Antarctica Cruises, Ships & Tours

The cheapest way to actually visit Antarctica is to book early and secure an Early Booking Discount offer, or to risk a last-minute booking and even travel to Ushuaia, Argentina for a 2-week window of time and be available to fill in a spot very last-minute. Some Antarctica operators will offer steep promos around Black Friday in late November for last-minute spots in the upcoming season. Another option is to try the Antarctica Express cruise, which sails one way from Ushuaia, and then flies back via KingGeorge Island to Chile over five days. While you only visit the South Shetland Islands and not continental Antarctica, it can be the best way to get a taste of the experience on a small budget. See Antarctica Express Air Cruise. Here is a list of other Antarctica deals and discounts that may be available on traditional cruises. 

Yes, you need a passport to enter Antarctica in addition to the country you access Antarctica from. Most travelers on a cruise to Antarctica pass through Argentina or Chile before arriving to the Antarctic continent and you likely will need a visa in addition to a passport to enter those countries depending on what nationality you are.

Yes, you can. About 90% of all travelers arrive in Antarctica by a cruise ship and the remaining 10% arrive by air. The vast majority of travelers aboard a ship designed for polar navigation in the world's southernmost city of Ushuaia, Argentina. Few highly privileged individuals have the opportunity to visit the white continent. There were 122,072 visitors in the 2023-24 season with the majority coming from the United States, followed by China, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

If you have specific departure dates in mind, these may guide your decision, as availability for Antarctica cruises can be quite limited. If not, then you will want to consider the following factors, among others:

Size of the vessel - Some travelers prefer the intimacy of small group travel that often means more time with the guide, more efficient embarkation/ disembarkation, and a cozier feel on board. Ships with fewer travelers also tend to offer more adventure options such as scuba diving, kayaking, and camping. Other travelers prefer the relative spaciousness (cabins still tend to be small on most boats!) and added facilities (Jacuzzi, gym, pool, etc) of the larger boats. Often, though not always, the larger ships tend to have more luxury amenities 

Itinerary - Many of the yachts offer a similar range of itineraries. However, some offer more diversity than others. If you have a special interest such as visiting South Georgia, crossing the circle, or traveling to the Falkland Islands, let our trip coordinator know.

Cost - The cost of Antarctica cruises varies tremendously from about USD$5,000 for shoulder seasons and on rare, steep discounts up to tens of thousands of dollars per passenger for luxury cruises. If you are working within a specific budget, let our trip coordinators know so that we can match you with the very best cruise. Size of cabins, length of itinerary, facilities on the boat, etc. can all impact the cost. Once we know your priorities, we can help you choose from the best Antarctica cruises!

Special interest - Some vessels offer special cruises to Antarctica for divers, kayakers, climbers, campers, photographers, etc. If you have a special interest, please let us know.

Each Antarctica ship has its own type of electrical outlets, depending upon the country where it was built. Many of the ships are originally from Russia and use 220 volts, 50 cycle electricity with two round prongs. Ask your Trip Planner for details on the vessel you are taking once booked.

Although you do not need to be in excellent fitness to join an Antarctica cruise, you do need to be in overall good health. These remote areas do not have access to modern medical facilities. You should not join an Antarctica cruise if you have a life-threatening condition or one that requires extensive medical attention. That said, a cruise to Antarctica does not need to be physically demanding. You need to be able to balance on a vessel in rough seas, and get in and out of zodiacs if you desire to participate in shore excursions. You may opt-out of the shore excursions and choose instead to view the wildlife and landscape from the deck. Onshore, most vessels offer at least one easy walk that allows participants to experience the destination without going far from the landing site.

Travelers come from around the world, though most speak English fluently. They may range in age from children to seniors, with most travelers aged the 30s-60s. Some cruises to Antarctica do not permit children under age 12, and families should not expect many children on any of the departures.

It depends. Some vessels have minimum age requirements ranging from 8 to 12. Other vessels leave it up to the parents to decide whether or not the cruise would be appropriate. The dramatic landscapes and unique wildlife can be fascinating for children. However, the long voyages at sea can become tiresome for even the most hearty child traveler. It is unlikely that there will be other children onboard for your kids to play with so be sure to bring plenty of entertainment options along. You may also want to consider upgrading to a larger room or suite on your cruise to Antarctica to give kids more room to spread out. Since there is no access to medical facilities, children with chronic conditions such as severe asthma, diabetes, etc are not advised to visit.

Absolutely! Most cruises to Antarctica have special single rates or can arrange a shared room at no additional cost. The majority of Antarctica visitors still travel as couples or families so these trips can be a bit lonely for some solo travelers. However, the relatively small groups and long voyages onboard allow travelers to easily meet others with shared interests. Solo travelers should also take a look at our exclusive Solo Traveler Departures.

Tour rates do not include international flights unless indicated. We find that it is usually less expensive for travelers to book these separately and this also allows you the flexibility to choose the schedule and routing that is most convenient for you. You are welcome to book these on your own, or we can certainly help you arrange these flights with an airfare consolidator who specializes in South America flights.

The shortest trip length available to Antarctica is typically a ten-day trip starting and finishing from Ushuaia to get an optimal experience on the Antarctic continent. Shorter express cruises to Antarctica can cut this down to 5-6 days, but do not actually visit the continent and only the surrounding islands. Trips to the Ross Sea last around 30 days. To explore the Falkland Islands and South Georgia in addition to the Antarctic Peninsula, budget at least an 18-day trip.