Cruise vacations have become a trend among leisure vacationers. Many travellers are allured to cruise holidays for ease of all-inclusive, comprehensive holiday planning. However, cruise holidays also entice adventure lovers to venture off to extraordinary destination expeditions. Travellers can explore far-off destinations with all the convenience of a luxury resort onboard a cruise, whether it is to sail to Alaska or Antarctica! Have these cruise destination options caught your attention for a cruise holiday? Then go ahead and read on to know more about Alaska vs. Antarctica Cruises to find the cruise that’s right for you.
Alaska or Antarctica Cruise: Which one should you choose?
Both Alaska and Antarctica are extraordinary destinations. These are places that passionate travellers have listed on their dream travel lists. So, if you are one among them, you need an understanding of the distinctions between Alaska vs. Antarctica to make a careful decision about your cruise holiday to these incredible destinations.
Antarctica Cruises
Pros
A one-of-a-kind adventure experience
Nowhere else on the planet would you find 24-hour sunshine, while still maintaining temperatures that prevent complete ice melt. Here’s a destination with just a single sunrise and sunset in a year; a land covered in meteorite rocks, an active volcano, and ice-covered scenery as far as the eye can see. If you are passionate about wildlife viewing and nature adventures, the Antarctica cruise is your ticket for the ultimate cruise adventure in the Southern Hemisphere.
Limited tourists due to sustainable measure
Cruises to Antarctica are fewer in numbers than to Alaska. Antarctica is a vehemently protected destination, sustained by strict regulations to avoid overcrowding due to tourism. There are many regulations in place to keep a check on the number of people visiting this destination. Since only a limited number of tourists are allowed to visit at a time, the cruises have limited occupancy. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and an amazing journey to enjoy compared to other cruise adventures because it is less frequent and only available to a handful of travellers.
Unique Flora and Fauna
The flora and fauna in Antarctica are quite unique. While most of the land is covered in snow and ice, during summers, few spots exhibit slight changes in hues with moss and snow algae flourishing in the surroundings. The Antarctica region sees a healthy population of exotic and rare wildlife such as emperor penguins, elephant seals, Antarctic Blue whales, and krill which thrive unperturbed in their natural surrounding without any human interventions. A cruise to Antarctica offers a golden opportunity to experience unique wildlife viewing.
Best Time to Visit
Antarctica cruises have departures in the austral summers from the months of November to March when the ice and snow melt and the weather is not as harshly cold as other months of the year.
Cons
Severely Frigid Weather
Antarctica’s weather is significantly colder than Alaska. Even though it is austral summer in Antarctica, the weather remains below 0 degrees Celcius most of the days. January is considered the hottest month in Antarctica, yet the ever-shining sun manages to raise the temperature only up to 15 degrees Celcius during the day. The temperature of Antarctica has never exceeded 20 degrees Celcius to this day. In comparison, even the coldest region in Alaska has only recorded -60 degrees Celcius as its lowest temperature ever, whereas interior regions of Antarctica have recorded chilling weather that drops below -80 degrees Celcius.
Endless Days in Summer Months
Apart from the frigid climate, the destination, being the southernmost continent on the planet having proximity to the South Pole, witness 24 hours of daylight in the summertime. When you visit Antarctica from November to March, you will lose track of time as the day just stretches out due to the midnight sun phenomenon. This continuous daylight can mess with your circadian rhythm and internal clock, as the sky is never dark, and you never experience the inky night sky to which you are accustomed for a good night’s sleep.
Higher Chance of Seasickness
Antarctica lies at the southernmost point of the planet. To reach Antarctica, the cruise ship has to traverse through notorious waves and challenging waters, especially the Drake Passage. This passage has unpredictable waves as it is the confluence point of the Atlantic Ocean and The Pacific Ocean. Even those with strong stomachs may feel queasy on an Antarctica Cruise journey. The choppy swells and intensely rocking waves together with dry air can result in severe seasickness.
Expensive Than Alaska Cruises
Many factors come into play that lead to an increase in the costs of the Antarctica cruise compared to Alaska. Due to the extreme remoteness of the destination, most of the cruises to Antarctica depart from Argentina or Chile requiring travellers to fly to South America before boarding a cruise to Antarctica. Additionally, the cruises that can manoeuvre and meander through the rough seas demand specialized size dimensions and designs which are less frequently operated by a limited number of experienced tour operators which further drives up the cruise cost.
If you are considering an Antarctic cruise, it’s important to weigh these potential drawbacks against the incredible opportunity to witness this unique and awe-inspiring environment. Venture out on an Antarctic Peninsula Cruise expedition, not for leisure viewing but for an extremely thrilling adventure of your lifetime!
Alaska Cruises
Pros
Better Accessibility Than Antarctica Cruises
Alaska is the 49th state of the USA and it edges the Western Canadian borders. Hence, it is easily accessible via USA and Canada. Its significant proximity to the mainlands and well-maintained ports make it a better cruise vacation to consider reducing travel time and costs compared to Antarctic cruises. Cruises are conveniently operated from major cities like Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Anchorage.
Relaxed Yet Thrilling Excursions
An Alaskan cruise takes you into deep seas unveiling the breathtaking beauty of icy mountain peaks and alpine national parks of Alaska. However, apart from spending your day at sea, the Alaska cruise offers an array of delightful opportunities to try your hand at water sports activities, helicopter sightseeing and more. With Alaska cruises, pre-cruise tour options with stays are also available where guests can opt for river boats or railroad experience at Denali and Fairbanks before boarding the cruise for a sail on the Pacific Ocean. Docking at ports of call like Juneau and Ketchikan, you get plenty of time to experience the shores of Alaska.
Mingle With Locals
Unlike Antarctica, Alaska is teeming with people. In Antarctica, you have limited social interactions as the only humans you meet are your fellow travellers and crew members. Antarctica continent has no human population apart from researchers and staff at scientific stations. On the other hand, Alaska is a thriving state in the USA with a population of more than 7,00,000. Its port-of-call towns offer ample opportunities to interact with locals. Hence an Alaska cruise experience would not feel desolate compared to the Antarctica cruise. Alaska is also perfect for solo travellers. If you are interested in a solo cruise adventure, check out the complete solo traveller’s cruise guide for more insight.
Verdant Wilderness Beauty And Diverse Wildlife
Compared to Antarctica, Alaska offers white glaciers dotted with tundra wilderness and a diverse array of wildlife. Unlike Antarctica, which offers miles and miles of icy scenery without a tree in sight, Alaska pleases your views with non-monotonous, dramatic landscapes. Here, you can view stunning fjords and unspoilt mountains and valleys brimming with white birch and western red cedar. Wildlife sightings are abundant and you can spot bald eagles, grizzly bears, Alaskan moose, caribou, Alaskan wolves and many vibrant species of bird. Alaska is not just an adventurer’s paradise but also a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.
Best Time to Visit
Travel time to cruise in Alaska also differs from that of Antarctica cruises. Being in the Northern Hemisphere, the best time to sail on Alaskan waters is during the summer months – June to September.
Cons
Similar Cruises in Europe
Alaska cruise offers a uniqueness in terms of a magical icy climate brimming with glaciers, coastal mountains and fjords. However, This type of scenery isn’t rare to find. To experience a similar scenery, you can also consider checking out Scandinavian or Icelandic cruises in Europe. Many travellers from the Eastern side of the world find these cruises more accessible and convenient to reach.
Uncertain Weather
Though the weather is always cold in Alaska, it is expected to fluctuate. The days are longer in summer but that doesn’t make much difference in the chilly weather. If you are wondering what to wear on a cruise in Alaska, the answer is layers of warm clothing, including woollens and thermals. On some days, heavy fog can lower the visibility so much that you would not be able to see any stunning scenery. Alaskan summers, even during the period of midnight sun, don’t guarantee bright, sunny days. The region is prone to unpredictable winds and rainfall.
Conclusion
Antarctica cruises have become more popular than ever. For someone who loves the frosty white snowscapes and deep blue waters, and does not mind braving the turbulent waves, Antarctica beckons for the most surreal experience of a lifetime. It is an amazing way to set foot on the seventh continent of the world. With its vast, untouched landscape, Antarctica is an adventurer’s paradise, offering an experience like no other. Alaska, however, is close to human-inhibited areas and has some of the most beautiful national parks in the world and miles of coastline, making it a great place for whale watching and wildlife viewing. Choose Alaska if you want wintry scenery and an affordable, accessible experience in the Northern Hemisphere. Choose Antarctica cruises if you are yearning for an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime nature adventure. Likewise, you can also check out the Arctic vs Antarctic cruises distinction to get a broader choice of options.
