Cruising Antarctica
Penguins, ice and landings by small boat — how expedition cruises to Antarctica work.
Get Antarctica Cruise QuotesThe Last Great Cruise Destination
Antarctica has no ports, no towns and no tourist infrastructure. You reach it by ship, you land by small boat, and you share the shore with penguins and seals rather than other visitors. Cruising Antarctica explains how expedition voyages work, the choices you will face, the rules that protect the continent and how to prepare.
Almost all Antarctic cruises visit the Antarctic Peninsula, the long arm of the continent that reaches toward South America. Most sail from Ushuaia, at the southern tip of Argentina, across the Drake Passage. Others fly passengers from Punta Arenas in Chile to King George Island and start the cruise there. A smaller number of longer voyages add the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, home to vast king penguin colonies, and a few go beyond the Antarctic Circle.
The Big Decisions
Sail the Drake or fly over it
Two days of open ocean each way, or a two-hour flight from Chile. Each has real pros and cons.
Drake vs fly-cruise →
Ship size decides landings
Ships with more than 500 passengers cannot land guests at all. Smaller ships mean more time ashore.
Ships and landings →
Timing shapes the wildlife
From November courtship to March whale feeding, every part of the short season has its own highlights.
When to go →What a Classic Voyage Looks Like
A typical Peninsula voyage from Ushuaia begins with an afternoon sail down the Beagle Channel. Then come about two days crossing the Drake Passage, with lectures from the expedition team on wildlife, ice and history. Once in Antarctic waters, the ship spends several days among the islands and bays of the Peninsula, landing guests by inflatable boat once or twice a day when conditions allow, and cruising past glaciers and icebergs in between. Then the ship crosses the Drake again to Ushuaia.
Nothing on an expedition is fixed. The captain and expedition leader adjust the plan every day for weather, ice and wildlife, and that flexibility is part of the adventure.
Choosing an Expedition Line
Many lines now sail to Antarctica, from specialist expedition companies such as Quark Expeditions, Lindblad Expeditions, HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions), Aurora Expeditions and Antarctica21 to luxury and premium brands such as Ponant, Silversea, Seabourn, Scenic and Viking. They differ in ship size, the number of landings, activities such as kayaking or camping, cabin comfort and what is included. Large mainstream ships also visit Antarctic waters on some South America voyages, but they offer scenic cruising only.
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise compare voyages across lines and explain the trade-offs, so you can pick the expedition that fits your interests and budget. Our sister site A Voyage Travel explains how expedition voyages compare with other kinds of cruising.
Is an Antarctic Expedition Right for You?
An expedition cruise asks a little more of you than a typical vacation at sea. Landings mean climbing in and out of small boats, walking on snow, rock or shingle, and sometimes stepping into shallow water. Most reasonably mobile travelers manage this easily with help from the crew, but if you have mobility limits, tell your advisor before you book; some ships and itineraries are much easier than others.
There is also no hospital nearby. Ships carry a doctor and a medical center, but serious problems mean an evacuation that can take days. That is why lines ask for medical information and why good insurance matters. In return you get something few places on Earth still offer: a wilderness with no roads, no shops and wildlife that is largely unafraid of people.
Before You Book
Book well ahead
Expedition ships are small and the season is short. Popular December and January departures can fill a year or more in advance.
Read the fine print
Check whether flights, pre-cruise hotels, a parka, boot loan and activities such as kayaking are included. They vary widely.
Get the right insurance
Many operators require emergency medical evacuation cover. Our sister site Cruise & Travel Insurance explains what to look for.
Know the rules
Antarctic tourism follows strict guidelines on landings, wildlife and biosecurity. See the landing rules.
For promotions and early-booking offers, Wave Season collects the year’s cruise deals, including expedition lines.
Who Is Behind This Site
Cruising Antarctica is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a quote, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle it personally — not a call center — and book everything for you. Meet Mister Cruise →
Plan Your Antarctic Expedition
Tell us when you would like to travel and whether you prefer to sail the Drake or fly. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare expedition voyages and send free quotes.
Get Antarctica Cruise Quotes