Have you considered travel to Antarctica?

Perhaps you read a few months back that due to the huge increases in tourism to Antarctica, new restrictions on large cruise ship visits have been implemented. Essentially what that means is that many of the large cruise ships will no longer be able to sail through Antarctic waters. 

I spoke with Allison Flint, Collette’s product manager for the White Continent, about the implications of these new tourism limits for Collette passengers planning a vacation here.

Q. How will these tourism limits affect Collette’s Antarctica tour in 2011?

AF: There will be no impact for Collette passengers because we use small expedition-style ships and they are unaffected by the restrictions. Collette guests will enjoy the MS Fram, a state-of-the-art polar explorer ship, which carries a maximum of 318 passengers, and is also the newest and most luxurious ship in the Hurtigruten fleet!

Q. Aside from the smaller size of the MS Fram, what other advantages does this ship offer?

AF:  The most important advantage of the MS Fram  is that its Polar Cirkel landings (rugged zodiac boats) guarantee up close wildlife viewings. I mean, why go to Antarctica unless you can set foot onshore?

Also, on board lectures by expedition leaders specializing in biology, history and geology enhance your vacation experience as does the gourmet cuisine which our passengers rave about!

Q. How are sales to Antarctica and what do we offer for those interested in traveling there with Collette?

AF:  The seventh continent is a booming destination and Collette is enjoying that wave bringing many passengers here each year. In fact, we were able to secure additional cabins on our December 29 and January 7 departures, both of which were previously sold out. The December 29 departure is exciting because passengers on this date will experience a special New Year’s Eve celebration!  We will visit Buenos Aires just in time to ring in 2011 at the Hotel Panamericano complete with dinner, drinks, live music and dancing…

 Q. I have been to that hotel and it is in a great location right on the 9^th of July Boulevard.

AF:  Yes, our guests will enjoy two nights at this hotel before their cruise. It is centrally located and an easy walk to shopping and restaurants. Plus, Buenos Aires is a wonderful, vibrant city to experience “Año Nuevo”.

 Q. What else would you like to share about this destination?

 AF: I encourage people thinking about traveling to Antarctica to take advantage of the fact that large cruise ships may no longer be an option; the future of big cruise ships in Antarctica is uncertain. The fact is we have always used a smaller ship because we felt that it made for a more intimate, environmentally friendly experience. Be sure to check itineraries closely. Collette offers a fantastic, unique itinerary – a 9 night cruise plus Buenos Aires plus Ushuaia!

Q. Ushuaia is a port town…

AF: Yes and we overnight here at the gorgeous Las Yamanas boutique hotel, where every room has a view of the Beagle Channel.  From here we take an excursion into Tierra del Fuego National Park – “Land of Fire” – where you feel like you’ve journeyed to the “end of the world”!  Also in Ushuaia, Collette passengers experience a home hosted dinner with a local Fuegon family – we consistently get rave reviews from our travelers on this intimate cultural experience. 

Q. Sounds like another dream destination to add to my list.

AF:  Yes, Dan [Collette President and CEO] went to Antarctica a few years back with his wife, Kathy, and both considered it one of their favorite destinations in the world -  a dream worth seeing. In fact Kathy said, that “Antarctica will always be the icing on my cake of travels”. I think that sums it up nicely.

Any readers been to the Seventh Continent or thinking of going? I’d love to hear your impressions of it or what so far has held you back from going.

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posted by Melissa McKee

Collette Vacations

Tags: 2010, Antarctica, Collette, Destination Spotlight, Escorted Tours, South America

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