Antarctica in style, luxury and small numbers

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Let's face it, everyone appreciates a good deal, and the phrase "you get what you pay for" couldn't be more true than in expedition travel. Zegrahm Expeditions are the first to admit that there are companies out there that can get travellers to Antarctica for less, but at what cost to the travel experience?

At Zegrahm, they believe their Antarctica, South Georgia & Falkland Islands voyage provides the biggest bang for anyone's "trip of a lifetime" money. When considering an expedition of this magnitude, they encourage you to onider these vital criteria:

Most big cruise ships do not offer landings on the Great White Continent itself; Zegrahm offers several opportunities. Zegrahm's fleet of Zodiacs (inflatable landing craft) provide the ability to explore at a moment's notice. The smaller group size also allows them to take everyone ashore at the same time, so there's no waiting onboard while others are out exploring.

The 110-passenger Clipper Adventurer is a deluxe expedition ship offering fine dining and all outside cabins with en suite facilities. She is also equipped with stabilisers, an ice-hardened hull and state-of-the-art navigation and communication systems. Unlike most cruises, meals, multiple daily excursions, lectures, an expedition parka, gratuities and emergency medical and evacuation insurance are included in the price of the trip.

In this vast land of ice and snow, travelling with expert naturalists, historians and geologists will deepen your understanding and offer invaluable insights. Travelling all that way, one shouldn't miss the profuse wildlife of South Georgia Island, the charming Falkland Islands and Shackleton's Elephant Island. Zegrahm only offers voyages that include the full experience of visiting all these destinations.

For more details, visit http://www.zeco.com/ or check with the UK adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Princely Visit to Antarctica

By guest blogger Steve Newman

When winter starts to bite here in the UK, the spring is well under way in Antarctica and many dedicated cruisers reach out to experience this vast continent and its astounding beauty. Silversea Cruises have nine departures from November of this year through to March 2011, with a 17-day voyage starting and ending at Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world.

To embark on a luxurious expedition to the best far-flung destinations in the world aboard a ship like Prince Albert II is quite an experience. A purpose-built expedition ship, she was designed specifically for navigating waters in some of the world's most remote areas, including both Polar Regions. The 6,072-ton vessel also boasts a strengthened hull.

The ship's eight Zodiacs (above) allow her 132 privileged guests to visit even the most off-the-beaten path locations. Now you can experience the thrill of a true expedition and venture deep into regions where other vessels cannot go whilst enjoying a privileged lifestyle that is simply second-to-none.

The Prince calls at West Point and Carcass Island in the Falklands before docking at Stanley, the island's capital. Then it's on to South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands before visiting Elephant Island in the South Shetlands, the island most famous as the desolate refuge of Ernest Shackleton and his crew in 1916 following the loss of their ship Endurance in the ice of the Weddell Sea.

Onboard, you can savour a warming cosmopolitan ambience and many special amenities usually found only on the larger ships, including a spacious library with an Internet Cafe, boutique shopping, a full-service Spa, beauty salon, fitness centre, sauna, live evening entertainment and two top-deck whirlpools. The Prince Albert II even features Connoisseur's Corner, formerly The Humidor, where connoisseurs can enjoy the finest cigars and cognacs -- a diversion offered by no other expedition ship!

Find out more by visiting http://www.silversea.com/

Silversea Cruises are also exhibiting at The Cruise Show in Birmingham in October.