Ever wondered what it’s like to spend Christmas in a place as magical as Antarctica? Then allow our marketing manager Laura Radford to tell you all about her incredible voyage there last December in this special festive edition of Our Routes. Laura set sail on PONANT’s Emblematic Antarctica 11-day itinerary, returning just before the new year, having enjoyed a spectacular wildlife safari and a guaranteed white Christmas every day!
Laura all smiles in the Antarctic sunshine
What destinations did you visit?
The Antarctic Peninsula – I also spent time in Buenos Aires prior to travelling down to Ushuaia for an expedition cruise with PONANT.
Laura captures a pair of gentoo penguins resting on the rocks
How did you get there?
I flew to Buenos Aires, with touchdown in Rio en route. We then flew down to Ushuaia from Buenos Aires, and boarded PONANT’S Le Boreal, there.
Laura’s photo of the Ponant ship Le Boreal
First time or reapeat trip?
First time visiting the White Continent, and certainly a bucket list destination for me!
Favourite location?
I really enjoyed Paradise Bay and Portal Point, we had beautiful sunny weather and the snow was just magical, but honestly the whole peninsula is mesmerising and you experience something different at every turn.
Laura celebrates the sunshine in Paradise Bay
Most memorable moment?
The captain announcing on the tannoy at 11pm at night (it was still light of course) that a group of Orca’s were at the front of the ship. We immediately ran outside in our Christmas Pjs (this was a Christmas cruise) and included PONANT parker to witness probably one of the greatest animal encounters I have ever seen, and I feel completely privileged to have seen these magnificent creatures in the wild. We also were treated to a 6 hour show with humpback whales all around us whilst we were at anchor in Neko Harbour, breaching and diving, we were lucky enough to see them from our balcony as well as the zodiac!
Whale tail fluke captured by Laura
Best holiday excursion/experience?
Every single landing and zodiac cruise provided something different, we learned about ice and glaciers, as well as visiting multiple penguin colonies to see hundreds of nesting gentoos, and volcanic islands – it would be impossible to pick a favourite!
Ice in the backdrop of the mountains of Neko Harbour
What do you most recommend packing or prepping for?
Honestly, I was a lot warmer than I thought I would be with all the layers and ended up using a lot less as the expedition cruise went on. Hand warmers worked really well as I was constantly taking pictures, so gloves and mittens became quite an annoyance. Snoods or buffs are great for zodiacs as this is often where you encounter most wind and get red cheeks! Sunglasses are the main thing for me as even if it isn’t sunny, it is extremely bright because of the snow, and the lack of darkness in the southern hemisphere summer!
Laura and her partner in the warm jackets provided by Ponant
Favourite food and drink on trip?
The food onboard PONANT is remarkable. The chefs really do their best to make the menu varied, and the gala evenings were amazing. As a vegetarian there was plenty of choice, and an always available menu.
Favourite photo or video you took?
My favourite photo is of the only Adelie penguin we spotted the whole time in Antarctica. We saw plenty of gentoo and some chinstraps, but only this one solitary Adelie perched on an ice floe, eventually jumping into the water. I took it from a zodiac, which I always find a challenge, so was particularly pleased with the outcome! Was also happy I was able to snap the Orcas and a humpback breaching, plus tail!
Laura’s great shot of the perching Adelie penguin
Sum up your trip in three words
Life-changing. Mesmerising. Otherworldly!
Laura’s video of a waddling gentoo penguin across the ice
Ready to start planning your trip on an incredible Antarctica expedition cruise? Simply complete our enquiry form to get in touch, or call our Polar Specialists on 020 3666 1033.
