Disney to take on a new continent with first cruises to Antarctica
Watch out, penguins of Antarctica. The Mouse is on the way.
Family travel giant Disney plans its first cruises to the White Continent beginning later this year, using a chartered vessel, the company recently announced.
Disney also plans its first cruises to the Galápagos Islands, starting in 2022 -- also with a chartered vessel.
Offered by Disney's touring arm, known as Adventures by Disney, the trips will mark the first expedition cruises ever offered by Disney.
Disney until now only has offered traditional cruises through its cruising arm, Disney Cruise Line.
Expedition cruising is a specialized type of cruising that involves traveling to remote, hard-to-reach places on small, hardy vessels that carry their own landing craft.
Adventures by Disney is a separate division of Disney that is not part of its cruise line. It's primarily known for upscale, family-friendly land tours, but it has offered cruises before -- on Europe's rivers.
Disney's new trips to Antarctica will take place on a vessel operated by Ponant, a France-based, upscale cruise line that specializes in expedition cruising. The trips to the Galápagos will take place on a locally based vessel called Galápagos Legend.
For all the trips, Disney plans family-focused activities curated by Disney's travel experts. Disney-trained guides and naturalists will lead landings to see wildlife and offer onboard discussions about wildlife, animal conservation, photography and more.
Disney initially will offer just two Antarctica voyages, both 11 nights in length. The trips will include an overnight stay in Buenos Aires, Argentina, before a flight to Ushuaia, a port town at the very southern tip of Argentina, to board a Ponant vessel.
The two Antarctica sailings will take place on Ponant's Le Lyrial and Le Boréal, which are identical vessels that each hold 264 passengers.
Before boarding one of the ships, passengers will spend two days exploring the area around Ushuaia, which is part of Patagonia. Sightseeing will include a visit to Tierra del Fuego National Park and a ride on the world’s southernmost functioning railway.
Related: Fast-growing Viking to offer first Antarctica trips
Once in Antarctica, the plan is for several days of landings and water exploration by rigid inflatable boats that the Ponant ships carry on board. A premium, add-on kayaking excursion also will be available.
Tourgoers also can add on a three-night, pre-tour guided stay in Buenos Aires for an extra charge.
Like many Adventures by Disney tours, the Antarctica cruise is aimed at families with older children. The tour company recommends that kids be at least 12 years old to sign up and won't allow those younger than 10 years to book it due to “the duration of the trip, potential for extreme weather or sea conditions and the amount of physical activity involved,” according to planning details posted on the company’s website.
Reaching Antarctica from Ushuaia involves a two-day crossing of the notoriously rough and unpredictable Drake Passage.
Fares for the initial Antarctica voyage start at $12,800 for adults and $11,500 for children.
The new Galápagos trips, which will focus heavily on the wildlife of the Ecuador-controlled islands made famous by Charles Darwin, start at $6,300 for adults and $5,600 for children.
In addition to encounters with such iconic Galápagos wildlife as albatross, frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises, marine iguanas and Galápagos penguins, passengers can expect opportunities to snorkel, kayak and hike during the trips.
Adventures by Disney initially is offering five departures of three different Galápagos itineraries for 2022.
Adventures by Disney in 2022 also will continue to offer river cruises in Europe with itineraries along the Danube, Rhine and Seine rivers. The trips take place on river ships chartered from AmaWaterways.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.