Category: Planning & Tips

Getting your luggage packed is an exciting part of getting ready for any trip. Getting packed for an Antarctic trip brings its own special considerations, however. How cold will it really be? How many layers will I need? One pair of gloves or two? At Swoop, we spent a lot of time helping travellers get […]

For writers, Antarctica has proved an almost inexhaustible source of inspiration. This means that finding the best books on Antarctica can be a challenge. With that in mind, we’ve produced a reading list to help you navigate your way through the bookshelves, by setting out our 50 favourite Antarctic books.  From biographies of the early […]

As one of the planet’s most remote and inhospitable destinations, Antarctica remains undiscovered by the average tourist. But to the most adventurous of travellers who take the great leap south, there is plenty to be enticed and amazed by, no matter where you explore on the continent. Antarctica’s icy landscapes are dotted with islands, glaciers […]

The expedition cruise ship Hondius has proved a popular addition to the polar fleet since it was launched in 2019. Carrying up to 170 passengers, its Basecamp Adventure offers kayaking, camping, snowshoeing and even mountaineering. This is added to the regular landings and zodiac cruises, giving guests a host of different ways to discover Antarctica […]

When it comes to mind-blowing destinations, the Antarctic and Arctic regions undoubtedly top many travellers’ bucket lists. With landscapes built of towering glaciers and sweeping ice sheets filled with spectacular wildlife, both of these polar destinations will leave you in awe at their sheer beauty. Whilst many people group the Arctic and Antarctic regions together […]

Since its launch in 2021, the expedition cruise ship Ultramarine has rapidly become a popular choice for Swoop Antarctica passengers. Its modern design, 1A+ ice class rating (putting it just shy of being an actual icebreaker) , 199 berths and broad suite of adventure activities have all helped establish its place in the polar fleet. […]

It’s a question that we get asked all the time at Swoop: when exactly is the best time to visit Antarctica? The answer of course is that it depends entirely on what it exactly is that you want to get out of your trip: Antarctica is an amazing destination for expedition cruising whether you sail […]

If there is another place in the world whose mere mention conjures up such intrigue and inspiration as Antarctica, I am yet to find out about it. For me, Antarctica is a story rendered up by torch light on a dark winter’s evening, a glimpse into another planet uninhabited by human beings and the living […]