A leading Norwegian cruise line, pioneer in South Atlantic and Antarctica expeditions is pushing its marketing efforts in China with a new road-show that will visit three cities in the country.
Antarctica is returning to pre-pandemic capacity levels in the 2022-2023 season following a disrupted 2021-2022 season and no cruise traffic in 2020-2021. According to the latest edition of the Cruise Industry News Annual Report, Antarctica will receive a total of 55 ships from several different brands, including Hurtigruten, Ponant, Viking, and Seabourn
A US passenger on an Antarctic cruise died and four other guests were injured after the Viking Polaris vessel was struck by a giant unexpected wave while crossing the Drake Passage heading for Ushuaia in Argentine Tierra del Fuego province.
Polar class vessel Crystal Endeavor departed from Ushuaia, the southernmost tip of Argentina on her first-ever expedition voyage to Antarctica, after receiving the epidemiological clearance from local sanitary authorities on Wednesday.
As long as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to recede and there are no further new strain surprises, this coming 2021/22 season, the port of Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego province is scheduled to receive some 68 tourism vessels and 488 calls.
The number of Chinese visitors to the Antarctic Peninsula is growing rapidly, adding to concerns over the fragile ecosystem. It’s almost a three-week trip and will cost at least 100,000 Yuan (US$15,000), and before a foot is set on frozen land, special boots are needed to walk over a sponge mat soaked in disinfectant. Besides this season Chinese tourists will have to purchase carbon credits to offset emissions.