Category: Planning & Tips

Topping many a bucket list of retired travellers, the White Continent is a truly unforgettable place to experience. Both Antarctica’s landscape and wildlife are completely breathtaking and unique, which makes this region of the planet so utterly mesmerizing. As a Polar specialist, I’m often asked how old is too old to visit Antarctica? There are […]

Built specifically for expedition-stye cruising, the World Explorer is a 5-star vessel featuring the latest in quality cabins and facilities. At 126 meters in length, the World Explorer is by no means a small Polar vessel and can take up to 176 passengers and 125 staff and crew.  Having previously travelled on smaller vessels, I was a […]

The National Geographic Explorer has garnered quite the reputation for quality over the years. Even before it set sail in the Polar regions, there was a buzz around it. Although it began life as a Norwegian ferry for Hurtigruten, the National Geographic Explorer was completely rehauled in 2008 and hailed as the first purpose-built ship for Polar […]

The Polar Plunge is one of the most memorable and invigorating activities you can do on your Antarctic adventure. Anyone looking for a good dinner party story shouldn’t even hesitate. No, it’s not especially pleasant, and it’s certainly not something you need to do twice, but it’s definitely a lot of fun. Curiosity piqued? The […]

The Drake Passage is one of the most infamous bodies of water on the planet; 500 miles of rolling sea that separates South America from the Antarctic Peninsula. Its reputation stems largely from its location. The Drake Passage lies on the confluence of three oceans: the Pacific, Atlantic, and Southern Oceans and, because of this, swells on […]

I remember booking my first trip to Antarctica and thinking ‘gosh, there are so many ship choices’. For those just starting to plan an Antarctic adventure, the options can seem a little overwhelming. Before you invest time in considering the many options out there, does it make a real difference what size your ship is? […]

Swoop works in close collaboration with 13 partners, collectively operating a total of 19 different vessels, and we’re committed to keeping our customers as up-to-date as possible on the release of new dates and rates.  Below you’ll find information explaining: When will new dates & rates be released? What are the advantages of waiting for […]

Martin travelled with his wife to the Antarctic Peninsula in early 2015.  Here he shares his experience aboard the Akademik Ioffe and booking through Swoop. What was the highlight of your trip? Identifying just one highlight of the trip is tough – all of the excursions were very interesting and unique.  Of particular note is […]