For most people, the idea of travelling to Antarctica has to be the adventure of a lifetime - but only in their dreams. Very expensive cruises on a handful of vessels ruled out most people, unless you had lots of money, or could go as a visiting scientist or polar explorer. Well, the break up of the Soviet Union changed all that. With polar research vessels with experienced crews sitting idle the idea was formed of using these vessels to do ’expedition cruises’ to the polar waters of the Arctic and Antarctic. Today a wide range of ships and companies offer cruises to the ’white continent’.

At the end or beginning of the season a shared cabin goes from just under £3000 (without flights), although around £5000 is likely at the peak season (and a lot more in the best cabins) - although there are some great bargains for those who turn up in Ushuaia for the chance of getting any last minute berths.

The cost of an Antarctic cruise is still a lot and it does mean it is a ’trip of lifetime’ in the truest sense of the word (a phrase used for many locations around the world you could get to on several occasions if you’re determined.). A trip will still cost a lot of money, but it is target to save towards, rather than something, in the past, was way beyond reach. There are retired people on these cruises but many others as well - couples in their 50’s whose kids have left home and they have more freedom to explore, young couples before they settle down, singles, college kids, and even back packers who have made the effort not to miss this trip when they had the chance.

I first had the chance to go to Antarctica as one of the ship’s staff in 1995 on the Professor Multanovsky (one of the original ships from the Soviet fleet) and, since Christmas 2004, I have had the chance to go back as the ship’s naturalist and ornithologist to peninsula and Sotuh Georgia on the Andrea.

The Andrea has a classic ambience and was formerly the MS Harald Jarl, employed on the Norwegian Coastal Service. Following a rebuild she retains her ’old world’ charm but with all the up to date facilities. There are 57 cabins plus a restaurant, two lounges, bar, library, fitness room and a spacious observation deck and you are well fed and pampered by the crew.

Point of departure is Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego at the tip of South America. Ushuaia is on the Beagle Channel and it is known as the most southerly city in the world. During the southern winter it is a ski resort and during the summer months (mid November to March) it is the hub for Antarctic cruises.

Most passengers arrive the night before and spend the morning around Ushuaia or exploring the nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park. With the quick turn around most cruise ships off load one group of passengers in the morning before the next group comes aboard in the afternoon for what will be a 10 day cruise. It means several ships (never say boat, you’ll get in trouble with captain!) are usually tied up along the dock for a few hours between cruises to the peninsula.

The Antarctic Peninsula has to the best destination on the white continent to visit by ship. The passage from Tierra del Fuego is the shortest crossing and the peninsula and South Shetlands are the first areas of Antarctica to become free of sea ice each spring, attracting a wealth of wildlife. And the scenery is fantastic! Some cruises even add South Georgia and the Falklands to the tour.

After arriving passengers have checked out their cabin there’s the welcome cocktail in the main lounge and the briefing about the ship’s routine. The ship then sets sail, departure from Ushuaia being a special moment. After all, many have saved long and hard for this occasion. The ship then sets sails along the sheltered Beagle Channel through some of the most stunning scenery in South America. As the ornithologist I point out birds that will be seen for much of the crossing, like the Black-browed Albatross, plus birds we will only see close to South America, such as the Megallanic Penguin. We also have the emergency drill, the first dinner, and the chance to watch sunset late in the evening.

We then set out into the Southern Ocean and the infamous Drake’s Passage. The seas can be very rough but they can also be surprisingly calm as well. Typically there is a swell and on the first morning ’at sea’ quite a few don’t come to breakfast. However, most get their sea legs during the first day. As the ornithologist I look out for seabirds (and dolphins and whales if we are lucky), give lectures (quite novel with the ship rolling from side to side!) and mingle with the passengers at meal times.

Heading south the ship gets close to the Antarctic Convergence where the sea temperate rapidly drops as we head into Antarctic waters - and a sweep stake is on for the time the first iceberg is sighted. It may be the first day at sea - or well into the next day - but it is such a special moment.

No one forgets their first iceberg - and it means Antarctica is near! People go onto to see countless icebergs but never tire of the amazing array of shapes, sizes ands colours. And they never forget that first one!

The sighting of Antarctica is another highlight - to see the ice capped mountains of the South Shetlands with lots of Pintado Petrels around the ship - knowing you’ve arrived! If you are lucky, on the afternoon of the second full day at sea you will get ashore at a location in the South Shetlands. This is another highlight (yep, the whole cruise is a series of highlights!), the first step ashore in Antarctica!

Passengers are taken ashore in zodiacs and it seems like the penguins on the beach are waiting for you! You are told to keep 5m away from penguins but they are more than welcome to come up to you and many are overwhelmed by the close encounters they have with the inquisitive penguins. There is also the chance to see laid back and fat Weddell Seals, belching Elephant Seals and noisy Antarctic Fur seals. With the surrounding scenery and all the ice, it surpasses all expectations, the remains of whale jawbones and seal carcasses on the beach adding to the surreal atmosphere.

The routine for the rest of the time in Antarctica is a series of shore excursions and also simply to enjoy the stunning scenery as the ship sails along - and watching for a Crabeater Seal on an ice floe, or even spotting a whale if you are lucky. The weather is fickle and can change an itinerary, so cruise ships never like to ’state’ where they are going. The expedition leader does have an overall plan and is in contact with other vessels to get the latest on wind and ice conditions.

The South Shetlands were given the name since they are the same latitude south as the Shetlands are north. Along the peninsula itself the furthest south you are likely to get is the Lemaire Channel. Even then, it is outside the Antarctic Circle, at a similar latitude to central Iceland.

It can get cold and windy (especially on the crossing) so it is good to come prepared with the relevant clothing. But it is the Antarctic summer and it can be surprisingly mild. Apart from Wellington boots or similar footwear (to get in and out of the zodiacs) sunblock is important since it can get quite sunny. On the shore excursions you can get quite warm. Overall, just like Iceland in the summer, it can be cold, but it can also be surprisingly mild considering you are in Antarctica!

The South Shetlands are a great place to check out the wealth of wildlife and scenery. Encounters with the penguins (Adelie, Chinstrap and Gentoo); observing seals; visiting Antarctic bases; or just being astounded by the mountains, glaciers and icebergs. According to the time of year you can watch penguins build the nests; take turns to brood the eggs or chicks; or, later in the season, have inquisitive chicks coming right up and even clamber all over you.

Deception Island is one of the favourite destinations - a volcano you can sail right into through Neptune’s bellows (it can get very windy) and sealers’ descriptions from the 1820’s gave Jules Verne the inspiration for the lair of Captain Nemo and the Nautilus. With the rusting remains of the old whaling station it does feel like you have stepped back in time and with the volcanic activity the black sands can get quite warm. It means you’ll have the chance (weather permitting!) to go for a swim - in Antarctica!

After the South Shetland the ship crosses the Bransfield Strait (which can be great for Humpback Whales) to the Antarctic Peninsula itself. At the tip of the peninsula is the Antarctic Sound. Aptly nicknamed ’iceberg alley’ it can be full of tabular icebergs that have drifted in from the Weddell Sea and some years it can still be blocked off for much of the ’summer’. Luckily, in January 2005, the Andrea was able to get through, dodging the icebergs, and reach the Weddell Sea, with countless icebergs stretching into the distance.

Nearby there is Paulet Island with the biggest Adelie Penguin colony in the peninsula and the hut where Larsen was forced to winter after the Antarctic (the vessel after which the sound is named) was crushed by ice on Nordenskjold’s expedition of 1901 to 1903. This story of survival matches Shackleton’s expedition, where the Endurance was trapped in the ice for months in the Weddell Sea before being crushed.

With all the ice it can be difficult at times to get through the Antarctic Sound but most cruise ships sail along the ’outer’ coast of the peninsula itself. This is a chance to see some amazing scenery up close with snow-capped mountains along the Neumayer Channel, narrow straits like the Errera and Lemaire Channels, aptly named places like Paradise Bay with huge glaciers, and to step ashore on the continent itself.

Another highlight is to visit Port Lockroy. Site of the first British base on the peninsula, it is surrounded by a Gentoo Penguin colony, some nesting right up by the door of what is now a Museum. Restored to how it looked in the late 1940’s and 50’s there’s clothing and tins of food and even a gramophone playing tunes of the period like George Formby. There is also a post office where you can send the ’ultimate’ postcard back home - though it will take quite a time to get there!

For me, one of the ultimate experiences is to go on a zodiac cruise to enjoy the scenery, get close to a Leopard Seal on an ice floe, have a Minke Whale swimming under the boat, or to switch off the engine and listen to the sound of cracking ice!

Finally the ship sets sail back across the Southern Ocean once more, and by the time Cape Horn is in sight passengers really do feel like they have been on an epic voyage of a lifetime! Just remember to take plenty of rolls of film or, these days, have the option to download pictures from your digital camera so you can re-use the memory. You’ll take lots of pictures, and have even more memories!

Useful contacts:

Discover the World - www.discover-the-world.co.uk
Noble Caldedonia - www.noble-caledonia.co.uk
GAP cruises - www.gapadventures.com