HX Expeditions offers tips for crossing the Drake Passage to Antarctica

Captain Bram Olof van Spriel of HX Expeditions, who has traversed the Drake Passage more than 100 times, explains that while wave heights of six‑to‑eight metres can occur, about 90 % of crossings are "quite smooth". The best conditions are found from December to February, and the company uses route‑optimisation software that incorporates weather forecasts to plan a smoother, sometimes indirect, 48‑hour route.

The expedition ships MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen, launched in 2019 and 2020, feature ice‑strengthened hulls, large stabilisers that cut sideways roll by up to 85 % and a heavy 21,000‑tonne displacement that further reduces bumpiness. Australian doctor Dr Mahmood Ahmad advises passengers on seasickness prevention, recommending tablets such as Travacalm, prescribed anti‑nausea drugs, herbal remedies, wristbands, and simple tactics like staring at the horizon or lying with eyes closed. He also cautions travelers to avoid reading sensational stories about the passage, as fear can exacerbate symptoms.