least expensive way to get to Antarctica?
Sep 6, 2008, 2:16 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2005
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If the Australian Antarctic program is anything to go by - it isn't just a question of looking for a "non-specialist" job... If the experience of my dive instructor is anything to go by..
He spent a season in antarctica as the base carpenter and standby diver... so it seems everyone has two roles.. primary and secondary...
That may vary of course at a (relatively) huge concern like the USA's South pole facility!
I'd say google is your friend looking at that option!!!
He spent a season in antarctica as the base carpenter and standby diver... so it seems everyone has two roles.. primary and secondary...
That may vary of course at a (relatively) huge concern like the USA's South pole facility!
I'd say google is your friend looking at that option!!!
Or have enough cash to take one of those cruises. I'll check out the prices during the low season too, and see if I could get it to work out.
Edit: This page does state they hire bakers, dining attendants, janitors etc.
Last edited by alphaeagle; Sep 6, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Sep 8, 2008, 5:50 pm
#17
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Sam
Sep 8, 2008, 6:01 pm
#18
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Yes they are very good, several friends have used them for this trip and other trips that they offer. Not certain about the Lasik analogy seems more akin to a Rolls Royce is a nice way to motor but a Chevrolet will get you there all the same. Just different degrees of comfort.
Sep 8, 2008, 6:07 pm
#19
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The vessel was formerly known as the MS Lindblad Explorer and the MS Society Explorer. The Explorer was the first cruise ship designed specifically to sail the icy waters of the Antarctic Ocean, and the first to sink there when she struck an unidentified submerged object on November 23, 2007, reported to be ice, which caused a 10 by 4 inch (25 × 10 cm) gash in the hull.
So it was the fault of GAP that the ship struck a submerged object? Since it was originally commissioned and operated by the Swedish explorer Lars-Eric Lindblad maybe we should blame him for a design defect. Right......makes about as much sense as describing it as the "ill fated". Oh well
Sam
So it was the fault of GAP that the ship struck a submerged object? Since it was originally commissioned and operated by the Swedish explorer Lars-Eric Lindblad maybe we should blame him for a design defect. Right......makes about as much sense as describing it as the "ill fated". Oh well
Sam
Sep 8, 2008, 6:25 pm
#21
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So it was the fault of GAP that the ship struck a submerged object? Since it was originally commissioned and operated by the Swedish explorer Lars-Eric Lindblad maybe we should blame him for a design defect. Right......makes about as much sense as describing it as the "ill fated". Oh well
I'd say that "Ill fated" is a perfect description of any ship that sinks.
The Explorer was designed, like most ships, with compartments which could be sealed off by watertight doors; the ship would not sink if holed and one compartment flooded, but was not safe if more compartments were flooded, either by a gash spanning compartments or imperfect sealing between compartments. GAP reported that there was a crack in addition to the hole, but it is not clear if it spanned compartments[32].
In an article published on 8 December 2007 experts consider that the Explorer was "perfect for ice navigation", and consider that the explanation of the sinking "doesn't add up" and that "essential pieces of the story are missing"
In an article published on 8 December 2007 experts consider that the Explorer was "perfect for ice navigation", and consider that the explanation of the sinking "doesn't add up" and that "essential pieces of the story are missing"
I have nothing against GAP. I was aware of the sinking when it happened, but only tied it to GAP when I was researching low cost options on behalf of the OP.
Sep 8, 2008, 6:48 pm
#22
Join Date: Jun 2007
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As for "ill fated" considering she was launched in 1969 seemed to have a rather long career for an "ill fated" vessel. The Titanic might be considered ill fated, in this case maybe just a bit of bad luck?
And considering she lies at a depth of over 3000 feet I doubt those "experts" will ever know what happened here. Only natural that "essential pieces of the story are missing" duh.
Sam
And considering she lies at a depth of over 3000 feet I doubt those "experts" will ever know what happened here. Only natural that "essential pieces of the story are missing" duh.
Sam
Sep 23, 2008, 7:03 am
#23
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Sep 23, 2008, 7:23 am
#24
Join Date: Oct 2004
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While digging through the government grants website a year or two ago I saw something where the government would send artists down there, 12-13 of them I think. All you had to do was have a couple decent-sized exhibits to qualify and produce something resembling art. Might be an option.
Oct 9, 2008, 8:34 am
#25
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I encourage caution - a onetime prominent lower-cost supplier of Antarctic travel based in Canada struck an unidentified financial object and went down, taking many dollars down with it.
Mar 13, 2009, 6:21 pm
#26
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 9
Depending on your sense of adventure, one other option is hitching a ride with the Chilean Navy. A quick Google brings up rumors but few details, but I do have a couple of good friends that successfully got a ride for $US50/day for a 30 day trip (this was late 90s). It's more of a bribe than an actual 'ticket'. The photos of him diving off an iceberg are amazing! (He somehow managed to get one of the crew to lend him a dry suit and go scuba diving... great stories!) This site mentions the hitching option: http://freespace.virgin.net/p.hazlett/66deg/travel.html
As for getting there for free via a job, my wife's cousin is now there for his fourth (southern) summer. He started as a trash collector and has moved his way up to toxic clean up crew - no previous waste (or scientific) experience!
As for getting there for free via a job, my wife's cousin is now there for his fourth (southern) summer. He started as a trash collector and has moved his way up to toxic clean up crew - no previous waste (or scientific) experience!
Mar 23, 2009, 2:28 pm
#27
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Northern Ireland
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yup i just booked the antartica tour with gap and they are super excited about the new m/s explorer ship. they even have a blog while the ship is being outfitted, etc,
for me, the best time to fly / cruise, etc is right after a big disaster. everyone is hyperaware and won't let it happen again. ^ another plus is no single supplement charge.....
for me, the best time to fly / cruise, etc is right after a big disaster. everyone is hyperaware and won't let it happen again. ^ another plus is no single supplement charge.....
Dec 6, 2009, 9:57 pm
#28
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Sydney, AU
Posts: 428
yup i just booked the antartica tour with gap and they are super excited about the new m/s explorer ship. they even have a blog while the ship is being outfitted, etc,
for me, the best time to fly / cruise, etc is right after a big disaster. everyone is hyperaware and won't let it happen again. ^ another plus is no single supplement charge.....
for me, the best time to fly / cruise, etc is right after a big disaster. everyone is hyperaware and won't let it happen again. ^ another plus is no single supplement charge.....
Dec 9, 2009, 7:39 pm
#29
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Northern Ireland
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it's a magical journey that i WILL take again - this time from the other side...i want to do oz down through the ross sea.
Jan 21, 2010, 10:51 am
#30
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: PDX
Posts: 988
what about the recent news saying that Antartic cruises will be cut atleast alot of restriction on them with regards to size and oil and thus affecting price and inturn trying to reduce the number of visitors all to protect the environment. I am definitely pro environment, but that would mean alot more money moving forward, seems like we have a couple years to do this trip