An Invitation for an Antarctic cruise trip of a lifetime

Join other adventurous travelers for this trip of a lifetime–an Antarctic Cruise aboard the 96-passenger m/s Andrea. This sturdy handsome vessel was originally built for year-around Norwegian coastal cruising. ElegantCruises.com totally renovated and updated this ship in 2003 to provide an exceptionally comfortable way to explore areas of the world way beyond the civilize world.

A Memorable Adventure to "The White Continent"- an Antarctic Cruise with Elegant Cruises
Among the last pristine places in the world, Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic Islands are located just 600 miles across the Drake Passage. As fast flowing southern ocean waters are squeezed between the continental land masses of South America and Antarctica this passage is known as having some of the roughest sea weather on the planet. We schedule our Antarctic cruise programs to this magnificent region at the height of the Austral summer, when waterways are open to navigation and wildlife is abundant. You will explore with Elegant Cruise this remote and fragile world in an environmentally responsible manner, leaving no visible mark on one of the last great wild places on earth.
Designed for safe exploration of the Antarctic cruise waters, Andrea's ice-strengthened hull allows her to pursue adventurous itineraries not possible aboard larger, conventional passenger ships. Enhanced by modern navigation and communications equipment the Andrea meets all SOLAS safety at sea requirements for an Antarctic cruise.

Exceptional Expedition Specialist Available On Your Antarctic Cruise
An expedition leader as well as a diverse group of Antarctic cruise specialists will accompany you on this Elegant Cruises high adventure. They'll guide you on walking excursions ashore in addition to providing an informative program of onboard lectures, slide presentations and discussions. Our team of wildlife biologists, naturalists, historians and geologists has many years of Antarctic cruise experience. Aware of the best locations for viewing wildlife they are pleased to share their knowledge and enthusiasm. Their dedication to providing you with the best Antarctic cruise vacation possible will result in the most memorable Antarctic cruise experience.
To fully immerse yourself in the Antarctic cruise experience, a fleet of inflatable Zodiac landing craft can be deployed easily from the side of the ship to take full advantage of the many opportunities to view wildlife ashore. Permitting you maximum exposure to the myriad wildlife species that make their homes on this rocky, snow-covered continent, we usually attempt two and sometimes three landings per day using these reliable Zodiacs.

The Antarctic Cruise Difference with ElegantCruises.com
There are many good Antarctic cruise operators who can take you safely across the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula. However, as you regard their programs, ElegantCruises.com suggests that you consider one very important aspect of the trip which the size of the Antarctic cruise vessel on which you intend to travel.

Guidelines issued by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) of which ElegantCruises.com is a full member, recommends that no more than 100 passengers go ashore for wildlife viewing at a landing site at any one time. Consider the amount of time you will have ashore if your large Antarctic cruise ship is scheduled to be at a landing site for just three hours, and the ship holds 200, 300 or even more passengers. In order to accommodate all the passengers wanting to visit that landing site, your potential time ashore may be reduced. Or perhaps the weather changes while the first group is ashore, and the ship's captain determines for safety reason that all passengers must return to the vessel. Your opportunity to see the wildlife at that landing site is lost.

Elegant cruises recommends you choose an Antarctic cruise ship that carries no more than 100 passengers, such as the m/s Andrea. While the Andrea can accommodate a few more passengers on our European cruises, we limit the passenger manifest to less than 100 on any Antarctic cruise. It is interesting to note that IAATO guidelines do not permit large Antarctic cruise vessels--those carrying more than 500 and sometimes thousands of passengers--to land their passengers at all. This type of Antarctic cruise experience might be fine for sedentary travelers content to view penguin colonies from a half-mile or further away, but not likely to please active travelers and photographers intent on being much closer!

The m/s Andrea: The Better Choice For an Antarctic Cruise Ship
The Andrea boasts a spacious observation platform on the foredeck and ample outdoor deck space making it ideal for viewing passing scenery and aquatic wild life such as whales and seabirds. In addition, the ship's bridge is nearly always open during your Antarctic cruise for those interested in a look at the charts or navigational equipment. Our accommodating officers welcome your questions.

Traveling to the Antarctic requires flexibility because of the unpredictability of the weather. Consequently, please remember that the Andrea's ability to visit specific landing sites during your Antarctic cruise is dependent on weather and sea conditions, with day-by-day itinerary changes often dictated by nature. Ship movements and expedition landings are made at the discretion of the captain and expedition leader, with optimum wildlife viewing and passenger safety always the most important goals.

Creature Comforts are Not Forgotten on Your Antarctic Cruise
In addition to these elements that make your Antarctic cruise so rewarding, we at Elegant cruises have taken great care to ensure your comfort and well being while aboard the Andrea. Cabins are tastefully appointed with lower beds, private facilities and televisions. Our Antarctic cruise service staff has achieved high marks from passengers for their friendliness, professionalism and their willingness to make your Antarctic cruise as comfortable as possible. You will enjoy delicious, freshly prepared meals from our internationally trained chefs; wine and beer are included with lunch and dinner.

So, if you are interested in taking an Antarctic cruise and visiting this remote corner of the world in the most comfortable manner possible, please consider ElegantCruises.com. We are thrilled to welcome you aboard the Andrea and share in a most extraordinary adventure!