Our Antarctica Adventure with Albatros Expeditions
It’s always been our dream to go to Antarctica. We originally wanted to go for our honeymoon, but thanks to life and the covid pandemic, it never worked out. It would have been our 7th continent, and we really wanted to see if it was worth the hype. And let us tell you- it 100% was the most epic adventure of our lives!
Taking a 10-day cruise to Antarctica with Albatros Expeditions from Ushuaia, Argentina is an experience that definitely should be on everyone's bucket list. Antarctica is a remote and rugged continent that few people have the opportunity to visit, and the journey to get there is not always the easiest- depending on weather you get the Drake Lake or Shake. Once you reach the other side, however, it’s soooo worth it! There’s no place in the world that has such breathtaking landscapes, incredible wildlife (hello penguins!), and a sense of remoteness that we’ve never experienced anywhere else. We’re also super lucky that our good friends Florina and Adrian got to join us- it made it even more fun!
As always, you can follow along on our Antarctica adventure on our stories here: part 1, part 2, and Q&A.
Don’t forget that if you use the code TheLostTwo22, you can get up to 20% off your booking with Albatros Expeditions!
THE BEGINNING: BUENOS AIRES & USHUAIA
To start our adventure to our seventh continent, we flew from Toronto to Buenos Aires via Sao Paolo with Air Canada. We stayed one night in Buenos Aires, as we LOOOOVE this incredible city. It seriously looks like a Latin/Spanish version of Paris.
We stayed in the Palermo region, which was filled with cute cafes and restaurants, and we felt super safe. Our absolute favorite place to eat was La Cabrera, which might be one of the best steak houses on the planet, in our opinion. We couldn’t get enough of their steak with blue cheese sauce and their Mendoza wines. Best part- a dinner for two only set us back $30 CAD!! (like $25 USD including a bottle of wine). It was so good we’d definitely fly the 13 hours back to Buenos Aires just for that meal. Anyways, next day we went to the La Boca region to explore the colourful neighbourhood, and then we took an Uber to the domestic airport and got on a flight to Ushuaia.
FYI… THE ‘BLUE RATE’ ARGENTININIAN PESO
** It’s important to understand that there are two different rates of the Argentinian Peso. One is the official bank version and is much higher. Then there is one called the ‘blue rate’, which you can get by withdrawing money at a Weatern Union. Or, if you are lucky, your bank might charge you the blue rate automatically. Our Canadian Visa credit cards charged us the blue rate conversion, while our American Amex card charged us the official one (which is about 2x more than the blue rate). **
Before you set sail, it's worth spending some time in Ushuaia, the starting point of the journey to Antarctica. Ushuaia is a charming city located at the southern tip of Argentina in the Patagonia region, known as the "End of the World". It has a rich history and culture, and there are plenty of opportunities for exploration and adventure before your journey begins. We stayed at the Arakur Hotel, which had an amazing infinity pool and hot tub with views of the city.
OCEAN VICTORY- YOUR HOME FOR THE NEXT 10 DAYS
The Ocean Victory is modern, comfortable and spacious, with plenty of amenities to make your trip as enjoyable as possible. Onboard there are two bars with extremely reasonably priced drinks (think $6 for an Aperol spritz), a library, a gym, a lounge area with panoramic views, and even a hot tub for relaxation. The ship is also equipped with paid wifi, an elevator, state-of-the-art technology and safety equipment to ensure your safety and comfort throughout the journey. The ship also fits a maximum of 160 passengers, so there is plenty of space to move around and many opportunities to meet make new friends.
There are nine different types of rooms available onboard, and depending on budget and comfort level, you’ll find the perfect room for you. We stayed in Cabin C, which was extremely spacious for a room on a cruise ship, and had a sliding door balcony (this is where we did the whole outdoor bed setup). There was a desk, a couch, and plenty of storage space. The bathroom came equipped with shampoo, conditioner, a hairdryer and robes.
THE FOOD
Onboard, you’ll find two restaurants, a larger one on the main deck, and a smaller one on the top floor. The food was incredible- breakfast and lunch consisted of a buffet with multiple cuisines that changed daily, and dinner was a set menu with featured dishes. If none of the incredible buffet and menu options suited your fancy, you could always order steak, burgers, and garden salad. We had amazing sushi, teppanyaki, and one night we had a whole barbeque featuring pulled pork, burgers, steak and hot dogs- on the top deck of the ship (complete with mulled wine of course). The food quality was super impressive considering the ship is out in the middle of nowhere.
CROSSING THE DRAKE PASSAGE
Once you embark on the ship, your journey across the Drake Passage will begin. The Drake Passage is notorious for its unpredictable weather (it can be the Drake Lake or the Drake Shake), but Albatros Expeditions is well-equipped to handle any challenges that may arise. Their experienced crew will ensure your safety and comfort throughout the journey. I (Claudia) always get seasick/motion sickness, but I bought the seasickness wristbands which really helped- just make sure to wear both at the same time. Also, a ‘blueberry tea’ really helped settle my stomach- aka a shot of grand marnier and amaretto mixed with orange pekoe tea.
When crossing the Drake Passage, there’s have plenty of time to relax and prepare for the adventure that awaits in Antarctica. The expedition team will hold lectures and workshops on a variety of topics, including wildlife, history, and geology, providing you with valuable insights into the region. During this time, all of the clothing we were going to wear on the continent went through biosecurity to ensure that no cross-contamination occurred.
Once we started approaching the Antarctic Peninsula, the scenery will start to change. You'll start to see icebergs and glaciers, which are just a small taste of what's to come. The first glimpse of Antarctica is a truly unforgettable experience, and it's hard not to feel a sense of awe and wonder at the sheer beauty and majesty of this untouched wilderness.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS IN ANTARCTICA
Over the next several days, we had the opportunity to explore the region through a series of guided activities. The Albatros Expeditions team has carefully crafted an itinerary that showcases the best of Antarctica while minimizing the impact on the environment.
Antarctica is protected by IAATO (International Association of Antartica Tour Operators) regulations, which means there are pretty strict rules on what you can and can’t do on the continent. You can’t go fishing off the ship, set anything, such as tripods, bags, gloves, etc, down on land (this is why they gave us all biocleaned boots when walking around), and can’t get too close to the wildlife- so no, you cannot pet a penguin, haha. Also, there are only 80 people allowed on land at once. This is why it’s so great that there are only 160 passengers on board Ocean Victory, because one half of the group would go on a zodiac tour when the other was on land, and then we would switch so that everyone had time on land.
THINGS TO DO IN ANTARCTICA
One of the highlights of the journey is the Zodiac boat tours. These small inflatable boats allow you to get up close and personal with the wildlife and scenery in a way that's simply not possible from the ship. You'll be able to navigate through icy waters and see incredible sights such as penguin colonies, seals basking on ice floes, and whales breaching the surface.
The guided hikes on land are also a highlight of the trip. Led by experienced guides, these hikes take you to some of the most breathtaking locations on the Antarctic Peninsula. You'll trek through snow and ice to reach vantage points with stunning panoramic views of the landscape. Along the way, you'll also learn about the history and geology of the region from your knowledgeable guides.
For those seeking a more adventurous experience, Albatros Expeditions also offers kayaking and camping options. Kayaking allows you to explore the ice-filled bays and coves in a more intimate and peaceful way, while camping on the Antarctic Peninsula provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend a night under the stars in one of the most remote places on Earth. And yes, you dig your own campsite- a fun part of the experience.
One of the most epic things we did in Antarctica was definitely the Polar Plunge. On a clear day, the crew lets you jump off a zodiac into the Antarctic Ocean! The water is around -2C, and it stays below freezing due to the saltiness. It sounds super scary, but trust us, once you jump in you get over the shock of the cold water, the thrill is so worth it! You’re attached from the waist by rope just in case, and once you get out, you celebrate with a shot of vodka. The crew on board said that they regularly see people in their 80’s doing the jump- so no excuses for chickening out! I (Claudia) lasted a whole 18 seconds in the water- I had to splash around for the Instagram video, haha, while Kaan did a quick jump and got out at 13 seconds. Still pretty impressive if you ask us ;)
Don’t forget that if you use the code TheLostTwo22, you can get up to 20% off your booking with Albatros Expeditions!
WILDLIFE IN ANTARCTICA (PENGUINS!!!)
The wildlife in Antarctica is diverse and abundant, with thousands of penguins, seals, and whales that call the area home. You'll have the chance to see these animals in their natural habitats, and the experience is truly unforgettable.
The penguins are perhaps the most iconic of the Antarctic wildlife, and there are several species that you may encounter on your journey, including Gentoo, Adelie, and Chinstrap penguins. These birds are incredibly curious and will often approach visitors, providing excellent photo opportunities. We couldn’t get enough of the penguins- they are such funny animals, slipping and sliding and falling off things. We also got to witness Adelie penguins steal rocks from one another’s nests while a Chinstrap walked around pecking the unsuspecting Adelie’s. Its truly chaos in the colonies, and also SOOO smelly because the penguins just poop all over everything.
Seals are another common sight in Antarctica, with Weddell, Leopard, and Elephant seals often spotted on the beaches and ice floes. These massive creatures can weigh up to several thousand pounds!!
Whales are also common in the waters around Antarctica, and you may have the opportunity to see several species, including Humpback, Minke, and Orca whales. These majestic creatures are often seen breaching the surface or swimming alongside the ship, providing a truly awe-inspiring experience. One night, our ship captain made an announcement at 11pm that there was a group of Orcas swimming towards us, and you should have seen everyone jump out of their beds in their pajamas to run to the top deck lookout!
The scenery in Antarctica is honestly so breathtaking, with towering icebergs, crystal-clear waters, and pristine snow-covered landscapes. The colors and textures of the ice formations are truly unique, ranging from deep blues and greens to bright whites and vibrant oranges.
As you explore the region, you'll also learn about the history of Antarctica and the challenges faced by explorers who came before you. The expedition team will share stories of early expeditions to the continent, such as the ill-fated journey of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew, and provide insight into the current scientific research being conducted in the area.
The end of the journey starts back at the crossing of the Drake Passage. This is a good time to reflect on your experiences and process the incredible sights and experiences you've had over the past 10 days.
OUR FINAL THOUGHTS
The journey to Antarctica with Albatros Expeditions is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It's an opportunity to explore one of the most remote and pristine places on Earth and connect with the natural world in a way that's simply not possible in our daily lives. It’s one of those trips we can never stop talking about and will never forget!
Taking a 10-day cruise to Antarctica with Albatros Expeditions from Ushuaia, Argentina is an incredible adventure that should be on everyone's bucket list. The experience of exploring this remote and rugged continent is truly awe-inspiring, with breathtaking landscapes, incredible wildlife, and a sense of remoteness that is difficult to find anywhere else on the planet. It's a journey that will leave you with memories and experiences that will last a lifetime.
Don’t forget that if you use the code TheLostTwo22, you can get up to 20% off your booking with Albatros Expeditions!
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