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Antarctica Cruises: Insider’s Guide
Paddling among icebergs offers an awesome sense of scale. Photo by Sherry Ott/Ott's World
The insider advice on this page is from one of Wendy’s Trusted Travel Experts for Antarctica and expedition cruises: Ashton Palmer of Expedition Trips.
Infectiously enthusiastic about small-ship cruising, Ashton spent nearly a decade as an expedition leader, guide, naturalist, Zodiac driver, avid bird-watcher, and photographer in the Arctic, Antarctica, the Amazon, and the South Pacific. (He has traveled to Antarctica more than 50 times and spent a collective three months in the Arctic.) In 1999, Ashton started a company to match travelers with the right small-ship expedition trips everywhere from the Galapagos to Papua New Guinea and the two poles. He’ll be the first to tell you when a two-week trip to the Arctic may not be your cup of tea, and when a specific ship or cabin just isn’t worth the extra expense. And because of his relationships with the top cruise lines and tour operators, Ashton often secures preferred rates or other perks (such as shipboard credits or a bottle of wine).
Ships and Cruises
Pinnacle-shaped icebergs rise from Andvord Bay near Neko Harbour. Photo: Shutterstock
Best-value ships
Quark Expeditions’ Ultramarine (199 passengers) and World Explorer (168 passengers) are classic expedition ships that deliver both authentic adventure and outstanding value. (You want to snowshoe? Check. Want to sea kayak? Check.) To maximize the savings, take advantage of early-booking discounts; if you are traveling solo, you can share a cabin with another cruiser and avoid paying a single supplement.
Quark Expeditions is known for its heli-adventures to inaccessible locations. Photo: Expedition Trips
HX Expeditions’ MS Fram (250 passengers), refurbished in 2025, it’s also a great vessel with one of the most competitive price points. Built for polar travel, it now features upgraded cabins and a state-of-the-art Science Center.
Ships worth the splurge
Seabourn’s sister ships Venture and Pursuit are ultra-luxury ships with an adventure focus; each carries 268 passengers and every single cabin has a veranda. There are multiple excellent dining options, two on-board submarines, ample Zodiacs and kayaks, and a 26-person expedition staff.
The stunning Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II (200 passengers each) have taken the luxury-adventure concept to new heights. The 114 spacious suites (all with private verandas), butler service, Senses Spa, and ten different dining options provide the luxury, while the two helicopters and a custom-built submarine elevate the exploration element.
Best expedition ships
In the National Geographic Resolution and National Geographic Endurance (both 138 passengers), National Geographic-Lindblad has distilled over 65 years of polar experience into designing perfect expedition vessels: Travelers are matched nearly 1:1 with an expert crew and expedition team; the vessels’ highest ice-class rating enables them to literally break through ice; and an environmentally sensitive dynamic positioning system eliminates the need to drop anchor.
The National Geographic Endurance is known for its innovative, sustainable design. Photo: Ryan Damm
Best ships for foodies
For those who want to eat really, really well, the Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II offer ten culinary styles, including an upscale French restaurant and Champagne bar, Asian fusion, sushi, a night-market bar, a casual yacht club, a chef’s tasting table, private dining, and even culinary masterclasses.
Also notable for gastronomy is Le Commandant Charcot (245 passengers), the Ponant ship with a restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse; count on plenty of caviar—and if you like Champagne, their house pour is Veuve Clicquot.
The culinary offerings on the Silver Endeavour (220 passengers) are also worth a mention: Five restaurants onboard—from casual grill to elevated French cuisine—and butlers serving in-suite meals all contribute to Silversea’s well-curated food and beverage program.
Best sailing for families
For families looking to experience Antarctica over the holidays, A&K’s 19-day expedition aboard Le Lyrial (199 passengers) is a thoughtfully designed option. This sailing visits the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the Antarctic Peninsula, so you’ll get a bit of everything: dramatic scenery, fascinating history, and some of the region’s most iconic wildlife, from king penguin colonies to leopard seals. Onboard, there’s a dedicated Young Explorers program to keep kids engaged while parents take in the landscapes (or enjoy a bit of downtime). The trip also includes celebrations for Christmas and New Year’s, which adds a festive, communal touch to an already memorable voyage.
The fierce, solitary leopard seal is one of the apex predators of Antarctica. Photo: Expedition Trips
Best ships for solo travelers
Ponant’s sister ships Le Boreal, L’Astral, Le Lyrial, and Le Soleil frequently waive solo supplements, because they limit capacity to 200 in polar regions but can carry more passengers.
HX Expeditions and Aurora Expeditions also lead the solo market by offering selected departures with low or no solo supplement during every Antarctic season.
Best ships for active adventures
You can tell that Aurora’s ships—the Greg Mortimer, the Sylvia Earle, and the newest, the Douglas Mawson—prioritize adventure just based on their namesakes: the first Australian to climb Mt. Everest without oxygen, the woman who holds the record for the deepest ocean-floor walk, and Australia’s foremost polar explorer. These ships carry 130 passengers on expedition voyages and focus on activities such as kayaking, camping, snowshoeing, scuba diving, and polar snorkeling.
Explorer types should also consider the Base Camp Antarctica program offered by Oceanwide Expeditions on the M/V Hondius (170 passengers), the M/V Ortelius, and the M/V Plancius (both 108 passengers) where their vessels stay in one location for longer periods to maximize time camping, hiking, kayaking, and mountaineering.
Quark’s Ultramarine offers plenty for active travelers, from sea kayaking and stand-up paddling excursions to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, camping, and heli-rides and -hikes.
The Arts Cafe on Silver Endeavour has a crackling faux fireplace. Photo: Carolyn Spencer Brown
Cabins worth the splurge
The Silver Endeavour is one of the most luxurious ships in Antarctica, and its best cabin is the Owner’s Suite, measuring 1,876 square feet with a wraparound veranda and a premium bow position on Deck 7; it’s a cool $150,000 for Antarctic voyages.
The Wintergarden Suite on the Seabourn Pursuit and Venture is a two-level stateroom with a sculptured staircase cascading down in front of two-story windows. With a massive 989 square feet plus a 197-square-foot veranda, it features a solarium, hot tub, and guest bath, and can accommodate up to six dinner guests.
Le Commandant Charcot’s Duplex Suite has a private hot tub on the lower patio.
Where to Cruise
Best itinerary
The best trips visit the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the Antarctic Peninsula. On South Georgia, you can see wildlife species in ridiculous abundance. This island is very different from the Antarctic continent. South Georgia is like the Swiss Alps—with snow-capped peaks and green valleys—but teeming with wildlife. Because South Georgia doesn’t become icebound in the winter and is uninhabited by people, the native species live here year-round. The rugged coastlines are home to massive colonies of king penguins as well as hundreds of baby fur seals that nest in the tussock grass. Disembarking a Zodiac and walking onshore with tens of thousands of king penguins is an experience you cannot have anywhere else on the planet.
South Georgia Island hosts a lion’s share of the world’s king penguins. Photo: Expedition Trips
Cruises that include South Georgia Island usually run 15 to 25 days, and most ships operate only one or two such itineraries per season, typically in December and January. Ashton does not recommend shorter trips that include South Georgia, as they reduce time in Antarctica. Since there are limited departures, Ashton recommends booking these trips at least 18 months in advance.
Best short trips
Trips of at least 11 days are optimal, but travelers pressed for time have an increasing number of “fly-cruise” options: Vessels such as Antarctica21’s Magellan Explorer (76 passengers) and the Silversea Endeavour offer six- to 15-day itineraries where you fly over the Drake Passage and board the ship on King George Island. The expected time in Antarctica is up to four days, and Silversea’s longer itineraries include excursions on the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. The only downside? Flights are dependent on weather conditions, and considering the unique location, they can occasionally be delayed or even cancelled.
A Zodiac offers thrilling ocean-level views of icebergs and marine wildlife. Photo: Abby Suplizio
Don’t miss
Exploring Paradise Bay via Zodiac or sea kayak. Nothing quite compares to gliding along glasslike water, surrounded by sculptural, bright-blue icebergs and crisp white peaks. If you’re lucky, you may even see a few whales.
Port most worth the trek
Salisbury Plain, on South Georgia Island, is home to one of the largest king penguin colonies in the world. Here, more than 100,000 penguins gather in a dazzling display of sound and motion. Standing up to three feet tall and weighing around 35 pounds, these birds create an unforgettable wildlife spectacle.
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Best Time to Go
The Antarctic season is November through February. The snow and ice are at their most pristine in November or early December. For wildlife, the very best time to go is the latter half of December; by then, thousands of penguins, including their fluffy chicks, have made their home along the coastline. The sea ice has usually broken up enough to allow great access, and December and January (middle of the austral summer) offer the likelihood of better weather. February is best for whale watching, because the sea ice has fully melted, allowing the migratory whales to surface and feed.
Worst Times to Go
March. Most penguins have fledged, the rookeries are extremely soiled, and inclement weather becomes more likely.
If seeing penguin chicks or whales is important to you, also avoid November, as it is too early in the season.
When to Book Your Cruise
Ashton recommends planning an Antarctica expedition approximately 12 to 18 months prior to departure. Itineraries and rates are typically released in June or July of the previous year, which is when you’ll find early-booking discounts and prime-cabin availability (the least expensive and most expensive cabins sell out first). That said, last-minute bookings can also prove convenient, especially if your travel dates are flexible and you’re open to different cabin categories.
Biggest Rookie Mistake
Selecting an itinerary that’s too short. A trip to Antarctica is an investment of not just money but also time. It takes several days to reach the continent (including crossing the Drake Passage), and because of unpredictable sailing conditions, an extra two to four days can make a significant difference in your experience. Eleven-day itineraries provide a cushion for challenging weather conditions and ease you into the trip. Ashton also encourages travelers to build in an extra day or two when you arrive in Argentina or Chile (the usual points of embarkation), so that you’re refreshed and more present once you reach Antarctica. No one returning from the White Continent has ever complained that the trip was too long, Ashton says—only that they wished for more time.
Best Shore Excursions
By and large, all shore excursions are included in expedition-style cruising. The whole point of going all this way is to set foot on the continent of Antarctica (amid thousands of friendly penguins), and all of the expedition ships deliver on that experience. Unique excursions include exploring underwater by submersible aboard the Scenic Eclipse and Eclipse II or Seabourn Venture, camping overnight on the ice sheet, or getting an aerial view of the White Continent by helicopter aboard the Ultramarine or Scenic Eclipse.
Instagram Moment
Polar glamping is now a thing. You can sleep in a transparent igloo on the deck of the National Geographic Endurance or National Geographic Resolution, where they are tucked away on the back deck next to the hot tubs. The igloos are available to spend time in during the day, or you can reserve them overnight to watch the changing sky and polar scenery until you fall asleep, snuggled up with cozy comforters and hot water bottles.
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