Helicopter Ride
The summit of a mountain, the edge of a Zodiac, the comfort of your suite balcony… these are all perfect vantage points from which to observe the beauty and wonder you’ll find all around on an expedition cruise. However, in order to truly appreciate the immensity and splendour of these far-flung destinations, you’ll have to take to the skies. That’s right, some cruise lines now offer once-in-a-lifetime ‘flightseeing’ excursions, providing guests with panoramic, bird’s-eye view of the topography below from the plush seat of a state-of-the-art helicopter. With the ship as your North Star, the true scope of Antarctica’s twisting icebergs, Greenland’s smooth glaciers and the Kimberley’s plunging cliffsides will be brought into sharp relief. You’ll find that the sensation of gliding and swooping above this breathtaking terrain is more exhilarating than you ever thought possible, like stepping onto the world’s most immersive theme park ride or finding yourself the main character in a 4-D movie.
With the ship as your North Star, the true scope of Antarctica’s twisting icebergs, Greenland’s smooth glaciers and the Kimberley’s plunging cliffsides will be brought into sharp relief. You’ll find that the sensation of gliding and swooping above this breathtaking terrain is more exhilarating than you ever thought possible, like stepping onto the world’s most immersive theme park ride or finding yourself the main character in a 4-D movie.
What is the experience like?
There’s no need to approach the excursion with trepidation, as you will be given a thorough safety briefing by your highly experienced pilot beforehand. Additionally, you will be accompanied by an environmental expert who will be able to shed some light on the unique topography and landscapes below. Antarctic helicopter pilots will adhere to a strict code of guidelines set by IAATO, which involves flying a safe distance from wildlife and maintaining a minimum altitude from areas of ecological importance.
What should I wear? What should I bring?
Clothing wise, you should dress in comfortable, layered clothing, preferably neutral colors that won’t reflect in the glass windows. The pressurised helicopter cabin can get chilly, so be sure to wrap up warm. The only thing you need to bring is a camera and any motion sickness medication you require.
Where can I take a helicopter ride?
- Seeing the icy plains and towering glaciers of Antarctica from above will give you an entirely new perspective.
- You can hold Arctic fjords and glaciers that would take days to cross via Zodiac in the palm of your hand as you fly over Greenland and Norway.
- Scenic are the only expedition line to offer flightseeing over the deep gorges and ruby-hued cliffs of the Kimberley.
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