The Antarctic Peninsula and
Scotia Arc Tectonics, Climate and Life
Frequently Asked Questions

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1. Must I be a geologist? Will there be wildlife, history and other interests?

2. How rigorous is the journey?

3. Why is the voyage so long?

4. Why is the voyage so close to the Christmas holiday?

5. What do former travelers of Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris say in testimony?

6. Describe a typical day.

7. Why is the staff so large?

8. What kind of medical care is available onboard and where we are traveling?

9. What type of clothing and gear do we need to bring?

10. What do we do to sign up? Who is the primary contact?

11. When should we sign up?

Please contact us if you have any questions!

1. Must I be a geologist? Will there be wildlife, history and other interests?

No, you need not be a geologist; and yes, we will have a diversity of interests onboard. Geology will be a major component of this voyage, in great depth for those in the field, and with introductory level information for those with interest but no deep background. Geology is one very special component of the voyage, but in addition, our large and diverse staff includes several wildlife biologists and ornithologists, professional nature photographers, a historian, and Antarctic explorer and even a professional artist who will give a series of seminars on wildlife illustration (both on ship and in the field). Most sites we visit will have a diversity of wildlife, landscape and geology to offer, and the more common concern will be struggling to decide what to focus on when there is so much to see. But, we make this struggle easier by giving the opportunity for as much time in the field as possible. You can sit quietly while penguins wander by within meters of you, you can wander with your camera seeking out the most amazing photographs of your life, you can join a geologist, an ornithologist, a zoologist or a historian for an interpretive walk, you can sit with an artist and draw penguins (they make magnificent subjects), or you can go on a solid hike for a spectacular view down onto landscapes of glaciers and penguin colonies. Depending on the circumstances, we will at times be zodiac crusing, ship cruising, and in all cases working with the elements at hand to make this the best and fullest possible experience of the Antarctic environment.

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2. How rigorous is the journey?

At the thought of a voyage to the Antarctic, stories jump to mind of the Age of Exploration, the deprivations of Scott's fatal polar trek and Shackleton's deprivations escaping from the ice-crushed Endurance. We will experience less discomfort! Our vessel is large, comfortable and stable, built for travel in these seas and will make for a happy home for the duration of our voyage. And landings can be as rigorous or calm and easy as you choose, depending on what you choose to do ashore.

Sea conditions: Most days of the voyage we are near land, with very little ship motion. We have three sea crossings in the itinerary, the longest of which is two days to South Georgia. When we are crossing open oceans, we could experience rough ocean conditions, but the ship is remarkably stable as she was built for these waters and has active stabilizers. While the potential for large storms exist in these oceans, most days are comfortably calm and some days are positively glassy with no motion at all. Seasickness is a manageable and treatable issue. Read more about coping with seasickness.

Conditions onboard ship: Our ship is comfortable, warm and modern, but this is not the Love Boat! We view our ship as a very effective, efficient and comfortable way to explore the Antarctic, but the ship itself is not the destination. Rooms vary by cabin class, from the basic shared bath cabins to ample suites; none are vast or opulent, there is no room service and no elevators onboard. We do have a very comfortable lounge and presentation room, a library, an open bridge to witness ship navigation, a small gym and small sauna. The atmosphere and dress is casual, meals are very good in quality with an eye to being healthy and ample (to fuel you through the environment every day), and meal schedules accommodate expedition operations. We can cater to almost all special diets with no problems. If you are looking for shuffleboard, a lido deck, seven-course five-star dining, drinks by the pool and a casino, this is not the voyage for you. If you are looking for a comfortable, safe, in-depth, once-in-a-lifetime experience in one of the most amazing realms on the planet, come aboard!

Weather conditions: We are traveling at the height of the Antarctic summer, and can expect temperatures in the 50 - 60°F (10 - 15°C) range in the Falklands, 40 - 50°F (5 - 10°C) in South Georgia, and 30 - 40°F (0 - 5°C) along the Antarctic Peninsula. More tangibly, the climate will be similar to a day skiing in moderate climates, much warmer than conditions in most northern US states in the winter. We provide a packing list and detail about recommended clothing, but in short, with a few layers and a good waterproof outer layer you will be comfortable and able to enjoy the fantastic environment we will explore. Antarctic weather in summertime is very changeable; we must be prepared for wind, precipitation and, splash in zodiacs; but we will certainly have stunningly gorgeous days that overwhelm the senses and eclipse any thoughts of cold or discomfort.

Landing conditions: We get to shore each day by zodiac, versatile inflatable watercrafts approximately 20-feet in length that allows us shore access with no docks or landing facilities. Zodiac operations by our very experienced expedition staff are fast, easy, fun and safe. We board zodiacs from the ship by means of a gangway, a staircase down the side of the ship with a landing at the bottom, from which a two staff members will assist you. On shore, expedition staff are always present to help load and unload zodiacs, making for a safe and easy operation. Landings usually involve stepping into shallow water, so waterproof footwear is essential. We have a stock of waterproof boots onboard ship to borrow if you do not wish to bring your own. If you are concerned about your physical ability to manage zodiac landings, the critical question is whether you can get your legs up and over the three-foot tall tubes of the zodiac. Expedition staff will be present to help but the greater your fitness and mobility, the more you will be able to enjoy all there is to experience ashore.

Conditions and activities onshore: Each evening a short briefing will give you an idea of what to expect the next day, with further information upon landing at the beach. Staff will always be available ashore for information, assistance, and guiding walks and interpretation. You decide your activity level once onshore where you are generally free to explore on your own terms and at your own pace within the bounds of a safe area. Conditions will vary tremendously with location and weather, but in nearly all cases you can land and stay at the beach landing, where we will often be right at the foot of a penguin colony or be in the midst of other great wildlife-rich scenes. Gear (lifejackets and personal gear) can always be left at the landing so you do not have to carry excess equipment. Geology and other sites of interest will sometimes require walking, and opportunities to hike will be available as often as possible.

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3. Why is the voyage so long?

Our voyage will be 22-days onboard ship, an itinerary length chosen because we feel it is the minimum time necessary to do justice to the incredible destinations of South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula. Other voyages encompassing South Georgia are seventeen to eighteen days, giving visitors only an average of three days for this gem of the South Atlantic and three to four days for the Antarctic Peninsula. We feel this is like taking a trip to the Grand Canyon then spending a mere five minutes looking in from the rim. By extending the voyage and by embarking from Stanley, Falkland Islands, we are able to enjoy five days on South Georgia and eight days on the Antarctic Peninsula and nearby islands. The depth of this itinerary allows us a much richer voyage!

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4. Why is the voyage so close to the Christmas holiday?

Our voyage is timed at the absolute peak of the Antarctic season. The Antarctic is of course very seasonal, ranging from a comfortable climate in the austral summer where a typical day is no colder than a day skiing (and much warmer for those coming from northern states in the USA) to the planet's most severe, inhospitable climate in the austral winter. Wildlife, weather and traveling conditions all point to these dates as the perfect time to travel. Further, we hope the Christmas holiday makes it easier for some to take the time off work!

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5. What do former travelers of Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris say in testimony?

As a company, Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris has been built on repeat travelers and word-of-mouth recommendations to fill our voyages. We are happy to refer you to former travelers if you'd like a personal account of what it is like to travel with us. Read some of our testimonials or independent reviews on Epinions.com.

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6. Describe a typical day.

There are few "typical" days on this voyage. But we will have the opportunity to be out in the field most of each landing day. We will often make a morning landing after breakfast, be ashore for about four hours, reposition the ship while onboard eating lunch, then go out after lunch again up until dinner. You need not stay out the whole time, but if you wish to, we're pleased to give you the opportunity. Sometimes we will offer the option of a before-breakfast or after-dinner landing and packed meals to maximize your time in the field. Meal times will vary based on the day's schedule. We will always present a program for the following day, and give a short briefing about the day's activities. Sometimes conditions will change and it is possible that weather will force us to change plans. If this happens, we may lose a few hours ashore to reposition the ship (resulting in time for a lecture onboard), but we very rarely lose a full day. Many activites will occupy the few full-days that we spend sailing: many professional lectures and seminars to choose from, whalewatching and seabirding from the ship's deck, time for personal photo editing, socializing with new friends, and relaxing in anticipation of landings soon to come.

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7. Why is the staff so large?

We are extremely pleased to bring a much larger staff than the "typical" Antarctic voyage; the large staff is critical to our philosophy of a very in-depth and full experience of the Antarctic. Our staff provide great and diverse expertise, of course, which enriches your experience. Less obvious, however, is the expedition component of a large staff. We have ten zodiac drivers on staff, so when we are zodiac cruising all can be out at once with no waiting onboard ship. And the larger staff gives us the ability to safely manage more difficult landing conditions, as well as the ability to give you more freedom and more to choose from ashore. It is difficult to over-emphasize how much value our staff brings to the voyage; they are the pride of our operation.

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8. What kind of medical care is available onboard and where we are traveling?

We have a ship's hospital and a doctor onboard, so we are readily able to deal with minor medical issues. Please note, however, that we are far from any major medical facilities and during portions of our voyage, evacuation would be an extended and difficult process. In our twenty years of voyages to the Antarctic, we have kept a very good safety record. If you have specific safety or medical concerns in regard to the voyage, please contact us so we can discuss them.

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9. What type of clothing and gear do we need to bring?

Once you sign up for the voyage we will send pre-trip preparation materials complete with a detailed packing list. Temperatures onboard ship are comfortable, and dress is casual. For the field, ski-type clothing is generally suitable (that is, skiing in moderate climates, not New England skiing!) A waterproof outer layer is key, with layers underneath. Rubber boots are necessary for landing; you can bring your own rubber boots or borrow a pair from the ship. There are many details to packing and we are always available to answer your questions as the voyage approaches.

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10. What do we do to sign up? Who is the primary contact?

Please contact us to assure space availability and to let us answer your questions. Then, print our reservation form, fill it out, and post it to us in the mail with your deposit of $1,000 per person.

Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris is the primary contact for all aspects of this voyage, and we are always here to answer your questions. We are conducting the voyage in partnership with the Geological Society of America and the Jackson School of Geosciences of University of Texas at Austin, but Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris is handling all logistics.

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11. When should we sign up?

We assign cabins as we receive reservation deposits. The earlier you sign-up, the better cabin choice you will have. We anticipate that the voyage will be full long before departure, so don't wait! Deposit refunds are given depending on the time left before departure, review our costs and cancellation policy.

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All material © Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris.
All photos © Doug or Ted Cheeseman, unless otherwise credited.
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