How I went to Antarctica for less than $3000

ANTARCTICA

Antarctica, the southernmost continent, is an enchanting realm of pristine ice and breathtaking desolation. Spanning over 14 million square kilometers, it stands as a testament to the raw power and beauty of nature. Its vast white expanses, towering glaciers, and jagged icebergs create a surreal landscape that captivates the imagination. Despite its harsh conditions, Antarctica is home to a diverse array of unique wildlife, including penguins, seals, and whales. This remote and unspoiled wilderness serves as a crucial hub for scientific research and exploration, providing invaluable insights into our planet's climate and ecosystems. Embarking on a journey to Antarctica is an awe-inspiring experience, offering an escape into a world unlike any other.

How I went to antarctica for less than $3000

To get straight to the point, my friend works for United Airlines, who has a partnership with the luxury cruise line, Atlas Ocean Voyages. With this partnership, you basically get an employee discount and pay base cost to go on the cruise. My friend was able to secure two cabins a month before departure, so I had to jump on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Interestingly enough, it seemed as if nearly everyone on the cruise was in the airline industry (United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and Southwest, to name a few). So, if you or a friend works for one of these airlines, maybe it’s worth looking into!

Other methods I’ve heard of securing a cheap Antarctic cruise are going to Ushuaia and hoping that you can secure a cabin at the last second since they’re just trying to fill up spots. This might require a little more time and patience though, as you might need to spend some time there. I’ve also heard that newer cruise ships are doing “dormitory style rooms,” which are much cheaper and are similar to a hostel where you have a few people in a room and bunk with someone else. It might not be the most comfortable, but it’s another option!

What to look for when choosing a cruise

There’s so many options out there, it’s hard to figure out what kind of ship or cruise to choose, especially since this is not a cheap trip!

The Best Caribbean Cruise for Country Counters

EAST CARIBBEAN

Updated as of October 2023:

There are eight countries in the eastern Caribbean that aren’t the easiest, logistics-wise. You can fly, but a single flight might cost $400+ with a strange layover, whereas a direct flight (if there even is one) would be fifteen minutes. Then you have to purchase hotels, plan enough time to do all your activities, etc. There is a ferry but they only go between certain islands. So, what’s the most cost-effective way to visit all of the Caribbean islands? A cruise!

What’s the best cruise line?

Before the pandemic, there was an MSC cruise that went to all eight, but currently there’s only one line that goes to six countries. But still, that’s a great deal — and it’s $400 per person! Transport between all the countries, accommodation, and food? It’s too good to pass up.

I went with Royal Caribbean, but unfortunately it doesn’t look like they’re offering the cruise anymore. I’ll go over the cruise I went on before giving suggestions for current cruises with similar itineraries, but if you’d rather jump to that section click here.

The Itinerary

• DAY 1: Barbados

• DAY 2: Tobago

• DAY 3: Trinidad

• DAY 4: Grenada

• DAY 5: St. Vincent & the Grenadines

• DAY 6: Dominica

• DAY 7: St. Lucia

• DAY 8: Barbados

Barbados

My family actually joined on this trip since it was my 30th birthday, so we got in a couple days before to explore Bridgetown before hopping on the cruise. My favorite activity was watching all the racehorses bathing in front of the hotel. Other points of interest were the George Washington House and St. Nicholas Abbey.

TOBAGO

A lot of people would argue that you don’t get to truly “experience the culture” hopping to each island for one day. But what I think is great about the cruise is just getting a little taste of each place and going back to the places you want to explore deeper. Tobago was one of those places where I felt that there just wasn’t a whole lot to do so I was glad I only spent a day here. The beach at Pigeon Point was beautiful, and I enjoyed getting to go on the glass bottom kayak.

Trinidad

Don’t get fooled into feeling like you need to book a tour or excursion for every stop. We got off the ship and found a driver to take us to all the points of the city — check out the Magnificent Seven, then head over the hills to Maracas Beach to try their famous bake ‘n’ shark. Doubles is also another popular food dish in Trinidad.

GRENADA

Welcome to the Spice Island! This was probably one of my favorite stops of the trip — check out the Underwater Sculpture Park (visibility isn’t great most days, so something to be wary of), Annandale Falls, and Fort Frederick for views of the entire island.

St. Vincent & the Grenadines

We did a catamaran day tour, which was a great option since there isn’t a whole lot to do in the port of Kingstown. Most people suggest going to the actual Grenadines than St. Vincent so I loved this little trip! We visited Dark Falls and a Pirates of the Caribbean set before doing a catamaran ride to a black sand beach.

Dominica

Dominica was also another favorite stop of the trip and I wish I had another day to explore! It’s known as “the nature island,” so naturally we did a day hike to Boiling Lake. On All Trails it says about 6 miles but we clocked it at 8 miles. It took a good chunk of the day so we didn’t have much time to do anything else afterwards.

st. lucia

This was another island I wish I had an extra day in! We did another catamaran trip to the famous Pitons, which included a swim stop at Marigot Bay. I would’ve also loved doing the mud baths, but will save that for another time.

Alternative Cruises Currently Offered

As of October 2023, they are no longer offering the Royal Caribbean cruise to the six countries I mentioned, BUT there is an alternative that’s also a great option! Unfortunately they’re a bit pricier, but if you take transport, food, and accommodation into account they’re actually great alternatives.

MSC Cruises: Currently MSC offers two cruises that covers a few of the countries mentioned, but also territories. The countries it goes to are St. Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, and St. Lucia. This starts from $550 so it’s not a bad deal, but unfortunately it doesn’t go to all the eastern Caribbean countries.

Seabourn Cruise Line: On the other hand, Seabourn cruises to Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, and Grenada. This covers six of the eight (only missing Trinidad & Tobago and Dominica), but is a little pricier and can probably compare to the cost of taking flights everywhere. The only upside is, everything is taken care of and is included in the cost.