Using points for Antarctica cruise?
Aug 1, 2012 | 11:10 am
#31
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PDX|AKL|AMS|GVA|AGP|CPT - or somewhere in between
Programs: DL DM; 2MM
Posts: 2,461
Not sure they are negotiable but Quark does offer discounts sometimes (between occasionally and frequently). Suggest subscribing to their email newsletters/updates/PR stuff.
Unsure exactly what you are referring to, sounds like you might be thinking about a quick (day or 2) trip across the Drake and back. Very unlikely. The Antarctica tourist season is during Southern hemisphere summer, approximately November through March. The Drake is about 600 miles across, my 3 trips averaged about 14 knots, which means the trip is a full 2 days EACH way. Im not sure any other ships do it very much more quickly. Even in season Im not aware of any company which offers quick trips across and back just so someone could say they visited Antarctica. Minimum trip duration on Quark is 8 or 9 days. I believe Quark offers the most cruises to the area.
Unsure exactly what you are referring to, sounds like you might be thinking about a quick (day or 2) trip across the Drake and back. Very unlikely. The Antarctica tourist season is during Southern hemisphere summer, approximately November through March. The Drake is about 600 miles across, my 3 trips averaged about 14 knots, which means the trip is a full 2 days EACH way. Im not sure any other ships do it very much more quickly. Even in season Im not aware of any company which offers quick trips across and back just so someone could say they visited Antarctica. Minimum trip duration on Quark is 8 or 9 days. I believe Quark offers the most cruises to the area.
This quick crossing wont reduce the scale of your adventure the ship you join explores the Antarctic Peninsula for a full 5 days, just like any other expedition.
Aug 1, 2012 | 11:28 am
#32
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NY
Programs: The local deli gives me 1 free sandwich after I buy 10
Posts: 4,046
Aug 1, 2012 | 4:45 pm
#33
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NYC suburbs
Programs: UA LT Gold 1.2MM (BIS), AA LT Plat (SUBs, BD/Bask), Hilton Dia (CC), Hyatt Glob (BIB), et. al.
Posts: 4,589
I believe as of this year Quark has started the option of flying across the Drake instead of cruising across it.