Discover Affordable Antarctic Adventures: My 20,000 Yuan Travel Guide Viewed by 200 Million!

Don’t assume that a trip to Antarctica always comes with a hefty price tag of over $100,000 for a cruise ticket; in reality, it can be quite comparable to a trip to Thailand.

Once, my “Antarctica series” on a popular platform garnered over 200 million views and attracted more than 5 million followers. I know this post might ruffle some feathers among domestic sellers of Antarctic cruise tickets! But I’m not one to back down from a bit of online drama. My goal is to help more young people with an “Antarctic dream” achieve their aspirations. A journey to Antarctica really doesn’t have to break the bank, and you don’t need to book your tickets months in advance.

📌p1: The video views on another platform (the account has been canceled) [Crying Laughing Emoji], so please read to the end of this note. I’ll guide you step by step on how to snag those “last-minute tickets” if you have an Antarctic dream.

📌p2-p8: Imagine days filled with endless white landscapes, which can quickly lead to visual fatigue. Opt for a trip around 12 days long, as longer voyages can become monotonous. After five days at sea, the novelty wears off, and every morning, you find yourself checking the calendar, wondering when you can finally set foot on land?

[Crying Emoji] One thing Antarctica has in abundance is penguins. Eventually, you’ll start to smell them, and the sight might make you feel a bit queasy 🤮. Getting back to the topic, for detailed guides on what to do and see in Antarctica, there are many excellent resources out there. My focus is on helping you choose the right ship and buy your tickets.

Smaller ships are generally better because they offer quicker access to zodiacs. A vessel with around 200 passengers is ideal. I traveled with American Quark Expeditions, which ranks among the top five Antarctic cruise operators. For pricing details, keep reading. [Selfie Emoji]

📌p9-p11: What exactly are “last-minute tickets”? Think of it as the ship is about to depart, and there are still a few spots available. If the original price was $10,000, and the departure is just a couple of days away, those remaining spots might be sold for as low as $3,000. [Smirking Emoji] Of course, prices can vary depending on the cruise company.

The balcony suite on the American Quark Expeditions I took was originally priced at $15,000, but I managed to get it for just $4,000 two days before departure. I’ve heard that the 2023 tickets are even more affordable, with many ranging from $2,500 to $3,500. Where can you buy them? Any travel agency in Ushuaia can sell these tickets.

The one I used, after comparing over a dozen, offered the best deal. [Doge Emoji] What does this mean for you? You don’t need to book in advance. Just fly to Ushuaia, visit a travel agency, and inquire. If there are no tickets, wait for 3-5 days, and you’ll likely find a better deal than booking ahead.

Generally, 20,000 to 30,000 RMB (about $3,000 to $4,500) is enough for most cruise tickets. If you’re planning to go to the South Pole, that’s a different story. I’m talking about the regular routes.

📌p12: Curious about why I’m mentioning a restaurant here? It’s to save you from a similar experience! After a decade of globetrotting, I stumbled upon a Chinese restaurant that left me feeling utterly duped. The place is called “End of the World Chinese Restaurant,” and the owner hails from Dalian. As soon as she learned I wasn’t part of a tour group and was interested in heading to Antarctica, she quickly introduced me to her brother.

He first asked if I spoke Spanish, and when I said no, he proceeded to have a lengthy conversation with a travel agency. He then informed me the ticket would cost $5,500. Skeptical, I decided to step out for a bit. Upon my return, the price had magically dropped to $4,500. You can read between the lines.

🤦‍♂️

Ultimately, I hope everyone can snag those “last-minute tickets” in Ushuaia and turn their Antarctic dreams into reality. 🙄