Operator Spotlight: Intrepid Travel

Embarking on a journey to the remote and captivating continent of Antarctica is a dream for many. With its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and unparalleled sense of adventure, Antarctica has captured the hearts and imaginations of explorers and adventurers alike. If you're considering a trip to the White Continent, look no further than Intrepid Travel, a renowned tour operator that offers an exceptional experience aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Booking and Pre-Boarding

Planning your Antarctica cruise with Intrepid Travel is a straightforward process. Get in touch with us so we can start looking for compabile itineraries with your Antarctica goals and dates desired. Flexibility with your travel dates can also help you secure the best deals. With Intrepid Travel we recommend booking between 6 months to 3 months pre-departure as it often allows you to take advantage of their many sales for unsold Antarctica cabins. Once you've booked your trip and traveled to Argentina, you'll have the opportunity to stay in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world and the starting point for your Antarctic adventure. The embarkation process is smooth and efficient, allowing you to settle into your cabin and explore the ship before setting sail.

Ocean Endeavour Ship

The Ocean Endeavour is a purpose-built expedition ship designed to navigate the icy waters of Antarctica. With a capacity of 199 passengers and a crew-to-passenger ratio of 1:8, you can expect personalized service and attention throughout your voyage. The Ocean Endeavour is a very large ship as it was originally designed for more than double its Antarctica capacity. As such the ship boasts a range of spacious amenities, including a salt water pool, hot tub, gym, library, spa, and Zodiacs for excursions. These Zodiacs are essential for exploring the Antarctic coastline and getting up close with the incredible wildlife.

Cabins and Accommodations

The Ocean Endeavour offers a variety of cabin options to suit different preferences and budgets going from triple bunks all the way to large suites. One unique proposition from Intrepid Travel is that it offers fares without solo travelers surcharge. Solo travelers can opt to be paired into shared cabins making it perfect for solo travelers to both save some money and also meet fellow adventurers on their Antarctica expedition.

Food and Beverage

Dining on board the Ocean Endeavour is a culinary delight. The ship accommodates different dietary restrictions to ensure that everyone can enjoy the delicious and varied menu options. The quality of the food is consistently high, with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients wherever possible.

Breakfast and Lunch Options

Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style, with a wide variety of healthy and tasty choices available. The ship can accommodate most special dietary requests, including vegan diets, with advance notice

Dinner Options

Dinner is served à la carte, with meals made to order to ensure high-quality dishes. The ship's chefs take pride in preparing each dish to individual needs, and menus are clearly labeled for vegetarian and gluten-free options

Snacks and Treats

In addition to the main meals, the ship offers a selection of hot and cold snacks available in the lounge during cocktail hour, expedition activities permitting. Fresh-baked cookies and pastries are also available every afternoon

Beverage Options

The ship's bar is well-stocked with a selection of liquors, spirits, beer, wine, and champagne, which can be charged to your shipboard account. The ship also offers tea, coffee, and cookies available at all times

Dietary Accommodations

The Ocean Endeavour can accommodate most special dietary requests, including vegan diets, with advance notice. Menus are clearly labeled for vegetarian and gluten-free options, and guests are encouraged to notify their server of any dietary restrictions

On-board Amenities

The Ocean Endeavour offers a wide range of amenities to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for passengers. The ship features a bar staffed by a professional bartender, where drinks can be added to the shipboard account. Additionally, 24-hour tea and coffee are available in the Compass Club, a shipboard library with comfortable seating. The Nautilus Lounge serves as a presentation space and concert venue, equipped with a full bar and seating for all aboard. The ship also has a clinic with a licensed doctor, as well as a Polar Boutique selling essentials, souvenirs, and clothing. For relaxation, the Ocean Endeavour offers spa treatments and beauty products, yoga and stretching classes, and his and hers saunas. The ship's gym is well-equipped for workouts, and a heated saltwater pool is available for use. Passengers can also stay connected with ship-to-shore telephone communications and internet, although charges apply for these services. On thing to note about the internet, is that the Ocean Endeavour still uses geostationary satellite wifi (in other words not Starlink) which makes it expensive and unstable comparatively to some other ships. Finally, the ship offers an onboard laundry service for added convenience.

Activities and Shore Excursions

One of the highlights of an Antarctica cruise with Intrepid Travel is the opportunity to explore the continent through more than Zodiac cruises and shore landings. Intrepid is one of the operators offering the largest diversity of optional activities. You can choose from:

On the Ocean Endeavour with Intrepid Travel, you can purchase the following optional activities:

1. Kayaking Program: This program involves kayaking during every single excursion (when conditions allow). At last publication it costs about $1099.
2. Photography Program: This program includes photography workshops and dedicated excursions to learn about photography. At last publication it costs about $1099.
3. Day Paddle: This is a single session of kayaking at a lower cost than the full kayaking program. At last publication it costs about $299.
4. Stand-Up Paddleboarding: This is a single session of paddleboarding. Can you imagine yourself balancing on a board as ice, glaciers and penguins float by you? Certainly makes for epic photos! At last publication it costs about $299.
5. Snowshoeing: Allowing you to go farther into the continent while leaving less of an impact, snowshoeing is a great accessible activity that will leave a mark in your memory of your Antarctica trip. At last publication it costs about $150.
6. Camping: Spend one night (or I should say night time with permanent daylight) on the White Continent. Making you one of the very select few in the world that have been able to experience this. At last publication it costs about $399.
   
7. Polar Plunge: Always included and absolutely thrilling. When I jumped into the frigid waters of Antarctica, after the initial temperature shock of a second or two, I was overwhelmed with a sense of peace looking at the amazing landscapes around me. A definite must that is offered complimentary on all sailings.
8. Onboard Spa Treatments: After hiking, kayaking or snowshoeing in Antarctica, you've earned yourself the right to get pampered at the Spa. Various treatments are available onboard, randing from $100 to $200.

These optional activities allow you to get a different perspective on the natural beauty of Antarctica including getting up close with the wildlife, including penguins, seals, and whales, and to marvel at the stunning landscapes.

Staff and Crew

The success of an Antarctica cruise relies heavily on the expertise and dedication of the staff and crew. Intrepid Travel ensures that the Ocean Endeavour is staffed by experienced guides and experts, including naturalists, ornithologists, and historians. These knowledgeable individuals provide valuable insights and information throughout your journey, enhancing your understanding and appreciation of the Antarctic environment.

Safety and Environmental Responsibility

Safety is of paramount importance when traveling to Antarctica, and Intrepid Travel takes this responsibility seriously. The company conducts regular safety audits and ensures that the Ocean Endeavour meets or exceeds all safety standards. Additionally, Intrepid Travel is committed to minimizing its impact on the environment. By limiting passenger numbers and adhering to the Antarctic Treaty, the company ensures that the continent remains pristine for future generations to enjoy.

Traveling to Antarctica with Intrepid Travel aboard the Ocean Endeavour is an unforgettable experience that combines comfort, adventure, and education. From the stunning landscapes to the incredible wildlife, every moment of your journey will leave you in awe of the natural wonders of the White Continent. If you're ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime, get in touch with us. Let us find your dream Antarctica cruise, with Intrepid or any of our other 20 cruise operators partners.