antarctic cruise ship jobs

Poseidon Expeditions - your polar cruise operator

Careers in Poseidon Expeditions

CAUTION: Protect yourself from unauthorised approach Unauthorised parties may use Poseidon Expeditions name for apparently fraudulent purposes. Poseidon Expeditions does not request or require that anyone undertaking any freelance work for us should pay a deposit of any kind in exchange for larger commissions. We recommend that anyone receiving a request of this nature should avoid further communication with the fraudulent party. Should you have any questions or concerns as to legitimacy of any message purporting to come from Poseidon Expeditions, please contact us through the contact details on this website.

Poseidon Expeditions provides adventurous travelers with exciting cruise itineraries to the Polar Regions - both to the Arctic and Antarctica - aboard the 114-passenger Sea Spirit .

To do this, we team up with the best ship managing companies in the business - Anglo-Eastern Cruise Management and Sea Chefs. These companies have many years of experience in managing expedition ships, cruise lines and riverboats all over the world. In addition, they have an excellent reputation for securing top-notch bridge officers, engineers, seamen as well as hotel and culinary staff - all of who help us deliver a great expedition experience for our passengers.

Bridge Officers, Engineers, Hotel & Culinary Staff

Bridge Officers and Engineers are advertised on Anglo-Eastern Cruise Management website here . Hotel & Culinary Staff on Sea Chefs website here . Inquiries should be sent directly to Anglo-Eastern Cruise Management or Sea Chefs company.

Important Notice: Please be advised that unscrupulous parties sometimes advertise online and in marine-related newsletters that they can provide you with jobs at Poseidon Expeditions. We strongly recommend that you avoid any solicitations like this, as they very likely are fraudulent, and a scam designed to separate you from your hard-earned money.

Poseidon Expeditions Staff

Poseidon Expeditions directly hires expedition staff for all of our polar adventures. If you have appropriate experience in the Polar Regions as expedition staff, please feel free to fill out the form below. This form is NOT for applications for Bridge Officers, Ship crew, Engineers, Hotel & Culinary Staff.

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Cool Jobs - Arctic & Antarctic Cruise Adventures

Who knows and can explain the cruise line hiring process better than anyone else? The people in charge of staffing! This is why CruiseJobFinder has gone out and interviewed so many people in the industry. We want our members to have the real advantage of knowing how to get a job.

There is an ever-growing library of interviews in our Members Section, and each provides unique tidbits of information on topics including:

• Which positions are commonly available
• How to find an official staffing agency in your area of the world
• Ways to make a good impression during interviews
• Terms of employment and typical salaries
• Plus, our JobCenter has all the latest job listings!

Interview Excerpt

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What could be cooler than working on a small cruise ship headed for the arctic or antarctic? For a truly unique cruise ship working experience consider applying to Antarctic Dream, which takes travelers to the world's polar regions. A company rep told us about their company, awesome job opportunities, and the crew hiring process.

Our company takes adventure-minded people to the world's Polar Regions. My main role is to receive and process resumes in order to hire new employees.

Describe a typical 'cruise' if there is such a thing. What would the shipboard experience be like for a typical employee?

The typical cruise is fun, filled with adventure, provides awesome experiences, but with a lot of work as well. Some crew members experience seasickness during the Drake crossing, but usually the trip is one of the best trips ever for the employees.

What are some of the common job titles you advertise for?

We need guides, bartenders, deck crew, engineering crew, and room service employees.

Do you only hire people from the immediate area or do you occasionally hire people from other areas or even other countries?

We hire people from all over the world.

How many seasonal staff do you typically hire, and for which positions?

It always depends on each season, and we generally see how the season is faring when deciding how many employees to hire and what positions we need to fill.

Describe your perfect candidate.

We require employees who are responsible, commitment, proactive, are hard working and honest. We also need to see that you have an interest in learning and always have a good, positive attitude. This is very important.

Are there any benefits or perks that your employees enjoy?

The main benefit is getting to know the destination, as well as sharing a common adventure with your other crew members. This is something people talk about forever and a time in their lives that they always look back on with fond memories.

Interviewing Advice

What is the interview and selection process like for your positions?

You will get to interview face to face with the Manager and the General Manager, after which you will be contacted by phone if you get the job.

What are some common misperceptions people have about working on cruise ships?

Many people think that the job is easy and that they will find it relaxing, not too stressful, and an easy way to make money. This could not be further from the truth. You will be working extremely hard doing physical work most of the time.

Don't Miss the Rest of this Interview!

Other topics included in this extensive interview include:

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• Number of returning employees
• How the staff selection process works
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Antarctica21 Cruise Ship Jobs

Antarctica21 is an expedition cruise ship company that specializes in Antarctica expeditions. They operate three expedition vessels and one aircraft.

Facts About Antarctica21

Antarctica21 has been guiding travelers to Antarctica since 2003, when they pioneered the Antarctic air-cruise model. They are based in Punta Arenas, Chile and their expedition cruises include itineraries such as Antarctica, Cape Horn, Falkland Islands, and South Georgia. Currently they only operate cruises during the summer season in the southern hemisphere.

They focus on providing small groups of active travelers with an expedition experience. In fact, their ships carry under 100 guests each. Until they built their first expedition vessel, Magellan Explorer in 2019, they operated two charter vessels for their summer season, the Ocean Nova and the Hebridean Sky.

The Ocean Nova is an expedition vessel that was built in 1992. It has a strengthened hull and was fully refurbished in 2006. It has a capacity for 67 passengers. Hebridean Sky was also built in 1992 and was refurbished in 2005. It accommodates 75 passengers. Both of these vessels are chartered by Noble Caledonia when not chartered by Antarctica21. Comparatively, Magellan Explorer is owned by Antarctica21.

In 2019, their branding changed from Antarctica XXI to Antarctica21.

Their technical management is provided by V.Ships Leisure.

How to Apply for Cruise Ship Jobs

Company Website: Antarctica21 Career Page: How to Apply Career Pages: V.Ships Leisure

Updated: May 30, 2021

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A Passion for Antarctica

Travel with a team that is filled with people who deeply care about Antarctica and enjoy showing what they know about the White Continent to curious travelers of the world.

Antarctica21 is an international team of experienced, dedicated professionals. We’re also a group of like-minded adventurers who are keen to share our passion for exploring the seventh continent. With passion, creativity, and teamwork, we handcraft each one of our expeditions to be unique and personal to you.

Nicolás Danyau

Expedition Operations Manager

Kirsty Dick

Head of Expedition Staff & Delivery

Sandra Walser

Cruise Manager and Product & Special Project Coordinator

Sergei Sakharov

Head of Expedition Logistics

Expedition Leader

Marcelo Flores

Lecturer, Marine Biology

Federico Arribere

Lecturer, Antarctica

Pelin Asfuroglu

Lecturer, History

Sophie Ballagh

Adventure Guide, Kayaking & Outdoor Instructor

Matilda Ballinger

Lecturer, Earth Sciences

Michael Beaudoin

Lecturer, Ornithology

André Belem

Lecturer, Earth Sciences & Oceanography

Sofia Benegas

Adventure Guide, Kayaking

Tennessee Blackmore

Adventure Guide

Justine Bornholdt

Cruise Manager

Diego Bravo

Jeff Bullied

Photography Guide

Paul Copestake

Lecturer, History & Ornithology

Piotr Damski

Jean Paul De La Harpe

Expedition Photographer

Naturalist Guide

Ruslan Eliseev

Naturalist Guide & Expedition Logistics

Betiana Gil

Bob Gilmore

Lecturer, Earth Sciences & Climate

Francsico Gomez

Germán González

Lecturer, Biology & Adventure Guide

Enrique Haag

Blake Hornblow

Veronica Ibañez

Daria Jansson

Victoria Larocque

Chinese Translator

Kenn Magowan

Jess Mallon

Adventure Guide, Mountain

Laura Martin

Hella Martens

Ana Carla Martinez

Nigel Milius

Lecturer, Natural & Human History

Rodrigo Moraga

Teal Morgan

Jaskiran Nagi

Lecturer, Ice & Climate

Karen Parada

Willie Parra

Ignacio Platoni

Guide Naturalist

Kuba Potrawiak

Anaïs Rekus

Jeff Reynolds

Graeme Snow

Lecturer, Natural History

Cristián Suazo

Nozomi Takeyabu

Kirsty Venter

Lecturer, Marine Mammals & Conservation Biology

Karen Waller

Jonathan Walton

Pablo Zenteno

Lecturer, Geography & Glaciology

Guangtu Zhang

Nicolás Gildemeister

Director of Operations and Product

Diana Galimberti

Senior Advisor Operations and Product

Guest Services Manager

Land Services Manager

Rocio Jimenez

Product Delivery Manager

Agustina Morro

Logistics Administration Assistant

Alexandra Rees

Staffing Assistance

Byron Canto

Warehouse Supervisor

Cindy Pereira

Head of Staffing

Cristián Valenzuela

Medical Advisor

Dominique Douchet

Head of Hospitality

Fabiola Fuentes Cordova

Services Coordinator

Florencio Acevedo

Logistic Support & Flight Dispatcher

Rodrigo Fuentes

Head of Logistics Administration

Veronica Zenteno

Host Supervisor

Monserratt Sepúlveda

Host Leader

Catalina Ojeda

Erika Riffo

Brenno Quadros

Francisca Chavez

Paulette Galli

Francesco Contini

EVP Sales and Marketing

Juan Cristobal Del Pedregal Bravo

Senior Commercial Director

Noelia Greco

Client Services Manager

Crystal Manafi

Sales Manager, B2B

Monica Randriamialy

Marketing Manager

Market Director Asia

Renato Marín

Sales Manager B2C

Stephanie Vrantsis

Business Development Manager USA East/Mid-West & Canada

Laura Gerwin

Business Development Manager USA West

Nicole Krumrey

Market Manager EMEA

Ximena Urjel

Market Manager Latam, Caribbean, MICE

Benjamín Garcia

Market Manager for Australia and New Zealand

Daniela Grez

Marketing Executive

Travel Consultant, Asia Pacific

Florencia Otero

Travel Consultant USA & Canada and Latam

Travel Consultant Asia

Lorena Olivares

Travel Consultant, EMEA

Marblis Vivas

Travel Consultant US West

Paloma Echaurren

Clients Services Representative

Pamela Deguito

Client Services Representative

Rafael Guzmán

Travel Consultant B2C

Urszula Zachariasz

Clients Services Coordinator

Verónica Peragallo

Vice President of Planning, Finance and Administration

Ninoska Águila Ojeda

Management Analyst

Francisco Barrientos

Technology and Communications Analyst

Johanna Olivares González

Finance Manager

Leyla Gallardo

Finance manager

Carolina Vargas

Receptionist and Administrative Assistant

Fabiola Peralta

Treasury Assistant

Andrés Gómez

Assistant Manager

Paola Perez

Accounting Analyst

Cecilia Quezada

Tax and Management Analyst

Valeria Burgos

Accounts Receivables Assistant

Estephany Barría

Accounting Assistant

Ana María Ancapán

Public Accountant

Francisca Henríquez

Accounting assistant

Marcela Otey

Claudio Bobadilla

Fleet Director

Catalina Ovando

Sustainability Analyst

Erigardo Mancilla

Ship Operations Manager

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Are you interested in working with us? Please let us know.

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Work with Aurora Expeditions

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Current Vacancies

Aurora Expeditions is an Australian-owned adventure company founded in 1991, which specialises in small-group voyages to the polar regions and other wild, remote destinations across the globe. A world leader in expedition cruising, we offer passengers the chance to have an intimate experience of the destination, with the support of passionate experts in their field and flexible, innovative itineraries.

We continuously look for experienced, dynamic and passionate team members.

Asia Pacific

ROLE TYPE: Full-Time | Hybrid | Australia

We’re looking for an experienced Sales & Customer Service Manager who will play a pivotal role in the management of our contact centre and sales operational processes in the APAC region, across B2B, B2C, claims, pre- and post-voyage. The role will ensure the APAC team delivers exceptional customer service, builds long term customer relationships, develops FIT business, meets key performance indicators (KPIs), and achieves sales targets. In addition, this role will also oversee the Fulfillment & Documentation team and ensure seamless post-sale administration.

Does this sound like you? See the full job description and apply:

North America

ROLE TYPE: Full-Time | Remote | United States

We’re looking for an experienced Sales Director – Eastern USA who will be responsible for building a sales plan based on the national sales goals, educating trade and consumer channels on the benefits of this new-to-North America expedition cruise brand and driving incremental revenue through existing trade relationships and new channels.

Reporting to the Vice President of Sales North America, this position is responsible for building a strong geographic presence to achieve sales targets through industry relationships and business partnerships.

Sound like you? Read the full job description and apply now:

We’re looking for an experienced Sales Director – West Coast USA who will be responsible for building a sales plan based on the national sales goals, educating trade and consumer channels on the benefits of this new-to-North America expedition cruise brand and driving incremental revenue through existing trade relationships and new channels.

Reporting to the Vice President of Sales North America, this position is responsible for managing and exponentially growing sales channels of wholesale and retail travel advisors.

Expedition Team

ROLE TYPE: Contract | Remote

The Aurora Expedition Team are passionate specialists in their field that offer a range of expertise such as historians, marine biologists, geologists, naturalists and guides. Our skilled activity guides in both polar and tropical regions include diving, snorkelling, kayaking, alpine trekking, snowshoeing and mountaineering.

If this is you and you’re interested in joining the team at Aurora Expeditions, please click on the button below and complete our application form. Your application will be reviewed and a team member will be in touch if we would like to arrange an interview.

Please Note: Aurora Expeditions engages only expedition-related specialists, e.g. Expedition Leaders, Biologists, Naturalists, Historians, Kayak Guides and Expedition Guides etc. Experience driving Zodiacs in polar regions will be an advantage. All vessel-related staff including hotel and crew are employed by Anglo-Eastern.

Health & Safety for Our Expedition Team

Aurora Expeditions has carefully considered the potential impacts and risks to our expeditioners, staff, and crew associated with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and we have proactively implemented the following in depth policies and practices to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone.

These measures have been put in place following consultation with The World Health Organization (WHO), IAATO*, AECO^, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), our marine healthcare partner, Vikand and experienced Medical Advisory Agency, Respond Global, and our crew management partner, CMI Leisure. These will be regularly revised in line with the latest medical advice, advancements and guidelines.

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Privacy Overview

Working in Antarctica gives you the best way of getting to know and see the continent in all its moods. What jobs are there available? for how long? how do you go about getting one?

Jobs in Antarctica

  Working in Antarctica - Introduction

You've seen the pictures, watched the videos, read about about it online and in books and now you've decided you want to actually go to Antarctica. Maybe you can't afford to go as a paying passenger or maybe you want to experience the continent more fully, more closely and most of all - during the winter months when no tourist can visit.

Reality check 1 - There are far more people who want to work in Antarctica than there are jobs available

Speculative postings to Antarctic and job seeking forums from people who are hoping that making it known that they are available is not sufficient to find a job. Sending me your resume or cv won't work either (so please don't).

Reality check 2 - with some exceptions, Antarctic personnel are specialists in a particular field, enthusiastic generalists can get jobs in Antarctica, but the field of applicants is that much larger.

But people obviously DO get jobs in Antarctica and some of them get to go down again and again.

Reality check 3 - It is expensive to transport personnel to and from Antarctica, so while 3-6 months may suit you best, longer than this makes more sense for those who pay the bills.

But then again, there are some positions for 3-6 months going as well as the longer contracts.

  Where are the jobs?

Jobs in Antarctica are almost exclusively on National Research Stations. These stations vary in size quite considerably, typically having 40 - 50 people in the summer months, from around November - March, and a much smaller winter crew of maybe 10 - 20 from March to November (ish). There is a big American base at McMurdo that is much larger than this however.

About 5,000 people visit Antarctic stations each year from about 27 different countries with around 1,000 of them remaining over the winter months. Winter means isolation when there is no transport in or out and contact is only by various electronic telecommunications.

Halley Station including virtual tour

  What are the jobs that are available?

Jobs fall into two categories - scientific and support (sometimes called trades)

Scientific Positions are in reality the job of the base, without them there would be little or no need for the base at all. Scientists are at a minimum of postgraduate level and often postdoctoral, though the more junior they are the more likely they will be able to spend a longer time period in Antarctica (over-wintering for example). Scientists usually take down a project to Antarctica with them and are fairly self-contained equipment-wise. Occasionally they may be able to "plug-into" an on-going project fulfilling a discrete sub-part of the whole. Scientists fall into many categories:

• Glaciologists
• Chemists - studying snow, ice, freshwater etc.
• Atmospheric physicists
• Meteorologists
• Oceanologists
• Biologists - terrestrial or marine

       ...and a few other sorts of "ologists"

Support positions or trades fall into a whole range of occupations that are involved with the tasks of keeping the base and its personnel in good repair and able to perform duties safely and efficiently. These positions usually require people who are experienced in their particular field almost always with relevant professional qualifications, including but not limited to the following:

• Electrician
• Boat handler
• Radio operator
• Diving officer
• Fire fighters

The large US base at McMurdo also has positions for generalist staff, cleaning, food preparation etc. "There are attorneys, judges, pharmacists, and PhD's working as mechanics, janitors, galley slaves, housing department and shuttle drivers."

Your experience of Antarctica will depend very much on your job. Scientific staff will generally have more interesting experiences as their jobs often take them away from the base more. There are exceptions though, an atmospheric scientist will have little reason to leave base for the purpose of doing the job, and a boat handler will spend large amounts of time off base. If your job involves transportation in any way, then you will see more of Antarctica than anyone.

On many bases there is the expectation and requirement that all staff will fulfill generalist roles such as unloading ships, washing-dishes, night-watch, cleaning the base, dealing with the trash etc. The smaller the base, the more varied of these housekeeping jobs you will be expected to do in addition to your own specialist tasks.

Personnel are screened carefully for their psychological and physical suitability to work in the demanding environment of Antarctica. They must be in very good physical shape as full medical facilities are far away in distance and also often in time.

Other jobs - you may have guessed by now that there are lots of jobs for which there is no requirement in Antarctica. So you might be the best car salesman, lawyer or basketball coach in your town, but you won't be getting a job in Antarctica doing those things. The number of non-required occupations is too long to list, if you want to work there you need to be a required specialist or take a non-specialist job.

Participants guides, for those employed to Antarctica: Australian Antarctic Program     British Antarctic Survey     United States Antarctic Program

  Antarctica jobs and pay

How much do I get paid to work in Antarctica?

As it's a case of supply and demand, and the supply of people ready to work in Antarctica is generally greater than the demand for personnel, the answer to this question is not the great fortune that is sometimes imagined.

In general, personnel in Antarctica on a National Antarctic Programme, supply ship, contract work etc. will be paid pretty much the same as they would for doing the same job back in their home country, often with a small extra bonus but forget any idea of 2x or 3x salary multiples.

It seems that you're paid more though because:

• There's not a lot to spend your money on.
• Taxation is often less than at home (varies by country) .
• The big expenses of accommodation, food and much of your clothing, usually including all specialist clothing, are provided for you for free .

  How do I go about getting a job in Antarctica?

The first step is find the National Antarctic programme of your own country, if only because interviews will usually be held in that country. Some countries also have a strong preference for their own citizens or you may find that foreign nationals are simply not considered.

Some country's Antarctic bases are run by the military or have a strong military presence and you will therefore stand a much better chance if you are already serving in a branch of the military.

Listed below are links to many points of first call. Many countries simply do not have an Antarctic programme or it is very small, so unless you have relevant professional skills and work in a country that does, you may find that your chances are very limited.

  Are there any jobs other than with National Operators?

Yes, but very few. The Antarctic Heritage Trust for instance takes on about four seasonal staff each year for positions as assistants at Port Lockroy on the Antarctic Peninsula.

Port Lockroy, or Base "A" is a British historic base situated on the tiny Goudier Island off the Antarctic Peninsula.  It was established in 1944 and occupied until 1962.  The abandoned base was restored in 1996 as a "living museum".

The jobs require a compulsory interview in the UK plus a mandatory training course. No expenses for former are payable. No age restrictions but sucessful applicants need to pass a medical and to be fit and strong. Disabilities cannot be accommodated which would prevent someone from doing the job.

Applications are invited during a short window each year of around a week or two in late February. To put things in perspective, there were around 1500 applicants for 4 positions in 2015 following a documentary that was shown on PBS and the BBC. In 2014, there were 82 applicants for the same 4 posts. 4,000 applications were received for the 2022 recruitment round.

  Artists and Writers - Community Engagement

The Antarctic programmes from a number of countries, such as UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand support "Artists and Writers" initiatives at various times. These tend to be active for a year or two followed by a dormant period, on average they tend to be dormant more than they are active. Try these links for: New Zealand ,  Australia and the USA . The Scott Polar Research Institute in the UK also sponsors an Arctic and Antarctic artist for a few weeks each year.

Photographers and film makers are NOT sponsored.

  Institutions / National Antarctic Programmes

Australia Australian Antarctic Program - Expeditioner Handbook Institute of Antarctic & Southern Ocean Studies University of Tasmania

Belgian Scientific Research Programme on the Antarctic

Brazil (the Antarctic page changes address, you'll have to search for it)

Canada Canadian Polar Commission Canada - Ken Borek Air - provides air support for many Antarctic programmes and expeditions

Chile - Antarctic Institute

China , Polar Research institute , Arctic and Antarctic

Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs

Czech Republic - Czechia

France - French Polar Institute

Germany - Alfred Wegener Institute

Italy - Italian Antarctic Program

Japan National Institute of Polar Research

Korea (south)

Netherlands Polar Programme

Norway - Norwegian Polar Institute

New Zealand Peru (the Antarctic page changes address, you'll have to search for it)

Russian Federation South Africa National Antarctic Program (SANAE)

Ukraine United Kingdom British Antarctic Survey A guide to going south with British Antarctic Survey

USA Byrd Polar Research Center National Ice Centre United States Antarctic Program - Participants Handbook United States Antarctic Support Health care jobs - search using "Antarctica" as a keyword

If your country is not in the list above, you will find it very difficult to get a job in Antarctica unless your country has close links with a country that is in the list. At the very least you will need to travel at your own expense for interview in the country whose programme you wish to join.

  Other Information Sources

The national sites above often have links to diaries of the bases that are written for the family and friends of the personnel on the bases. These tend to be a rather sanitized official version of events and not terribly interesting or informative unless you know the people involved.

There are also a large number of unofficial blogs and web diaries written by people in Antarctica that come and go, frequently being started with good intentions but often abandoned not long afterwards. Some are very good and give an excellent insight into life in Antarctica. Because such blogs and diaries appear and also mysteriously disappear without warning (even the really good ones) I no longer link to any in particular. Google is your friend here.

I personally went to Antarctica with the British Antarctic Survey on a small base and reading through some other diary entries am quite astonished at how different an Antarctic experience people have on the different bases.

  Emails / forum posts

Alexandre :

I am a mountaineer and a photographer, and have managed to be shortlisted for a position as Field Assistant with BAS (UK). If you have a minute to spare, I would be very grateful. I have a good idea of what they are looking for when it comes to technical skills (glacier travel, crevasse rescue, etc.), but not so much for the "softer" personality questions... If you have any advice that would help me come better prepared, it would be extremely welcome!

Reply - Paul, webmaster

Well done for getting an interview. As a marine biologist, I never had reason to work with GA's (General Assistant - the nomenclature has now changed to Field Guide) so I can't claim to have the answers you're looking for specifically but I'll try. I presume you have all the skills and qualifications on paper that you need so, yes it's about seeing if you fit. In no particular order this is what comes to mind:

• You need to demonstrate self reliance and a high degree of capability , though not be too proud to ask if you get out of your depth (and be able to recognise when you are out of your depth) or encounter a situation you don't know about. They may give you a scenario to talk them through with this.
• You need to be able to be flexible and make things happen when they can happen rather than stick to the schedule.
• You will be in the field with someone for weeks, possibly months, so you need to be easy going and easy to get on with . There's not a lot you can do about this, be yourself, if this is not you, then the job is perhaps not for you.
• You should be quite self contained and not in any way "needy" , same as the last point really.
• You should like other people , you "get away from it all" in Antarctica, but you certainly don't get away from people, crowds - yes, but people definitely not.
• Above all be yourself, if you don't get the position this time then don't let it put you off applying again - I know many people who got through the second time (including myself). The interview starts when you enter the building, not when you sit down in the room.

  Damian :

I want to go not this austral summer, but next, and when I go (theoretically) I'll have a master's degree in mechanical engineering and a bunch of sundry skills. But I've sent my resume to anonymous hiring sites before (i.e. the Raytheon outfit) and I've NEVER known that to work. Neither I nor anyone I know has even once been hired by submitting to an online server. So I'm worried that when the time comes, and I submit my papers - qualified or not - they'll be parsed by a computer, glanced over by a suit who already knows who he's sending, and tossed into the Antarctic trash bin of history.

I thus ask those who know, realistically: I'm a multi-talented fellow, and a hard worker... but what are my chances? What are they REALLY? Is there an inside track to the Antarctic Circle? And how do I get on it?

Reply - Sharon

Really good questions! I think your chances of being hired are greatly enhanced by attending Raytheon's Job Fair in April (as from 2013, job fairs have now ended as Raytheon no longer have this contract) . I did and was hired. I'm returning for my third season in October! I have been told they receive over 30,000 applications for about 500 positions. So being at the Fair, getting to know the persons for whom you hope to work, getting their extension numbers, names, email addresses really is a foot in the door.

When I worked the Midrat shift in the galley, six of the ten of us had masters degrees! No, not in culinary arts! We had school counselors, teachers, school psychologist and me, a nurse practitioner. So be willing to take ANY job. There are attorneys, judges, pharmacists, and PhD's working as mechanics, janitors, galley slaves, housing department and shuttle drivers.

Some folks have said to me, oh, I don't have the money to go to Denver for the Fair, or I'm not sure I can go. Well, do you want to go to the Ice!!!??? You do what you gotta do!! Good luck!

I have a great job record and have thought for a long time that working in Antarctica would be an interesting thing to do ! It would seem to me that there would be more of a need for help due to the cold and harsh weather one must endure down there ! Your site makes it seem like a real narrow chance to go there! I think that's a shame if that's the case ! I have been in Hi-Tech for 19 years and done lots of heavy work too! If there is any need for a strong smart guy such as myself I would sure like to give it a go! If the American or British stations can't use me, perhaps I could work at the Russian station as I have a Russian wife and can speak it some ! Thanks for your time in reading this!

It's a case of supply and demand, for every job available, there are dozens if not hundreds of people who would be prepared to do it. So the recruitment is biased towards those who REALLY want to go to Antarctica as well as being capable of doing the job, the recruiters really can pick and choose.

You need to apply through Lockheed Martin, the US company that currently deals with logistics.

If you don't get in straight away, keep plugging at it, they like persistence too, shows it's not just a short-term idea you've had. I got the second job I'd applied for and know of many others who were turned down at least once before they were offered a position.

I Have a question that doesn't seem to have been answered here.

I'm interested in getting a job in Antarctica, but realise that everyone else is too, and so I figured that my best bet would be as a scientific guy. How do I go about getting information on research jobs in Antarctica? All the information seems to be about cooks and carpenters and mechanics.

Scientific jobs are advertised in the scientific press usually. You could also try the website of your national programme as there are often current vacancies advertised there, but not all of the scientific ones. Also scientific jobs are not always offered by the Antarctic programme directly, but by a University with secondment to the Antarctic programme to go south and carry out the research. When I went to Antarctica as a marine biologist I was actually employed by St. Andrews University and seconded to the British Antarctic Survey.

The overall impression is that scientists are supposed to be more interested in their line of research than in just going to Antarctica which is "coincidental". Your scientific discipline and career so far are obviously extremely important, and while there may be dozens of applicants for a particular generalist support job, there may only be a handful for a scientific post - BUT that's because of the specialist nature of the job. There can be (and are) many well qualified and experienced scientists who would love to go to Antarctica, but there's just no jobs in their particular discipline.

So as a scientist, there's less chance of a job coming up that fits your experience, but if it does - the odds are narrowed in your favour. You should research the science programmes currently happening in Antarctica and investigate the qualifications needed to be a part of them.

Sharon Heilman

A retired Registered Nurse living in Princeville, Illinois. Sharon always wanted to go to Antarctica and in September 2000, she did just that. After attending a job fair in Englewood, Colorado. for Raytheon Polar Services she was one of the few lucky people to be hired. She has been six times to Antarctica to work, most recently in October 2006.

Sharon also has a Masters degree from the University of Illinois, having become a nurse after her three children entered school - "so I was a late bloomer!"  She now has grandchildren and turned 65 in October 2003 on the Ice!  "Again, blooming late!"

Sharon's job was to drive shuttle buses around the US McMurdo base in the Ross Sea area of Antarctica. In the Antarctic summer from October to February when she was there, there are about 1,000 people on base. A very similar size in fact to the small rural community in central Illinois where Sharon lives.

Not much to report from McMurdo Station, Antarctica.  Cold and windy, planes can't come down from Christchurch, NZ, so many workers are stranded there.

Temperatures have been about -10F to -20F with wind chills to -60F or so.  We actually had a Condition 1 in town the other day.  Unusual!  Must stay where you are, not go even from one building to the next.  Condition 1 usually only occurs away from Mactown, at the airfields of up in the hills.

My job is going very well.  I love driving shuttles!!  I took some carpenters out about 10 miles onto the Ross Ice Shelf the other day in a Delta, the big orange vehicle with 5' tires.  The passenger section and engine section are articulated from the driver section.  The driver, me, sits forward of the front tires!  The are building a shelter for the LDB, Long Duration Balloon, project.  The scientists send up a balloon probably in December or January to 120,000 feet, the edge of outer space. It circles counter-clockwise Antarctica collecting data to be analyzed later at Washington U. in St. Louis.

I learn so much and hear so much that there is never a dull moment.  I know we have a cushy life here compared to the early explorers, but last Thursday, a woman decided to walk/climb up Observation Hill, a 900 foot lava hill.  Well, she went alone and did not take a radio! A big no-no.  She lost her footing and slid on the lava about 20 feet, then rolled over and slid another 40 feet, loosing a shoe and gloves in the process.  Luckily, a group of hikers came along after about 1/2 - 1 hour and found her.  She has frostbite on all 20 digits!!  And her one heel is purple/black.  She is confined to her room, visiting medical for dressing changes and morphine and debridement daily.  She is not out of the woods yet!  She could see shuttles going to Scott Base that night and waved and yelled, but with howling winds almost always, nobody saw or heard her.  She's lucky to be alive - and only right on the edge of our buildings!

Can you live in Antarctica?

Find a job in Antarctica

Antarctica's 'Penguin Post Office' is hiring for one of most unique jobs on the planet

I f penguin-counting and sorting postcards addressed to penguins at the world’s southernmost post office sounds exciting, Port Lockroy in Antarctica may have the perfect job for you.

The UK Antarctic Heritage Trust , which owns and operates Port Lockroy in Antarctica, is hiring a team of five for its 2024/2025 season, which starts in late October or early November and lasts through March 2025.

"From counting penguins to sorting mail at the world’s southernmost post office, working at Port Lockroy in Antarctica is a job like no other!" the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust said in a post on Instagram .

ANTARCTIC'S EXTREME WEATHER DRAWING MORE CRUISE SHIP EXPEDITIONS

The application deadline just passed for the base leader, shop manager and three general assistants.  Once selected, the team will undergo extensive training in the UK in August and September.

Job duties include sorting some 80,000 postcards sent by cruise ship passengers to the penguins on Antarctica. About 18,000 people cruise to Antarctica in the Southern Hemisphere’s summer months.

You have to be OK with the "stench of guano," also known as penguin poop .

LOW SEA ICE IN ANTARCTICA CAUSING ‘CATASTROPHIC BREEDING FAILURE’ OF PENGUINS, STUDY FINDS

Applicants had to be at least 18 years old, and while there’s no age limit, "applicants must be physically fit." And all applicants had to be living in and able to legally work in the United Kingdom .

"There is a lot of physical work at Port Lockroy and all team members are expected to contribute equally," the trust says on its website.

Chores include carrying 5-gallon cans of water, lifting and carrying 33-pound boxes, digging "a LOT of snow every day," carving out steps in the snow and ice, so visitors can safely land, and unloading boats on slippery rocks.

ANTARCTICA’S ‘DOOMSDAY GLACIER’ IS MELTING AWAY DIFFERENTLY THAN SCIENTISTS FIRST THOUGHT

"While candidates do not need to be athletes, they do need to be strong and resilient to undertake these tasks daily for several months," the trust says.

Temperatures in the summer months vary between 23 and 50 degrees. Most days will be just a few degrees above freezing, but overcast days and wind chill will make it feel colder.

The work will involve spending many hours outside or inside the base with no insulation or heating. Warm clothing will be provided, but the work will be very physical, so you will want to pack your thermals and other layers to keep warm.

JOURNEY TO THE BOTTOM OF THE EARTH: COUPLE TOURS ANTARCTICA’S FROZEN WILDERNESS

The UK Antarctic Heritage Trust’s flagship historic site was established in 1944 and operated as a British research station until it closed and retired in 1962. In 1996, Port Lockroy was restored as a living museum. Since then, it has operated during the Austral summer as a visitor site welcoming those who travel to Antarctica on expedition vessels and yachts .

It’s also worth noting that there is no running water on the island. Water is collected in jerry cans from visiting ships, which will also offer showers every few days.

7 THINGS YOU PROBABLY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT PENGUINS

However, you might expect to go up to two weeks without visitors or a shower when conditions are poor.

There also is no flushing toilet at Port Lockroy. A basic camping toilet will need to be emptied daily.

Living quarters are a purpose-built Nissen hut that keeps with the aesthetics of the other historic buildings on the island. Staff will share one bedroom with access to a living area, a separate boot room and a washroom.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

There is a cooker and heater in the main kitchen and living area, both of which are powered by propane gas. 

Cooking duties are shared by using propane gas. Food is shipped from the UK and consists of a wide variety of dried and tinned items, occasionally supplemented by fresh food donated from visiting ships.

Original article source: Antarctica's 'Penguin Post Office' is hiring for one of most unique jobs on the planet

Authored by Tracie Howe

After graduating from college with what seemed like a useless Fine Art degree, I felt stuck. I wanted to do something more with my life, and for me that meant going somewhere. I hated routine, thrived on variety, and thus decided that working on a cruise ship could be the answer. All I really knew about cruise ships were that they docked in destinations like the Caribbean, and at the time I couldn’t think of anything more exotic!

I only remember filling out one online application, which was for the kid’s program on Holland America Line ships. While long and intimidating, I tried not to be discouraged. My work experience up until that point had been with kids, so I felt like I held a chance. Then one day, a few months later, I got the call that changed my life forever!

Not a terrible office view.

I wasn’t sent to the Caribbean as I had hoped, but instead to Alaska. Though that was fine by me. It was all a new adventure! After that initial contract I signed on for more, jumping between Alaska and the Caribbean.

These were all pretty short contracts, lasting anywhere from one week to three months, however, exploring new places, making great friends, having novel experiences, and working seven days a week all made ship life seem to last much longer.

The work wasn’t too bad, at least for my position. On sea days I typically worked a few 2-3 hours chunks, and I got to explore on port days until we set sail.  For me, the kid’s program was fun and easy work. Even when management required more work from us (towards the end of my time at sea) it still seemed like a cake walk compared to what other departments required from their workers, not to mention year long contracts in some cases. I made very little money, though it was an easy job and I was traveling the world!

Photo CC by Forget Someday.

This job made me realize that the world was much smaller and more accessible than I ever knew. Holland America took me all over the Caribbean, around both the Mediterranean and Baltic seas, to Egypt, Greenland, Russia, and everywhere in between! I even managed to travel on my own in between contracts, requesting extensions on flights that were already paid for by Holland America.

Eventually, despite the lure of new places and having made so many great friends, I knew I couldn’t keep doing this forever. Youth staff on a cruise ship was a young person’s job and I was ready to focus on starting a photography career. With this goal in mind, I decided to end my career in cruising, a task that is easier said than done. Ask any former crew member and they will agree!

It was once I stopped, of course, that an irresistible opportunity practically fell in my lap. It was another contract, though this one was different. It would last 6 months, taking me from South America to the Mediterranean, by way of Antarctica!

Antarctica: an irresistible opportunity.

Making it to all seven continents was high on my bucket list and this was my chance to visit the most elusive of them all! So, as any passionate traveler would do, I dropped everything to make it happen, and before I knew it found myself on a plane to Chile.

Fortunately the wonders of South America were enough to sustain me until reaching Antarctica. But when the day came, I couldn’t control my excitement any longer. I was the first one out on deck with my camera, braving the biting cold wind on that sunny day, grinning from ear to ear.

I awaited the first signs of land in the distance while watching the clock, dreading my next scheduled work activity. Soon I saw the first snow covered land masses and then mountains of rock covered in ice. It would have been an unforgettable sight anywhere, but this, THIS was Antarctica!

I saw the first snow covered land masses.

The next few days were an exhausting juggle of work and time spent admiring the untouched beauty of Antarctica. The freezing cold and lack of sleep were well worth every minute that I spent on deck spotting seals, penguins, porpoises, and whales. Those Antarctic summer days meant extended hours of daylight and long, beautiful sunsets.

On our final day as we sailed past the last iceberg on our way back North, I remember being so grateful for the opportunity to see not only Antarctica, but so many other parts of the world that not everyone is so fortunate to see…while being paid to do so.

If you are interested in pursuing a career on a cruise ship, think about what you might have to offer on board a moving city. The entertainment department provides work for youth staff, cruise staff (games and schmoozing with passengers), and stage performers. The retail department offers positions for sales staff. There are then jobs in casino, maintenance, tech and shore excursions (one of the coolest jobs in my opinion!). There are bar staff, food service, and housekeeping positions as well, among many others. You would be surprised at the opportunity for work on a ship.

The opportunities on offer will vary depending on cruise line, and each will have their own unique process for applications, however a quick Google search for jobs should lead you in the right direction.

Don’t be intimidated by long and potentially arduous questions and forms, speaking from personal experience, applying for me was as simple as finding the jobs page on Holland America Line’s website and filling out an application online. Best of luck!

INSPIRED? PIN THIS TO YOUR TRAVEL PINTEREST BOARDS ↓

Destination Guide: Traveling to Antarctica

Stepping onto the Antarctic Continent: Arrival in Barrientos

Tracie is a wedding and portrait photographer based in Seattle. Recently she has been focusing on travel blogging and destination wedding photography, as a way to combine her love of photography and travel.

Follow Tracie’s blog at Tracie Travels and find her on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram too.

36 Comments

Wow Tracie this is a my dream venture. I’ve reached 6 of the 7 continents and like you want to complete the set. Also maybe more importantly I want to see all those cute penguins.

Thanks for sharing your story.

Thanks for reading it! It’s funny, I didn’t even think seeing all seven continents was ever possible until I was on #5. I just kept racking them up and realized that the ships went to Antarctica, so I figured it was actually possible.

Wow tracie i never thought I would imagine myself to be working on a cruise ship as i get naseous on board but after reading this, i might think about it. Nice post! Inspiring!

Cheers from Manila!

Shayne, I get seasick too! Still, to this day! Cruise ships are usually so big that you won’t really feel sick unless the seas are really rough, like during a storm. I didn’t get sick very often, so your chances are good! ;)

Wow I love this! I did the ESL teaching thing and have been considering moving abroad again.. maybe cruising is an option for me?

Thanks Meg! One of my good friends went from teaching abroad to working on cruise ships. She loved both!

Antartica is the only continent I still have to reach and would be a dream trip. Cool article.

Thanks Jonny! Definitely a dream trip. I hope to go back some day to thoroughly explore!

Wow, I never knew you went to Antarctica. What an adventure! The extended sunsets must have been gold considering you’re a photographer, it definitely piqued my interest. Great photos :)

Yep! Sure did! :) And yes, the extended sunsets were nice when I had time off to shoot them.

Hello Tracie! Well done for dropping everything and going for it! I’ve considered working on cruise ships a lot but I really do have terrible sea legs. Maybe the bigger the boat, the better it is? Nonetheless, well done for travelling for free and I love the photos <3

Thanks Alice! I do believe that bigger boats are better for those of us (including me!) who don’t have great sea legs, or stomachs for that matter. I remember that after my first few days at sea, I stepped on land and felt like the ground was moving. It never happened again after that though! :)

I loved working on a cruise ship! I sailed for nearly 7 years and 6 continents. I am hoping to make it to Antarctica soon! Thanks for the memories/reminders of life onboard. Lisa Niver We Said Go Travel

Lisa, it’s definitely a unique opportunity isn’t it? It’s so hard to say goodbye to free travel like that! I hope you make it to Antarctica some day!

Wow! Antarctica is truly a “final frontier” destination, and you were able to go there! We hope we could follow your footsteps one day.

Indeed it is a final frontier of sorts! Honestly, I hope it stays distant and hard to reach for most people, if only for preservation of the environment. Of course, if you can be one of the few, then I wish you all the best!

Sounds like wonderful experiences! My husband and I thought about it for a while, but we decided against it for some reason. But we ended up moving abroad anyway, so I guess it all worked out. Antarctica looks amazingly beautiful and I’m so glad you were able to experience it!!

Thanks for your comment, Jessica! I’m glad you found what you wanted abroad.

Shiplife is pretty similar no matter where you are it seems. I worked with Norwegian Cruise Line out in Hawaii for a handful of contracts which provided some pretty awesome travel perks as well.

My contracts were a bit long – anywhere between 6 and 9 months (9 being the max). But it was nice because whenever I finished my contract as a bartender, I could either fly back home to Florida (of which they paid the flight) or I could simply take the cost of whatever it is to fly home and put that towards a flight elsewhere in the world.

They were pretty awesome travel perks and, being that you’re pretty much living off the ships crew commodities, I saved a lot of money for the off season for more travel. :-)

So true, Ron! Excellent travel perks in the cruise ship crew world.

It’s amazing that you got paid to travel to Antartica. The pictures look stunning. I hope to visit someday :)

I hope you have the chance to visit someday too Salie :) Glad you enjoyed the post. Happy travels!

Fantastic article Meg! I’ve dreamed of going to Antarctiva for a long time and I have considered going back to cruise ship life. Guess it’s time to take a second look! ? lol

Glad you enjoyed it Ron! Definitely something to consider if you’re serious about getting there – let me know if you have any further Q’s and I can put you in touch with Tracie :)

I’m looking into taking an Antarctica cruise and I’m interested in trying to find work on a boat (I also have a ton of experience working with children). Can I ask if you were able to take any Zodiac trips or set foot on land as part of your contract? Also, do you think it is too late now to apply for jobs for this summer cruise season (starts in November).

Hi Crystal,

That’s awesome that you’re interested in working on an Antarctica cruise! I think working with kids is probably one of the best jobs on a ship. I would suggest trying to get a job as soon as possible, despite the season. I observed that 95% of the employees had to work for a while with my company (Holland America Line) before they were given much of a choice on where to go. You’ll likely need some seniority in the company to get on an Antarctica ship. It could be that another cruise line or another position may offer you more of an opportunity.

Unfortunately, I did not get to set foot on land or take a zodiac ride. I don’t believe any of the passengers did either for that particular cruise. I know that some cruise lines (maybe the smaller ones?) offer such an excursion.

Best of luck! I hope you get there some day! :)

What fun. I’ve recently sold my business and retired. Can you tell me what the age range is for working on cruise lines? I sold my web site with the business, and don’t have one now. I do have a Pinterest page to show you my range of interests. Just got started on it.

Thanks so much. Sounds like you’ve got it going on :-)

You can work on a cruise ship at any age really. There are so many different kinds of jobs, from college students to retirees. It’s just a matter of whether you will want to share a tiny room with a stranger, who may be quite a bit younger than you. Some jobs will require a bit of experience and seniority (like manager positions), but they could get you a nice cabin to yourself.

If you’re older, you might consider something like a cruise planner (I’m not sure if that’s the official name) who works on board arranging future cruises for long time customers. You may need experience with some of the cruise ports though, so that you’re knowledgable about them. There are also shore excursions jobs, which would allow you to do tons of fun activities in port. Another one that I think would be fun is an onboard naturalist who does presentations on the regions that the cruise is sailing. This may be limited to certain itineraries though. Other than those, there are all kinds of jobs from casino staff to onboard shop workers, and you could do any of those at any age. I suggest thinking about your interests and qualifications, and then searching for a job that fits you. Best of luck!

Hi Tracie, Thanks for the great read. I am a travel writer/teacher and my husband and daughter, (she is 10) want to hit continent #7-Antarctica. Any tips on how WE can do it for free or economically?

Hi Lisa, so glad you enjoyed reading Tracie’s post. I’ll let her respond with any ideas for you from the perspective of working on a ship, but in terms of economically, I would say the first thing to consider would be finding a company who can carry kids.

Mike and I did a cruise with Chimu Adventures last year, and they can carry kids on trips to Antarctica, but it will depend on the age of the child and the restrictions on the specific ship as to whether children can go, normally around 8 is the starting point.

That said it’s a very adult style of travel, so something to take into consideration is that it is not a typical family style trip. If they travel they are likely to be the only kids on that particular trip and will spend most of the time with adults. They need to be prepared to travel the Drake Passage and spend as much time looking at the scenery as zooming around in it on the zodiacs, they need to be considerate around the wildlife and show a sense of patience. Etc. Those are some of the things you might get asked or run into.

You can considerably cut down your costs by not booking your trip in advance. Last minute deals are readily available for those willing to show up in Ushuaia in November/December; you may need to be flexible with dates, and there’s obviously not a guarantee that you’ll get on a ship this way, which might not be ideal with a child, however it can potentially save a few thousand dollars. It’s risky, but it’s more economical.

Short of working on a ship like Tracie did, or trying your luck with last minute fares, if you’re a writer you could see if you could pitch different companies to potentially sponsor a cruise for you. I would think you would have offer something fairly substantial considering the usual cost of a cruise like this, but it’s an idea to consider at least :)

Hope that helps!

Hi Lisa, I’m glad that you enjoyed the post! My apologies for the delay in responding. I can only speak from the perspective of having worked on ships, so I’m afraid I don’t have much to add here. As Megan mentioned, pitching as a writer is worth a shot. At least so far as bringing your family along. Otherwise, I would agree that showing up in Ushuaia will be your best bet at getting a decent discount. Sorry I can’t help more!

Hey Tracie,

I’ve been a photographer for over 10 years now and am looking to change things up a little. Following my recent break up, I really want to throw myself into a new adventure. If you could email me any tips or advice, I’d be so grateful!

Awesome blog. :)

Hi Vicki, I’ve shot you an email with Tracie’s contact if you would like to reach out to her :)

Do you need much experience with kids to be able to be on the youth staff? The only experience I have with kids is when I volunteered abroad and helped at a tennis camp. Also would it be difficult for someone who is deaf to work on a cruise? Definitely hope to go to Antarctica some day, was actually gonna go this past December with grandparents but my grandma wasn’t doing well at the time so we did a simple cruise.

Hi Joey! Thanks for your comment :) Tracie is out of range until mid October, but I’ve shot her an email to let her know about your question, and hopefully she’ll jump back on the post and respond upon her her return.

Hi Joey! Sorry for my delay. As Meg mentioned, I’ve been unable to respond until now. When I applied for the position with kids, I had several years of experience already, but I don’t think everyone had the same. I’m sure if you got at least a few more months of experience with any age group, it wouldn’t be hard to get such a job. However, if you are the deaf person in question, I don’t think that position would be right for you. I can imagine many scenarios in which you would need to hear what’s going on with the kids. There might be another position that is better suited for someone who is deaf, but I think hearing the announcements and regular emergency alarms would be necessary for life onboard a ship. Of course, I have no understanding of how one might adapt given such a challenge, so it’s hard for me to say for sure. It wouldn’t hurt to go through the application process to find out what’s possible! Best of luck if you do apply! :)

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Best Antarctica cruise ships: 11 stylish expedition vessels exploring the White Continent

There's never been a better time to travel to Antarctica -- at least when it comes to getting there in comfort and style.

The last few years have brought a stunning new crop of small "expedition" cruise vessels specifically designed for Antarctica sailings that are far more upscale and elegant than anything seen before.

For more cruise guides, tips and news, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Built by longtime leaders in polar cruising such as Lindblad Expeditions and Hurtigruten Expeditions, as well as a few newcomers to the niche, these are vessels that are more spacious, more amenity-filled and more stable than Antarctica cruise ships of old -- and they're fundamentally changing the way travelers are experiencing the destination.

The best Antarctica cruise ships: Then and now

Tourists have been visiting Antarctica in small numbers since 1966, when adventure tour pioneer Lars-Eric Lindblad led a small group of "citizen scientists" to the Antarctic Peninsula on a chartered Argentine navy ship. But for many of the 56 years since then, a trip to Antarctica has meant a sailing on a relatively spartan vessel.

Like Lindblad's chartered navy ship, many of the early vessels used for tourism to the White Continent were tough-built government or scientific ships that were designed with navigating icy areas but not necessarily comfort in mind.

Related: An untamed world: Discovery the wild dreamscape of Antarctica

My first voyage to Antarctica, back in 2004, for instance, was on Akademik Ioffe -- a hardy, ice-class Russian oceanographic research vessel that was often chartered by adventure tour companies in those days for polar trips. I slept in a no-frills cabin originally designed for Russian oceanography researchers and ate with my fellow tourgoers in a cafeteria-like dining space. The crew mostly spoke Russian.

A lot has changed since then -- mostly in the last couple of years.

The new crop of vessels being built for Antarctica sailings have all the creature comforts that travelers have come to expect on cruise vessels in other parts of the world, including spacious and upscale cabins, often with balconies; elegant eateries with diverse menus; spas and fitness centers; and even pools and deck-top hot tubs.

Some of the fanciest of the newcomers also have such over-the-top amenities as helicopters for sightseeing from above and submarines for seeing what lurks just under the water. At the very high end, some ships feature all-suite accommodations with butler service.

In all cases, these are ships specifically built for "expedition cruising" -- a type of cruising that involves traveling to remote, hard-to-reach places on small, hardy vessels that carry their own landing craft. All of them sail with a large number of rigid inflatable Zodiac boats for landings and have strengthened hulls and other design features that let them operate in icy areas.

I've sailed on nearly all of these new vessels, in many cases in polar regions, and have been consistently amazed by just how much of an upgrade they really are.

Here, my picks for the 11 best new expedition cruise ships sailing to Antarctica:

National Geographic Endurance and National Geographic Resolution

Operator: Lindblad Expeditions.

These Lindblad Expeditions ships may be my favorite all-around picks for an Antarctica cruise. Sailing since July and November 2021, respectively, National Geographic Endurance and National Geographic Resolution each are designed to hold no more than 126 passengers -- a notably low number that allows for an intimate experience when exploring the White Continent.

They're also very stable ships, thanks to an unusual new sloping bow design -- something that can make a big difference when sailing to and from Antarctica across the notoriously rough Drake Passage.

Lindblad was the original pioneer of tourist trips to Antarctica, and it has years of experience in the region that has helped shape the way it designed these nearly identical vessels, both specifically built for polar travel.

Each of the ships has a polar class rating of PC 5 Category A (a notch above many Antarctica vessels), allowing them to travel through icy areas with ease. They're also loaded with observation areas for viewing the passing scenery. They carry kayaks, snowshoes and cross-country skis for polar exploring in addition to Zodiac boats for landings, and they have remotely operated vehicles -- just in case you want to see what's going on down below.

Each vessel has two glass-walled "igloos" on its top deck where passengers can spend the night under the stars. Comfortable, state-of-the-art rooms with balconies; stylish restaurants and lounges with upscale, Scandinavian-inspired decor; a spa; and a yoga studio with wall-to-wall windows round out the onboard experience.

Related: I just spent the night in an igloo in Antarctica -- here's how you can, too

The details: Fares for 11-night Antarctica cruises on the two vessels start at $16,780 per person, based on double occupancy. Fares include a pre-cruise, one-night hotel stay in Buenos Aires, Argentina, or Santiago, Chile; flights from Buenos Aires or Santiago to Ushuaia, Argentina; drinks, including spirits and wines; and prepaid gratuities.

Note that as part of a 3-year-old partnership between Hyatt and Lindblad, World of Hyatt members can pay for a Lindblad cruise using Hyatt points — or earn 5 base points per dollar on eligible spending (excluding incidentals), plus the standard bonuses for Hyatt elite members, as well as elite tier-qualifying night credits. All members — regardless of status — will enjoy a $250 onboard credit to use on incidentals.

World Navigator

Operator: Atlas Ocean Voyages.

Just unveiled in August 2021, World Navigator is the first vessel for Atlas Ocean Voyages , an all-new cruise operator that's focused on "luxe adventure" trips -- and it's already high on my list of favorite ships for polar exploring.

Like the Lindblad vessels, it's designed to carry relatively few passengers (up to 184 on Antarctica sailings) and is loaded with indoor and outdoor observation areas including an innovative, close-to-the-waterline outside deck area with heated seating called The Water's Edge. High-tech touches include a GPS that lets it hover in sensitive areas without dropping anchor.

Built tough for polar exploring (it has a PC 6 rating, one notch below the Lindblad vessels), it also is designed to be upscale with elegant, 1940s-influenced decor, such pampering touches as a L'Occitane spa (the first at sea) and butler service in the top cabins.

Related: First look at World Navigator, a stylish new adventure ship

World Navigator is the first of five nearly identical sister vessels that Atlas Ocean Voyages will roll out by late 2024, many of which will sail regularly to Antarctica.

The details: Nine-night voyages to Antarctica start at $10,499 per person, based on double occupancy. Fares include drinks, including spirits and fine wines; shipboard Wi-Fi; prepaid gratuities; and emergency medical evacuation insurance for every passenger (the latter being a rare offering among companies cruising to Antarctica).

Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen

Operator: Hurtigruten Expeditions.

Hurtigruten Expeditions, a Norway-based expedition cruise company, has a long and storied history in polar travel, so it's no surprise that the company broke new ground in the polar cruising niche when it unveiled the 528-passenger Roald Amundsen and sister ship Fridtjof Nansen in 2019 and 2021, respectively.

Named after famous Norwegian polar explorers, the ships are the cruise industry's first to run on electric hybrid engines. This not only saves fuel but also allows for noiseless operation in sensitive polar areas where silence can make all the difference (near a penguin rookery, for instance, or a calving glacier).

Other unusual features include a full-blown science center with state-of-the-art gadgets and underwater drones for passenger use.

Related: These 8 books are must-reads before an Antarctica trip

Both of these vessels sail with a maximum of 500 passengers when operating in Antarctica, which is on the high side for an Antarctic-based vessel. If you're eager to make a lot of landings in Antarctica during a trip to the continent, Hurtigruten's newest ships may not be the best choice. With Antarctic regulations limiting landings to 100 people at a time, these ships only can land a small fraction of their passengers at any given time.

For that reason, I am partial to the older but more intimate Hurtigruten polar vessel Fram, which carries just 200 passengers when operating in Antarctica. But Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen have one big advantage versus that ship and many others operating in Antarctica, which is that their starting rates for trips to the region are significantly lower. As bigger ships, they also may feel more stable at times.

The details: Fares for 11-night Antarctica cruises start at $7,334 per person, based on double occupancy. Fares include a pre-cruise, one-night hotel stay in Buenos Aires; round-trip flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia; beer and wine with meals; and free Wi-Fi.

Scenic Eclipse

Operator: Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours.

Unveiled in 2019, this super-swanky, 228-passenger "discovery yacht" was the first oceangoing vessel for luxury purveyor Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours -- a brand better known for river cruises.

Like Scenic river ships, Scenic Eclipse is a high-end vessel with all-suite accommodations (and we're talking real suites, with separate living rooms), butler service for all and a wide range of onboard dining options including a sushi restaurant. It has a whiskey bar stocked with more than 110 whiskies and other high-end liquors, plus a spa and a yoga studio.

Scenic Eclipse also was the first Antarctica-bound cruise vessel to boast helicopters to take passengers on epic (and pricey) Antarctica excursions -- and it has a submarine for underwater exploring, too. Having experienced a helicopter excursion from the vessel, I can say that it's truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

On the downside, the helicopter pad and hangars eat up a lot of space on the vessel's top deck, as do the suites along the vessel's sharply sloping front. The combination leaves less available room for observation areas. The result is a ship with less outdoor space for viewing scenery than is typical for small vessels operating polar trips.

The details: Fares for 12-night Antarctica trips start at $15,655 per person, based on double occupancy. Fares include a pre-cruise, one-night hotel stay in Buenos Aires; round-trip flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia; drinks, including spirits and fine wines; and prepaid gratuities.

Le Soleal, Le Boreal, Le Lyrial and L'Austral

Operator: Ponant.

Launched between 2010 and 2015, these four sister ships are regular visitors to Antarctica -- both under the banner of Ponant, a French brand, and as vessels chartered to high-end, U.S.-based tour companies Tauck and Abercrombie & Kent.

A pioneer in polar travel, Ponant has a long tradition of operating voyages to Antarctica, and this series of ship was specially designed for such trips. They all are hardy (with 1C ice class ratings from Lloyd's Register) but also stylish, with contemporary interiors and comfortable rooms.

Note that the onboard ambiance of these vessels sometimes can be significantly different depending on whether they are sailing on a trip marketed by Ponant (where announcements and onboard programming will be in both French and English, with many of the passengers being French-speakers) or by Tauck or Abercrombie & Kent (where the onboard experience will have a much more distinctly American vibe).

Related: This new luxury tour gets you to Antarctica faster than most

In September 2021, Ponant unveiled an even tougher polar vessel, the 270-passenger Le Commandant Charcot. Equipped with ice breaking capabilities, it's able to sail to polar areas that most other polar cruise vessels can't reach. Note that, currently, its Antarctica sailings are being mostly marketed by Ponant itself, which means they may draw mostly French-speaking travelers.

The details: Fares for 11-night Antarctica trips start at $11,350 per person, based on double occupancy. Fares include a pre-cruise, one-night hotel stay in Buenos Aires; and round-trip flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia.

Viking Octantis

Operator: Viking.

Just unveiled in early 2022, Viking Octantis is fast-growing Viking's first-ever expedition cruise ship, and it boasts some unusual features that make it one of the best cruise ships for exploring Antarctica.

Most notable is The Hangar, an enclosed marina that allows passengers to transfer to small Zodiac boats for landings while still in the protected interior of the ship. It's a first for an expedition cruise ship.

Viking Octantis also has what may be the most stunning lecture hall ever at sea. Located at the back of the vessel, the high-tech room has sliding walls behind the spot where lecturers will stand that can open to reveal the surrounding scenery through floor-to-ceiling glass.

Viking Octantis is designed to carry 378 passengers, which is on the high side for Antarctica cruise ships. Like Hurtigruten's Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen, it isn't able to land all or even most of its passengers at once in Antarctica.

Like Scenic Eclipse, Viking Octantis carries a submarine for underwater exploring, as well as kayaks. In a first for polar expedition cruise vessels, every cabin has floor-to-ceiling glass walls that slide partially open from the top to create a balcony-like feel. Public areas feature the same elegant Scandinavian design found on Viking's ocean ships and river ships, as well as such familiar Viking venues as Italian restaurant Manfredi's and a top-of-the-ship, glass-walled Explorers' Lounge.

A sister vessel to Viking Octantis, Viking Polaris, will debut in August 2022 and also will sail to polar regions.

The details: Fares for 12-night Antarctica trips start at $13,995 per person, based on occupancy. Fares include a pre-cruise, one-night hotel stay in Buenos Aires; beer and wine with lunch and dinner; and shipboard Wi-Fi.

Planning an Antarctica cruise expedition? Start with these stories:

• Dreaming of Antarctica: How to book the trip of a lifetime
• Skip the Drake Passage: What it's like flying to Antarctica on a chartered plane
• 7 tips for visiting Antarctica before it's too late
• The ultimate packing list for an Antarctica trip

Job opportunities in Antarctica

by Heiner Kubny | Mar 25, 2022 | Archive , Science , Technology | 2 comments

In addition to Australia and New Zealand, the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is now also looking for workers for operations in Antarctica.

According to James Miller, a BAS human-resources spokesperson, the jobs are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: “We have world-class labs, housing, offices and technical facilities at the five BAS-operated research stations. We need the best trade and support professionals to keep everything running smoothly and provide world-class support to our science programme. The chance to work on the ice surrounded by breathtaking scenery, icebergs, penguins, whales and seals is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a fantastic experience.”

Ollie Darke, who started out as a steelworker in Antarctica with BAS but is now the head of estates, says: “My advice to anyone considering a job with British Antarctic Survey is just go for it! My time in Antarctica was the most incredible experience of my life and the memories I made there will last a lifetime.”

The contract period is six to 18 months. The benefits package includes a starting salary of £25,179 (€30,250) per year with a 10% bonus upon successful completion. In addition, all living expenses are covered: room, board, travel, special clothing, tools and training. An allowance will also be paid if extensive training is required at BAS headquarters in Cambridge prior to deployment.

The variety of jobs on offer is great. For example, boat officers, dive officers, ship maintenance technicians, and station assistants are among those being sought. One of the most important jobs is the chef, which BAS wants to commit to Rothera station for 18 months at once.

For organisational talent, the job of summer chef is also still available for Rothera.

Are you interested in working in an unusual place?

Then get in touch at: https://www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/jobs-in-antarctica/

Attention: Interested parties from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, must observe the following special regulation for working in the UK:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/understanding-your-right-to-work-in-the-uk-eu-eea-and-swiss-citizens/understanding-your-right-to-work-in-the-uk-eu-eea-and-swiss-citizens-accessible-version#if-you-arrived-in-the-uk-after-31-december-2020

Heiner Kubny, PolarJournal

Hi Im a very very fit and vibrant 53 yr old lady that is a very keen traveller and was a stewardess for 12 yrs…I always do adventures! Im extremely interested and doing an Antarctica/Falklands/South Georgia trip Nov/Dec2022 I’d love to join any experience and Im a great worker and contributor!

Hi Karen, Thanks for your message. I suggest to check companies like Quark Expeditions or Polar Latitudes for job opportunities to work expedition cruise ships. With your experience and energy, they might have suitable positions available. Check out their websites at http://www.quarkexpeditons.com and http://www.polar-latitudes.com

Good luck and kind regards from Switzerland The PolarJournal Team

POLARJOURNAL GOES APP!!

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Aurora Expeditions reveals Douglas Mawson ship debuting in 2025

Aurora Expeditions’ new ship will take guests on adventures befitting its name.

The Australian-owned company will add a new purpose-built small ship, Douglas Mawson, to its fleet next year, Aurora revealed Tuesday.

“We're thrilled to be launching the newest and final Infinity Class vessel, which we have named in honor of pioneering Australian geologist and explorer, Sir Douglas Mawson,” CEO Michael Heath said in a news release.

Mawson organized the first Australian-led expedition to Antarctica in the early 1900s, which charted large portions of the east Antarctic coastline and gathered new scientific intel in areas including biology, marine science and geology amid brutal conditions. The ship he and his team used, Aurora, also inspired Aurora Expeditions’ name decades later.

When will Aurora Expeditions’ Douglas Mawson launch?

The ship is set to debut in December 2025. The ship will carry an average of 154 passengers.

What can guests expect on board?

Details on the ship’s full program – including its inaugural voyage – are still to be announced, but the vessel will offer trips to East Antarctica, marking Aurora’s first time sailing there in 15 years.

Those will include a Mawson’s Antarctica itinerary departing from Hobart in Tasmania. The sailing will take guests to Mawson’s Huts , a group of structures at Cape Denison that were used by his team during the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, as well as New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands.

Like its sister ships, Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle, Douglas Mawson will have the Ulstein X-BOW, which is aimed at increasing fuel efficiency and making ocean crossings smoother and faster (particularly useful in the unpredictable Antarctic weather ). The vessel will also have a changing room and mudroom where passengers can get ready to explore off-ship, Zodiac access points and an onboard science center.

Between outings, they’ll find plenty of ways to relax and recharge. Douglas Mawson will feature two restaurants and three bars; a heated outdoor swimming pool; a gym; a sauna; a library and more. There will be 11 stateroom and suite categories, including Aurora’s first single-berth accommodations “to cater to the growing solo traveler segment,” according to the release.

How much will expeditions on Douglas Mawson cost?

Prices are not yet available, but travelers can pre-register their interest in the ship on Aurora’s website . Those who do so before April 18 will get a $2,000 discount per pair of guests.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

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VESSEL REVIEW | Sinichka – Electric commuter boats designed for Russia’s Moskva River

A series of three new electric monohull commuter ferries have already begun operational sailings on the Moskva River in the Russian capital Moscow.

Built by Russian shipyard Emperium, sister vessels Sinichka , Filka , and Presnya – all named after rivers in Moscow – are being operated by the Moscow Department of Transport and Road Infrastructure Development (Moscow Deptrans). They are the first units of a planned fleet of 20 vessels that will serve the capital city and other nearby communities. The new ferry system will be the water transport system to be operated on the Moskva River in 16 years.

Each vessel has a welded aluminium hull, an LOA of 21 metres, a beam of 6.2 metres, a draught of only 1.4 metres, a displacement of 40 tonnes, and capacity for 80 passengers plus two crewmembers. Seating is available for 42 passengers on each ferry, and the main cabins are also fitted with USB charging ports, wifi connectivity, tables, toilets, and space for bicycles and scooters. The cabin layout can be rearranged to allow the operator to adjust the distances between the seats and to install armrests of varying widths.

An open upper deck is also accessible to passengers and is the only area on each ferry where smoking is allowed.

The ferries are all of modular construction with each ferry’s wheelhouse, main cabin, and other structural elements being built as complete, separate components. This enables the ferries to be easily dismantled for transport to anywhere in Russia by rail and then quickly re-assembled within seven days.

The ferries are also ice-capable. Recently completed operational trials on the Moskva showed that the vessels can also easily navigate under mild winter conditions with broken surface ice, though year-round operations are planned for the entire fleet.

The ferries are each fitted with 500kWh lithium iron phosphate battery packs that supply power to two 134kW motors. This configuration can deliver a maximum speed of 11.8 knots, a cruising speed of just under 10 knots, and a range of 150 kilometres.

Emperium said the transfer of rotation of electric motors to the propeller is carried out by direct drive. As a propulsion installation, a pulling rotary propeller-steering column with double screws is used. The installation of double pulling screws, with similar power, allows an operator to increase the efficiency of the propulsion system to deliver a slightly higher speed or to reduce energy consumption. This arrangement also provides the ferries with enhanced manoeuvrability necessary for navigating in close quarters.

The batteries themselves have projected service lives of 10 to 12 years and are fitted with safety features such as built-in fire extinguishers and gas vents. Quick-disconnect features allow the batteries to be easily removed for replacement or maintenance.

Some of our readers have expressed disquiet at our publication of reviews and articles describing new vessels from Russia. We at Baird Maritime can understand and sympathise with those views. However, despite the behaviour of the country’s leaders, we believe that the maritime world needs to learn of the latest developments in vessel design and construction there.

Click here to read other news stories, features, opinion articles, and vessel reviews as part of this month’s Passenger Vessel Week.

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Tags: Emperium Filka Moscow Moscow Department of Transport and Road Infrastructure Development Moskva River Presnya Russia Sinichka WBW newbuild

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Moscow (Russia)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Russia Rivers

Local Time 2024-04-03 08:51

Moscow is a Volga River cruise port, Russia's capital and largest city (population over 12,2 million, metro 17 million). Moscow City covers a total area of approx 2610 km 2 (970 mi2). By population, the city is ranked the world's 14th largest. Moscow is one of the Russian Federation's all 3 federal cities - together with St Petersburg and Sevastopol .

Being Russian Federation's capital, Moscow is a major economic, political, scientific and cultural center, as well as Europe's biggest city.

According to Forbes 2013, Moscow has been ranked as the 9th most expensive city in the world by Mercer and has one of the largest urban economies, being ranked as an alpha global city according to Globalization and World Cities Research Network. It is also one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in the world according to MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index. Moscow is the northernmost and the coldest megacity and metropolis on the Earth. It's home to Ostankino Tower, the tallest free-standing European structure; the Federation Tower, the tallest European skyscraper; and the Moscow International Business Center. 

Moscow is situated on Moskva River in the Central Federal District of European Russia, which makes it the most populated inland city in the world. Moscow city is well known for architecture, particularly its historic buildings like Saint Basil's Cathedral. With over 40% of its territory covered by greenery, it's one of the greenest capitals and major cities in Europe and the world. Moscow is the seat of power of the Russian Government, being the site of Moscow Kremlin, a medieval city-fortress that is now the residence of the President of Russia. Moscow Kremlin and Red Square are among the several World Heritage Sites in the city. 

Moscow has 2 passenger terminals, North River Terminal (Rechnoy vokzal) and South River Terminal. The regular ship routes and cruises along Moskva and Oka rivers are used mostly for entertainment. North River Terminal (1937-built) is currently the main hub for long-range routes along the river. There are 3 freight ports that serve Moscow.

In late-July 2021 the city announced plans to incorporate a fleet (unspecified number) of fully electric passenger ferries into its public transportation network from summer 2022, the goal being to reduce the dependence on cars.

• The boats are designed with length ~22 m (72 ft), passenger capacity 42, modern amenities (Wi-Fi, USB charging points, tables for working commuters), spaces for storing scooters and bicycles.
• Moscow Transport confirmed that two routes (with max daily capacity ~16,000 passengers) have already been mapped out.
• Passengers will be able to pay via bank cards, the city’s Troika card (smart card for travel by any public transportation) or biometric payment cards. Those with monthly/yearly public transit tickets will use the boats at no extra cost.
• The new electric ferry service is up to 5 times faster (in comparison to other city public transports) and ~2 times faster than by car.

Moscow cruise terminal

Moscow's cruise terminal is called North River Terminal or River Station  ("Rechnoy Vokzal" / "речной вокзал").

The terminal was opened in 1937 and is one of 2 passenger terminals (the other being South River Terminal) of the city's river transport. North River Terminal is the main hub for long-range (including cruise) shipping routes. 

South River Terminal (above photo) was opened in 1985.

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