Aside from penguins and the ice sheet, it seems there's not much else in Antarctica?

"Penguins, whales, seals... Penguins, whales, seals... You see, if you stay any longer, it's pretty much the same. Let's go back and come again later, so it can feel fresh again." On the morning I left Antarctica, when I was crying so hard I couldn't breathe, my mother actually comforted me with such a cold joke 😂 What does Antarctica mean to most people? The end of the world, penguins, glaciers, and snowfields. But the real Antarctica is far more than that. I've heard the ethereal and lingering song of whales, where time stood still in the shimmering waves. I've heard the raging and biting sound of waves crashing against the wind and snow, and also the tranquility of a snowflake blooming in the zero-degree bay. I've seen penguins waddling across the white harshness, the spread wings of petrels, the courage to fight against the giant waves. I've encountered seals playfully following the ship, full of curiosity 🦭 The silhouette of an orca leaping out of the water, all about riding the wind and breaking the waves. Millions of years of cold ice have sculpted rugged majesty, Ingenious craftsmanship and rough freedom, perhaps without boundaries. It uses an almost oppressively terrifying vastness, to make one love it for its insignificance ❄️ 🌍 Which route is right for me? ▪️ Classic Peninsula: Both ship and flight available, usually 8-10 days ▪️ Antarctic Circle: Crossing 66º34' and staying within the circle for several days, usually 12-16 days ▪️ Weddell Sea: November is the exclusive line for Emperor Penguins, fewer ships in other months, usually 12-16 days ▪️ Antarctic Three Islands: A must for seeing King Penguins, usually around 20 days ▪️ Ross Sea: Departing from Oceania, visiting the less popular other side of Antarctica, usually over 20 days ▪️ Semi-circumnavigation of Antarctica: Starting from Oceania/South America, usually over 25 days ▪️ South Pole: Departures from South Africa/Chile available, direct flights are short but test your financial capacity 📅 When is the best time to go? ▪️ Antarctic season: November - March ▪️ November and March have lower prices, spectacular icebergs, but unstable weather ▪️ December-February is when animals are most active, covering the life stages of penguin chicks hatching and molting ▪️ February-March is excellent for whale watching (we departed during the 24th Spring Festival, with at least nearly a hundred whales) 🐧 Common animals in Antarctica 🐧 Chinstrap/Gentoo/Adélie Penguins: Peninsula, Antarctic Three Islands, Ross Sea 🐧 Emperor Penguins: Snow Hill Island, South Pole, Ross Sea 🐧 King Penguins/Rockhopper Penguins: Antarctic Three Islands and other sub-Antarctic island routes 🐳 Orcas: Rare, higher probability within the circle 🐋 Humpback/Minke/Bryde's Whales: Common 🦭 Weddell/Leopard/Crab-eater Seals: Common 🦭 Elephant Seals: Rare 🐦 Various polar seabirds, including a kind of polar tern, outstanding in appearance and the king of migration between the two poles 🌍 What can you do in Antarctica? ✔️ Every ship must have: Landings, cruising, polar diving, lectures ✔️ Additional experiences (off-ship): Kayaking (common), paddleboarding (less common), camping (less common), very few ships also offer helicopters, submarines, scuba diving, and other special projects ✔️ Additional experiences (on-ship): Swimming pool, sauna, SPA, gym, yoga classes, multiple restaurants, etc. For trips of 10+ days, these are quite necessary.