An In-Depth Look at Antarctic Travel: Chris Leung on the Cruise Experience and On-the-Ground Polar Observations

DeWonder Travel teamed up with ecology and travel expert Chris Leung, who joined the group on the In-Depth Antarctica Tour. Chris and the DeWonder Travel team boarded the ship at Ushuaia. Known as the "southernmost city in the world," this port is the starting point for most Antarctic Peninsula voyages. Over a standard Antarctic voyage, Chris completed 8 outings (Zodiac landing & cruising). He says this journey is far from a mere sightseeing trip.

"Beyond the immense visual stimulation, a single trip to Antarctica lets you learn about polar ecology, history, and politics. Your whole mind feels like it has 'blossomed,' leaving you profoundly satisfied." Ecology expert Chris Leung

Expert Talk: Three Core Insights on Antarctic Travel

For travellers hoping to visit Antarctica, Chris believes there are three important things to know before you go:

1. You're not going to the South Pole, but to the Antarctic Peninsula

The first thing Chris always does is recalibrate expectations: "First of all, you're not heading to the South Pole, but to the world's southernmost continent—Antarctica." Most Antarctic tours departing from South America are bound for the Antarctic Peninsula, on the western side of the continent. The reason is simple:

• This is the most accessible part of the entire Antarctic continent.
• During the Southern Hemisphere summer, temperatures hover around zero—not unbearably cold.
• This is also the season when polar wildlife is most active and preparing to breed.

👉 Further reading: A Complete Guide to Antarctica's Climate 👉 Further reading: An Introduction to the Three Island Highlights of Antarctica

2. The size of the ship determines whether you can truly go ashore

All Antarctic tours follow IAATO regulations: at each landing site, no more than 100 people may be ashore at the same time. This rule directly determines the difference in experience. Chris points out the key: "Only a ship carrying no more than 200 people can use a 'rotation' system to ensure two landings every day. On a larger ship, the time each person gets to go ashore is squeezed." That's why he recommends choosing an expedition ship carrying fewer than 200 people, such as Quark Expeditions World Voyager. Only this way can you be assured of:

• Two landings or cruises per day
• Ample time of about 1 hour each time
• A complete wildlife-observation experience

👉 Further Reading: The IAATO Guidelines You Must Know Before Going to Antarctica 👉 Further Reading: How to Choose an Antarctic Cruise

3. The Drake Passage Is Not the Enemy

To reach the Antarctic Peninsula, you must cross the Drake Passage. On the fear of the rough seas, Chris laughed after experiencing it first-hand: "On the first day I really was flattened in my cabin with seasickness, but after that I dutifully took my seasickness pills on schedule and came right back to life!" He stressed that seasickness is not a big problem—once you get through the adjustment period, you can enjoy complimentary drinks in the ship's 270-degree ocean-view lounge or visit the captain's bridge, and the sailing days actually pass very quickly.

An Expert Shares a Five-Senses Observation of the Antarctic Journey

Chris completed 8 landings and cruises during the voyage, and he shattered many people's flawless filter of Antarctica as pure white and serene.

🐧 The Penguin Breeding Grounds: A Shock to the Ears and the Nose

Summer is the breeding season, and Chris collected three penguin species in one trip:

• Gentoo penguin
• Chinstrap penguin
• Adélie penguin

Here you can witness with your own eyes their courtship, nest-building, egg incubation, and—most importantly—the mating process. But what shocked people most was the five-senses experience. He said: "The scene is not only filled with 'wet-market-level noise', but the air is also thick with a strong 'ammonia smell (like salted fish)'!" That is the sense of reality you can never grasp from watching documentaries. Interestingly, Chris chuckled: "After a few days of smelling it, everyone actually started to get used to it, and even enjoyed this exclusive scent a little!" Chris Leung observing a penguin breeding colony during the Antarctic Peninsula voyage.Summer is the breeding season for Antarctic penguins, and travellers can observe natural behaviours such as nest-building, egg incubation and chick-rearing up close.

🐋 Whales Dancing Among the Icebergs

During the Zodiac cruises, you can not only weave through the magical drifting ice, but also help scoop up clean pieces of ice to bring back onboard for making drinks. Even luckier are the close-up encounters with wildlife: "A humpback whale swam right up against the side of the boat, and everyone was wondering just how many good deeds this group must have done to deserve such a moment!" 👉 Further Reading : Guide to Antarctic Penguin Watching 👉 Further Reading : Polar Wildlife Guide

The Sense of Ceremony and Cultural Charm of the Antarctic Peninsula

Setting Foot on the Antarctic Mainland

Most landings take place on islands, but the itinerary arranges one landing on the Antarctic continent itself. Chris says: "In terms of scenery, it's no different from the outer islands. But the organisers prepare a special Antarctica flag for you to take photos with, and wow! Instantly the whole thing is filled with a sense of ceremony." Chris Leung and fellow travellers successfully land on the Antarctic continent during the Antarctic Peninsula voyage, posing with the Antarctica flag to commemorate the important moment of setting foot on the seventh continent.

Polar Plunge

"Voluntarily jumping into the freezing icy sea, for that half-second in the water I really felt like I was 'about to freeze to death.' But there's a safety rope protecting you the whole time, and once you're back on land it's absolutely something to be proud of." Chris Leung takes on the Polar Plunge challenge in Antarctica, leaping from the expedition ship into the near-freezing Antarctic waters to experience the polar environment of the seventh continent first-hand.

The World's Southernmost Post Office｜A British Station Surrounded by Penguins

Port Lockroy was originally a British research station, and Chris's impression of the place is vivid: You can send a polar postcard, tour the living quarters of the personnel from back then, and buy souvenirs. "It's surrounded by flocks of penguins outside the door—if only they sold local snacks, this place could practically turn into a Japanese tourist attraction!"

Join DeWonder for an In-Depth Antarctic Experience of Knowledge and the Senses

Chris says: This journey is not a whirlwind glance from a luxury cruise, but a genuine lesson about the Earth. Antarctica delivers not only visual awe but also a complete immersion in ecology, history and politics. DeWonder's In-Depth Antarctica Tour insists on small groups of 14–20 people, so that every landing has ample time to understand the ecology. Follow in the footsteps of the experts and bring home a wealth of knowledge and deeply satisfying memories. DeWonder's In-Depth Antarctica Tour explores the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and the South Shetland Islands through small-group arrangements, offering an in-depth understanding of polar ecology and views of unique natural landscapes.

• Route: Classic single-island itinerary on the Antarctic Peninsula
• Duration: 11-day, 10-night cruise
• Included: Cruise ticket, landing activities, onboard meals, polar lectures, professional guiding by the expedition team
• Exclusive service: Professional pre-departure consultation from Hong Kong and Macau, visa consultation, flight connection advice and a packing guide
• The best price in Hong Kong for a luxury experience

👉 View the Year-Round Antarctica Departure Schedule 👉 Join a Free Online Talk, and enjoy an exclusive tour-fee discount! 👉 Further reading: Antarctica Travel Guide | Antarctica Travel Costs 👉 Further reading: Antarctica Packing List