Viking Cruises

Destination Guide - Antarctica

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Call us on 138 747 (AU), 0800 447 913 (NZ), contact your local Viking travel agent or visit viking.com | 31 and gain data from the surrounding environment. The onboard working science lab is where the Expedition Team familiarise guests with equipment and explain how it all works. I took part in the Citizen Science experience, learning about the onboard field work and data gathered that contribute to understanding Antarctica and the surrounding natural world. Viking is certainly raising the bar for sustainable travel and energy efficiency, with an integrated bow system creating a longer waterline, engines with heat-recovery systems and electric propulsion designed to minimise underwater pollution. Designed particularly for expedition cruising, the ship journeys in the northern summer season through the Welland Canal, a key section of the St Lawrence Seaway to the Great Lakes, connecting with Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, making it the largest passenger ship to ever transit the canal. Viking have also just announced a new 87-day expedition, From the Arctic to Antarctica, for 2025: I can only image how popular this will be. We sail past Deception Island in the South Shetland islands — the island is the caldera of an active volcano and was once a whaling station — on our way to Yankee Harbour on Greenwich Island, where we see thousands of Gentoo penguins nesting. On our return to the ship, our very last Zodiac ride and on-land experience, we stop via another Zodiac for 'scientific reasons' and are handed the most delicious cold glass of champagne. Bravo! On this expedition cruise I have experienced much on my very first trip to Antarctica. Chiriguano Bay on Brabant Island, Cuverville Island in the Errera Channel, Portal Point on Reclus Peninsula, Neko Harbour in Andvord Bay, Mikkelsen Harbour and Yankee Harbour ... there is much I have learnt about the region but also myself. I think perhaps Antarctica has that effect on you. When I look at all the different shaped icebergs and mountains of what at times look like landscapes of whipped cream, and think of the wildlife I have seen in their habitat, it makes me think how nature has its own plan and we must never alienate ourselves from her or take her for granted. Being resilient and having the weather decide on your path and the day's activity changes the way you think, as you feel gratitude just to be experiencing such an extraordinary part of our world. We must always listen to her, respect and celebrate nature ... and having experienced Antarctica first-hand, there is a feeling and a sense that Viking knows that better than anyone. SUBMARINE "We dive 200 metres below sea level, where we see starfish, sponges and octopi" - Michael Mchugh

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