Did you know that you can take a cruise to Antarctica? You can land at a penguin rookery, kayak, hike, or even camp overnight on the seventh continent’s ice. What was once reserved for the bravest explorers and scientists is now available to anyone willing and able to pay.

A quick Google search lists many tour companies offering cruises and activities in Antarctica. Prices vary dramatically, with trips ranging from about $4,000 to over $20,000. Yet these “experiences of a lifetime” could come at a much greater cost, as evidenced by the recent sinking of a Canadian-owned cruise ship off King George Island.

photograph by INTTraveler; subject to a Creative Commons license

Antarctica is the largest wilderness area on Earth, and is protected by the Antarctic Treaty. Originally signed in 1959 and bolstered by other agreements ratified over the years, the treaty states that the area should only be used for peaceful purposes and that the environment, including plants, animals, and historic sites, should be preserved.

The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators has developed a set of guidelines for tour operators to ensure environmental protection and safety. Approximately 95% of tour companies who offer trips to Antarctica are members of this association. While the association remains committed to reducing environmental impact, there is still the possibility of companies who do not follow the more stringent requirements set by the IAATO. And even if these requirements are followed, accidents can and do occur.

The IAATO reports that 37,552 tourists visited Antarctica in 2006-2007. While this number pales in comparison to other tourist destinations (Disney World’s Magic Kingdom reported 16.6 million visits in 2006), the reality is that the number of visits to Antarctica is increasing every year. More visits mean a greater possibility of environmental impact through the introduction of non-native species, waste disposal, and marine pollution. Additionally, the risk of a large vessel sinking in Antarctic seas poses both human danger and an environmental catastrophe. Currently, the sunken cruise ship is leaking diesel fuel, and bad weather has prevented experts from containing the spill. Marine biologists have been unable to assess the impact of the spill on plankton, fish, and krill — all important parts of the Antarctic food chain. Marine biologists also worry that the spill will impact Antarctic, Adelia, and Papua penguins whose breeding grounds are located near the site of the spill.

However, there’s no denying the lure of Antarctica. Who wouldn’t love to see a colony of Emperor penguins, watch whales feeding, and glaciers calving? And in the midst of an International Polar Year and a time of dramatic change in the Arctic and Antarctica, many in the scientific community are bemoaning a lack of knowledge and/or interest in the polar regions. If environmentally responsible travel can generate that interest and correct some misconceptions, might it really be a positive?

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