiences, bolstered by Covid-19 “revenge travel”. The reality is that, as is well the case with luxury travel (because it is more expensive), there are a number of attributes the expedition guest must have, including the funds, the time, the desire, and, to a significant extent, the physical ability.
With the boom in polar travel, many of those who experience it because they needed to visit their seventh continent (I refer to it as the first continent…but they finally got there) ticked it off their list, others just consider Antarctica as a “one and done” (Heck, I’ve been there nine times and would go back in an instant!). And because most expeditions require both time and money, as well as a desire to experience the ice without fear of the Drake Passage, the issue becomes, “After those guests do it, who is going to fill all these new ships?”
Let’s face it, those with time and money generally are older, and the number of ships is outpacing the number of older guests who desire to go, the operators have decided that “Fly the Drake” is a great way to address the issue: Shorten the Antarctic Experience and avoid the Drake Passage. As the expeditions are shorter, it has definitely lowered the demographic age range and, to a degree, lowered the cost; addressing both the time and money issue. But, personally, I did not like the experience as it is less immersive, seemed a bit too rushed and, of course, a bit of a logistical challenge…no matter how well the operators got the job done. But if someone wants to experience Antarctica and has those constraints, it does work. Goldring Travel Checks Out Antarctica21 – The OG of the “Fly the Drake” Experience – Part IV: Reflections and Silversea’s Silver Endeavour – Antarctica (Getting Home Flying The Drake Passage)
That, however, doesn’t address the Arctic and, to be sure, it is a quandary. While my times there have been incredibly fulfilling, it is definitely a “You don’t know if you don’t know” experience. It is unique, unlike Antarctica in almost every way, and incredibly beautiful. But, alas, it is difficult to have potential guests focus on colder regions in the summer, when they have their eyes on Italy and Spain. Thus, there are some fantastic deals on some great ships.
The Deals
There are so many deals out there it is impossible to list them all, but here are a few:
- Silversea is offering a Fly the Drake expedition on the ultra-luxury Silver Endeavour for under $10,000 per per person. For example: Cruise from King George Island to King George Island – EV251026006 | Silversea
- Aurora Expeditions has a wonderful Arctic expedition of West Greenland (highly recommend!): Wild Landscapes Of West Greenland | Greenland Cruise – Aurora Expeditions
- Quark Expeditions has a Svalbard to Jan Mayan to Iceland expedition at almost 50% off: Ultimate Arctic Voyage: From Svalbard to Jan Mayen to Iceland – Quark Expeditions
- Scenic is offering 2-for-1 Fares plus Free Air on this expedition: Norwegian Fjords & Crossing the Arctic Circle
- No Single Supplement Sailings: There are many of them and you can, with some lines, book right into 2027. For example:
- Cruises for Solo Travelers | Our Solo Travel Experience – Aurora Expeditions
- Solo Travel Deals – Quark Expeditions
- There are too many reduced single supplement sailings to list, but as low as 25% is offered by a number of operators on select sailings.
A Word of Warning: There are companies such as Atlas Ocean Voyages that have ridiculously low prices, but they are not “deals”! I have found them to not only provide inferior expedition teams, but also an overall poor Antarctic experience. You may read rave reviews, but remember, “You don’t know what you don’t know,” and I know that most qualified expedition team members will not work for Atlas. Read between the lines of my article: Antarctica Reflections: Atlas Ocean Voyages Experience
That said, as noted, there are some companies operating older ships that can provide a high quality, though basic onboard, experiences. If you think that is for you, Goldring Travel can assist in navigating these somewhat challenging waters. (An old ship can be fine…or it can be a rough ride, so care and knowledge are necessary!)
There are many polar deals, some of them unpublished. Don’t bother looking online and giving up! Give Goldring Travel a call or drop an email, and we will find that amazing Arctic or Antarctic expedition that you dreamed of…or never thought of before now…and at a great price.
