Blog - Polar Guidebook

Best Luxury Cruise to Antarctica: 2026–2028 Guide

Scenic Eclipse II is our luxury Antarctica cruise pick, with Quark alternatives for expedition-first comfort and avoiding the Drake Passage.

Best Waterproof Backpacks for Antarctica in 2026 and 2027 [According to People Who’ve Been There]

Packing the right gear for an Antarctica cruise is crucial, especially for protecting your belongings from the unpredictable elements. Waterproof backpacks are a must for Zodiac landings, wet rides, and…

What to Pack For An Antarctica Cruise: 2026 and 2027 Packing List For Men

Packing for Antarctica can feel like a big challenge—how do you prepare for a place so extreme? To make it easier, I turned to the people who know best: real…

7 Best Antarctica Cruise Expeditions in 2026 and 2027 (For Every Budget)

Choosing an Antarctica cruise is less about finding one universally “best” company and more about matching the ship and itinerary to the way you want to travel. A first-time Peninsula…

A Solo Traveler’s Guide to Antarctica, with Quark Ultramarine

Barry Kenny travelled solo to Antarctica aboard Quark Expeditions’ Ultramarine in 2024. In this firsthand interview, he explains why he chose the ship, what the Drake Passage and daily landings…

Best Small Ship Cruise to Antarctica in 2026 and 2027

If you want a close-knit expedition group, the 10-day Classic Antarctica voyage aboard MV Ushuaia is our best-value small-ship pick for 2026–27. It carries around 90 passengers, so the whole…

Why Do Arctic Foxes Change Color? [Summer vs Winter Coat]

The arctic fox (vulpes lagopus) is a small fox found in the northern hemisphere. They live in cold climates and are well adapted to frigid environments. It's a well-known fact…

Is Antarctica Guarded? Can I Go There Without Permission? [2025]

Antarctica has no government and no native population, so you might think that it's easy to visit. However, that's not necessarily true. So, can you simply rock up to visit…

What Are the Predators of the Arctic Fox?

The arctic fox (vulpes lagopus) is a mammal that lives in the harsh climate of the arctic tundra. The animal has evolved to be able to survive in these extreme…

What Would Happen If Antarctica Melted? Could We Live There?

We always hear about the problems with the ice melting in Antarctica, but why exactly is this a problem? What would happen if all the ice melted? We answer these…

Navigate

Polar Guidebook