ANTARCTICA

Looking for an Antarctica Adventure without compromising on Comfort & Service. The stylish 139-passenger ship with

Its cavernous suites, fine dining and compelling itinerary offers a very polished Southern Ocean adventure for a fair price.

5 reasons to book an Antarctic cruise

1. Antarctica has no hotels - in their absence a ship provides the best alternative, acting both as a floating hotel and 'basecamp' from which to explore
2. These small ship expedition voyages are not cruises in the traditional sense, but a fully immersive and participatory Antarctic experience
3. The focus of each day is getting off the ship and up close to the unique wildlife and scenery, exploring by both zodiac and on foot
4. A team of onboard polar experts will accompany you throughout, playing a key role and lending the whole trip a strong educational dimension
5. For purists following in Scott and Shackleton's footsteps, sailing to Antarctica is the only real option to consider and all part of the adventure

In November Antarctica opens its arms to the season's first visitors. You'll not only enjoy the excitement of walking on virgin snow, but you'll also appreciate its beauty as you discover the Peninsula aboard one of the few early visitors.

It's mating season for penguins, who will treat you to courtship displays and their nest-building. Seals of all kinds are also beginning to mate.

It's arguably the best time to travel to Antarctica for landscape photographers who will love the distinctive outlines of the giant icebergs cut against the sea and sky.

5 Reasons to Visit Antarctica in November

1. The penguins populations in the rookeries are swelling and the birds are busy nest- building and courting
2. Extensive snow cloaks Antarctica in a 'pristine whiteness'. Sea ice is still prevalent and at its most impressive
3. Fantastic photo opportunities - amazing sunsets, noctilucent clouds and spring flowers blooming in the Falklands
4. Weddell and fur seals are busy mating, while in South Georgia elephant seal beach masters patrol their recently won harems
5. Albatross, marine fulmars and petrels fly the Drake Passage while blue-eyed shags return to Antarctica

SOUTH GEORGIA, ANTARTICA & THE FALKLANDS

Antarctica has no hotels, in their absence a ship provides the best alternative,

Both as a floating hotel and basecamp from which to explore.

These expedition ships are not cruise ships in the traditional sense, but a fully immersive and

Participatory Antarctic experience.

NOVEMBER

During autumn and winter much of Antarctica's coastline is impenetrable due to thick ice and temperatures that can drop to -60 degrees. The best time to travel to Antarctica is during the Antarctic summer from November to March, when you'll see Antarctica's wildlife at its busiest and benefit from up to 24 hours of daylight.

Due to strong demand and the relatively modest number of ships, particularly during High Season, to be confident of securing your first choice we would strongly urge that you begin planning at least 12 months in advance. For the most popular Fly & Cruise trips or those incorporating South Georgia, 18 months ahead isn't too early.

The best month to go to Antarctica will depend on what you hope to get out of your trip. Whether you hope to go sea kayaking, snowshoeing or photography fluffy penguin chicks will affect your decision of when to go.

DECEMBER

5 Reasons to Visit Antarctica in December

1. The start of summer - up to 22 hours of daylight and sunnier days means more time for exploring
2. The density of wildlife is increasing - penguin rookeries are at full capacity, while seal and whale sightings become common
3. Penguin chicks begin to hatch, first in the Falklands, and then from mid-December on the Peninsula
4. December marks the arrival back in Antarctic waters of hungry humpback whales from tropical waters
5. Access to the landing sites becomes easier in December and breakup of ice allows wider exploration

The summer sun bathes the continent in 20-24 hours of daylight in December, making it a popular time to visit. It's also a busy time for the penguin rookeries as the chicks begin to hatch from mid- December onwards.

The Christmas holiday period adds to the popularity, and prices tend to reflect this.

However you'll be treated to seals abound as they seek suitable mates and landscape photographers are treated to the still-crisp edges of great icebergs.

JANUARY

5 Reasons to Visit Antarctica in January

1. It is the height of summer on the Peninsula with temperatures rising to 60 F/15 C and the weather is generally stable
2. Penguin chicks are at their fluffiest and making strong demands on their busy parents for food
3. The opening up of the ice allows the season's first Polar Circle voyages to reach 66 degrees south
4. Humpback whales are very focused on gorging on krill after their long commute from the tropics
5. The ice in the Ross Sea opens up allowing a short window to access the historic huts of Shackleton & Scott

January is the peak of the Antarctic summer, so you'll enjoy magical 20+ hours of sunlight each day.

These extra daylight hours gives you more time each day to explore, making them very popular as you get to see a bit more of the Peninsula in the same number of days.

The slightly higher prices for early January reflect this popularity. In January you'll also see lots of penguin chicks having fun as they learn to run away from their mothers, while various species of seals abound.

FEBRUARY

5 Reasons to Visit Antarctica in February

The penguin chicks are now very active and curious, chasing both parents for food as soon as they return from fishing trips

It's peak whale spotting season as all migrating pods have now made it down to Antarctica's rich waters
February is the perfect month to reach the Polar Circle, now that the ice has receded to its maximum extent
The moulting stage begins for the adult penguins, while the chicks are fledging and learning to swim in the shallows
The focus of the Humpback whales now changes, becoming more inquisitive now they've sated their appetite

February's the time for sailing all the way to the Polar Circle, the Sun's rays through December and January having weakened the pack ice significantly enough to allow for exploring the Peninsula so far south.

Photographers will appreciate the great light conditions, whilst wildlife enthusiasts will love the "penguin creches" formed by the growing penguin chicks and the return of whales to Antarctic waters.

MARCH

5 Reasons to Visit Antarctica in March

You are guaranteed great whale encounters - February and March are the best months for whale watching
The penguin chicks are very curious towards visitors and are often drawn to the colour yellow in particular
It's a popular month for photographers, with the sun now lower in the sky and wonderful sunsets/rises
March can be a magical time as there are fewer ships around and it feels like you have Antarctica to yourself
On South Georgia, the King penguin rookeries are at their most impressive and Macaroni's are in their greatest numbers

March marks the end of the travel season to Antarctica. You'll be able to enjoy the mesmerising colours of blooming green and pink algae against the water and ice, as well as penguin chicks at their strongest, bravest and most inquisitive of visitors.

March is the best time to travel to Antarctica for cetaceans. Whales continue to feast through March in Antarctic waters before moving further north.

As Autumn dawns once more you'll have shorter days in which to explore, but also enjoy considerable savings compared with peak season.