How to find price of Antartica shore excursions?

[RevNeal]

Elephant Hunting on Elephant Island

-- That would be a 3-walker Adventure Excursion and would probably include a lunch.

 

Penguin Poo Relays on Deception

-- That would be a 2-walker Excursion, no lunch (you couldn't stomach it).

 

Ice Sculptures out of Glaciers!

-- "Watch as your friendly HAL Artisans make beautiful ice sculptures out of the natural, virgin ice bergs in Iceberg Alley!" 1-walker.

 

"Water Skiing through Lemaire Straight"

-- 3-walker, wet-suit included.

[RuthC]

Someone's home from his Hawaii cruise, and feeling quite playful. ;)

[RevNeal]

Someone's home from his Hawaii cruise, and feeling quite playful. ;)

 

Yes, indeed, I'm home! It feels good to be home. If I can't be on a Damship, it's good to be home.

 

:)

[ferry_gal]

Are you referring to the actual shore excursion that brings passengers to Antarctica, and they can walk on the continent?

 

On HAL that's a $4000 excursion by airplane. There's no guarantee that the flight will actually be able to go to Antarctica and land there that day, as weather is a major factor. The excursion was offered on my first cruise there, and it was diverted to a different route that time. I believe there was a reduced fee, but the excursion was not canceled.

 

Also, on that first opportunity, there was an extensive list of things you were required to bring with you, as well as a list of optional items. A camera was on the "optional" list, so that tells you the relative importance of the other things. It would have required one complete suitcase for the required items.

 

For the cost, with no guarantee of getting there, plus bringing everything needed, I didn't take the tour.

And I'm not the least bit sorry.

 

The Star Princess (1/26/11 sailing from Valpariso to Rio de Janiero) offers a day trip to Antarctica from Punta Arenas for $2,999/pp. I would love to hear from anyone who has actually taken this trip to hear if it was worth the price tag. The info says it includes the flight, snack, lunch, landing on the continent, and wildlife viewing (although not guaranteed) but no zodiacs. While it is an inticing offer I feel that I'd rather put the $2,999 toward a Antarctic specific cruise trip.