Antarctic Cruises
Setting foot on the Antarctic Peninsula is a bucket list item for many but no one can really prepare themselves for this incredible experience. Enormous tabular icebergs that dwarf the ship will take your breath away. Close encounters with inquisitive penguins, playful seals and breaching whales, create a wildlife experience like no other. Pristine landscapes with crystal clear water and glacier rimmed peaks create a stunning backdrop for any photographer.
One of your toughest decisions will be which voyage to choose? Our advice is to seriously consider if your time and budget will stretch to a longer voyage that includes Antarctica as well as South Georgia. This beautiful island is often described as the most incredible wildlife show on earth as it is the breeding ground for King Penguins, seals and sea lions and home to the wandering albatross.
Making the choice as to which voyage, when, which ship or operator is where we help; unlike ship owners/operators we’re not obliged to sell the ships we own/operate – we offer independent expert advice and can find the best cruise and ship for you.
Want more detailed information on an Antarctic Expedition Cruise
We have a dedicated and specialist web site: Antarctic cruise web site (a sister company of Luxury & Expeditions Cruises). If you click on your area of interest below you will be taken to this specialist web site.
FALKLAND ISLANDS & SOUTH GEORGIA
ROSS SEA & NEW ZEALAND SUB-ANTARCTIC ISLANDS
Our team of expert travel consultants have firsthand experience of the Antarctica and many ships and operators. We’d love to discuss your plans and help you select the best Arctic cruise.
MOST POPULAR ANTARCTIC ITINERARIES
These itineraries are offered on most ships.
There are over 100 sites to visit on the Antarctic Peninsula, some more renowned like Deception Island and the Lemaire Channel, others less well known but equally beautiful, like Cierva Cove and Spert Island.
Voyages depart either from the town at the end of the World, Ushuaia, or with a flight from Punta Arenas in Chile, to King George Island in the South Shetland Isles. Voyages that fly can afford more time on the Peninsula, but you do miss the famous Drake Passage; whicch can be the ‘Drake Lake’ or the ‘Drake shake’.
These voyages visit many of the same sites as you would on an Antarctica Peninsula voyage. As the name suggest they also aim to cruise first south with the goal of crossing the Antarctic Circle 66° 33’ S.
These voyages start operating in late December as the ice recedes and vessels can usually push a little further south, with the goal of crossing the Antarctic Circle – a great option if you want to experience more of the Peninsula, more wildlife and more amazing polar scenery.
After all, Antarctica’s a very long way to go!
If your time and budget will stretch to a longer trip, these voyages offer an incredible experience of the sub-Antarctic islands as well as the Antarctic Peninsula. Be warned – many people choose a shorter voyage, only to find themselves travelling back to Antarctica on a second trip to include the fascinating Falkland Islands and South Georgia, with all its stunning wild beauty and accessible wildlife.
Some early season (November) depart from Montivideo, others fly from Santiago or Punta Arenas to Port Stanley before boarding the ship. Most depart from and end in Ushuaia.
FLY CRUISE ANTARCTIC ITINERARIES
If you want to maximise your time in Antarctica as well as avoid the Drake Passage crossing, then flying between Punta Arenas in Chile and King George Island in Antarctica’s South Shetland Islands is a perfect solution. There are 6,8 and 10 day itineraries – the 10 day option heads to the Antarctic Circle.
Some ships offer voyages that fly one-way (Punta Arenas to King George Island or vice versa), others fly from Santiago or Punta Arenas to Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands; these voyages will have several days at sea to reach South Georgia or the Antarctic Peninsula. Whilst they reduce time at sea they are not true ‘fly cruise’ voyages.
To see our full range of Fly Cruise voyages click here.
Note: Weather conditions need to be suitable for landing and take-off in Antarctica and you must understand that delays can
occur – that said, the majority of voyages depart and return as planned and, with many years of experience in the coordination of air and sea operations, the operators run these programmes expertly.
ROSS SEA & NEW ZEALAND SUB-ANTARCTIC ISLAND ANTARCTIC ITINERARIES
Few places in the world remain as pristine, untouched and rugged as the Ross Sea region of Antarctica. Unharmed by human activity, a voyage to this area is simply incomparable. With ice strengthened ships equipped to make their way through the pack ice in a safe and comfortable manner, this region should be added to the list of any traveler seeking an opportunity to explore less visited, uncharted territories. Marvel at the beauty of the surrounding mountains towering above you along with glacial ice tongues, vast ice shelves, mystical icebergs and drifting sea ice. Take a visit to the various penguin rookeries and witness the beauty of the seals and whales as they swim around you.
These voyages visit many of the same sites as you would on an Antarctica Peninsula voyage. As the name suggest they also aim to cruise first south with the goal of crossing the Antarctic Circle 66° 33’ S.
These voyages start operating in late December as the ice recedes and vessels can usually push a little further south, with the goal of crossing the Antarctic Circle – a great option if you want to experience more of the Peninsula, more wildlife and more amazing polar scenery.
After all, Antarctica’s a very long way to go!
ANTARCTIC CRUISE SHIPS
Here are the Antarctic ships we work with, we have first-hand knowledge of many of these ships and their operators, which is important when selecting the best option for you. All are members of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO). We are proud to be Associate Members of IAATO.
PLEASE NOTE; When you click on the ship name you will be taken to our specialist ANTARCTIC WEB SITE
