GRIOTS REPUBLIC - AN URBAN BLACK TRAVEL MAG - DECEMBER 2016

get severe motion sickness (the twoday
Shake & Bake Drake Passage is notorious);
if you aren’t physically fit or
have difficulty walking; if you’re afraid
of the water; if you don’t have many
vacation days; if you only do cheap,
budget-friendly trips; if you need a
kid-friendly trip – if you fall into any of
these categories, you should seriously
reconsider if a trip to Antarctica is
right for you. Antarctica should NOT be
an ego trip (pun intended). If you don’t
carefully consider these variables, you
could be in for one of the worst travel
experiences of your life!
TRANSPORTATION
While skipping the cruise and Drake Passage,
and flying directly into Antarctica
is possible, the vast majority of travelers
cruise into the continent, which is less
expensive. This is an important consideration
given the overall trip will probably
be one of the most expensive trips
you will ever take! The cruise option is
also selected
more often
because people
want the
full Antarctic
experience,
the same experience
early
explorers had
upon the first discoveries of Antarctica.
The continent can be inhospitable, unpredictable,
and potentially dangerous,
and a cruise there is considered an expedition,
not a vacation. Consequently,
it’s important to select an expedition
company with years of safe, reliable
experience in the region. Ships include
typical cabin accommodations, basic
amenities (e.g. gym, spa), and a restaurant
serving a variety of foods to please
different palates, but don’t expect the
variety and caliber of entertainment
and amenities found on the current
mega-ships by operators such as Carnival,
Princess, or Royal Caribbean. The
guests on the average Antarctic cruise
are anything but average. While they are
low in diversity and tend to be older in
age, most are well-traveled, with many
checking off their last continent with
the trip to Antarctica.
GETTING THERE
The majority of travelers fly into Buenos
Aires, Argentina. They spend the night,
then take a three-hour charter flight
to Ushuaia, Argentina to explore this
quaint little town before boarding the
cruise ship. The typical Antarctica cruise
is a minimum
of nine days,
not including
Antarctica should
NOT be an ego trip
(pun intended)
time spent
in Argentina.
Many cruise
operators
may offer
savings by including
the night in Buenos Aires, charter
flight to Ushuaia, breakfast, and
transfers in their Antarctica packages
so be sure to check for that. Because of
these discounts, travelers will reserve