MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

What South Atlantic Cruise Lines Are Offering This Season

Photo: Freepik

For the passionate adventurer, a South Atlantic luxury cruise is an opportunity to explore some of the most pristine locations in the world. Cruise lines that travel this route take guests on a fun-filled exploration of the Southern Hemisphere, cruising from South Africa to Antarctica or the other way around.

Unsurprisingly, there’s a lot to do on a cruise like this both on and off the ship. From excursions to some of the most interesting locations in the Antarctic Peninsula to catching a glimpse of the region’s unique wildlife, South Atlantic cruise lines promise a long list of activities to give guests a truly enriched cruise experience. In this guide, we will explore some of the activities that are being offered by many of the South Atlantic cruise lines this season.

Wildlife Viewing

A top item on the itinerary list for most South Atlantic cruise lines is the opportunity to see the region’s incredible wildlife in their natural habitat. The trip often goes through the Subantarctic and Antarctic regions where there’s an abundance of wildlife that guests on the trip will be thrilled to see.

Primary Sites for Wildlife Viewing

The table below shows some of the animals that you’ll likely see on your cruise:

The locations listed here are some of the best destinations for spotting wildlife on a South Atlantic Cruise. They offer close proximity to the wonderful species of the region on the beaches, ice floes and even in the waters. There are certain cruise ships which offer Zodiac cruises where you can get as close as possible to the wildlife instead of seeing from a distance aboard the ship.

Learning Experience

In addition to seeing all of these animal species, most cruise lines tend to have a naturalist on board who’ll give guests information or lectures about the animal species and plants that they’ll get to see on the trip. They may also provide fun facts about the magnificent glaciers, and native cultures of the places they’ll likely see as the trip progresses. So not only do you get to have fun on your trip, it is an incredible learning experience as well.

Some cruise ships also have a well-stocked library on board. Here you have a choice of a range of interesting books and can read from the comfort of your stateroom or even while sunbathing by the pool. It is an exciting experience for adventure seekers who want to satisfy their nerdy side as they travel.

Excursions and Guided Tours

Along with non-stop ocean views, cruises are about visiting new locations. For this reason, shore excursions are typically an integral part of South Atlantic Cruises. Cruise lines on this route may either partner with local tour operators or have their own experts take guests on guided tours to various destinations along their travel route.

On a South Atlantic cruise, you get to learn about the numerous islands of the South Atlantic that you will encounter on your trip. Expert tour guides will give you facts about the culture, history, natural surroundings, and attractions of each port your ship berths. You may also opt in for excursions to specific locations. Examples include:

- Cape Verde (an island country off the coast of West Africa)

- Elephant Island (the famous island where Ernest Shackleton and his crew sought refuge)

- South Georgia

- Falkland Islands

- Antarctic Peninsula

Your trip may also include guided tours of the major cities along your route. This usually involves visits to iconic landmarks or historic sights in these locations.

Onboard Activities

In addition to the interesting sights and adventures that South Atlantic cruise lines offer, your ship itself is a unique destination of its own, offering plenty of activities to keep you engaged as you sail from port to port. Some of the most notable activities to look forward to as part of the onboard experience include:

Fine Dining

Most South Atlantic cruise lines will offer a fine dining experience for guests. This allows them to go on a culinary adventure as they cruise through the high seas. The onboard chef will likely delight your taste buds with delicious dishes.

In many cases, the menu will also include new meals inspired by the local cultures of the locations you will be visiting on your trip. This adds to the authentic, cultural experience of the cruise.

Photo: Freepik

Casino Gambling

Many cruise lines offer casino gambling opportunities for guests. This is quite different from game rooms or arcades. These ships often have large Vegas-style casinos where players can try classic casino games like slots and table games and potentially win real cash. Spending some time there can be an enjoyable (and potentially profitable) part of your cruise experience.

For guests who enjoy gambling both on and off the ship, online casinos add another fun option. Sites like Slotozilla let you choose from a wide variety of games from just about anywhere, even while you're on board, as long as there’s Wi-Fi. Many casinos here also accept Bitcoin Cash, which makes it quick and easy to deposit or cash out.

Entertainment

A cruise ship is an endless carnival of fun and entertainment. Throughout your trip, you’ll be treated to all kinds of entertainment options from Broadway-style shows to live music, dance parties and comedy shows. The itinerary varies from one cruise ship to the other, but entertainment is often a top priority for cruise organizers and guests often have so much lined up for them throughout their trip.

Classes & Workshops

Alongside all the fun and entertainment, you’ll likely find plenty of opportunities to learn new things and try out entirely new experiences through the classes and workshops. Examples of common classes you may find on your South Atlantic Cruise adventure include:

- Cooking demonstrations

- Cocktail mixing class

- Dance classes

- Arts and crafts

- Acting classes

- Gambling game tutorials

Fitness & Wellness

Cruise ships typically offer fully equipped gyms and fitness centers. Guests can utilize these facilities to stay fit and active during the trip. Some cruise lines may also offer yoga classes, spa treatments, saunas and other wellness options for interested guests.

Conclusion

Whatever thrill gets your heart pumping, you’ll likely find something that suits you if you opt for a South Atlantic tour. Cruise companies that embark on this experience offer tourists a front-row seat to observe the incredible wildlife of the South Atlantic. Then they get to enjoy the time of their lives on board the ship while spending their days involved in different activities.

The trickiest part is choosing where to begin. Activities vary depending on cruise companies, so watch out for South Atlantic cruise lines whose itinerary matches your needs.