Antarctica Cruises

Antarctica Cruises: When to Go?
Antarctica travel reveals the dramatic extremes of a frozen continent. It holds the title of coldest, driest, windiest, and highest elevation on earth. A number of ships ply the Antarctic waters, from Russian icebreakers to luxury expedition ships with strengthened hulls. An Antarctica cruise departs from Ushuaia, though itineraries vary. Depending on your trip-length, spend time visiting the Antarctic Peninsula, Falkland Islands and the mountainous South Georgia. Antarctica cruises offer zodiac excursions for up-close encounters with wildlife and the blue icebergs that float quietly in the surrounding waters. Experience Antarctic kayaking or onshore camping. On Antarctica tours, onboard experts lecture on the region's natural history, weather, and captivating wildlife commonly seen during a cruise to the frozen continent.

Antarctica Testimonials

Featured In:

Research Ships

- what is this?
Akademik Ioffe Akademik Ioffe -  Research Ship
passengers :  110
The Akademik Ioffe has proven herself to be an ideal 'adventure platform' for exploring Polar waters with a range of activities such as sea kayaking and camping.
Itineraries Prices from Days Month Destinations
Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the Peninsula $4,990 12 Jan, Nov, Dec Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, Drake Passage
Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition 2011 $8,490 15 Jan Polar Circle, Antarctic Peninsula
Explorers' Quest via the Antarctic Peninsula, Falklands, and South Georgia $11,690 20 Feb, Dec Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands
 
Akademik Sergey Vavilov Akademik Sergey Vavilov -  Research Ship
passengers :  110
Widely regarded as the finest expedition ship operating in Polar waters, the Akademik Sergey Vavilov offers a high level of comfort - in her appointment, stability and strength.
Itineraries Prices from Days Month Destinations
Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the Peninsula $4,990 12 Jan, Feb, Dec Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, Drake Passage
Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition 2011 $6,590 15 Jan, Feb Polar Circle, Antarctic Peninsula
Explorers' Quest via the Antarctic Peninsula, Falklands, and South Georgia $8,890 20 Nov, Dec Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands
 
The Ushuaia MV Ushuaia -  Research Ship
passengers :  70
The Ushuaia is a steel hulled, ice-strengthened vessel built originally for oceanographic research and recently converted to passenger voyages.
Itineraries Prices from Days Month Destinations
Classic Antarctica $4,310 10 Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands
Classic Antarctica $4,790 11 Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands
 
Polar Pioneer Polar Pioneer -  Research Ship
passengers :  54
This vessel offers a wide range of adventure activities on its departures including SCUBA diving, sea kayaking, camping, and rock and ice climbing. The Polar Pioneer also offers a very unique opportunity to follow Ernest Shackleton's footsteps.
Itineraries Prices from Days Month Destinations
Across the Antarctic Circle $6,400 12 Feb Polar Circle, Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctic Peninsula $5,990 11 Nov, Dec Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctic Peninsula $6,090 12 Dec Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctic Peninsula & Weddell Sea $6,400 12 Jan Weddell Sea, Antarctic Peninsula
Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Peninsula $9,760 19 Jan, Nov Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Antarctic Peninsula
Shackleton Odyssey $9,955 20 Feb Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Antarctic Peninsula
 
Ship crusing the Arctic waters Professor Molchanov -  Research Ship
passengers :  49
The Professor Molchanov's low passenger capacity allows for a very intimate trip with an experience more like a private expedition than a traditional cruise with maximum time spent ashore in small groups. Early registration discounts are available.
Itineraries Prices from Days Month Destinations
Atlantic Odyssey Part 1 $7,950 31 Mar South Georgia, Weddell Sea, Antarctic Peninsula
 
Professor Multanovskiy Professor Multanovskiy -  Research Ship
passengers :  49
As the sister ship to the Professor Molchanov, the Multanovskiy offers similar trips focusing on wildlife viewing as well as enjoying the breathtaking scenery. Some departures offer experiences such as camping, kayaking and cross-country skiing.
Itineraries Prices from Days Month Destinations
Antarctic Peninsula and the Polar Circle $6,490 12 Mar Polar Circle, Antarctic Peninsula
back to top 

Ice Breaker Ships

- what is this?
Kapitan Khlebnikov Kapitan Khlebnikov -  Ice Breaker Ship
passengers :  112
The KAPITAN KHLEBNIKOV was built in Finland in 1981 as a powerful polar class icebreaker, which has sailed to extremely remote corners of the globe. No other expedition vessel has navigated more polar waters.
Itineraries Prices from Days Month Destinations
Antarctica's Far East: The Farewell Voyage $37,990 31 Dec South Pacific, Polar Circle, Australia
Emperor Penguins: Snow Hill Island 2010 $15,290 14 Oct Weddell Sea, Antarctic Peninsula, Drake Passage
Epic Antarctica via the Phantom Coast and the Ross Sea 2010 $24,990 32 Dec Falkland Islands, Polar Circle, Antarctic Peninsula, Ross Sea, Victoria Land, Peter I Island, Amundsen Sea, South Shetland Islands
Ross Sea Centennial Voyage $35,390 29 Nov South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Ross Sea, Victoria Land
The Weddell Sea and South Georgia: Celebrating the Heroes of HMS Endurance $21,990 30 Nov South America, Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Weddell Sea
back to top 

Expedition Cruise Ships

- what is this?
Clipper Adventurer Clipper Adventurer (QU) -  Expedition Cruise Ship
passengers :  122
The Adventurer is a handsome expedition vessel reminiscent of the days of the great ocean liners, with lots of varnished wood and brass. She sails on a wide variety of cruises in Europe, the Arctic, the U.S., South America, and Antarctica.
Itineraries Prices from Days Month Destinations
Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the Peninsula $4,390 11 Jan, Feb, Dec Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, Drake Passage
Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the Peninsula $4,390 12 Feb, Nov Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, Drake Passage
Explorers' Quest via the Antarctic Peninsula, Falklands, and South Georgia $7,890 20 Nov, Dec Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands
 
Marina Svetaeva anchored Marina Svetaeva -  Expedition Cruise Ship
passengers :  100
Designed and built as a scientific ice strengthened polar exploration vessel, the Marina Svetaeva is stable, quiet & comfortable. In 2005, a helideck was added so tha helicopters could unlock the secrets of the heavily iced coastlines of Deep Antarctica.
Itineraries Prices from Days Month Destinations
Antarctic Circle Voyage $7,190 13 Jan Polar Circle
Antarctic Peninsula Adventure $5,590 11 Jan, Mar, Nov, Dec Antarctic Peninsula, Drake Passage
Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctic Peninsula $10,990 19 Feb, Dec Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Antarctic Peninsula, South Orkney Islands, Drake Passage
South Orkney Antarctic Odyssey $7,190 13 Feb Weddell Sea, Antarctic Peninsula, South Orkney Islands, Drake Passage
 
Voyage to the remote poles on expedition vessel MV Plancius MV Plancius -  Expedition Cruise Ship
passengers :  112
Built in 1976 and reconstructed in 2008, the MV Plancius is fully equipped for polar expeditions and can accommodate 112 passengers in 54 comfortable cabins.
Itineraries Prices from Days Month Destinations
Antarctic Peninsula $6,990 11 Jan, Feb, Dec Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, Drake Passage
Antarctic Peninsula and the Polar Circle $7,690 12 Mar Polar Circle, Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, Drake Passage
Antarctic Peninsula with South Shetlands $6,990 11 Dec Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, Drake Passage
Atlantic Odyssey: Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, Tristan da Cunha, St. Helena, Ascension, Cape $8,690 31 Mar South Georgia, Weddell Sea, Antarctic Peninsula, South Orkney Islands, Drake Passage
Exclusive South Georgia $8,350 18 Oct South Georgia, Polar Circle
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctic Peninsula $11,690 20 Nov Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Weddell Sea, Antarctic Peninsula, South Orkney Islands
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctic Peninsula $13,690 19 Jan, Feb, Dec Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Weddell Sea, Antarctic Peninsula, South Orkney Islands
Weddell Sea and Antarctic Circle $7,690 12 Mar Weddell Sea, Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, Drake Passage
 
Ocean Nova Ocean Nova -  Expedition Cruise Ship
passengers :  68
The Ocean Nova (previously called Sarpik Ittuk) was built in 1992 at the Ørskov Shipyard in Frederikshavn, Denmark, to navigate the ice-choked waters off Western Greenland. The ship was upgraded in 2000 and significantly refurbished once again in 2006.
Itineraries Prices from Days Month Destinations
Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the Peninsula $5,490 12 Feb, Nov Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, Drake Passage
Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition 2011 $9,190 15 Feb Polar Circle, Antarctic Peninsula, Drake Passage
Explorers' Quest via the Antarctic Peninsula, Falklands, and South Georgia $9,890 20 Jan, Nov Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands
 
Ocean Nova Ocean Nova (AN) -  Expedition Cruise Ship
passengers :  62
The Ocean Nova (previously called Sarpik Ittuk) was built in 1992 at the Ørskov Shipyard in Frederikshavn, Denmark, to navigate the ice-choked waters off Western Greenland. The ship was upgraded in 2000 and significantly refurbished once again in 2006.
Itineraries Prices from Days Month Destinations
Antarctic Experience Air Cruise $7,990 8 Jan Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands
Antarctica Express Air Cruise $3,490 5 Dec South America, Polar Circle, Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands
Classic Antarctica Air Cruise $8,990 7 Jan, Dec Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands
 
Ship Polar Star -  Expedition Cruise Ship
passengers :  105
This former icebreaker began exploring Antarctica in 2000 after years of sailing in the Arctic. Early booking and child discounts are available.
Itineraries Prices from Days Month Destinations
Antarctic and Sub Antarctic Islands Quest $9,595 19 Feb, Nov Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctic Peninsula $5,260 10 Jan, Dec Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctic Peninsula $5,830 11 Jan Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctic Peninsula & Weddell Sea $6,720 12 Feb Weddell Sea, Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctic Peninsula - Christmas $5,830 11 Dec South Shetland Islands, Drake Passage
Antarctic Peninsula - New Year $5,260 10 Dec Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctic Peninsula and the Polar Circle $6,720 12 Jan, Feb Polar Circle, Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands
back to top 

Luxury Expedition Ships

- what is this?
Clelia II Clelia II -  Luxury Expedition Ship
passengers :  100
To be launched in early 2009, after extensive refurbishment, redecoration and other improvements, the all-suite Clelia II will offer the finest in small-ship cruise travel.
Itineraries Prices from Days Month Destinations
Antarctica $8,495 12 Jan, Feb, Dec Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctica, Falklands and South Georgia $13,995 19 Feb, Nov Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Antarctic Peninsula
 
Minerva Minerva -  Luxury Expedition Ship
passengers :  198
The Minerva brings a rare touch of comfortable, informal refinement to Antarctic travel. This ship is formerly known at the 'Explorer II' (before June 2008).
Itineraries Prices from Days Month Destinations
Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands from Buenos Aires $9,695 19 Dec South America, Falkland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula
 
MV Le Boreal MV Le Boreal -  Luxury Expedition Ship
passengers :  199
A new era of comfort & style to Antarctic exploration. Newly built for 2010, 'Le Boreal' is the newest all-balcony stateroom & suite vessel in Antarctica. Explore with the right balance of on-board amenities and full-fledged wilderness excitement.
Itineraries Prices from Days Month Destinations
Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands $15,795 18 Jan, Dec South America, Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Antarctic Peninsula, Chile, Argentina, Drake Passage
Classic Antarctica $9,995 12 Dec South America, Chile, Argentina, Drake Passage
 
Sail in style on luxury expedition vessel National Geographic Explorer National Geographic Explorer -  Luxury Expedition Ship
passengers :  148
The National Geographic Explorer is a state-of-the-art expedition ship accommodating 148 guests in 81 outside cabins. It is fully stabilized, enabling it to navigate polar passages while providing comfort.
Itineraries Prices from Days Month Destinations
Antarctica - The White Continent $10,270 12 Jan, Nov, Dec Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands
Antarctica, Falklands, & South Georgia $18,450 23 Feb, Nov Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Antarctic Peninsula, South Orkney Islands
Viking Saga: Norway, Scotland, Faroes & Iceland $9,990 14 May Europe, Norway, Scotland, South Shetland Islands, South Orkney Islands
 
Explore the high seas from the deck of luxury expedition ship MV Orion Orion -  Luxury Expedition Ship
passengers :  106
The creation of the 106-guest Orion (maiden voyage 2003) heralds a new breed of expedition ship: a state-of-the-art vessel that combines the latest advances in ship design and communication technology with all the style and comfort of a fine cruise ship.
Itineraries Prices from Days Month Destinations
Scott and Shackelton’s Antarctica Ross Sea $20,785 22 Jan South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Macquarie Island, Ross Sea
 
Prince Albert II Prince Albert II -  Luxury Expedition Ship
passengers :  132
Embark on a luxurious expedition to the best far-flung destinations in the world aboard Prince Albert II, a purpose-built expedition ship unlike any other, designed to navigate both of earth's polar waters.
Itineraries Prices from Days Month Destinations
Classic Antarctica $10,795 12 Nov, Dec Antarctic Peninsula
Explorer's Antarctica $16,595 17 Nov, Dec Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, South Orkney Islands
back to top 
Travel Planning Articles: [all Antarctica articles]

The Remote Amundsen Sea | The Antarctic Peninsula | Introducing the Falkland Islands | Exploring Macquarie Island | Discover Peter I Island on an Antarctic Cruise | Land of Legends | The Perfect Antarctica Cruise Stop | Expeditions into the Icy Weddell Sea | The Perfect Antarctica Cruise Stop | Introducing the Falkland Islands | Discover Peter I Island on an Antarctic Cruise | Expeditions into the Icy Weddell Sea | The Remote Amundsen Sea | Exploring Macquarie Island | The Many Names of the Antarctic Peninsula | The Whaler's Last Outpost | Falkland Islands: A Legacy of Disputes | The Falklands War | British Influenced Culture of the Falklands | Rugged Islands of South Georgia | Exploring Unique Geography in Antarctica | Cruising Falklands Geography | Antarctica's Changing Ice Shelf | Falkland Islands Environment | The Hearty Antarctic Wildlife | Penguins by the Millions | Wildlife in the Falklands | Cuisine in the Falklands | Weather on the Peninsula | Weather in the Islands | South Georgia Politics | Current Politics | Antarctica Travel: The Long and Short of It | Antarctic Peninsula | Jonathan's Adventures to Antarctica on the Professor Molchanov | Antarctica Cruises: When to Go?

Request a Catalog   |   Contact Us   |   Book a Cruise