The Insider ANTARCTICA
surface. Without doubt, one of the ship’s great attributes for curious travellers is its two U-Boat Cruise Sub 7-300 submersibles, capable of taking passengers to depths of up to 300 metres. It's off the shores of Half Moon Island in the McFarlane Strait that I, along with three other passengers, descend in one of the domed-shaped subs. From the controls at the centre of the vessel, our sub pilot Dr Merel Dalebout guides us down into the deep-turquoise marine environment. With a little downward thrust, we descend further into the darkness, our beams of light now illuminating
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on our ascent. “We’re really in a golden age of ocean exploration, with subs like these allowing us to see this magical environment.” On land, small-group excursions take the ship’s passengers onto mountainous, snow-covered shores where we trek up slopes and along icy paths to see penguins in their natural environment – oblivious to our presence. On Zodiacs we move between the giant glaciers, looking for porpoising penguins and seals sleeping on the sea ice. And throughout it all, we learn about the gentoo, adelie and chinstrap penguins that are in such abundance here, along with the Weddell and crabeater seals, and birds that pass overhead such as giant petrels.
We’re going to parts of the marine environment that no one has potentially been to before, so we never know exactly what we’re going to see
the plankton and krill that make this water so nutrient rich. Unlike diving in tropical waters, you’re looking for smaller creatures here, and revelling KP VJG HCEV [QW EQWNF DG QPG QH VJG ƂTUV RGQRNG to ever come down to this part of the ocean. “Here in Antarctica, we’re going to parts of the marine environment that no one has potentially been to before, so we never know exactly what we’re going to see on any of our descents,” says Merel. In the polar environment, water this deep provides a habitat for a wealth of alien-like marine life and creatures such as the sea spider and sea UVCTU YJKEJ CTG OCIPKƂGF D[ RQNCT IKICPVKUO “The oceans are the biggest environment on the planet, but so little is known,” Merel adds
SHIPSHAPE It’s not just penguins and seals we’re lucky enough to admire. Back on board, guests catch sight of humpback whales and pods of orcas on our passage through these Antarctic channels, with the ship’s terraces making the perfect observation spot as we slowly cruise past scenic glaciers and mountains. Any sailing time on Seabourn Pursuit is happily
spent within the 30,000sq ft of stylishly designed indoor and panoramic outdoor space. The interiors mirror those of sister ship Seabourn Venture, launched in 2022, but a different style has been brought in through artwork among other design elements. Passengers can soak up the passing scenery in
the panoramic Bow and Constellation Lounges, stop at Seabourn Square for a coffee, pastry or gelato, and dine at The Colonnade or, for C ƂPG FKPKPI GZRGTKGPEG 6JG 4GUVCWTCPV Fireside talks are hosted in the Expedition Lounge, while the neighbouring Discovery %GPVTG JQNFU NGEVWTGU CPF DTKGƂPIU 'NUGYJGTG 6JG Club is the place to be for live music and tasty sushi.
OPPOSITE, FIRST ROW: Zodiac tour; king penguins; champagne on deck to celebrate crossing the Antarctic Circle SECOND ROW: Expedition Lounge; Paradise Harbour; whale breaching, South Shetland Islands
THIRD ROW: Adelie penguins at Brown Bluff; seal lounging in the snow; kayaking trip Credits: Pat and Rosemarie Keough;
Dreamstime.com/Joshanon1; Alamy/Adam Burton; Unsplash/Tam Minton; Shutterstock/Mogens Trolle
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ASPIRETRAVELCLUB.CO.UK THE INSIDER MAY 2024
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