It’s not in Miami, Palm Springs–or in a tucked away corner of Deck 12 on a gargantuan ship with 5,000 other gays. It’s more magical than all the rainbows and unicorns in Rio, Sydney or Fire Island. It’s the hot, new destination for the cool jet set that can only be found in one place on earth — all the way south — and you definitely have to be VIP. You may think you’re well traveled, but your map app on Facebook won’t be complete till you step foot on the seventh continent for The Ultimate White Party: Antarctica
In ManAboutWorld’s latest issue, we followed Mark Vogler, one of our most intrepid correspondents, as he journeyed from San Francisco to the southernmost tip of Argentina, through The Drake Passage and onto the isolated reaches of Antarctica.
Here are his five quick-and-dirty tips for getting the most from the epic journey:
1. Don’t Be A Size Queen
When choosing a company and a ship, size truly does matter, and bigger is not better. You don’t want too small and you definitely don’t want too big a ship. We specifically chose One Ocean Expeditions‘ Vavilov for her power and stability, an incredibly quiet ship with massive hydraulic stabilizers you’ll thank your not so sea-sick backside for when the seas get rough. Vavilov carries about 100 passengers, max, (whereas the others carry 400 to 1,000 passengers.) Smaller is better if you want to maximize your time chilling with penguins, hiking an active volcano, or soaking up the rays at the beach.
2. Where To Begin?
There are two jumping-off points for all expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula: Ushuaia, Argentina or Punta Arenas, Chile. If you chose an Ushuaia departure, be aware that Argentina has a $160 “reciprocity fee” for Americans which must be paid online, in advance, prior to arrival. While not a true Visa, it’s good for 10 years and is basically an Argentinian bitch-slap for the US requiring their citizens to get a visa to travel to America, costing them, you guessed it, $160. Register and pay online.
3. Get Your Wings
Turns out, you can skip the two days at sea and party all night, instead. before hopping a flight South and checking the seventh continent off your list in just two hours! We recommend you throw some shade at the dreaded “Drake Passage” and fly over all that drama, sipping cocktails served by those sexy, boy-toy Chilean flight attendants of Antarctica Airlines!
4. Packing guide
Antarctica is warmer than you think. The only difference between packing for Antarctica and Aspen Gay Ski Week is one extra set of thermals to wear under your gear. The weather, however, is incredibly unpredictable and volatile so it’s important to be prepared for anything. One minute you’ll be bundled up in a thick blanket of wet fog, then the sun pops out and you’ll start stripping, only to have freezing winds blown at you the minute you take your shirt off. Always dress in layers, so you can peel and put on as needed.
5. Save your pennies
The journey to Antarctica ain’t cheap: costs range between $7,000 – $22,000 per person, depending on the size of your cabin and amenities. If you’re embarking on your once-in-a lifetime honeymoon dream trip splurge on the One Ocean Suite with large double bed, iPad loaded movies, fully stocked mini-bar, and a large en suite bathroom with shower and full size tub. If you are traveling solo or on a budget, the three-man cabin is the way to go – then again, this also could make for a VERY memorable honeymoon.
If you want to experience the Ultimate White Party through Mark’s informative and fascinating piece, download the ManAboutWorld app. Why not try a FREE three-month trial subscription with no obligation.
Photo credits: Mark Vogler.
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