Take Your Kids to the End of the Earth … Literally

Most parents say they would go to the ends of the earth for their children. I took that concept literally when I booked an expedition cruise to Antarctica with HX Expeditions.

There are so many reasons not to take kids to Antarctica. The cold, the cost and the conditions on the infamously turbulent Drake Passage all gave me pause. However, I decided I could handle whatever came my way to experience the frozen continent with my children, an experience not many families get to do together.

I chose HX because they are the leader in expedition cruising with 130 years of experience. When traveling with my children, safety is my top priority. Because HX has more than one century of experience, I knew we would be in good hands.

Traveling to Antarctica with my family was the trip of a lifetime, and I would go again in a heartbeat. Highlights of our trip included kayaking feet away from humpback whales, watching penguins waddle through the snow and slide into the sea, and hiking on glaciers. Plus, my husband and son had the rare opportunity to camp on the ice.

Going to Antarctica with HX also meant my children were immersed in science. Where else could they hop into a Zodiac boat with an Antarctic scientist, gather samples from the ocean, then head back to the ship to examine what they collected under the microscope?

Onboard, my kids loved all-day access to milkshakes and ice cream, and my husband and I loved the dining options ranging from Filipino specialties to pasta and steak.

My only regret is not going sooner.