How Do I Evaluate and Compare Antarctica Operators?
The voyage matters. The ship matters. The operator running it matters just as much. Here's how to think about the company you're trusting with your trip of a lifetime.
Agents
10 posts — Working with travel agents, how agents are paid, and booking direct.
Should I Book Directly or Use a Travel Agent for Antarctica?
There are about 500 voyages to Antarctica each season on over 50 ships from more than 20 companies. Once you've figured out what you want, you still have to decide how to book it.
How to Choose a Polar Travel Agent
Not all travel agents are the same. Not all Antarctica specialists are either. The person who books your Antarctica voyage should know this world the way a cardiologist knows the heart. Generalists are fine for a lot of things. This is not one of them.
Behind the Scenes of How Agents Get Paid
OK, so this article is really putting the Confidential in Antarctica Confidential. Understanding how agents are paid makes you a more informed buyer. That is the only goal here.
Is “Last Cabin Available” Really True?
Some availability warnings are completely accurate. Some are not. The good news is that a few simple questions will tell you which one you're dealing with.
Is That Sold Out Voyage Really Sold Out?
A voyage that shows as sold out on an operator's website may still have cabins available. The inventory you can see is not always the inventory that exists.
Getting Unstuck: How to Break the Indecision Loop
Decision paralysis when planning an Antarctica trip is real, it is common, and it almost always resolves the same way: by narrowing the choices, accepting imperfection, and committing.
Flights to South America: What to Book and When
Book your international flights as early as possible. The booking window opens eleven months before departure, and the best availability and pricing on long-haul routes to Buenos Aires and Santiago tends to go early.
The Buenos Aires Two-Airport Challenge
Ezeiza (EZE) is where your international flight arrives. Aeroparque (AEP) is where your flight to Ushuaia departs. Getting between them is your responsibility, and it takes longer than you think.
What to Do If Something Goes Wrong
If something goes wrong before, during, or after your voyage, the sequence is simple: get sad if you need to, then call your travel agent, then call your insurance provider. In that order. Document everything.