Anyone have recommendations for (relatively) inexpensive ways to get to Antartica?

Even the "inexpensive" ways are expensive. I'll be going 1-07 and no way will this be a compromise trip for me. I want a small ship WITH landings. Some of the major cruiselines sail there now with no landings that are the bargains, but not for me.

Hello, BudgetQueen - I will be in Antarctica in February and I too love the small ships. I have heard that on the larger ships the shore landings are restricted so there are assigned groups which have to take turns going ashore at each stop. So, some stops you have to stay aboard. I am assuming you are in Alaska. I will be up that way in two weeks sailing from Anchorage to Nome with stops in three Russian villages included. Can't believe it is the first time as I live in Bellingham. Managed to get a special price with that cruise from Clipper but looks like no specials for Antarctica. Did manage to get a ticket to Santiago and home from Buenos Aires with airmiles though.

Can either of you recommend the small ship company you'll be sailing with?

I'll be sailing with www.clippercruise.com on the Clipper Adventurer. Their trips are not inexpensive. There are some specials around for the November-December sailings.

Thanks Louise -- going to the website now.

Lindblad, I want the ability to get as many landings as I can. For me to get all the way there and not have every opportunity, just doesn't cut it.

Try Discovery World. They usually have very reasonable prices for Antarctica with landings too.

Louise: PLEASE post a trip report when you return from the Clipper Adventure as I am seriously considering a trip to the White Continenent for my 40 birthday in 2007.

I'm glad to hear that group landings are restricted and hope that Antarctica will continue to be relatively unspoiled by tourism. It's a very fragile ecosystem.