Monday, May 14, 2012
The word "cruise" probably still makes you think of sandy beaches and Caribbean resorts. And there is nothing wrong with that. But if you are interested in a truly adventurous excursion for your next vacation, and yet still want the convenience and comfort of traveling by cruise ship, you might try looking into traveling to what are literally the ends of the Earth: the Arctic and Antarctic polar regions. While you will need to bundle up in order to take part in the stops along your journey, it will be well worth it for the unique "tourist attractions" you will encounter.
Antarctica is the world's loneliest continent. No people live there on a permanent basis, because the land is too barren and the climate too inhospitable. However, it is the remote and forbidding nature of its land mass that makes it such an interesting place to visit. If you take one of the Antarctic Cruise Ships that departs from the lowest portions of South America, you will be carried to an untouched region of the world. The icy waters and snow-covered terrain will amaze you with their sheer scale. And you will experience first-hand the life that can be found there (all centered on the seas), such as whales, seals, and - of course - the famous penguins.
Other activities you might try are hiking and cross-country ski expeditions, overnight ice camping trips, and sea kayaking. And do not forget the photo-taking, because there will be many sights you will want to take with you to share (at least in some way) with those back home. And because you are traveling by ship, you will have access to many of the same diversions to be found on board warm-water tours.
Arctic Cruises, on the other hand, offer an interesting mix of raw wilderness and remote human settlements. Trips to the high Arctic generally include stops in northern Canada - particularly Canada's most recently formed territory, Nunavut - and Greenland. You can experience indigenous cultures that survive in one of the world's harshest environments, enjoying their art and learning about how they live.
The Northwest Passage will reveal landscapes and sea vistas (perhaps under the famous "midnight sun") to astound you and fill up your camera once again. And there will be plenty of wildlife to see as well, including polar bears, walruses, and whales. All of this can be enjoyed from the ease of a well-appointed cruise ship.
If you are traveling to the Antarctic, the most common tourist season is from November until March; for Arctic trips, it is from July until September. For the best time, you should select a tour package from a company that is committed to keeping the Polar Regions pristine - ironically, careless tourism is often a source of environmental damage. Make sure you do not contribute to the problem.
Antarctica is the world's loneliest continent. No people live there on a permanent basis, because the land is too barren and the climate too inhospitable. However, it is the remote and forbidding nature of its land mass that makes it such an interesting place to visit. If you take one of the Antarctic Cruise Ships that departs from the lowest portions of South America, you will be carried to an untouched region of the world. The icy waters and snow-covered terrain will amaze you with their sheer scale. And you will experience first-hand the life that can be found there (all centered on the seas), such as whales, seals, and - of course - the famous penguins.
Other activities you might try are hiking and cross-country ski expeditions, overnight ice camping trips, and sea kayaking. And do not forget the photo-taking, because there will be many sights you will want to take with you to share (at least in some way) with those back home. And because you are traveling by ship, you will have access to many of the same diversions to be found on board warm-water tours.
Arctic Cruises, on the other hand, offer an interesting mix of raw wilderness and remote human settlements. Trips to the high Arctic generally include stops in northern Canada - particularly Canada's most recently formed territory, Nunavut - and Greenland. You can experience indigenous cultures that survive in one of the world's harshest environments, enjoying their art and learning about how they live.
The Northwest Passage will reveal landscapes and sea vistas (perhaps under the famous "midnight sun") to astound you and fill up your camera once again. And there will be plenty of wildlife to see as well, including polar bears, walruses, and whales. All of this can be enjoyed from the ease of a well-appointed cruise ship.
If you are traveling to the Antarctic, the most common tourist season is from November until March; for Arctic trips, it is from July until September. For the best time, you should select a tour package from a company that is committed to keeping the Polar Regions pristine - ironically, careless tourism is often a source of environmental damage. Make sure you do not contribute to the problem.
About the Author:
Freelance online writer Imogen C. Rhodes has first-hand experience searching for the best Arctic Cruises. She also enthusiastically suggests Antarctic Cruise Ships for tourists with a taste for the off-beat.