Building Memories on the White Continent with A&K

If cruising Antarctica is on your family’s bucket list, Abercrombie & Kent is trimming prices on some of its luxury expedition cruises aboard Le Lyrial into 2020. Ideal for kids aged 7 and up, the trips offer the best in edu-tainment, thanks in part to A&K’s Expedition Team. The team is comprised of experts helping young travelers unplug and experience natural wildlife, including up-close-and-personal views of penguins, seals and whales. Every itinerary features extensive family programming, with kid-friendly workshops and dedicated excursions led by A&K Young Explorers Guides.

Antarctica YEC (Young Explorers) Photo: Abercrombie & Kent

A&K vessels are exclusively chartered for up to 199 guests, and each stateroom features a private balcony for maximum wildlife viewing.

In addition to gratuities, unlimited house drinks and onboard meals, rates include all Zodiac rides and excursions, expedition gear, port charges, complimentary WiFi and laundry service.

Le Boreal Ship; Category 6 Prestige Suite. Photo: Abercrombie & Kent

The most popular Antarctica cruise for young people is the holiday cruise, which typically hosts 20–30 passengers under 18.

Throughout the cruise, a Young Explorers Program is offered alongside the existing adult enrichment curriculum, which features ornithology, marine biology, history and geology. During sea days, Young Explorers can attend special workshops created just for them with entertaining, hands-on programs about the history and ecology of Antarctica, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and focusing on science, ecology, art, writing, seamanship and navigation.

Antarctica, YEC (Young Explorers) Photo: Abercrombie & Kent

Sample workshop topics include digital photography with onboard coaching; marine mammal identification and adaptations; squid biology, including a squid dissection; fish of the southern ocean, including a fish printing project; charting the ships; identifying wildlife in the field; penguin adaptations and drawing penguins; plankton lab; knot tying and making a knot board; creative writing; nature journaling; and nature interpretation through art.

Photo: Abercrombie & Kent

Families who want to see the season’s first penguin chicks can time their trip with the peak of austral summer, December–February. All cruises include daily excursions led by experienced field naturalists. Children will learn about the effects of climate change, the importance of conservation and the efforts to protect Antarctica’s changing environment.

The company is offering cruising deals to the White Continent on a 2019–2020 Luxury Expedition Cruise, where families can save up to $11,000 per stateroom with advance bookings.

The 13-day Classic Antarctica 2019 trip, for example, departs Dec. 7, and offers a savings of $3,000 per person in air travel credits.

An 18-day 2019 Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands trip, departing Dec. 17, offers up to $11,000 per stateroom with air travel credits; while the 2020 version of the same trip, departing Jan. 1, offers the same discounts, but with the addition of an optional two-night New Year’s Eve celebration at the Park Hyatt Buenos Aires prior to departure.

Antarctica. Photo: Abercrombie & Kent

A 15-day 2020 Antarctic Discover: Palmer’s Bicentennial Expedition, leaving Jan. 16, offers a special itinerary designed to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the discovery of Antarctica.

The cruise will feature special programming and lectures and an itinerary that focuses on exploring historic areas and islands, and, conditions permitting, explorations within the Antarctic Circle. Early booking discounts include savings of up to $3,500 per person.