The Best Antarctica Cruises For Catching 2022’s Solar Eclipse
Many people have the goal of beginning the recovery process with absolutely remarkable, once-in-a-lifetime journeys as soon as the pandemic makes it possible for us to travel securely again. What could be a more unique experience than watching a solar eclipse from a ship anchored in Antarctica, the southernmost continent on Earth?
On December 4th, 2021, a total solar eclipse will occur over the Southern Ocean. The point of greatest eclipse will occur over the Weddell Sea, which is located east of the Antarctic Peninsula. This point of greatest eclipse will last for just under two minutes. This particular eclipse will be even more remarkable than usual due to the unusual direction in which it will move across the sky; typically, eclipses move across the sky from west to east. This one, however, will go from east to west. The line of totality, which is the narrow track made by the moon’s shadow falling on the Earth, will go over Antarctica’s frigid waters rather than land, thus the best way to take in the view is from the deck of a ship as it travels through the region.
The most experienced polar cruise operators, as well as luxury expedition outfitters, have put together first-rate trip packages that are fitting for this event. These packages combine viewing the eclipse with the “greatest hits” of an Antarctic cruise, such as wildlife excursions and photography instruction (not to mention the finest luxury amenities). In addition to having skilled expedition teams, several of these itineraries will also have astronomy specialists joining them and offering instructional lectures while they are at sea for the majority of the trip. The following is a list of the Antarctica cruises that are timed to coincide with the eclipse that we are most excited about.
The Quark Exploration Company
Quark Expeditions is widely considered as one of the most reputable names in the Arctic and Antarctic cruise industry. The company has nearly thirty years of expertise leading polar expeditions. The expedition will make stops along the Antarctic Peninsula during its 17-day “Solar Eclipse 2021: Totality in Antarctica, with South Georgia” voyage, which will depart from Ushuaia, Argentina. At these stops, passengers will have the opportunity to participate in activities such as Zodiac excursions and polar plunges, in which they will jump into the freezing ocean. Guests will have the opportunity to view the eclipse while traveling to South Georgia Island, sometimes known as the “Galapagos of the Southern Ocean.” This island is home to a diverse population of native animals, including penguins and seals. Onboard the ice-strengthened World Explorer, which boasts fantastic amenities such as a top-deck heated pool (perfect after those icy dips), a glass-domed Observation Lounge, and viewing balconies for every cabin, passengers will have an unbeatable view of the eclipse from virtually every vantage point on the ship.
Hurtigruten
Since the company’s early days when it was connecting settlements along Norway’s stunning but lonely coast, Hurtigruten has been well-versed in the art of transporting tourists to some of the most inaccessible locations on the planet. For the duration of the eclipse, they will be sending two ships to the White Continent. The 18-day “Great Explorers and Solar Eclipse” package on the MS Roald Amundsen includes stops in the Falkland Islands, to discover its colorful capital city and wildlife-rich beaches (keep your eyes peeled for whales), as well as a serpentine route through the Beagle Channel and the fjords of Tierra del Fuego. In addition to the traditional excursions that are offered on the Antarctic Peninsula, this package also includes a solar eclipse. The “Ultimate Expedition and Solar Eclipse” option is a 23-day trip that takes travelers to the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands aboard the newly refurbished MS Fram, a historic polar vessel whose recent glow-up includes upgraded lodgings and a new science center. This option is ideal for travelers who want to complete the “Antarctic Triple Crown,” which consists of visiting the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the Peninsula. Another advantage is that Hurtigruten is committed to environmental preservation. Ships like the Amundsen are equipped with cutting-edge hybrid engines that significantly cut down on the amount of gasoline they use.
Ponant
You can join the ranks of all those who have searched for answers in the ice and water by participating in Ponant’s 15-day cruise aboard the beautiful Le Commandant Charcot in Antarctica. Science has a long and rich heritage in Antarctica, and you can become a part of that legacy. Through Ponant’s Participative Science program, guests have the opportunity to assist on-board scientists with research tasks such as collecting water samples or setting up monitoring stations. These activities are in addition to the chance to go on icy scuba dives and to ride in a hot air balloon high above snowy mountains and tabletop icebergs. As the ship sails further south than it would on a typical voyage, it will pass through the moving ice floes that are found in the eastern part of the Weddell Sea, which will provide the passengers with the finest possible view of the eclipse. When it is time for the main event, people will really exit so that they can observe the eclipse while standing on floating slabs of ice.
Expeditions led by Aurora
Aurora Expeditions, which is based in Australia, provides a highly intimate and individualized experience by emphasizing small group trips aboard cozy and refined vessels. In addition, the company makes a multi-pronged effort to reduce the amount of negative impact that each voyage has on the surrounding environment. Even though one of their eclipse itineraries has already reached capacity, there is another voyage that we would be interested in joining: Their 16-day “Solar Eclipse: Antarctica” cruise begins in Ushuaia, Argentina, and travels across the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula. Once there, the cruise spends almost all of its time hoppingscotching along the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, allowing passengers to see as much of Antarctica as possible. There is plenty to do onboard the Sylvia Earle in addition to excursions such as hiking and practicing wildlife photography. The ship is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities such as a sauna with a view of the ocean, a quiet library for studying Antarctic history, and stately lounge and deck areas for taking in the scenery. It is anticipated that motion sickness will be less of a concern on board the ship as a result of the innovative bow design.
Expeditions Covering the Entire Ocean
Oceanwide Expeditions is one of the few companies that knows the seventh continent and its seas as well as they do thanks to their exceptional fleet of ice-strengthened ships and immersive basecamp cruise concepts (which include camping on the continent itself and engaging in technical activities like mountaineering). In October 2021, when they launch their newest vessel, the m/v Janssonius, they will begin offering a 20-day Grand Tour of Antarctica. This tour will visit all the top destinations on your must-see list, including the Peninsula, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands. The total solar eclipse will be seen near the South Orkney Islands, which are located close to the pack ice in the Weddell Sea. Their hands-on schedule is ideal for intrepid explorers because it involves skiing and trekking, in addition to wildlife watching opportunities such as seeing King, Gentoo, and rockhopper penguins, seals, and more. Although the Janssonius is the best of the bunch because to its eco-friendly engineering, endearing cabins, and sizable observation deck, Oceanwide is also sending two additional ships, the m/v Plancius and the m/v Hondius, which leave around the same time and travel routes that are very similar.
Expeditions led by Lindblad
Getting the perfect shot of a complete solar eclipse is a goal for many photographers, and Lindblad Expeditions is offering three different cruise itineraries on the National Geographic Resolution, Endurance, and Explorer all geared at assisting passengers in achieving that goal. Onboard photographic experts will be available to provide instruction, and the ships, which were purpose-built for polar cruising, are designed to maintain a steady course in the choppy waters of the southern oceans while providing passengers with a comfortable and up-to-date cruising experience. The ships set sail from Ushuaia on odysseys that last for twenty-four days and make their way around the Antarctic Peninsula. During this time, you will get the opportunity to improve your photography abilities by taking pictures of elephant seals, penguins, and cold scenery. After that, they will head out to sea to position themselves in the path of totality of the eclipse, after which they will make their way back to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Even though you can rest assured that each of the ships features well-appointed cabins, as well as amenities like observation decks and wellness areas, we recommend that you book a spot on the flagship Explorer. Its every inch was designed to get you as safely close to the icy action as possible, and it is the only ship in the fleet to offer such a feature.
The Voyages of the Atlas Ocean
World Navigator, the new expedition ship from upstart company Atlas, is scheduled to begin her inaugural Antarctica season in November of this year and continue through March of the following year. The guest astronomer on the Antarctic solar eclipse voyage will be Patrick Treuthardt, Ph.D., and the trip will last for a total of 12 nights. During that time, guests will travel to the Antarctic Peninsula as well as South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands, and the highlight of the trip will be the eclipse itself. Since Patrick holds a Ph.D. in Physics with an Astronomy Specialization and is currently serving as the Assistant Head of the Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Lab at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, this is an excellent choice for those who are interested in scholarly pursuits. Guests can anticipate receiving complimentary round-trip airfare as part of their purchase thanks to the all-inclusive pricing plan offered by Atlas.
