Taking the Kids: Visiting Antarctica

He, like the other well-traveled kids, insists everywhere he goes makes him want to dive deeper. "There are so many different countries and cultures to explore," he said.

"Travel teaches you to be flexible and compassionate, explained Kevin's dad, Mike Taylor, who added that he and his wife are glad Kevin has been privileged to learn about the world in so many different places.

"I want my kids to be exposed to other cultures and to see that the world is bigger than their world in the U.S," explained Janna Gutierrez, from Montclair, N.J. Her kids are 10 and 12, and like other millennial families, they value experiences more than "things."

"Money well spent, and much better than a shopping spree," said Kay Beal, who lives in Minneapolis and was traveling with her husband and two college-aged daughters.

Families aboard Le Boreal say they have chosen to come to Antarctica now because they worry about how fast the continent is changing and how that will impact the abundant wildlife. "Who knows what it will be like here when we're grown up," said Sky Allison, 15, who's from Troy, Michigan.

There were so many I-can't-believe-I'm-here moments. Only 100 passengers at a time are permitted on the rocky beach, and the expedition staff sets up paths so we don't disturb the animals. They, of course, have the right of way.

Valiena Allison, who recently sold her business, said that one of the best gifts parents could give their kids was to show them the world. "Seeing something first-hand is a lot different than reading about it in a book," her husband Dan added.

Obviously most families couldn't afford this trip, not at the cost of more than $50,000 for a family of four. There are less-expensive options offered by IAPPO's 120 operators, from large cruise ships that don't land at all to small boats with simple accommodations and meals. The vast majority of Antarctica visitors visit via ship.

Families chose this Abercrombie and Kent trip because it was over the holiday break and specifically for families, stopping in the Falklands and South Georgia, as well as Antarctica. Wildlife lovers especially wanted to visit South Georgia with its huge penguin colonies and seals.

But parents and grandparents were surprised by how fast new friendships were made. By the third day, kids were having lunch together at the more casual buffet on board -- the tween girls at one table; the tween boys at another, the teens together. They'd meet for dinner whenever parents permitted and at the outdoor heated pool to play "Marco Polo."

Those traveling without kids enjoyed their enthusiasm and distinct perspective. "The kids bring an added energy and excitement to everything," explained veteran cruise director Nadia Eckhardt. "It rubs off on everyone."

On our last day in Antarctica, we all went for a walk -- in the middle of the ocean, 1,500-feet deep. We were on "fast" floating ice 3-feet thick. "I'll always remember this," declared Olivia Gembarovski, 10, from Melbourne, Australia. "You don't see people walking on ice in the middle of the ocean every day."

Then there were the humpback whales. Wilhelmina Bay where we were is a kind of supermarket for whales with abundant krill that they feed on. After our walk, we cruised around the bay as whales popped up on all sides. "Really crazy!" said Marcos Gutierrez, 12.

Kyndall Beal, 18, added, "We won't even need pictures to remember this!"

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