Journey to "The White Continent" aboard an Antarctica Cruise with Elegant Cruises

Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands are among the last pristine places in the world. Just 600 miles across the potentially turbulent and stormy Drake Passage from South America, "The White Continent" remains a world apart, a majestic last frontier. Our Antarctica cruise scheduled is arranged to coincide with height of the Austral summer, when waterways to this magnificent region are open to navigation and wildlife is at its most active. Mindful of the negative impact tourists could have, ElegantCruises' Antarctica Cruise explores this remote and fragile world in an environmentally responsible manner.

Join Us For This Trip of a Lifetime
An Antarctica cruise aboard the 96-passenger M.S Andrea is a trip of a lifetime. A handsome yet rugged vessel, the M.S Andrea was originally built for year-around Norwegian coastal cruising. It was totally renovated and updated in 2003 to provide an exceptionally comfortable way to explore the remote areas of the world where no infrastructure exists.
Andrea's ice-strengthened hull is designed for safe exploration of Antarctica cruise waters, allowing her to pursue adventurous itineraries not possible aboard larger, more conventional passenger ships. Her maneuverability and small size are enhanced by modern navigation and communications equipment, and Andrea meets all SOLAS safety at sea requirements for an Antarctica cruise.

Learn From Your Antarctica Cruise Specialists
You’ll be accompanied by an expedition leader and diverse group of Antarctica cruise specialists when traveling with ElegantCruises. Guiding you on walking excursions ashore as well as providing an informative program of onboard lectures, slide presentations and discussions, this team of naturalists, wildlife biologists, geologists and historians has many years of Antarctic cruise experience. Along with the captain they know the best locations for viewing wildlife and unforgettable scenery. Happy to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with our passengers, they are dedicated to providing you with the best Antarctica cruise vacation possible.

To fully immerse you in the Antarctica cruise experience, The Andrea has a fleet of inflatable Zodiac landing craft that quickly can be deployed from the side of the ship, allowing you to take advantage of the many opportunities to view wildlife from the shore. Typically, we attempt two and sometimes three landings per day using these Zodiacs, permitting you maximum exposure to the myriad wildlife species that make their homes on this rocky, snow and glacier-covered continent.

Why Take an Antarctica Cruise with ElegantCruises.com?
ElegantCruises believes an Antarctica cruise ship, like the m/s Andrea, that carries no more than 100 passengers is the best way to take an Antarctica cruise. Following the guidelines put forth by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) that states that no more than 100 passengers go ashore for wildlife viewing at a landing site at any one time, our cruises allow all its passengers the same opportunities for experiencing the mind-boggling views while standing on the shoreline of Antarctica. On the other hand, if you are on a larger Antarctica cruise ship that is scheduled to be at a landing site for just three hours, and your ship holds two hundred or more passengers, your potential time ashore may be reduced in order to accommodate all the passengers wanting to get ashore. Or imagine that you are in last group of folks wanting to get ashore and the weather changes while the first group is still not back. Since safety is the first priority, the ship's captain will request that all passengers must return to the vessel. You'll miss the opportunity to see the wildlife at that landing site.

An Antarctica Cruise For the Active Traveler and Photographer
With a smaller more intimate Antarctica cruise ship, there are far more adventurous opportunities for the active traveler and photographer. The Andrea boasts a spacious observation platform on the foredeck and ample outdoor deck space, ideal for viewing and photographing the passing fabulous scenery and marine life on your Antarctica cruise. Experience the huge volume of snow, Antarctica's cloud shrouded mountains blanketed in snow and glacial ice, large icebergs in all their variable shapes and sizes, the breathtaking sunsets or dark grey storm bands. Photograph penguins, seals and whales. Watch for sea mammals and sea birds that feed in these krill-rich waters.

Always remember that the Andrea's ability to visit specific landing sites during your Antarctica cruise is dependent on weather and sea conditions, with day-by-day itinerary changes that are often dictated by nature. Flexibility is a must. All expedition landings are allowed at the discretion of the captain and expedition leader since the safety of the passengers is always the most important goal.

Your Antarctica Cruise Creature Comforts are Not Forgotten
At ElegantCruises.com, we take great care to ensure your comfort and safety while aboard the Andrea. Tastefully appointed, our cabins have lower beds, private facilities and televisions. Achieving high marks from passengers for their friendliness, professionalism and their willingness to make your Antarctica cruise as comfortable as possible, our Antarctica cruise service staff has your needs in mind at all times. Delicious, freshly prepared meals from our internationally trained chefs are served with wine and beer at lunch and dinner.
An Antarctica cruise offers a most extraordinary experience of this remote corner of the world. Travel in the most comfortable manner possible, on an ElegantCruises.com Antarctica cruise. We will be delighted to welcome you aboard the M.S Andrea, taking you to the white continent of Antarctica.