cruise critic hurtigruten antarctica

• Work With Me
• Outdoor Guides
• Cold Weather Guides
• Prepared Girls Guides
• US National Park Guides
• Diversifying the Outdoors
• Photography Guides
• Road Trip Guides
• Recommended Outdoor Travel Gear

Antarctica , Destinations , Uncategorized

Best antarctica expedition cruise: hurtigruten ms fridtjof nansen review.

Antarctica is a dream destination for many adventure travelers. But, planning a trip to Antarctica can be overwhelming. If you’re looking for the best Antarctica expedition cruise, the MS Fridtjof Nansen ship with Hurtrigruten is a great place to start. 

This modern, beautifully designed and hybrid-powered ship is unbelievable. This MS Fridtjof Nansen review is based on my experience on board the Highlights of Antarctica 12-day cruise with Hurtigruten in December 2022. Keep reading for details on the MS Fridtjof Nansen cabins, restaurants, amenities and more!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you purchase through a link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more info, visit this page .

Why book Hurtigruten’s MS Fridtjof Nansen to Antarctica?

What i love about hurtigruten’s ms fridtjof nansen, what i don’t love about hurtigruten’s ms fridtjof nansen, overall opinion of hurtigruten’s ms fridtjof nansen expedition to antarctica, quark expeditions.

• Oceanwide Expeditions 

Polar Latitudes

G adventures, albatros expeditions, what activities are included in your expedition cost, what optional activities are available, what happens if there is bad weather, what gear is provided, how do i know where to go and what to do each day on board, what food and drink is included, is the hurtigruten antarctica drink package worth it, how do you pay for stuff on board.

• The Prepared Girl's Guide to Packing for Antarctica

Among the companies offering Antarctica expeditions, Hurtigruten is a standout due to their commitment to sustainability . They aim to be “the most sustainable travel operator in the world.” On board the MS Fridtjof Nansen, they have eliminated single-use plastic, provide all passengers with a reusable water bottle with refill stations throughout the ship, and implemented unique innovations that have reduced their carbon emissions by over 20% compared to cruise ships of a similar size.

In addition, passengers can contribute by hanging a green tag on their cabin door to indicate that their towels and sheets don’t need changing in order to save energy and water. Each time passengers participate in this program, a donation is made to the Hurtigruten Foundation . Paper schedules for each day’s activities have been replaced with an app and are posted on monitors throughout the ship.

Over a decade ago, Hurtigruten eliminated the use of heavy fuel oil in their ships and continues evaluating new green fuel options as they become available. In short, if sustainability is important to you, Hurtrigruten is a great option for you to consider.

The MS Fridtjof Nansen is a modern ship, built in 2020 in Norway, and is named after a Norwegian explorer most famous for his attempt to reach the geographical north pole in the late 1800’s. It’s capacity is 528 passengers, however for Antarctica expeditions it’s more common for the ship to carry ~300 passengers to allow more time for everyone to enjoy landings and other activities.

The ship is exquisitely designed and built from Scandinavian materials. On board you will find an impressive selection of amenities including a fitness center, spa, sauna, two outdoor hot tubs, a heated pool, a classroom, a science center, three restaurants and a lounge. There are three main types of cabins to choose from, all of which are beautifully designed and more spacious than other cruises I’ve experienced. There is a satellite television, two reclining chairs, and heated bathroom floors in all cabins with additional amenities such as a balcony available in some cabin types.

Although expedition trips are often stereotyped as “basic” accommodations, Hurtigruten’s MS Fridtjof Nansen is modern and luxurious.

Hurtrigruten has been leading expeditions and sailing to remote destinations for over 100 years. While they operate cruises in destinations around the world, they specialize in polar expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.

The MS Fridtjof Nansen ship is one of their newest ships. From November to March it sails to Antarctica from Ushuaia, Argentina. The remainder of the year it sails to destinations in the Arctic region such as Norway. 

I could rave about the MS Fridtjof Nansen for hours, but will do my best to touch on what I love the most about this ship:

• Hybrid-powered 
• The crew (housekeeping, wait staff, expedition crew, and front desk team)*
• Daily landing and zodiac cruise (weather dependent)
• Wifi included
• Beer and wine included with meals
• Very well organized**
• Broad range of workshops, classes and activities – you can even stream them live on the tv in your room if you aren’t feeling up for attending them in person!
• The food (let’s just say I gained a bit on board because it was so good!)
• Commitment to safety
• Seamless travel experience ***
• Beautifully designed and comfortable cabins

* Even during our very rough Drake Passage crossing, the housekeeping and wait staff were incredible. I was amazed at how they continued to provide service in those conditions. 

** Because the MS Fridtjof Nansen is on the larger size for Antarctica expeditions, the crew needed to be very organized to ensure everyone got an opportunity to experience each landing, cruise and the optional add-on excursions without feeling rushed. They were so well organized and communicated effectively to passengers. I always felt like I knew what was going on, where I needed to be, and where to go.

Being a larger ship and with the latest technology, the MS Fridtjof Nansen seemed to handle the Drake Passage better than some of the older and smaller ships. The first day of my trip had over 10 meter (33 foot) swells through the Drake Passage. Two ships who left after us but on the same day had to turn around and depart again a day or two later. If you are concerned about crossing the Drake Passage, the MS Fridtjof Nansen may help make it more manageable for you.

*** From start to finish, my Antarctica expedition on the MS Fridtjof Nansen was seamless. Included in your package is a hotel in Buenos Aires the night before, orientation with Hurtigruten’s ground crew at the hotel, transfer to the airport in Buenos Aires, a charter flight to and from Ushuaia, and transfer into Ushuaia from the airport. Once on board, any additional expenses are charged using your room key and settled at checkout. Hurtigruten has many options for excursions before or after an Antarctica expedition as well!

Pro Tip: Consider joining the free 1893 Ambassador loyalty program before departing. Read more about the benefits here.

There is very little I didn’t love about my experience on Hurtigruten’s MS Fridtjof Nansen Antarctica expedition. Here are three things you should be aware of before booking your trip.

An Antarctica expedition is expensive. There’s no getting around that. Within that already expensive range, an Antarctica expedition on the MS Fridtjof Nansen is in the middle to high end of cost depending on how far you book in advance and what cabin you choose to stay in. However, for all the reasons I listed above, I feel that there’s strong value for the cost if you can afford it. 

Pro Tip: If you book more than 90 days in advance, you can spread the cost of your Antarctica expedition with Hutrigruten out. Check their terms and conditions for the latest info but at the time of this being written, 25% is due at the time of booking with the balance due 90 days prior to departure. 

On top of the cost already being relatively high, there is also the consideration of the single occupancy cost. Prices for Hurtigruten’s Antarctica expeditions are based on double occupancy, assuming two passengers will be sharing a cabin. Those traveling solo are subject to a single occupancy cost which is generally a percentage of the cabin price. For instance, say you book your cabin for $8000 USD and the single occupancy cost is 75% of the cabin rate, you would end of paying an additional $6000 or $14000 total to have the room to yourself. 

Pro Tip: Check Hurtigruten’s special offers page as they occasionally waive the single occupancy fee. Currently there is an offer that waives all single occupancy fees on specific expeditions in 2023!

There are several Facebook groups (Hurtigruten Insiders, Antarctica: Bucket List to Booked) where people will post that they are looking for roommates. Obviously, do this at your own risk. Alternatively, consider booking with a travel agent like I did and they may be able to pair you up with other solo travelers. 

Finally, expeditions are different from typical cruises. They are geared towards outdoor activities, photography, and educational experiences. If you are looking for live music, theater, or other entertainment you may be disappointed. However, if you enjoy learning about Antarctic wildlife, the history of Antarctic exploration, wildlife photography, knot tying, and climate change you won’t be bored.

Ok, one more thing. As a coffee lover, I was very disappointed in the coffee on board. It might be the type of bean they use but despite my best efforts, I could not drink it. If you love coffee, consider bringing your own.

This was among the best travel experiences I’ve had to date. From the ship, to the crew, to the food, and the seamless experience created by Hurtigruten from start to finish, I loved every minute of my experience on board the MS Fridtjof Nansen as part of Hurtigruten’s Highlights of Antarctica package. 

A trip to Antarctica is a bucket list item for many people. Having talented and experienced expedition crew members and photographers on board made sure that we made the most of this one in a lifetime adventure. It’s also arguably the most remote destination in the world. The crew and ship made me feel safe throughout the expedition and with the included wifi on board, I was able to stay in touch with my family and let them know I was safe.

How Does Hurtigruten’s MS Fridtjof Nansen Compare to Alternatives?

There are many options to choose from when booking an Antarctica expedition. As part of my research, I spoke with people who have traveled with different expedition companies. Here’s what I learned from them and through my own research.

Quark was the most highly rated and consistently recommended in my research. Their first expedition was in 1991 to the North Pole and since they’ve expanded and evolved to include destinations around the world. 

Their ships are on the smaller side and offer a more intimate experience with a capacity of under 200 passengers. While they may not be the cheapest, one traveler I spoke with who has been to Antarctica twice told me the “staff are far better than any other tour company.” 

Oceanwide Expeditions  

Oceanwide Expeditions specializes in voyages to the Arctic and Antarctic regions. They aim to maximize time off of the ship either on shore or on zodiac boats. Their ships are on the smaller side as well, with maximum passenger capacity of under 200 people.

This expedition company is highly specialized in travel to Antarctica with their first full season voyages beginning in 2013. Their newest ship, the MS Seaventure, began sailing to Antarctica in 2021 bringing their fleet to three ships total.

Polar Latitudes is Founder-owned and operated. Leading Antarctica expeditions is their passion. In fact you may even find that the owner is with you on board your ship! 

G Adventures is one of the more budget-friendly Antarctica expedition options, geared towards a younger crowd and solo travelers. Solo travelers are given the option to share a room with another traveler of the same sex with options to secure your own room for a cost.

Unlike the other expedition companies on this list, G Adventures does not specialize in Antarctic or polar travel. They offer tours around the world on every continent. So, while they do specialize in curating and hosting travel experiences at a more affordable cost, if you are looking for deep expertise and passion for Antarctic travel other expedition companies may be a better fit.

This family-owned company specializes in Arctic and Antarctic expeditions. Similar to Hurtigruten, they focus on sustainability as well as diversity. They currently have just one ship sailing to Antarctica with another joining their fleet in 2023. Both are small, with less than 100 staterooms. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Hurtigruten Antarctica Expeditions & the MS Fridtjof Nansen

It’s likely that you have a million questions about Hurtrigruten and the MS Fridtjof Nansen. I’ll answer the most frequent questions I receive here but encourage you to check out the extensive FAQ on Hurtrigruten’s website as well.

Each day in Antarctic waters, weather permitting, all passengers can take part in a landing and a cruise. A landing typically includes a hike, wildlife viewing, and other activities. Passengers are transported from the ship to land on a small zodiac boat. A cruise is a zodiac boat ride in the harbor or channel around the ship to look for wildlife, icebergs and other sites. Both the landing and the cruise vary in duration but tend to be up to 2 hours each.

Hurtigruten offers four optional add-on activities on their Antarctica expeditions. These are kayaking, snowshoeing, camping and the science boat. Due to limited spaces in these activities, interested passengers must attend an info session on board and, if still interested, submit their name for a lottery. 

The biggest thing to know about Antarctica expeditions is to be flexible. The weather can change very quickly, creating unsafe conditions for landings and cruises. The expedition leader is responsible for deciding if it is safe to complete the day’s activities. Expect changes, it’s part of the experience.

On the MS Fridtjof Nansen, passengers are provided with boots, a wind and waterproof shell jacket, and a life jacket. For safety and operational reasons, all three were required to be worn anytime passengers leave the ship. 

For landings, hiking poles were available. For all optional excursions such as kayaking, camping and snowshoeing all necessary gear is provided.

For more tips read my complete Antarctica cruise packing guide!

Upon check-in all passengers are assigned to a group, which are named after Antarctic wildlife. To minimize waste, the daily schedule is updated on the Hurtigruten app which is accessible to all passengers and on monitors on board. The daily schedule will show what time each group should report to the Expedition Launch area.

Meals can be scheduled through the app at any of the three restaurants, but drop ins are ok as well.

All three meals are included with your expedition. Beer and wine is included with both lunch and dinner. There is one restaurant on board that provides takeaway if you prefer to eat in your room or elsewhere on board. In general, breakfast and lunch are buffet which includes vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten-free, and plant-based options. Dinner tends to be seated service with a different menu each day. 

Personally, I don’t think so. If you do the math, you would need to drink 4-5 drinks per day in addition to the beer and wine included with your lunch and dinner in order to get your money’s worth. Individual drinks can be charged to your room and paid for at checkout.

There is very little you need to pay for once on board the ship. Typical charges would include any optional excursions, drinks in the lounge, spa services, postage, laundry and purchases at the gift shop. All charges on board are made using your individually assigned room key. At checkout the account can be paid using a credit card. 

Tips can be given directly to staff or placed in an envelope at the front desk.

The Prepared Girl’s Guide to Packing for Antarctica

Make packing for Antarctica easy with this downloadable and printable packing list.

Still have questions about Antarctica expeditions with Hurtigruten or the MS Fridtjof Nansen? Drop a comment below! I’d be happy to answer them.

Related content to read next:

What to Wear for Winter Hiking: A Prepared Girl’s Guide

Visit my Antarctica travel page for additional resources and tips.

Did you find this article helpful? Save it for later or share it on social media!

This Big Wild World

Hi! Welcome to This Big Wild World travel blog! I believe that there’s a sense of adventure inside of everyone, waiting to be discovered. From epic hikes around the world to adventures closer to my home in Minnesota, I’m here to help you discover what adventure means to you!

10 thoughts on “ Best Antarctica Expedition Cruise: Hurtigruten MS Fridtjof Nansen Review ”

I’m so excited for you and your wife! It’s going to be an incredible adventure. Great questions! I did camp out on the ice and loved it. I don’t recall the exact cost but believe it was around $450(US). Camping is one of the most popular excursions (that’s not included in the cruise) and has very limited spots. Expect there to be a mandatory info session while you’re onboard crossing the Drake Passage. If after attending the info session, you are still interested in going (they explain how it all works in more detail) you have to put your name into the lottery. In general, they treat people in the same cabin as a pair so if one of you gets in its likely both of you will. So be sure to attend the info session and put your names in the lottery.

As far as bathrooms while camping, they do recommend you limit liquid intake that afternoon but there are portable cartridge toilets you can use. They dig out a spot in the snow and build a half wall of snow around one side of them for privacy. It’s quite cold so you won’t want to have to use it multiple times if you don’t have to. Keep in mind the sun doesn’t set this time of year so it will be light out all night. I was fairly warm in the sleeping bag they provided but put hand warmers in my socks and in my chest pocket overnight to make it more comfortable.

Hope this helps – have an amazing trip!

Great blog. Turns out my wife and I are already booked on the FRIDTJOF NANSEN departing on Dec 2nd. Great minds think alike!

I’d like to know whether you camped out on the ice or if you have any information or recommendations? Also, how expensive is it? Finally, my wife has eard there is a hygene requirement that prevents a camper from even urinating during the entire experience. Is that correct?

Looking forward to your reply.

Cheers, Les

You’re welcome, Jessica! I’m so excited for you!!!

Thank you for your the clarification. Well, I went for it! I booked it!

You’re welcome, Jessica! I completely understand why stepping foot on Antarctica is important for you – it was for me too! I’m really glad you asked this because I can see this wasn’t clear in my post. Hurtigruten allows you to set foot on Antarctica and that is included with the costs of the expedition cruise. Every day we were in Antarctica we got to go on land (referred to as a “landing”) and on a zodiac boat ride (referred to as a “cruise”) around the harbor. This is weather dependent (as is everything in Antarctica) but it’s reasonable to expect to go on land several times during your trip.

The excursions that cost extra and had limited spots were camping, kayaking, and snowshoeing.

I hope this helps address your concern!

Thank you for writing about your experience on this cruise. I’m thinking about booking it, but the only thing that concerns me is the chance of not being able to actually walk on Antartica. You said that due to limited spaces in these activities, you get to participate if your name is picked in the lottery. Is it a relatively small amount of people interested in actually setting foot on land? Or did a lot of people on the cruise end up disappointed because they didn’t get pick?

The Drake shake was quite the experience, for sure, but it’s also part of the adventure! I’m glad we got to experience it but was also glad when it was over 🙂

Thanks, Josy! I can relate. Cruises are not really my thing, but I’m learning that sustainable expedition cruises are 🙂 I was really impressed by all the elements of the ships design and services that were environmentally friendly – and, yes, posh too! That sauna is so dreamy.

Sounds like you had an amazing time! That ship does look very impressive.

Antarctica is on my list, but the Drake shake doesn’t sound like fun at all.

Oooh I have been looking forward to your Antarctica posts Susan! This actually sounds amazing. I mean, it is pricy, but the mean reason I have never wanted to go on a cruise was as they are so, so bad for the environment (before covid…since covid I’ve added the petri dish aspect of cruising…)

Trust you to find a sustainable option that isn’t going to ruin the very place you wanted to visit! It all looks so gorgeous and posh too!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Silversea vs Hurtigruten?

By antarcticanewbies , January 25, 2023 in Antarctica

Recommended Posts

antarcticanewbies

We were due to travel to Antarctica this Saturday on the Silversea Silver Cloud (booked in December 2020!). We cancelled yesterday due to family illness and are hoping to rebook a cruise for next year.

We chose this particular cruise as it included both the Falklands and South Georgia. Silversea do not include the Falklands in January 2024 unless you take the Endeavour, which is double the price of the equivalent cruise we were going to take. There is a Silver Cloud cruise that we are looking at that dos not include the Falklands, however, we have found a Hurtigruten 23 day Antarctica cruise that includes the Falklands. 

This will be our first "proper" cruise (we have used Ecoventura in the Galapagos and also toured the Yangtze River) and were so looking forward to our Silversea cruise. We do not have much time to research as we need to book soon. Any thoughts on Hurtigruten, I appreciate it is not as luxurious but will we get the same Antarctica experience? Any thoughts/comments/advice welcomed...

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

PerfectlyPerth

On 1/25/2023 at 8:28 PM, antarcticanewbies said: We were due to travel to Antarctica this Saturday on the Silversea Silver Cloud (booked in December 2020!). We cancelled yesterday due to family illness and are hoping to rebook a cruise for next year.   We chose this particular cruise as it included both the Falklands and South Georgia. Silversea do not include the Falklands in January 2024 unless you take the Endeavour, which is double the price of the equivalent cruise we were going to take. There is a Silver Cloud cruise that we are looking at that dos not include the Falklands, however, we have found a Hurtigruten 23 day Antarctica cruise that includes the Falklands.    This will be our first "proper" cruise (we have used Ecoventura in the Galapagos and also toured the Yangtze River) and were so looking forward to our Silversea cruise. We do not have much time to research as we need to book soon. Any thoughts on Hurtigruten, I appreciate it is not as luxurious but will we get the same Antarctica experience? Any thoughts/comments/advice welcomed...

we've had a few trip reports for Hurtigruten on the Trip Advisor Antarctica Adventures forum. This is the link 

https://antarcticafaqs.boards.net/thread/19/hurtigruten

if it helps with searching and decision making you can also view all the trip reports sorted by expedition company 

https://antarcticafaqs.boards.net/board/8/trip-reports-sorted-expedition-company

and sorted by ship name 

https://antarcticafaqs.boards.net/board/7/trip-reports-sorted-ship-name

Or sorted by year so you can see the most recent ones from Dec 2022 as we just had a batch of people post reports recently.  https://antarcticafaqs.boards.net/board/6/trip-reports-sorted-year

that probably gives you too many options now !!!

my opinion - having been 4 times. Luxury is of zero interest to me. All the vessels are comfortable. That is all that is needed. Don't waste your money on luxury. A posh cabin does not enrich the experience you will be having outside on the ship and during landings. Look for the smallest vessel, least amount of passengers, longest voyage your holiday allowance permits, and definitely include Falklands and Sth Georgia Islands.   

feel free to post your question on Trip Advisor as well. While there are a few of us that post in both forums there are many that post only in one or the other.  https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowForum-g1-i12337-Antarctic_Adventures.html

The moderator may feel that he has to delete this and I know the rules about recommending TAs.  However a Google search will lead you to TAs that do only Antarctica cruises.  That is how I booked my Falklands and S. Georgia cruise a few years ago.  They will be able to answer all of your questilns if you find the right Antarctica TA.

I wouldn’t consider any polar expedition cruise (even on Silversea) to be a “proper” cruise by CruiseCritic expectations! 😂  

Unless someone in your group doesn’t really care about Antarctica and is more interested in dining and spa treatments, then I wouldn’t worry about the difference at all.

Which Hurtigruten ship would you be traveling on? I did a very similar itinerary once on the Fram, and it was much more than comfortable. Not luxurious, but sitting in a full glass lounge sipping drinks and watching the dying icebergs off the coast of South Georgia felt like enough of a justification between luxury and ecology that I’m not sure I’d want to go down on a ship much nicer than that!

What is it about Silversea that you’re afraid you’ll be missing? If it’s the 5-star luxury? Yes. Hurtigruten is more of a 4-star. There are seated dinners with table assignments, attentive wait staff, and upscale cuisine, but it’s more like a nice restaurant than a gourmet experience. Cabins are similar to the standard cruise cabins you’d find on larger ships, and there may be fewer balconies and luxury upgrades. If I recall, their toiletry line is by an upscale Scandinavian cosmetics company, but it’s not globally iconic luxury products.

I guess I’d compare Hurtigruten to Silversea as something akin to a recently-renovated upmarket business hotel with comfortable amenities and a few nice flourishes compared to a place listed on Leading Small Hotels of the World.

As for the expedition experience, a lot of staff rotate between ships, so the company doesn’t really matter too much. I know guides from my trips on some of the most basic ships who have also done seasons on Silversea.

• 1 month later...

Thanks for all the replies, we went for the 23 day trip on The Fram, a lot of positive reviews and counting down the days!

On 1/26/2023 at 8:57 AM, PerfectlyPerth said: we've had a few trip reports for Hurtigruten on the Trip Advisor Antarctica Adventures forum. This is the link  https://antarcticafaqs.boards.net/thread/19/hurtigruten   if it helps with searching and decision making you can also view all the trip reports sorted by expedition company  https://antarcticafaqs.boards.net/board/8/trip-reports-sorted-expedition-company   and sorted by ship name  https://antarcticafaqs.boards.net/board/7/trip-reports-sorted-ship-name   Or sorted by year so you can see the most recent ones from Dec 2022 as we just had a batch of people post reports recently.  https://antarcticafaqs.boards.net/board/6/trip-reports-sorted-year   that probably gives you too many options now !!!   my opinion - having been 4 times. Luxury is of zero interest to me. All the vessels are comfortable. That is all that is needed. Don't waste your money on luxury. A posh cabin does not enrich the experience you will be having outside on the ship and during landings. Look for the smallest vessel, least amount of passengers, longest voyage your holiday allowance permits, and definitely include Falklands and Sth Georgia Islands.     feel free to post your question on Trip Advisor as well. While there are a few of us that post in both forums there are many that post only in one or the other.  https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowForum-g1-i12337-Antarctic_Adventures.html  

This is an extremely wise answer especially your comment about luxury except that I would very slightly disagree w you.  Try to do the Falklands, S. Georgia AND Antarctica just does not work in my opinion because you do not get enough time in any of the 3 places.  You should have at least 3 days in the Falkland and 5 or 6 days in South Georgia to have enough time to see the places properly.  On my last trip we had 3 days in the Falklands and I think 8 or 9 days in South Georgia.  This means 9 days minimum and maybe even 12 days for these 2 islands. 

Most longer trips are say 21 or 22 days total and it is hard to find one that is longer than that because of costs so lets be optimistic and say 25 days total.  You need 1 day to get from Ushuaia to the Falklands and 1 1/2 day to get from the Falklands to South Georgia so this means your trip total is almost 15 days before you even start heading for Antarctica.  For a 25 day trip this will leave you only 10 days to get from South Georgia (2 days), gety back from Antarctica (1 1/2 days) and just 7 days in Antarctica.  You just don't get enough time in any location.  

My suggestion is not to try to see all three places in 1 trip.  Do Antarctica in one trip and the Falklands / South Georgia in another trip although it will be hard to find a trip that will do just these 2 islands.

One more thing to add although you implied it but did not say it explicitly.  You do EVER want a trip with more than 200 people on it and you really want one that has less than 100 people.  This is because of the 100 people on the continent rule.  If you have 100 people you can be on land for as long as you want.  If you have more than 100 people you will have 100 on the continent and the rest of them waiting to do something.

Hope that this helps.

8 hours ago, antarcticanewbies said: Thanks for all the replies, we went for the 23 day trip on The Fram, a lot of positive reviews and counting down the days!

Thanks for letting us know how you decided.  We'll be looking for a trip report when you get back, if you are up for it.

7 hours ago, donaldsc said:   This is an extremely wise answer especially your comment about luxury except that I would very slightly disagree w you.  Try to do the Falklands, S. Georgia AND Antarctica just does not work in my opinion because you do not get enough time in any of the 3 places.  You should have at least 3 days in the Falkland and 5 or 6 days in South Georgia to have enough time to see the places properly.  On my last trip we had 3 days in the Falklands and I think 8 or 9 days in South Georgia.  This means 9 days minimum and maybe even 12 days for these 2 islands.    Most longer trips are say 21 or 22 days total and it is hard to find one that is longer than that because of costs so lets be optimistic and say 25 days total.  You need 1 day to get from Ushuaia to the Falklands and 1 1/2 day to get from the Falklands to South Georgia so this means your trip total is almost 15 days before you even start heading for Antarctica.  For a 25 day trip this will leave you only 10 days to get from South Georgia (2 days), gety back from Antarctica (1 1/2 days) and just 7 days in Antarctica.  You just don't get enough time in any location.     My suggestion is not to try to see all three places in 1 trip.  Do Antarctica in one trip and the Falklands / South Georgia in another trip although it will be hard to find a trip that will do just these 2 islands. ... DON

Thank you DON.  As always I appreciate your comments. 

I wondered about this exact issue.  What you are writing makes sense.  Doing too many places in one trip will degrade the experience of the trip.  Ceteris paribus, I too would rather do two smaller trip than one twice as long trip.

A few comments and questions:

(1)  Although I agree with your premise that one should not do too much on a single trip because "you don't get enough time in any one location", is this true in this case?  By your calculations, you'd get only 7 days in Antarctica. But isn't that the same or even more than most Antarctic cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula?  

(2)  Are there many trips to just Falkland Islands (FI) and South Georgia (SG)?  I've noticed that most trips to FI & SG are combined with either a trip to Antarctic Peninsula, or are visited during the repositioning between the Arctic and Antarctic regions in Oct and Mar/Apr.  FI is also visited on larger vessels between Buenos Aires and Valparaiso.  But there do not appear to be too many cruises to just FI & SG.  And I would be interested in taking such a cruise.

(3)  A cruise that includes FI has less of an appeal to visit by a ship than SG, since FI can be explored independently by flying into Mount Pleasant from the UK or Chile, whereas SG has no airport.  Thus, I am OK with missing FI on a cruise.  Nonetheless, in your view do you believe that the ratio of time in FI:SG that you've had, 3:8 is appropriate?  Or would you have prefered a different ratio?  How would you ideally divide 11 net days between the two island groups?

• 4 weeks later...

On 3/8/2023 at 4:31 AM, pdmlynek said: Thanks for letting us know how you decided.  We'll be looking for a trip report when you get back, if you are up for it.

We go in January and will report back, thanks again...

On 3/8/2023 at 4:03 PM, pdmlynek said:   (2)  Are there many trips to just Falkland Islands (FI) and South Georgia (SG)?  I've noticed that most trips to FI & SG are combined with either a trip to Antarctic Peninsula, or are visited during the repositioning between the Arctic and Antarctic regions in Oct and Mar/Apr.  FI is also visited on larger vessels between Buenos Aires and Valparaiso.  But there do not appear to be too many cruises to just FI & SG.  And I would be interested in taking such a cruise.  

Just FYI - Oceanwide has an offering of an itinerary that is only FI & SGI. (Not sure if link will be removed here so just go to their website and look at the newest itineraries).  https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/antarctica/cruises/hds21-24-south-georgia-grand-tour

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• Hurricane Zone 2024
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Cruise Critic News & Features
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!
• How To: Follow Topics & Forums (Get Notifications)

1323 What Kind of Cruise Ship Decor Do You Like Best?

1. what kind of cruise ship decor do you like best.

• Colorful and wacky! It sets the vibe for fun.
• Serene and soothing! Greige helps me relax.
• Arty and sophisticated! Whimsical pieces make me smile.
• Nautical and classic! I want to feel like I'm on a ship.
• Mod and shiny! Give me all the glass and chrome.
• Please sign in or register to vote in this poll.

Write An Amazing Review !

Click this photo by member XFrancophileX to share your review w/ photos too!

Parliament, Budapest

Features & News

LauraS · Started Friday at 10:51 PM

LauraS · Started Friday at 10:07 PM

LauraS · Started Friday at 08:03 PM

LauraS · Started Friday at 05:58 PM

LauraS · Started Thursday at 06:47 PM

Cruise Planning

Find a cruise, popular ports, member reviews.

© 1995— 2024 , The Independent Traveler, Inc.

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...

If you are already a Cruise Critic member, please log in with your existing account information or your email address and password.

• Hurtigruten

Included flights from London to Antarctica

By Spike11 , January 7, 2021 in Hurtigruten

Recommended Posts

Hi everyone! We are interested in an Antarctica cruise in November 2022. I’ve noticed that Hurtigruten currently include flights from London in the price. Can anyone whose done this cruise with included flights give any information about them? Which carrier do they use, are the flight times good, is there the opportunity to upgrade to more than the basic leg room ( and how much might this cost)? Thanks in advance for any help.

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

On 1/7/2021 at 9:43 AM, Spike11 said: Hi everyone! We are interested in an Antarctica cruise in November 2022. I’ve noticed that Hurtigruten currently include flights from London in the price. Can anyone whose done this cruise with included flights give any information about them? Which carrier do they use, are the flight times good, is there the opportunity to upgrade to more than the basic leg room ( and how much might this cost)? Thanks in advance for any help.

Yes the free flights to/from UK on the Antarctica voyages (plus No single supp too on a couple of voyages) make for good reading - These offers can be combined and the free flights offers end 31/03/2021. The cruises seem to go (depending if in 2022 or 2023)  to/from LON to Santiago or Buenos Aires - two of the longest non-stop scheduled flights in the world. Hurtigruten told me they usually have contracts with BA direct from LHR or sometimes via Madrid with Iberia.  Upgrades to BA's WTP+ and Club can be sought at 11 months prior to departure. Seats together and extra leg room can also be booked with the airline once H'GTN can give you a booking ref (not more than 11 months prior)  you can usually choose when you want to fly out and come back should you want to see some local sights pre or post cruise. The flights then onwards down to Punta Arenas or Ushuaia and back, is usually a LATAM LAN charter flight.  Departure time is very early usually 0530-0730 and flights take 3h 30m luggage allowance on LATAM LAN Airline charter flights ( 1pc 23kg for check in luggage + hand luggage 8kg) LATAM is not the most awarded airline in the world 😞

4 hours ago, rog747 said: Yes the free flights to/from UK on the Antarctica voyages (plus No single supp too on a couple of voyages) make for good reading - These offers can be combined and the free flights offers end 31/03/2021. The cruises seem to go (depending if in 2022 or 2023)  to/from LON to Santiago or Buenos Aires - two of the longest non-stop scheduled flights in the world. Hurtigruten told me they usually have contracts with BA direct from LHR or sometimes via Madrid with Iberia.  Upgrades to BA's WTP+ and Club can be sought at 11 months prior to departure. Seats together and extra leg room can also be booked with the airline once H'GTN can give you a booking ref (not more than 11 months prior)  you can usually choose when you want to fly out and come back should you want to see some local sights pre or post cruise. The flights then onwards down to Punta Arenas or Ushuaia and back, is usually a LATAM LAN charter flight.  Departure time is very early usually 0530-0730 and flights take 3h 30m luggage allowance on LATAM LAN Airline charter flights ( 1pc 23kg for check in luggage + hand luggage 8kg) LATAM is not the most awarded airline in the world 😞

Thanks very much for this useful information. We have now booked an Antarctic cruise for January 2022 on Roald Amundsen  - so should find out more about the flights next month.

• 1 month later...

Thanks also for this information. We have also booked today on the Fridjof Nansen for Jan 2023

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• Hurricane Zone 2024
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Cruise Critic News & Features
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!
• How To: Follow Topics & Forums (Get Notifications)

1323 What Kind of Cruise Ship Decor Do You Like Best?

1. what kind of cruise ship decor do you like best.

• Colorful and wacky! It sets the vibe for fun.
• Serene and soothing! Greige helps me relax.
• Arty and sophisticated! Whimsical pieces make me smile.
• Nautical and classic! I want to feel like I'm on a ship.
• Mod and shiny! Give me all the glass and chrome.
• Please sign in or register to vote in this poll.

Write An Amazing Review !

Click this photo by member XFrancophileX to share your review w/ photos too!

Parliament, Budapest

Features & News

LauraS · Started Friday at 10:51 PM

LauraS · Started Friday at 10:07 PM

LauraS · Started Friday at 08:03 PM

LauraS · Started Friday at 05:58 PM

LauraS · Started Thursday at 06:47 PM

Cruise Planning

Find a cruise, popular ports, member reviews.

© 1995— 2024 , The Independent Traveler, Inc.

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...

If you are already a Cruise Critic member, please log in with your existing account information or your email address and password.

Antarctica Cruises

Book early for 2025 and 2026 sailings to Antarctica and save up to 40% with the HX Price Promise*.

Go with the global leader in expeditions to Antarctica

Nothing compares to an Antarctica expedition. For many, exploring this vast, frozen continent is a once-in-a-lifetime dream. To cross the Drake Passage and reach the last great frontier - a place where sun glints off pristine ice and wildlife reigns supreme - is truly life-changing. And that's why you'll want to do it with the experts. At HX, we've been exploring Antarctica for over 20 years, and we do so in sustainable style, with a world-leading science program that actively helps the fragile ecosystems we explore.

20 years and counting

We've been exploring the White Continent expedition-style for over 20 years, so for the best cruises to Antarctica choose HX.

Explore Antarctica in 2025/2026 on our small, well-equipped, hybrid expedition ships, where safety and sustainability come first. PLUS with our Price Promise, if you find the same cabin available for a lower price after you've booked, let us know and we'll give you back the difference.

Meet the locals

The seas and shores around Antarctica teem with wildlife. See colonies of penguins, graceful whales and curious seals. On a trip to Antarctica, you'll marvel at pristine panoramas of snowy mountains, wind-sculpted icebergs and mighty glaciers.

The krill-rich waters around the White Continent support abundant wildlife: from humpback whales and fur seals to albatrosses and penguins. An estimated population of 12 million penguins of several species call the Antarctic Peninsula home.

Exploring Antarctica

An all-inclusive cruise to Antarctica with HX means entering explorer mode. You’ll join our experienced Expedition Team in small launches as we go on shore landings and seek out wildlife.

Other activities include kayaking, snowshoeing, camping, and perhaps even a polar plunge if you want to experience a pure Antarctic rush!

We go beyond Antarctica, with South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, Patagonia and more included on many of our voyages.

A symphony of ice and sky

Experience the tranquility of vast panoramas and sail among the sublime frozen icescapes of Antarctica, as we pass between icebergs, close to calving glaciers, and past huge ice floes in the Southern Ocean.

Cruises to Antarctica

In-depth Antarctica & Patagonia Expedition | Southbound

In-depth Antarctica & Patagonia Expedition | Southbound | An Audubon Voyage

Antarctica & Falkland Expedition

Ms roald amundsen.

Adventure is All-Inclusive

An HX trip includes everything from daily excursions and activities to our onboard Science Center, meals, gratuities, drinks and more. ​ All designed to give you the expedition experience of a lifetime.

Active exploration

On an HX expedition cruise to Antarctica, you’ll be an explorer not a passenger. Cross the Drake Passage and explore expedition-style as we seek out remote landing sites for nature encounters.

Activities in Antarctica

On your all-inclusive cruise to Antarctica you'll get closer to the Seventh Continent than you ever dreamed. Experience the magic as you step off your expedition boat and feel the crunch of snow beneath your boots. Guided by your Expedition Team, you'll be able to paddle through icestrewn waters, photograph penguins and whales guided by our expert photographer, hike across pristine landscapes wearing snowshoes, and perhaps take a polar plunge if you're feeling brave. For a lucky few, camping in tents overnight is the ultimate Antarctic experience.

Snowshoeing

When the conditions are right, there's no better way to cross the frozen terrain than by wearing snowshoes. Our modern equipment makes it easy to walk on the soft snow, and the elements are usually best during our late spring and early summer Antarctica cruises.

Hear the beautiful 'symphony of the ice' as you glide silently past nature's frozen works of art in a sea kayak. Designed for close-up polar exploration, there's no better way to encounter the wildlife of Antarica and to enjoy its soul-stirring scenery.

Camping | Amundsen Night

Spend a magical night camping in a tent on the shore in Antarctica. In the style of the early explorers, we use our specialized equipment to spend the night under the stars for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. As you might expect, camping is a popular activity and numbers are limited. Who gets to go usually has to be decided by a lottery system. Feeling lucky?

* Please note that these are optional activities; an additional cost may apply.

Wildlife on ice

Even in the extreme environment of Antarctica, life not only survives but thrives. Its icy seas, isolated icebergs and snow-driven deserts are home to wildlife that surprises and charms.

Wildlife in Antarctica

Nowhere on Earth feels as remote as Antarctica, yet the wildlife here is abundant and spectacular. The icy shores are a haven for millions of penguins, as well as seals and seabirds, while the deep blue waters support a huge population of whales. Your Expedition Team will help you spot and photograph iconic animals, and there will be lectures on ornithology and natural history from our wildlife experts. In the Science Center you'll learn more, and perhaps even help out with wildlife conservation through out Citizen Science projects.

Where science and learning meet nature

Science is at the core of our voyage into the heart of the natural world in Antarctica. Learn about geology, climatology and ornitholgy, and collect samples and take part in experiments with our onboard scientific experts.

Your Antarctica Expedition Team

You're in the best hands with your onboard Expedition Team. Handpicked experts from a range of backgrounds, you'll soon discover their passion and energy for Antarctica is infectious. They'll lead you on adventures off the ship, deliver fascinating lectures, unlock nature's wonders in the Science Center, and perhaps even entertain you along the way. On your cruise to Antarctica, the Expedition Team will be your companions in adventure.

Expedition Ships | The perfect balance

Our state-of-the-art expedition vessels feature hybrid propulsion technology, ice-class hulls and advanced onboard waste-reduction systems. Large enough to offer excellent stability and a spacious onboard experience, yet small enough to get off the beaten track, you'll discover that HX ships are the perfect balance for the ultimate Antarctic adventure.

Purpose-built as an expedition cruise ship, MS Fram is an exceptional base camp for explorers.On board, comfort is a top priority, so after a day of exploration you can relax in a hot tub ,dine in your choice of two restaurants or at the outdoor BBQ and catch up with your fellow guests with a cocktail in hand as you watch the scenery glide past in the Explorer Lounge & Bar. In the Science Centre, at the heart of the ship, you’ll discover more about the places you sail to and listen to talks by the Expedition Team.  With key expedition features and technology, MS Fram is primed to bring you on a journey of discovery to our planet’s most alluring and unspoiled regions. 

MS Fridtjof Nansen

The newest addition to our fleet will honor the heritage of her namesake – the Norwegian explorer, scientist, humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Fridtjof Nansen. Known for his innovations in Arctic expeditions, Nansen led the first crossing of Greenland on cross-country skis. He is perhaps most famous for his attempt to reach the geographical North Pole during the Fram Expedition (1893-1896). Interestingly, after Nansen's Fram expedition, the ship was passed on to another great explorer who secretly planned an expedition to the South Pole - Roald Amundsen.

Named after the first man to cross Antarctica and to reach the South Pole, MS Roald Amundsen leads the way towards an even more sustainable way of travelling. The ship is specially constructed for voyages in polar waters. It serves as a comfortable base camp at sea – bringing adventurers from all over the world to the most spectacular destinations in the most sustainable way.

Make a difference

Support the scientific community in collecting valuable data on Antarctica that contributes to global research by participating in our Citizen Science Programme.

Stories from Antarctica

Explore Antarctica with HX

Antarctica is the pinnacle of expedition and adventure travel! Start planning your journey to exploring this pristine world of ice, wildlife, and awe-inspiring beauty.

15 Interesting Facts About Antarctica

On the southern-most tip of the planet rests one of the world's most massive and mysterious landmasses - the frozen realm of Antarctica.

Incredible Facts about the Drake Passage

Discover the Drake Passage, one of the world’s most fabled waterways and a must-do for every adventurer en route to Antarctica.

Antarctica is the only continent with no significant plant life and no native land mammals, reptiles, or amphibians. Even in the extreme environment of Antarctica, life not only survives but thrives. Its icy seas, isolated icebergs and snow-driven deserts are home to wildlife that surprise and charm all who visit them.

Sign up for our newsletter

Be the first to hear about our latest offers, exciting itineraries and inspirational articles.