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NGO sector and the United Nations. He knows just how important
institutional partnerships are to Viking's success in making an impact.
When Viking ships send weather balloons to the stratosphere for
the US National Weather Service, they are the first civilian vessels
in the world to be harnessed in this way. Balloons are released
simultaneously from hundreds of locations worldwide, gathering
data that is used for research and next-day weather forecasts from
Sydney to Siberia. On the snowy morning I climb out of bed early to
attend the balloon release on the upper deck, cuppa in hand, there
are hundreds of passengers already up there.
"At that moment you're connecting to the understanding of how all
global weather is tracked and then forecast," Stanwell-Smith says.
"It's become one of our most popular events, something people get
really emotional about."
From the stratosphere to the deep sea, fascinating discoveries have
already been made from Viking submarines. At up to 10 metres long,
giant phantom jellyfish are so rare, they've been seen less than 100
times since 1899 when they were first collected. A handful of those
sightings have been in the past year by Viking guests and crew, now
the subject of Viking's first scientific publication. "There's still an
awful lot to look for and find in a world that at times we might be
tempted to think we already know everything about," he says.
5 TIPS FOR VISITING
ANTARCTICA
1. MAKE IT COUNT
If you're making the trip, go all-in, says Dr Damon Stanwell-Smith.
Invest time in researching, reading and watching Antarctica
documentaries before you depart so you'll have a deeper
appreciation when you get there. Sign up for all the excursions,
bring a good camera, savour the experience.
2. FOLLOW THE RULES
They're there for a reason. Responsible travel to Antarctica isn't just
a suggestion, it's compulsory. Pay close attention to safety briefings
and instructions from the expedition team. Don't approach wildlife,
don't even think about leaving behind rubbish or picking up a
souvenir rock.
3. BECOME A CITIZEN SCIENTIST
Viking partners with leading global scientific institutions, giving
ordinary travellers the opportunity to participate in field research
that has real-world impact. Release a weather balloon, spot whales
and record their coordinates.
4. PAY TO OFFSET
There are actions you can take to limit and remedy the
environmental impact of flying and cruising to Antarctica. For
starters, opt for an airline that offers carbon offset programs and
pay the offset fee. Qantas, for example, has a Fly Carbon Neutral
program larger than most airlines.
5. GO HOME AN AMBASSADOR
To quote Senegalese conservationist Baba Dioum, "we will conserve
only what we love and we will love only what we understand."
Spending time on the great White Continent and seeing its
magnificence up close has the power to turn anyone into an
advocate of the natural environment.
S o u t h
At lant i c
O cean
ARGENTINA
C ap e H o r n
B ea gl e C h a n n e l
D r ake Pas s a g e
We d d e ll
S ea
Ushuaia
A n t a rc t i c Pe n in sula
A n t a rc t i c S o un d
SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS
G e r la c h e St r ai t
ANTARCTICA
Buenos Aires
–
C r ui s e
•
–
•
C har te r e d Flight
A N TA R C T IC E X P L ORER
Buenos Aires to Ushuaia
13 DAYS | 2 COUNTRIES
VIEW
VOYAGE
Clockwise from left:
Eroded iceberg
Humpack Whale
Chinstrap Penguins
Weather balloon release
Finse Terrace, Viking Polaris
