From zodiac boat numbers to onboard facilities, it’s time to reply your questions concerning the Ocean Endeavour.
So, you’ve picked the vacation spot (Antarctica). Now that you must resolve which expedition ship operator to go together with – simpler mentioned than finished, I do know. There are many corporations on the market promising you the journey of a lifetime, however with my full bias on show, there’s none fairly like Intrepid. Or ought to I say, there’s no ship fairly just like the Ocean Endeavour.
Permitting you to discover the distant shoreline of the world’s seventh continent whereas nonetheless having fun with the category and luxury of a four-star resort, the Ocean Endeavour is the right dwelling base on your Antarctic journey. And this weblog will show it. Over the following 1,250 or so phrases, I’ll cowl all issues life onboard the Ocean Endeavour and precisely what you possibly can count on in your journey to the icy fringe of the world.
When you’ve completed studying, all that’s left so that you can do is ebook.
Do not wait till you’ve got completed studying, ebook now
However to begin with, what’s expedition cruising?
Overlook conventional cruise liners. The one strategy to cruise Antarctica’s waters is on a smaller expedition ship; one the place the max passenger rely is 200 and there’s an actual emphasis on the ‘expedition’ half. Not solely as a result of it gives a extra personalised and cozy expertise for these onboard, but in addition as a result of there’s loads of alternatives for excursions to the Antarctic Peninsula.
Which means you shouldn’t consider your journey to Antarctica as a vacation. As a substitute, it’ll be an action-packed, thrill-inducing, adrenaline-pumping journey stuffed with pictures workshops, penguin-spotting, snow-camping and afternoons spent sea-kayaking. And that’s simply the tip of the iceberg.
Related: The 10 Antarctica questions you want answered
So, why select the Ocean Endeavour?
The Ocean Endeavour has 20 zodiacs (smaller inflatable boats) to take you off the ship and onto land so there’s no taking turns with the opposite passengers onboard on the subject of sea excursions and shore landings.
The ship additionally has one expedition crew member for each 8 travellers. Yep, you learn that proper. Boasting among the best staff-to-passenger ratios in Antarctica (1:8), you possibly can take full benefit of the knowledgeable staff round you, whether or not that’s asking questions on your environment or requiring a bit further help to embark and disembark the zodiacs.
As if that wasn’t adequate, the Ocean Endeavour exudes consolation with up to date interiors, a soothing spa, lounges for studying, reflection and scrolling by means of the thousands and thousands of pictures you’ve taken throughout the day, breathtaking 360° views from the Deck and an emphasis on sustainability by means of the ship’s citizen science program*. Did I neglect to say the professionally staffed bar, his & hers saunas and the polar library?
*extra on this later.
How will I do know if the Ocean Endeavour is the correct ship for me?
To be blunt, the Ocean Endeavour is the correct ship for everybody. It’s good for individuals who need a extra energetic expertise but in addition for many who want consolation and suppleness; you don’t should take part in sea excursions or shore landings for those who don’t need to.
There’s additionally loads of rooming choices and preparations for these travelling as a pair, with a gaggle of mates or as a solo traveller. Each cabin has a non-public rest room geared up with a bathe, bathroom, washbasin and eco-friendly physique wash and hair care merchandise, a flatscreen TV, a phone and a secure on your worthwhile possessions.
A each day housekeeping service and laundry amenities onboard make the Ocean Endeavour simply nearly as good as any resort, besides higher. You’ll be able to watch the Antarctic panorama go by by means of your window.
What are the expedition guides onboard like?
Our knowledgeable guides are a number of the greatest within the biz and are at all times readily available to share their data by means of displays, lectures and seminars onboard the Ocean Endeavour. There’s nothing you possibly can’t ask that our marine biologist, geologist, glaciologist, ornithologist, penguin-ologist (there’s quite a lot of ‘ologists’) and naturalist can’t reply.
However they’re not simply there to show you stuff (even when that stuff is tremendous attention-grabbing). In addition they play an vital half in delivering your dream Antarctica expertise from swapping tales over dinner and attending to know each certainly one of you to stating wildlife once they see it. They exude ardour and enthusiasm and are one of many many explanation why our journeys stand out from the remainder. They’re additionally tremendous pleasant and approachable so you realize, that helps.
Related: Meet Martin Cohen, Antarctica expedition guide and polar penguinologist
What’s the citizen science program?
Sending long-term tutorial groups to Antarctica to conduct scientific analysis is expensive, time-consuming and all ‘spherical difficult at the very best of instances. However there’s vital work that must be finished in an effort to assist us higher perceive Antarctica and the problems it faces. Introducing the Citizen Science Program onboard the Ocean Endeavour.
With the need to harness the facility of the travellers that set sail for Antarctica annually, the Citizen Science Program encourages passengers to look at, document and report on pure phenomena as a part of a collaboration challenge with precise Antarctic scientists.
Work with the likes of NASA’s Globe Observer, Glad Whale, Seabird Survey and phytoplankton organisations and contribute to the long run well being of the continent you’ve fallen in love with. From recording cloud cowl, photographing whales’ flukes, conducting chicken surveys and gathering phytoplankton samples, turning into a scientist for a day has by no means felt so good.
Related: Meet Eva, the polar scientist heading to Antarctica with Intrepid
What’s a typical day onboard the Ocean Endeavour seem like?
Days will look totally different relying on what route your journey follows however there’s one factor that’ll stay the identical whether or not you’re on a 11-day journey or a 23-day journey: the huge and exquisite icy panorama proper outdoors your window. So, first issues first, get up, dress and head to the deck for a take a look at your breathtaking environment.
When you’ve acquired the lay of the land (or sea), the eating room awaits with a full breakfast buffet stocked with the meals you want for a busy day forward. At round 8:30am, an announcement of the morning’s actions will come by means of the intercom system so make your strategy to the mudroom to get suited up on your sea or land-based adventures.
You’ll get again to the ship a bit earlier than lunchtime and, when you’ve warmed up with a scorching cup of soup, you’ll have time to roam the Ocean Endeavour as you please. Maybe go for a sweat sesh within the health club or a dip within the heated swimming pool earlier than making your means again to the eating room for some extra sustenance in preparation on your afternoon outing.
Your afternoon tour will comply with the identical routine because the morning’s and while you’re again from penguin-spotting/whale-admiring/seal colony-exploring, you’ll be invited to the bar for a recap the place our exhibition staff will allow you to in on a number of the day’s cool learnings.
A scrumptious three-course dinner within the eating room rounds out the day. Sit again and loosen up whereas mushy music performs within the lounge, chat to your fellow travellers over drinks on the bar or ask the exhibition staff any questions you might need from the day’s actions. When you’re fortunate, there may even be some trivia or board video games to maintain you entertained all through the night.
Earlier than you head off to sleep, it’s price going for a stroll outdoors alongside the deck. The landscapes are spectacular throughout the day however at night time, up is the one strategy to look because the sky places on a shiny present. Retire to your cabin and prepare to do all of it once more tomorrow.
