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 performed, I do know. There are loads of firms 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.
Allowing 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 lodge, the Ocean Endeavour is the proper dwelling base to your Antarctic journey. And this weblog will show it. Over the subsequent 1,250 or so phrases, I’ll cowl all issues life onboard the Ocean Endeavour and precisely what you may anticipate in your journey to the icy fringe of the world.
Once you’ve completed studying, all that’s left so that you can do is ebook.
Don’t wait till you have completed studying, ebook now
But initially, what’s expedition cruising?
Forget conventional cruise liners. The solely option to cruise Antarctica’s waters is on a smaller expedition ship; one the place the max passenger depend is 200 and there’s an actual emphasis on the ‘expedition’ half. Not solely as a result of it affords a extra customized and cozy expertise for these onboard, but in addition as a result of there’s loads of alternatives for excursions to the Antarctic Peninsula.
Meaning you shouldn’t consider your journey to Antarctica as a vacation. Instead, it’ll be an action-packed, thrill-inducing, adrenaline-pumping journey filled 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 need 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 in terms 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 finest staff-to-passenger ratios in Antarctica (1:8), you may take full benefit of the skilled staff round you, whether or not that’s asking questions on your environment or requiring a bit additional help to embark and disembark the zodiacs.
As if that wasn’t ok, the Ocean Endeavour exudes consolation with up to date interiors, a calming spa, lounges for studying, reflection and scrolling by the tens of millions of images you’ve taken in the course of the day, breathtaking 360° views from the Deck and an emphasis on sustainability by the ship’s citizen science program*. Did I overlook 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 lively expertise but in addition for many who want consolation and suppleness; you don’t should take part in sea excursions or shore landings if you happen to don’t wish to.
There’s additionally loads of rooming choices and preparations for these travelling as a pair, with a bunch of mates or as a solo traveller. Every cabin has a non-public toilet outfitted with a bathe, bathroom, washbasin and eco-friendly physique wash and hair care merchandise, a flatscreen TV, a phone and a protected to your invaluable possessions.
A day by day housekeeping service and laundry services onboard make the Ocean Endeavour simply pretty much as good as any lodge, besides higher. You can watch the Antarctic panorama go by by your window.
What are the expedition guides onboard like?
Our skilled guides are a few of the greatest within the biz and are at all times available to share their data by displays, lectures and seminars onboard the Ocean Endeavour. There’s nothing you may’t ask that our marine biologist, geologist, glaciologist, ornithologist, penguin-ologist (there’s a variety of ‘ologists’) and naturalist can’t reply.
But they’re not simply there to show you stuff (even when that stuff is tremendous fascinating). They additionally play an necessary half in delivering your dream Antarctica expertise from swapping tales over dinner and attending to know each certainly one of you to declaring wildlife once they see it. They exude ardour and enthusiasm and are one of many many the explanation why our journeys stand out from the remaining. They’re additionally tremendous pleasant and approachable so you already know, that helps.
Related: Meet Martin Cohen, Antarctica expedition information and polar penguinologist
What’s the citizen science program?
Sending long-term tutorial groups to Antarctica to conduct scientific analysis is dear, time-consuming and all ‘round challenging at the best of times. But there’s necessary work that must be performed so as to assist us higher perceive Antarctica and the problems it faces. Introducing the Citizen Science Program onboard the Ocean Endeavour.
With the wish 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 mission with precise Antarctic scientists.
Work with the likes of NASA’s Globe Observer, Happy Whale, Seabird Survey and phytoplankton organisations and contribute to the longer term well being of the continent you’ve fallen in love with. From recording cloud cowl, photographing whales’ flukes, conducting fowl 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 is a typical day onboard the Ocean Endeavour appear to be?
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 delightful 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.
Once you’ve obtained 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 the intercom system so make your option to the mudroom to get suited up to 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. Perhaps go for a sweat sesh within the gymnasium or a dip within the heated swimming pool earlier than making your means again to the eating room for some extra sustenance in preparation to your afternoon outing.
Your afternoon tour will observe the identical routine because the morning’s and once 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 few of the day’s cool learnings.
A scrumptious three-course dinner within the eating room rounds out the day. Sit again and chill out 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 may need from the day’s actions. If you’re fortunate, there would possibly even be some trivia or board video games to maintain you entertained all through the night.
Before you head off to sleep, it’s price going for a stroll outdoors alongside the deck. The landscapes are spectacular in the course of the day however at night time, up is the one option to look because the sky places on a shiny present. Retire to your cabin and prepare to do all of it once more tomorrow.