Antarctica is paradoxically the most accessible inaccessible place left on earth for the casual traveller. We find ourselves drawn towards the mysteries of that ‘other’ continent, the ‘Terra Australis’ that people speculated existed for thousands of years. Modern travellers still have the same enthusiasm that explorers of the 19th Century had when they first discovered it: it’s inhospitable, unusual and beautiful. Inevitably, we’ve seen a massive boom in cruises and voyages to experience Antarctica in the last two decades. As the Southern hemisphere summer continues, there are cruises operated by luxury lines like Silversea cruises 2011 offering a pleasant cruise environment and a very personalised experience overall.

But having barely begun, it seems likely that the Antarctic cruise industry will largely close down after the 2011 season. And perhaps it’s for the best. The main issue preventing further sailing is an International Maritime Organization ruling against the use of heavy oil fuels in the Antarctic circle. The banning includes the mere transportation of these heavier fuels, over fears that they could be released into the Antarctic biosphere to cataclysmic effect. Antarctic trips are long, and also very expensive. Larger liners can simply not be cost effectively operated on Marine gas and diesel oils alone: they need to use Heavier, cost efficient fuels. Parallel lines operating in the Arctic circle like Azamara club cruises will not be under similar restrictions.

By August 1st 2011, the rules will be in place and the cruise industry will have to deal with the consequences. Until then, there’s the very real possibility that the cruises currently available in the January – February wave season will be your last chance to sail to Antarctica in style. But for the rest of us, who’re content with a whole world to explore, there are plenty of other horizons. Consider Egyptian cruises 2011 if you want to relive the exploits of 19th Century adventurers. The weather may contrast, but you’ll have as much fun as Howard Carter as you will as Ernest Shackleton.