Looking for a great Antarctica travel agent to help you book a trip and get expert Antarctica travel advice?
For many people an Antarctica cruise is a once in a lifetime trip, so you want to make sure that you’re booking the cruise that best suits you, and getting the best advice and support from your travel agent that you can possibly get.
Using a specialist Antarctica travel agent is generally considered the best option for booking an Antarctica cruise, and contrary to popular belief, will often be able to offer you the best price as well.
Here are our top tips for choosing the best travel agent for your trip to Antarctica.
- Talk to a travel agent who has actually been to Antarctica
- Choose a travel agent who works with a variety of Antarctica cruise ships
- Check travel agent reviews
- Look for an agent who works with reputable Antarctica cruise operators
Viva's Rachel Williams kayaking in Antarctica
1. Talk to a travel agent who has actually been to Antarctica
Antarctica is such a unique destination, and you’ll likely have a lot of questions as you prepare for your trip. The best Antarctica travel agents will have done an Antarctica cruise before, so they’ll not only be able to answer your questions quickly and accurately, they’ll also be able to answer questions you haven’t even thought to ask!
Our Antarctica destination specialists all have first-hand experience of travelling to Antarctica, and can provide expert advice to ensure you are well-prepared for your Antarctica cruise, from tips on what to wear, to suggestions of the best time to go to Antarctica.
Our specialist Antarctica travel agent Pia Knarston travelled to Antarctica in 2019 and came back to our Viva offices buzzing after her unforgettable experience. Read the story of Pia’s trip to Antarctica for a great glimpse into what it’s like aboard an expedition ship in Antarctica.
Another of Viva's Antarctica experts, Tara Sutherland had such an amazing time in Antarctica, it’s now her favourite destination of all! Read her blog on why Antarctica should be at the top of your bucket list to find out why she’s so excited to go back again.
Cruise ship in Antarctica
2. Choose an agent who works with a variety of Antarctica tour operators
By booking with a specialist Antarctic travel agent, you’ll get access to a much wider range of ships and itineraries to be able to tailor your trip to exactly what you want.
Every ship that travels to Antarctica offers a different experience, small and intimate to large and luxurious and everything in between. There are different routes and itineraries to consider, as well as excursions and optional activities, and even the facilities onboard the ship itself.
Viva works with a wide range of Antarctica tour operators, and can provide you with a suite of cruise options to choose from that match your budget and what you want to get out of your trip to Antarctica.
Happy travellers in Antarctica
3. Check travel agent reviews
Looking at a travel agent’s recent reviews online can give you a great insight into the level of service you can expect, and what other travellers have valued about using them.
For example, Viva Expeditions is rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot, having received five-star reviews from happy clients who have travelled to Antarctica with us. Here’s a snapshot of what some of our customers had to say about our service:
“Friendly first-class service all the way!” – Mark, March 2022
“I usually travel independently and was blown away about their attention to detail and how easy/relaxing it may the whole experience for me and fellow two travellers. Out of all my travels, this has been the best and most care-free - thanks to the awesome team at Viva.” – Jim, March 2020
“A real professional who gets so much accomplished all the while making it seem effortless. We are so thankful to her for helping to make our experience the trip of a lifetime. We will definitely recommend her and Viva Expeditions to anyone.” – Gina, January 2020
IAATO members ensure visitors to Antarctica are respectful and responsible when interacting with the wildlife
4. Look for an agent who works with reputable Antarctica cruise operators
The pristine environment and precious wildlife of Antarctica make up a fragile ecosystem that has the potential to be impacted by visitors to the region, and sustainability is a big concern for many travellers wanting to visit Antarctica.
The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) have established guidelines to make sure that travel to Antarctica is not only safe, but also has minimises its impact on the Antarctic environment. This includes guidelines around preventing invasive species being introduced to Antarctica, how to safely observe or interact with Antarctic wildlife, and the emissions of the ships that visit Antarctica.
A good Antarctica travel agent will be able to match you with an cruise operator who is a member of IAATO and has a good reputation for respectful and responsible travel to this special destination.
With many cruise vessels travelling to Antarctica now moving to hybrid power, the best Antarctica travel agents will also have the latest information about new sustainability technologies that are reducing the carbon footprint of cruises to Antarctica, and helping to protect this delicate and unspoiled place.
Talk to the Antarctica travel experts
Viva Expeditions have been specialising in travel to Antarctica for over 13 years. If you have questions about travelling to Antarctica or to start planning your Antarctica trip, get in touch with our expert Antarctica travel advisors.
