If you’re going to Antarctica, this is the cruise you should book

If you are going to Antarctica, there is only one company I recommend traveling with: . What stood out was the loyalty of passengers on board. Many of the guests were repeat travelers, some returning for their second or even tenth trip with Lindblad. One guest had just finished the ride and decided to hop on another leg to do it again.

Another distinguishing characteristic was experience. Through the National Geographic-Lindblad Visiting Scientists and Educators Program, researchers and educators are invited to join expeditions to conduct real field work. While I was sailing, a scientist was searching for algae in Antarctic waters, while three teachers were participating as fellow teachers at Grosvenor, taking part in daily presentations of scientific and educational context.

National Geographic also has an elite team of naturalists, divers, photographers and videographers on expeditions. Underwater footage was shown daily by divers on board, and professional National Geographic photographers offered workshops, equipment tips and even lens loans. Knowing that their photos and videos would be available for guests to download allowed me to put the camera down most of the time to experience everything.

What surprised me most was the number of solo travelers on board. There were about 15 solo riders. Solo travel to Antarctica has become popular, and the ship is designed to accommodate it, with dedicated solo cabins and a sociable atmosphere. Shared dinner tables encouraged meeting new people, and crew members regularly joined guests at meals. Even our powerful female CEO, Natalia Leahy of Lindblad Expeditions, was on board, which was an unexpected bonus.

From the warm expedition jacket provided for each guest to the option to rent knee-high waterproof boots for the descent, logistics are carefully handled. I cover exactly what I packed and what I recommend bringing here.

The enthusiastic crew and people made the trip unforgettable, including adventurous Captain Martin Graesser, hotel manager Christian, our expedition leader Stefano Pozzi, and on-board photography expert Rich Reed, among many others!

The journey

Designed for polar exploration, the ship is a type of icebreaker with its distinctive X-Bow design. Inspired by nature, the bullet-shaped bow reduces wave impact, improves stability, and reduces disturbance to marine wildlife.

Another notable feature is the ship’s azipod propulsion system, which provides remarkable maneuverability in the sometimes treacherous Antarctic waters. Along with a Polar Class 5 rating, the Resolution is designed to handle Antarctic conditions, from the reinforced hull and propellers to the powerful propulsion systems and on-board systems designed for extreme cold. Since anchoring in Antarctica is nearly impossible, the ship’s advanced technology allows it to maintain its position without traditional anchoring. On our trip, we were the southernmost ship in the region (a major launching point!) and we also explored new landing areas.

It takes about two days to cross the Drake Passage in each direction, making for four days of choppy seas. Although there is the option of flying over the Drake Passage, I would only recommend this to travelers who suffer from severe seasickness. Crossing the Drake River is a rite of passage. I don’t usually get seasick, although sleeping was a bit difficult on rocky nights. I was hoping for a notorious overland crossing, but according to one crew member, our Drake was rated a six out of ten.

Highlight

There were some memorable moments on the ice: shortly after arriving and braving the Drake Passage, a pod of killer whales swam straight up to the ship, the best kind of welcome in Antarctica.

On this expedition, no two trips are the same. It is shaped every day by weather and ice conditions. The goal is usually two flights a day, often a tower and landing cruise.

Our first landing was at Nikko Harbour, one of the most iconic sites in Antarctica and home to about 500 nesting gentoo penguins. It was adorable watching the male penguins slowly sway across the ice, carefully carrying rocks to their nesting partners.

Another day, we encountered an emperor penguin. I had no idea they were so tall, like a toddler! One naturalist said he had not seen an emperor penguin in this area in more than 20 years of traveling here. The penguin was completely alone and remarkably inquisitive, walking straight towards us and playfully sliding across the ice on his belly.

We also had access to Antarctica itself, which is not guaranteed on every trip.

Another rare highlight is landing on an island home to hundreds of elephant seals, which is not a promised stop on every expedition.

room

I stayed in a Category 5 Bridge Deck cabin, room 702. The balcony cabin was comfortable, with two balcony chairs, a hammock and a small table, which quickly became a favorite place to meditate and enjoy the stunning views. Inside, the room had one full-sized bed, a coffee table, a writing desk with a chair, two bedside tables, and a dresser, making it very spacious for an expedition. The heating system was also easy to use and customize to the ideal temperature.

Housekeeping was very flexible, offering two cleanings, morning refreshes and optional bed turndown service. Guests also receive a branded reusable water bottle to keep during the cruise and beyond.

Eat

The food was the highlight of the trip. Dining is all-inclusive, including meals and basic alcoholic beverages. Cabins are also stocked with beer, wine and soft drinks.

There are two main restaurants, plus a daily tea service at 4pm which includes desserts and sandwiches.

Two Seven Zero is the main dining room overlooking the ocean. Breakfast is served buffet style with additional à la carte options. Lunch and dinner are multi-course meals, followed by dessert. One detail I particularly appreciated was the option to order half portions, which allowed me to try several entrees in one meal. I’ve taken advantage of this on several nights.

There were also a few buffet style dinners. The Filipino buffet night was the highlight of the cruise, a thoughtful nod to the Filipino staff on board. In addition to the nightly rotating menus, there were daily staples available at each meal, including chicken breast, striploin steak, pasta made on board, and either a Caesar or green salad. Menus also lean towards regional influences when possible.

A highlight of this restaurant is the made-to-order pasta, available at every meal, with a wide range of pasta shapes and sauces. Many of us also look forward to the fresh bread selections daily at lunch and dinner.

Tupaia is a casual dining spot, serving breakfast and lunch with convenient menus for quicker dining.

The Chef’s Table experience was a special touch that set this cruise apart from its competitors. Every guest on the ship received an invitation at some point during the cruise. On the first night, solo travelers were seated together, which seemed like a really thoughtful detail that invited friendships for the next trip. Read a more detailed description of what we had at the meal here.

Activities on board

Daily programs included expert-led lectures on wildlife, Antarctic history and polar science. Most attendees are passionate about nature and wildlife, so attendance was good.

Igloo

The viral igloo experience on one of the ship’s upper decks was a truly magical experience. Access is on a first-come, first-served basis, and guests typically have about ten opportunities to reserve a spot, depending on weather conditions, which can sometimes result in cancellation of availability. While the igloo was not heated, I stayed quite warm using the three hot water bottles provided. It’s also conveniently located just steps from the sauna and hot tub, making it easy to warm up quickly afterwards.

Polar sinking

I always knew I was going to do the Polar Plunge, but we had no idea when it would happen. It wasn’t on the schedule, and I assumed it would be done on the last day. Instead, on our second to last day in Antarctica, the crew suddenly announced it before dinner, giving us only an hour’s notice to prepare. After signing a waiver, about half the ship participated, making it an unforgettable, adrenaline-filled moment that felt spontaneous and celebratory. Half of our ship pioneers participated, which was impressive!

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions hosted me on this trip, and all opinions expressed are my own.