Category: Planning & Tips

Launched in 2018 and specially designed for expedition cruising, the Fridtjof Nansen is one of the most advanced ships in the polar fleet. Its 490 berths puts it on the larger side of expedition cruise ships that are allowed to visit Antarctica and still let passengers put their boots in the snow, but under the […]

Since the first pioneering departure over 20 years ago, Fly & Cruise trips to Antarctica have grown in popularity. They skip the two day voyage across the famous Drake Passage from Ushuaia in Argentina by simply flying over it, so that travellers join their cruise ship in Antarctica and get straight into the important action […]

When it comes to planning a cruise to Antarctica, one of the questions that comes up most frequently is what’s the best size of ship to sail on? There’s no perfect answer of course, but if you want to maximise your time exploring off the ship, then we generally recommend ships that carry fewer than […]

Since its launch in 2021, the expedition cruise ship Ultramarine has rapidly become a popular choice for Swoop Antarctica passengers. Its modern design, 1A+ ice class rating (putting it just shy of being an actual icebreaker), 199 berths and broad suite of adventure activities have all helped establish its place in the polar fleet. Since […]

Quick Answer: Best Time to Visit Antarctica The best time to visit Antarctica is between November and March, during the austral summer when expedition ships can access the continent. Each month offers slightly different experiences: Table of contents Antarctica’s white wilderness has an irresistible magnetism for adventurous souls the world over. Around 40,000 travellers make […]

For lovers of the great outdoors, Antarctica offers the ultimate experience – and it doesn’t get much more outdoors than spending a night out camping on the White Continent. Falling asleep listening to the sounds of distant glaciers, penguins and even whales is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  I’ve travelled to Antarctica several times, but it […]

Quick Answer: Best Month to Cross the Drake Passage The best months to cross the Drake Passage are November to March, during the Antarctic summer. However, no specific month guarantees calm seas, as weather conditions in the Drake Passage are highly unpredictable. Travellers may experience either the calm conditions of the ‘Drake Lake’ or the […]

We’re obsessed with the polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton here at Swoop Antarctica, but even we know that Antarctica can feel awfully far away when we want a hint of the heroic era of polar exploration. That’s why we were delighted when the world’s only museum dedicated to the man they called ‘The Boss’ recently […]