Antarctica expedition cruises offer exciting adventures for travelers with a thirst for exploration who want to see the “white continent” and all the wonders it has in store - from seals, whales, and penguins to giant ice sheets.
Recent years have seen significant growth in the number of cruise lines visiting Antarctica, and these exclusive cruises are not cheap, so choosing the right ship for you is a big decision.
That’s why we’re here to help with this handy guide to choosing the best Antarctic expedition cruise.
Quark Expeditions
Since taking the first group of commercial travelers to the North Pole in 1991, Quark Expeditions has been a leader in polar exploration. Featuring a number of vessels to choose from, you will have a great selection of price points and itineraries. Many of their Antarctic itineraries offer the unique and rare opportunity to navigate into the southern stretches of the Antarctic Circle. Quark Expeditions also features plenty of activities like stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking. Our favorite Quark vessels in Antarctica are:
Silversea Cruises
Silversea cruises have set the standard for luxury expedition cruises for over three decades - focusing on fewer guests, top-of-the-line elite vessels, and higher levels of personalized service, including one expert naturalist guide per 12 guests. Recently refurbished ice-strengthened vessels offer guests all-inclusive cruises to Antarctica, and the twice-daily activities feature zodiac and shore excursions. Silversea Antarctica cruises depart from Ushuaia, Argentia, but there are also air charter connections that fly in from Buenos Aires or Santiago. Starting in 2021, Silversea is also launching new cruises of the Ross Sea departing from New Zealand. Our favorite Silversea vessels in Antarctica are:
Antarctica 21
Founded in Punta Arenas, Antarctica 21 is focused exclusively on an exploration of the “white continent” and is an expert in air-cruise expeditions. Environmentally responsible practices underpin each of their expeditions, with destinations to the Falklands and South Georgia, the Drake Passage, the South Shetland Islands, and the Antarctic Peninsula. Guests will enjoy choosing from a selection of comfortable and spacious suites. Ships in their fleet include:
Lindblad Expeditions
Conservation has been at the heart of Lindblad’s transformative ecotourism model for more than 50 years, offering travelers an excellent chance to experience first-hand the wonders of nature. Lindblad’s Antarctica cruises are no exception, giving guests opportunities to pioneer their way with the leadership of some of the most experienced guides. In addition to the standard Antarctic exploration equipment like kayaks and zodiacs, guests will also delight in other neat technology like video microscopes, hydrophones to hear what the whales have to say, and even a crow’s nest camera that feeds into in-cabin monitors. Remote-operated vehicles and divers take to the depths to record submarine videos on each expedition. Our favorite Lindblad vessels in Antarctica are:
Aurora Expeditions
With a relatively small fleet, Aurora Expeditions leans into personalized, small-group expeditions accompanied by some of the top specialist guides for all of the wildest remote destinations their cruises visit. Onboard lectures and daily excursions are great for active travelers, with Antarctic activities like kayaking, snowshoeing, climbing, trekking, camping, cross-country skiing, and even camping (if you’re up for it!). Their newest ship - the
Greg Mortimer - joins sister ship
Sylvia Earle and was built with the X-BOW design to reduce emissions, noise, vibrations, and offer an overall smoother sailing experience in the often rough waters of the Antarctic. The focus on immersive experiences is a worthy tradeoff for comfortable onboard appointments that aren’t quite luxurious.
Ponant
With destinations all over the world and a large fleet of luxurious vessels and attentive crews, French operator Ponant has offered excellent all-inclusive Antarctica cruises for many years. While several of its Antarctica ships are a bit older, there is a new kid on the block: the brand new first-ever electric hybrid polar icebreakers: the luxurious
Le Commandant Charcot, with occupancy for 270 guests and the ability to navigate to areas where many ships cannot reach like the Weddell & Amundsen Seas, and Charcot and Peter islands. All of their new ships feature innovative eco-friendly technology and construction.
Scenic, featuring the state-of-the-art Scenic Eclipse in Antarctica, combines elegance with absolute luxury in exploration. Lavish suites, multiple dining options, and lounges make for an unparalleled onboard experience. Each suite features a private verandah and their all-inclusive 6-star service pairs butlers with each suite. Daily excursions and activities do not disappoint, as the ship is equipped with Zodiacs, kayaks, and even a helicopter and submarine. Scenic’s Antarctica cruises optimize their service by limiting occupancy to just 200 passengers.
Contact one of Adventure Life cruise experts for help designing the perfect trip to Antarctica
