Is Antarctica Becoming Too Crowded for Its Own Good?

Pam Trusdale and her husband, Tom, from Wichita, Kansas, were only a few days into their dream voyage to Antarctica when the first unexpected accident occurred.

While aboard a Zodiac transferring them from Viking’s newest expedition ship, Viking Polaris, to the luxury vessel’s mini-submarine for one of their initial excursions, Trusdale reported that she was photographing penguins when an explosion suddenly rocked the small inflatable boat, causing them to be launched about two to three feet into the air.

One man fell into the frigid waters but was swiftly rescued without injury. However, the woman sitting next to Trusdale sustained a broken leg and shattered heel, leading Viking to end the cruise prematurely and return to Argentina for medical assistance for the passenger.

It was then that a second—and deadly—incident transpired. While navigating the notoriously rough and unpredictable Drake Passage, a rogue wave struck the ship, "knocking down walls and shattering windows," according to Trusdale. One American passenger lost their life, and four others sustained injuries.

The Viking incidents in late November occurred less than two weeks after two Americans tragically died during a Quark Expeditions trip when their Zodiac capsized near Cape Lookout, Elephant Island, where water temperatures can plummet to minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, in November, another passenger died on a Netherlands-flagged Antarctic cruise ship. While few details about that event have surfaced, unverified reports on social media suggest that the individual fell in the shower during turbulent seas.

In the wake of these accidents, both Viking and Quark released statements indicating they were probing the causes of the incidents. Quark noted that the capsizing of its Zodiac seemed to result from a breaking wave and promised to fully cooperate with the relevant authorities. Viking affirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all guests and crew members.

These consecutive mishaps marked the onset of what was anticipated to be the busiest—and ultimately one of the deadliest—Antarctic tourism seasons on record. They prompted the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Transportation Safety Board, and various international organizations to deploy teams to the region for investigations.

Is cruising in Antarctica safe?

Data gathered by the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) indicates that major incidents are uncommon—the last significant one before the late 2022 occurrences was in 2007 when the MS Explorer, one of the original Antarctic passenger ships, sank after colliding with an iceberg. All passengers and crew were rescued. According to IAATO, the only other recent fatality involving a cruise passenger occurred in 2013, when a scuba diver who became separated from her group tragically lost her life.

This season's events might indeed turn out to be what Trusdale described as freak accidents. It may take some time for the investigations to reveal whether human mistakes, flaws in ship design, or other contributing factors were involved. Nevertheless, they occur at a time when tourism to the White Continent is booming.

Travel to this remote, rugged, and wildlife-rich corner of the globe—which many who have embarked on the journey describe as transformative—was already on the upswing prior to COVID-19. In the past year, as international travel has recovered, it has emerged as “one of the hottest tickets” in the travel industry and a destination on “everyone's radar,” according to Bob Simpson, vice president of expedition cruise product development at Silversea Cruises. He and others note that the rising interest has been further propelled by a mix of post-pandemic demand for unique adventures and the introduction of around two dozen upscale, luxury, and ultra-luxury ships since 2019, featuring new amenities for expedition sailing such as spacious suites, spas, and high-end attractions like mini submarines and helicopters.

Scott Caddow, a luxury travel advisor and founder of the Legendary World agency, attributes this growth to an influx of younger, more adventurous travelers who can afford the new luxury expedition ships, with prices soaring above $25,000 per passenger.

The IAATO estimates that a record 106,000 tourists visited the region aboard 86 ships this season, an increase from 73,670 on 62 vessels during the 2019–2020 season. And with any such surge comes heightened chances of accidents and human error.

Since Antarctica is not governed by any single nation or region, the industry is largely self-regulated, resulting in no centralized public database for safety records of individual companies and operators. However, the IAATO—responsible for establishing safety and environmental guidelines for its member cruise lines and tour operators, including minimum requirements for expedition team experience and passenger-to-crew ratios—monitors all significant incidents involving people and wildlife. This is part of its mission to ensure that risks are acknowledged and valuable lessons are learned by all operators in Antarctica. Members must report all accidents, and these details are included in annual reports submitted to the Secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty, which oversees all human activities in the area. Veteran guides recommend thoroughly researching companies and their individual safety records when selecting a cruise line or tour operator, seeking those with a solid track record in the region.

Regarding the vessels, in 2017, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) implemented a mandatory Polar Code to guarantee that ships operate safely in polar regions while adequately considering environmental protections. The Polar Code classifies ships into ice class ratings, ranging from Polar Class 1 (PC 1) to Polar Class 7 (PC 7). A ship rated PC 1 can operate year-round in all polar waters. Here’s the complete list of Polar Codes:

• PC 1: Operates year-round in all polar, ice-covered waters
• PC 2: Operates year-round in moderate multi-year ice
• PC 3: Operates year-round in second-year ice, which may include multi-year ice
• PC 4: Operates year-round in thick first-year ice, which may include old ice
• PC 5: Operates year-round in medium first-year ice, which may include old ice
• PC 6: Operates in summer/autumn in medium first-year ice, which may include old ice
• PC 7: Operates in summer/autumn in thin first-year ice, which may include old ice

Most passenger vessels in Antarctica hold a PC 6 rating, as they only operate during the safer summer months of the Southern Hemisphere, from November to April. Cruise ships with a PC 5 rating include Lindblad Expeditions' National Geographic Endurance and National Geographic Resolution. One passenger cruise ship carries a PC 2 rating, which is the French line Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot.

The IMO Polar Code is founded on polar class ship requirements established by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). IACS provides comprehensive structural and safety criteria for polar class ships, including specific design specifications for the ship’s hull and its ice load capacities (such as the types of ice the vessel can navigate around). To find the polar class rating for any cruise ship, you can easily search online using the vessel's name followed by 'polar class rating,' or inquire directly with the cruise line or tour operator.

How turbulent is the Drake Passage? Can it be completely avoided?

There isn’t a definitive "better" time to traverse the infamous Drake Passage, where the waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Southern oceans meet. However, some believe that conditions tend to be calmer during the peak of the southern summer, specifically in December and January. (The Antarctica cruise season typically spans from November to March.)

The only thing certain about the Drake Passage is its unpredictability. Conditions can fluctuate wildly, ranging from completely calm waters, often referred to as the “Drake Lake,” to the chaotic “Drake Shake,” where waves exceed 20 feet. These conditions can shift rapidly. Fortunately, captains are seasoned and prepared to adjust their routes to find a more tranquil passage.

According to IAATO, there has been just one other incident involving ship damage during a crossing of the Drake, which occurred in December 2010. During that event, a massive wave struck the MV Clelia II, shattering a bridge window and causing electrical and communication failures. One crew member sustained minor injuries, but the ship returned to Ushuaia safely.

For many travelers, crossing the Drake Passage is an essential part of their Antarctic journey. However, the crossing takes two days each way. For those seeking shorter cruises, more time on the Seventh Continent, or a way to avoid the daunting waves (and the risk of seasickness), several traditional expedition cruise lines and new luxury operators offer what they call “bridge sailings.” These allow passengers to fly from Chile to King George Island, where they can board the ship directly in Antarctica, thereby skipping the passage altogether.

What additional health and safety factors should be considered when traveling to Antarctica?

Simpson recommends considering one's fitness level to fully enjoy the variety of activities and experiences available on expedition cruises. Even in cases where mobility might be limited, he assures that “We always have journeys suitable for every guest. Whether guests prefer to relax on the balcony absorbing the scenery or participate in numerous excursions is up to the individual, but generally, we can accommodate travelers with varying levels of fitness and mobility.”

What is the environmental impact of cruising in Antarctica?

Ricardo Roura, a senior advisor at the conservation-oriented Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, which has been striving for years to reduce ship traffic in the area, expresses more concern over the wildlife effects of the recent surge than over human safety.

He notes that the increase in ship traffic heightens the risks of collisions with whales and contributes to underwater noise pollution. Furthermore, all cruise ships dock in a relatively confined area, resulting in more passengers walking on pristine habitats to get close to penguins and other wildlife.

Simpson, a former chair of IAATO, emphasizes that the organization maintains rigorous and continually updated environmental protection measures that all members must adhere to. He mentioned that IAATO members have been working for over a decade to broaden their operational areas beyond what they call "hot spots." As part of this initiative, Silversea recently undertook a 12-day scouting expedition to map, verify, and establish guidelines for new sites across the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands.

For travelers who wish to minimize their impact in the region, it’s important to investigate the sustainability and wildlife conservation pledges of the cruise line or tour operator they plan to use. They should also consider how the company facilitates access to less-traveled routes.