Possibly marking a historic global milestone, the iconic melody of “Auld Lang Syne” will resonate through the frozen expanses of Antarctica this New Year. Catherine McMichael and Joyce Terry, on an expedition to the world’s southernmost continent, will play this timeless tune on handbells as part of the 2024 National Bell Festival.

Set against a backdrop of icebergs and inhabited by penguins, Antarctica stands as one of the planet’s most remote and challenging terrains, with vast icy landscapes between the ocean and the South Pole. Accessible from the Western Hemisphere via ship from Tierra del Fuego—a shared region between Chile and Argentina at the tip of South America—McMichael and Terry will depart on December 30, 2023.

Leaving their spouses behind, the duo will arrive at the icy shelves just in time to herald in a frosty New Year. Plans for this journey were set in motion after the pair mulled over the idea of venturing south during the annual Distinctly Bronze event, held for accomplished handbell musicians this past February.

In preparation for this special occasion, arrangements have been made for six musical pieces utilizing eight bells, with each musician handling four. Carrying a set of baby bells, ranging from G6 to G7, along with an additional F#7, both McMichael and Terry will perform pieces exclusively in the keys of C or G using a four-in-hand technique. Should the curious penguins desire a musical program, the pieces lined up are:

• Auld Lang Syne
• Adapted Plain Hunt Peal
• For the Beauty of the Earth
• Joy to the World
• My Country, ‘Tis of Thee
• Jingle Bells

“Auld Lang Syne” is an internationally recognized tune stemming from a poem by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788. Traditionally sung to bid farewell to the old year on New Year’s Eve, the performance in Antarctica will mark the ringing of “Auld Lang Syne” on all seven continents during the 2024 National Bell Festival.

Quark Expeditions, the globally renowned leader in polar adventures, has once again demonstrated its expertise in Antarctica by successfully landing 208 adventurers on two extraordinary voyages. This unique experience allowed fortunate individuals to step onto the pristine sea ice and journey to the remote Snow Hill Island colony of Emperor penguins, a privilege bestowed upon only a select few.

Executing these remarkable Snow Hill voyages in November and December, Quark Expeditions harnessed the cutting-edge capabilities of its advanced expedition ship, Ultramarine. During these expeditions, the company also hosted a special onboard ceremony on the fringes of Antarctica’s Weddell Sea, officially appointing Dr. Sian Proctor as Ultramarine’s godmother.

Accompanied by the esteemed Expedition Leader, Shane Evoy, and the ship’s Captain, Jurak Zekan, along with the entire Expedition Team and inspired Snow Hill guests, Dr. Proctor participated in a maritime tradition celebrating strong women as symbols of good fortune and safe passage at sea. With her multifaceted background as an artist, astronaut, educator, geoscientist, and advocate for inclusivity, Dr. Proctor also envisioned her role as a trailblazer and storyteller, guiding the ship and its polar ambassadors into the future.

In Dr. Proctor’s words, “My mission as an astronaut and artist is to ignite inspiration. It is a tremendous honor to be named Ultramarine’s godmother—a role that will enable me to lead by example and share personal narratives that inspire others to explore the world, discover new experiences, and become, in their unique way, the next generation of explorers.”

Andrew White, President of Quark Expeditions, reflected, “Two decades ago, we achieved the extraordinary by landing at Snow Hill, but our passion drives us not just to be the first but to continuously pursue the extraordinary. We remain at the forefront of capability and technology, accumulating a wealth of experience. While we may not venture beyond our planet as Dr. Proctor has, we will always journey alongside our polar explorers to unearth life-changing experiences at the farthest reaches of our world.”

In the recent Emperor Penguin Quest: Expedition to Snow Hill, Quark Expeditions’ guests aboard the Ultramarine came within 20 nautical miles of Snow Hill Island, nestled at the northern edge of Antarctica’s Weddell Sea. Small groups were transported by Ultramarine’s Airbus H-145 helicopters to a staging area a considerable distance from the Emperor penguin colony. Every guest undertook a several-kilometer trek across the sea ice to reach the colony, adhering strictly to IAATO wildlife protocols during their visit. Both guests and experts, including researchers from the British Antarctic Survey and the Smithsonian Institute, who accompanied the expedition, were elated to witness the thriving Emperor penguin colony, consisting of both adult and young birds in robust health.

Although this season’s Snow Hill sailings to visit the Emperor penguins have concluded, Quark Expeditions advises that Antarctica still beckons with a profusion of penguins. Limited last-minute availability remains for voyages in the upcoming weeks, offering the chance to embark on unforgettable journeys—discover more about the company’s upcoming Penguin Safari and Epic Antarctica expeditions!

In a recent study released by HTF MI, the Global Antarctica Travel Market is poised for sustainable growth. The comprehensive 120+ page analysis delves into the business strategies of key industry players, providing insights into the current market development, landscape, technologies, drivers, opportunities, and market status.

Major companies such as Travcoa, Al Tayyar, Thomas Cook Group, Cox & Kings Ltd, and Lindblad Expeditions are covered in this research. The market is segmented by application (Millennial, Generation X, Baby Boomers) and product type (Cruise Ship Travel, Air and Sea Travel), offering a detailed outlook on market trends, scope, manufacturing, and outlook until 2029.

Geographically, the report covers key regions including China, USA, Europe, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia, and South America, providing insights into manufacturing, consumption, revenue, market share, and growth rate from 2018 to 2029.

The study evaluates the Antarctica Travel Market with quantitative and qualitative analysis, incorporating tools such as SWOT analysis and Porter’s Five Forces Analysis. It presents essential data and accurate figures about the market, offering a deep analysis based on market trends, drivers, constraints, and prospects.

Key Takeaways from the Market Study:

• The report analyzes the impact of Coronavirus on key players in the market, using tools like SWOT analysis and Porter’s five forces analysis.

• Key developments in the market, including confirmations, R&D, new product launches, and joint ventures, are highlighted.

• Stakeholders and business professionals can gain valuable insights into market opportunities, threats, and high-growth scenarios.

• The report offers customization options to meet specific business needs, allowing for additional data from up to three industries or countries.

Viking, the renowned expedition cruise company, is embarking on its third Antarctic season with the return of the Viking Octantis® and Viking Polaris®. Celebrating this milestone, Viking has opened bookings for the 2025-2026 season, featuring a groundbreaking 87-day expedition, “From the Arctic to Antarctica.”

Departing from Nuuk, Greenland, in September 2025, this unprecedented journey will take guests through the Canadian High Arctic, exploring historic waterways and calling on ports in the Caribbean, Peru, and Chile, before reaching the majestic landscapes of Antarctica.

Viking’s Chairman, Torstein Hagen, expressed his excitement, stating, “We are pleased to introduce more opportunities for the curious traveler to experience this phenomenal region in Viking comfort. Our expeditions cater to The Thinking Person, offering a responsible and immersive way to explore Earth’s pristine destinations.”

In an exclusive interview with award-winning photographer Alastair Miller, Hagen shared his passion for travel, tracing back to his childhood when he sent a letter to Ushuaia from Norway. The interview can be viewed on the Viking website.

The arrival of Viking’s expedition ships in Antarctica also marks the completion of two Longitudinal World Cruises, offering guests a unique itinerary spanning from North America’s heart through engineering wonders, Chilean fjords, and finally, Antarctica. Viking’s commitment to scientific enrichment is evident through partnerships with esteemed institutions, leading to the publication of the company’s first scientific paper on the giant phantom jellyfish.

Viking’s expedition ships, the Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, boast advanced features, including a state-of-the-art marina, panoramic auditorium, outdoor lounge, and a science lab developed in partnership with the University of Cambridge.

With environmentally considerate designs exceeding industry standards, Viking continues to set a new benchmark for responsible travel. Guests aboard the Polar Class ships can enjoy Nordic Balconies, a first for polar expedition vessels, and a range of suites equipped with unique amenities.

Viking’s commitment to responsible and immersive exploration, combined with the announcement of the epic 87-day expedition, reinforces its position as a leader in Antarctic voyages. Bookings for the upcoming season are now open, promising an unforgettable journey for adventurous travelers.

Though freezing temperatures and gale force winds make Antarctica one of the planet’s harshest environments, an increasing number of people are visiting the continent each year — a trend that could negatively impact some penguin species and their habitats.

A recent study published by NC State researchers in the journal Antarctic Science found that common tourism activities and behaviors could be disturbing chinstrap and gentoo penguins on one of the continent’s most-visited islands.

Yu-Fai Leung, co-author a professor of parks, recreation and tourism management at the College of Natural Resources said that some visitor guidelines might need to be more conservative during the early stages of the breeding season.

Tourism in Antarctica is self-regulated by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), which was founded in 1991 to advocate and promote the practice of safe and environmentally-responsible private sector travel to Antarctica.

Commercial tourism in Antarctica began in the 1960s.

In an effort to protect Antarctica’s wildlife and natural resources, IAATO requires tourists to adhere to strict guidelines throughout the duration of their expeditions.

For example, tourists must maintain a minimum distance of 15 feet from nesting penguins.

Most scientists agree that IAATO’s guidelines have worked well since they were set up, but some worry that Antarctica’s increasing popularity among tourists could eventually result in ecological consequences for penguins, which are the key attraction to Antarctic tourists.

Antarctica’s tourism season lasts from November to March, coinciding with the breeding season for both chinstrap and gentoo penguins.

Chinstrap penguins generally lay eggs in November and December, while gentoo penguins lay eggs in November.

From December 2019 to January 2020, Leung and his collaborators, including Daniela Cajiao, a postdoctoral visiting scholar at NC State, visited Barrientos Island in the Antarctic Peninsula to investigate the differences between chinstrap and gentoo penguins in their behavioral responses to simulated tourists’ activities.

The researchers performed both passive behaviors (no talking or movement) and active behaviors (talking and walking) at various distances and speeds near more than a dozen nesting sites at two of the island’s primary landing areas for tourists.

Upon reviewing their data, the researchers found that chinstrap penguins demonstrated higher levels of anxiousness and defensiveness in response to passive and active behaviors, though both species demonstrated some level of distress to active behaviors at distances of 6.5 feet and 15 feet.

Chinstrap penguins can become defensive rather quickly when humans approach their nesting sites, at least more so than gentoo penguins, Leung said.

But really, both species are sensitive to some level of human presence.

The findings come at a time when Antarctica’s tourism industry is booming. During the 2019-20 tourism season, the continent received 75,000 visitors.

IAATO expects that figure to exceed 100,000 in the 2022-23 season.

Simultaneously, some of Antarctica’s chinstrap penguin colonies have declined by up to 77% since 1971, with the total population on Elephant Island dropping from 122,550 breeding pairs to 52,786 in January 2020, largely due to climate change.

A growing body of research suggests that tourism development, too, can negatively impact wildlife and other natural resources when left unmanaged.

In the case of Antarctica’s penguins, the growing number of visitors could increase the risk of chick mortality.

While tourists typically only spend a few hours on land, their presence could cause adult penguins to become scared and distracted, and sometimes even temporarily desert their chicks or eggs, leaving them vulnerable to exposure or predation, according to Leung.

It can be exhausting for these penguins when tourists are standing around their nesting sites for several hours a day, Leung said.

As new visitor sites are likely to open across Antarctica amid increasing demand, it’s crucial for IAATO to continue evaluating the effectiveness of its visitor guidelines to safeguard the continent’s penguins, according to Leung.

IAATO has to balance tourism demand with conservation needs. Their goal is to conduct safe, sustainable tourism in the Antarctic. It’s just a matter of managing those two priorities, Leung said.

Leung added that the expansion of the minimum viewing distance between tourists and nesting sites could alleviate potential impacts on chinstrap and gentoo penguins during the early stages of the breeding season, though further research is needed.

Barrientos Island is among the 15 most commonly visited sites in the Antarctic Peninsula.

Barrientos Island has been heavily visited by tourists since 2005 so the penguins could be adapted to people already, Leung said. Our results might be conservative.

Currently, Leung and his collaborators are using remote cameras and field observations on Barrientos Island to monitor whether tourists comply with the minimum viewing distance of 15 feet.

The study has resumed after interruptions by the COVID-19 pandemic and will entail further data collection during the next Antarctic tourism season.

Leung, Cajiao and other researchers from around the world also recently formed the Antarctic Tourism Action Group under the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, which serves as a platform for researchers from different disciplinary perspectives to work together collaboratively and make science-based recommendations.