Why an Antarctica Cruise Should Be on Your Bucket List

The Travel Diaries is a series of inspirational blogs written by Avoya travelers and Independent Agents in the Avoya Network, sharing their expert tips and real-life experiences in the world of travel.

This blog was written by Avoya traveler Isheeta Borkar, author of the Travelicious Couple blog. 

There are travel experiences and then there are moments that stay etched in your soul forever. For my husband and me, sailing to the end of the world aboard an Atlas Ocean Voyages expedition cruise to Antarctica was the latter. 

Antarctica had always loomed large in our imagination. Icy, untouched, surreal. We dreamed of stepping foot on the white continent, seeing penguins waddle across vast snowy landscapes, and kayaking between icebergs. But the planning felt daunting until we connected with Avoya Travel. From that point on, everything fell into place. 

Antarctica is unlike any other place on Earth. It's remote, pristine, and otherworldly. You're not just visiting a continent, you’re stepping into a place where nature reigns supreme. There are no shops or tourist traps, just raw wilderness, stunning ice formations, and wildlife that seems unbothered by your presence. 

But as magical as it sounds, planning a trip here isn’t simple. That’s why choosing the right travel partner matters so much. Avoya made the entire experience from flights to cruise to gear recommendations seamless, stress-free, and tailored to our needs. 

Each day aboard the ship was packed with awe-inspiring moments. Mornings often began with lectures from the expedition team like glacier science, penguin behavior, and the history of early explorers. Then came the Zodiac excursions: gliding across ice-laced waters to reach remote landings, spotting seals lounging on floes, and sometimes even cruising alongside curious whales. 

Wildlife sightings were abundant. We saw three species of penguins (Adélie, Gentoo, and Chinstrap), countless seabirds, and even caught a glimpse of a couple of research stations, an eerie and fascinating reminder of how far we were from the rest of the world. 

The landscapes? Think cathedrals of ice, glowing blue glaciers, and mountains cloaked in snow. It was hard to believe any of it was real. 

The burning question, though, is how was the Drake Passage? For us, Drake Passage was kind, and waves only reached around five feet in height. But the cruise before us had a hard time with waves reaching 15 feet. Be warned, while five feet might not move massive cruise ships, on a small expedition ship you can feel every little movement. 

This was our first-ever cruise, and honestly, Atlas set the bar sky-high. The ship was luxurious but intimate, with a warm, welcoming crew that remembered our names by day two. 

We especially loved the food onboard. Every morning and afternoon featured an expansive buffet, with plenty of vegetarian options (a huge relief for us!). Dinners were plated and rotated through various international cuisines, from Indian-inspired dishes to Italian classics. The best part? Everything was included. We never paid a dime extra once we boarded. 

Between excursions, we’d relax in the lounge with panoramic views or join activities like trivia, live music, or wellness sessions. And yes, we did the Polar Plunge. Jumping into sub-zero waters in Antarctica is as wild and cold as it sounds, but so worth it. 

One unforgettable morning, we went kayaking amid icebergs. The silence, broken only by the gentle splash of paddles and the occasional crack of distant ice, was spiritual. It’s a memory we’ll cherish forever. 

Without Avoya, we may not have pulled this off. Their expertise and personalized service were game-changing. We worked with an Avoya Travel Vacation Planner, who guided us through every step from choosing the right cruise line and timing, to answering all our pestering questions. The best part was that he had been on the same cruise before and his lived experience was very helpful to us. 

Top Tips for First-Time Antarctica Travelers 

• When to go: December to February is the sweet spot - milder weather, longer daylight hours, and lots of wildlife activity. 
• What to pack: Layering is key. Waterproof gloves, thermals, and motion sickness patches saved us. Most cruise lines (including Atlas) provide boots and parkas. 
• Mental prep: Flexibility is a must. Weather in Antarctica changes quickly and landings can shift. Trust the expedition team. They know what they’re doing. 

Antarctica is fragile, and every traveler plays a role in preserving it. Atlas Ocean Voyages prioritizes sustainability and low-impact cruising, with a smaller ship size that allows access to sensitive areas and minimizes environmental footprint. A clear example of this was when our ship used geopositional anchoring, which means that it was kept in place based on GPS coordinates, rather than dropping an anchor. The crew explained to us how dropping an anchor can interfere with the pristine Antarctic environment. This alone was enough to blow our minds! 

We appreciated how they educated us on wildlife respect, biosecurity protocols, and responsible tourism. Traveling responsibly here means not just seeing Antarctica, but helping protect it. 

This is the ultimate journey for adventure seekers, photographers, wildlife lovers, and bucket-list chasers. It’s not a typical vacation; it’s a full-body, full-spirit immersion in nature. 

But be warned: If you prefer poolside lounging and shopping sprees, this may not be your cup of tea. This is for those ready to be humbled and amazed. 

Antarctica changes you. The silence, the scale, the purity - it leaves you awestruck. And with Avoya Travel and Atlas Ocean Voyages, we experienced it all without the stress of planning or second-guessing. 

If you're dreaming of your own polar adventure, I can’t recommend Avoya enough. Connect with an Avoya Travel Vacation Planner today. You won’t regret it.