The notoriously difficult two-day crossing of Drake Strait is often described as a rite of passage to visit Antarctica.
But some cruise lines and travel advisors say they are seeing growing demand from travelers wanting to fly over the Drake, appealing to those who prefer shorter voyages or fear seasickness.
“We've received an equal number of letters from people saying, 'How dare you offer Antarctica without the rite of passage that is Drake? It's a badge of honor,'” said Noah Brodsky, chief commercial officer at Lindblad Expeditions. Geographic country. “And the same number… [that say] ‘Thank God. I get seasick. I will never play Drake in my life. But it's my dream to go to Antarctica and you made it possible.'”
Lindblad is the latest line to add the option to charter flights in about two hours from southern Chile to Antarctica on select sailings. Starting next season, Lindblad will offer eight-day National Geographic Explorer sailings that include a round-trip charter flight over the Drake, or 10-day sailings that traverse in one direction and fly in the other.
Lindblad's other two ships in the area do not offer flights.
Several expedition cruise lines already offer fly-in options, including Quark, Albatros, Atlas, Silversea and Antarctica21.
Ashton Palmer, president of Seattle-based Expedition Trips, said flights to Antarctica tend to sell out.
“There is definitely a market for time-poor people, especially Americans,” he said.
Noah Brodsky
Brodsky said about 80 percent of the passengers who booked the flyover were first-time visitors to Lindblad, meaning those travelers likely would not have sat out on the Antarctic voyage due to time, cost or fear of seasickness.
“The average age in Antarctica is in the 50s, so most people are working,” he said, adding that vacation time is also limited. He added that an eight-day cruise is cheaper than the next shorter option, 14 days. Guests save an overall cost of $1,000 each way, even with the added cost of a one-way flight across the Drake River.
Lindblad said about two-thirds of those who booked the flight option chose a round-trip flight.
Still, the cost of flights can be a big addition to an already expensive trip. That's one of the reasons Lainey Melnick, owner of the Dream Vacations location in Austin, Texas, doesn't make reservations.
“When an Antarctic expedition is already one of the more expensive trips, most clients weigh the costs against the risks and choose to take on a little more risk and pay less,” she said.
Disadvantages of Skipping Drake Junction
Antarctic fly cruises have their downsides, which is why Lindblad is only now introducing them.
Brodsky said the company wants to wait until weather monitoring technology improves and cancellation rates for Antarctica flights drop. He said cancellation rates have dropped from 15% in 2019 to 3% now.
That's one reason Claire Maguire, owner of Fort Lauderdale-based Cruise Planners franchise Island Girl Travel and Vacations, isn't pushing the overpass. Because the weather in the area is unpredictable, she doesn't want canceling her flights to affect her customers' trips.
Antarctica21, which offers air cruises on two ships stationed in Antarctica, said the unpredictability of these flights could actually be a selling point for its product. DAP Airlines, the top charter airline for cruise ships in the region, is: One of Antarctica21's shareholders. As a result, the operator has priority for flights to Antarctica, which is an important advantage when the weather is good.
Francesco Contini
Francesco Contini, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Antarctica21, said about 20% of flights to Antarctica are affected by weather (and can be delayed, moved or canceled), making flying over the Drake even more important once the storm subsides. If the crossing is difficult, it is more enjoyable than being seasick for several days. Flight delays are now more comfortable for Antarctica21 passengers. The company recently opened Explorers House, a flight holding center featuring a restaurant, bar and coffee station.
Contini said the brand's focus was to deliver Antarctica without the drama of a plate crashing to the floor when Drake was shaken. He said it's a model that will be tested based on how many lines currently offer overpass programs.
Jason Flesher, Scenic Group's director of discovery operations, said Scenic had launched travel itineraries that included flights in 2021 for the 2023-24 season, but discontinued the program due to lack of demand.
“It didn’t sell. That’s the bottom line.” he said as he crossed the Drake Passage on Scenic Eclipse II last month.
Flesher said scenic guests have both the time and desire to sail the Drake and don't ask about their options. “They wanted a longer vacation and a full experience.”
Maguire said the Drake crossing was a key part of the Antarctica experience.
“Obviously people don’t want to get seasick, but it’s part of getting to Antarctica,” she said. “It's part of the anticipation. We have two days to get there. It's just part of the excitement.”