Antarctica’s Rise in Popularity

Expedition cruises to the frigid continent of Antarctica have become increasingly popular over the past two years, with cruise lines like Crystal Cruises, Ponant, Silversea, Hurtigruten and Lindblad Expeditions adding more itineraries, and in some cases even new ships, to meet this new demand.

So why is the only uninhabited continent on planet Earth so popular these days?

There might be a few reasons. The first, and most likely largest contributor to its rise in popularity is the coronavirus pandemic.

It may seem ironic that a pandemic that halted and hindered the travel and tourism industry on a global scale for nearly two years could lead to a desire among travelers for different destinations, but it fundamentally changed the way people looked at travel.

Travelers desire more sustainable, less crowded, more personalized trips that focus on discovery and authentic experiences.

A trip to Antarctica, for many, does just that, with plenty of expedition lines offering active experiences and the opportunity to scientific study that bring them closer to the continent's natural wonders, whether that be with penguins or its glacial mountains.

The second reason why Antarctica is one of the most popular expedition cruise destinations is climate change. The individuals who travel to Antarctica now because they worry about the future are likely a very small portion of the continent's visitors. All the same, earlier in November ABC News' Amy Robach went on Lindblad Expeditions' National Geographic Endurance expedition ship in Antarctica for the network's climate change coverage, where she talked with scientists about local penguin population changes and other impacts of climate change upon the icy continent.