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Zodiac landings on the Antarctica cruise ship Minerva |
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Zodiac
This small, inflatable, rubber motorized craft is swift, stable and maneuverable. It's ideal for navigating rocky shallow waters. You get close-up views of places regular boats cannot access.
The Minerva has 12 Zodiacs, each accommodating 10 passengers plus the skipper.
You normally make two Zodiac excursions per day, one in the morning, the second in the afternoon. Each lasts approximately 1.5 hours.
Most are landings, others are sightseeing cruises through iceberg-dotted bays and channels.
There are no docks, so you have to make wet landings. This means you slide off the Zodiac into shallow water (averaging a depth of 30 centimeters or 12 inches) and walk ashore.
That's the number of cruise passengers permitted ashore at any given location at any given time. The Minerva carries 199 passengers, so it divides its guests into two groups. Both get two Zodiac outings per day.
You observe large rookeries of waddling penguins and their charming chicks, beaches spotted with lazing seals, cliffs sporting a myriad of seabird nests, and spectacular icebergs and landscapes. Read my "Itineraries" web page for more details.
Safety
You are taught how to safely board and get off a Zodiac (it's easy once you know how). The short course is held in the main lounge the day before the first Zodiac trip.
It's highly trained in all aspects, including helping you in and out of the Zodiac, both on the ship's gangplank and ashore.
Staff members are posted at strategic spots to guide and (if necessary) lend you a helpful hand. Some are lecturers and are delighted to answer your questions or volunteer a fact that they believe might interest you.
Either the ship's doctor or nurse goes ashore armed with medical supplies.
A few more pointers
Try to avoid the rearmost Zodiac seats, which are next to the motor. The exhaust can be unpleasant to some people.
There is none ashore except at some crude outhouse-style facilities at some research stations. Therefore, visit a restroom on the ship before departing.
Be on your group's first departing Zodiac so you can take your pictures reasonably free of red penguins (your parka-clad cruisemates). And, if you don't end up on one of the foremost seats, ask if you can switch so you can take non-obscured shots during the ride.
Click these buttons
Pages specific to the
Antarctica cruises
wonder map
My "What it's Like"
My general
Click the button below for Regent's website for Minerva itineraries with maps, a list of cruise-specialist travel agents near you, plus other useful trip-planning information.
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Pages specific to the
Antarctica cruise
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I hope your Antarctica cruise dreams come true - and that my Zodiac page helps you enjoy your vacation, tour or trip Zodiac-landing photo copyrighted by Nigel Clayton, which I use with his kind permission. Web page ©2008 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications
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Why a Zodiac
is special
