An expedition cruise to Antarctica is a truly amazing adventure. A voyage to pristine lands covered in ice and snow, home to all-star penguins, seals, and whales. Here are 5 of the best Antarctic expedition cruises should know.

Best Cruise Lines that go to Antarctica

1. Quark exploration

Quark’s expertise lies particularly in polar regions. They only focus on Arctic and Antarctic sailing. A variety of ships and prices give you a variety of itineraries to choose from, including the rare opportunity to sail south to the Antarctic Circle (66 degrees 33) and a visit to Snow Hill Island in November 2023 with an 8000-couple vessel.

It is one of the few places on earth where you can see emperor penguins and their chicks. Of these ships, we recommend the Ultramarine, the newest ship and the first to be fully owned and operated by Quark, and the World Explorer, launched in 2019.

Look for sailings that include opportunities for camping, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and more. Some Quark ships stand out from the competition. Those wishing to avoid the difficult journey across the Drake Passage can board the Drake at Punta Arenas and join the ship at King George Island. This is an interesting option, but it may be difficult due to bad weather.

2. Silversea Expedition

Silversea has operated the Silver Explorer in Antarctica for many years, giving it significant experience in the region. Interestingly, in 2023, the new Silver Endeavor (formerly Crystal Endeavour) will replace the Silver Explorer in the region, giving Silversea one of the finest and most luxurious purpose-built Vault expedition ships in the region.

Both ships will join the Exploration Fleet after being converted from ‘classic’ ships in 2017 and 2023 to offer improved comfort on board. Silversea’s all-inclusive offer avoids additional fees being added to your (admittedly high) initial cost. Most cruises depart from Ushuaia or Puerto Williams, and Silversea offers charter air connections from Buenos Aires or Santiago.

You can also avoid crossing the Drake Passage with Silversea’s ‘Antarctic Bridge’ itinerary, which includes round-trip flights between Punta Arenas and King George Island. But some might argue that you haven’t really been to Antarctica if you haven’t sailed the Drake.

The standard of teaching is very high, and an excellent guest-to-guide ratio of around 1 guide for every 12 guests means you always have an expert with you, whether you’re at the zodiac or on the beach. If the weather is good, you can land twice a day.

3. Lindblad Exploration

Pioneer Lars-Eric Lindblad led the first citizen explorer expedition to Antarctica in 1966 and created the concept of exploratory travel. Experience is important, especially when traveling off the beaten path. With experience on hundreds of Antarctic expeditions, Lindblad really stands out when it comes to safety and insight.

Lindblad ships carry a variety of ‘exploration tools’. Zodiacs and kayaks also have remote-controlled crow’s nest cameras that broadcast live footage to video screens within each cabin. A video microscope to see the invisible sides of Antarctica and a hydrophone to listen to whales.

Ice masters and expedition leaders are second to none, and every sailing includes an undersea expert who dives to capture video footage that is displayed in the ship’s lounges. National Geographic Explorer and Orion are each equipped with remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) that can explore depths of up to 1,000 feet. Plus, a National Geographic photographer is waiting for you every time you depart.

4. Exploring Hurtigruten

With over 100 years of experience operating famous Norwegian coastal voyages, transporting equipment, mail, and people from Bergen along the Norwegian coast every day of the year, Hurtigruten is accustomed to operating sturdy vessels in challenging waters.

Recently, the purpose-built exploration ship Fram began venturing to the other hemisphere to explore the Southern Ocean during the winter, while two new high-tech exploration ships, Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen, will join the fleet in 2019 and 2020 respectively. joined.

Hurtigruten ships are some of the largest vessels in the region, so although landings are limited, they offer an excellent cost-effective option.

5. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Hapag-Lloyd’s much-loved Hanseatic recently retired after spending winters in Antarctica since the early ’90s, and Hapag was the only luxury operator in the region for many years, with a notable Berlitz five-star rating. Three exciting new ships – Hanseatic Nature, Hanseatic Inspiration, and Hanseatic Spirit – have now joined the fleet, bringing a new level of luxury to Hapag’s polar operations.

The Hanseatic Inspiration will be of greatest interest to English-speaking travelers, as the ships are bilingual, while the other two speak only German.

Making the most of a special Antarctic voyage requires a high level of expertise from the operator. The key issues are of course safety, efficient and fast operations for landing and zodiac travel, and an outstanding team of experts, naturalists, expedition leaders, and guides.

Hapag-Lloyd, a regular visitor to the region, has gained a prestigious status and reputation among professionals and customers alike and will ensure a very special Antarctic experience.

How much does an Antarctica cruise cost?

The cost of embarking on a cruise to Antarctica can vary depending on your departure date, the length of your cruise, and the type of cabin you book on the ship. Most cruises start at around USD$5,000 (AUD$7,000) all the way through. Cruises lasting 21 days can cost up to USD$12,000 (AUD$17,000).

Are Antarctica cruises expensive?

Our experts share insider knowledge and money-saving tips to help you answer the question, “How much does it cost to go to Antarctica?” The average Antarctic cruise costs about $8,000 per person. The cheapest trips to Antarctica start at less than $5,000. Luxury sailings can exceed $15,000 per person.

Who owns Antarctica?

Antarctica belongs to no one. No single country owns Antarctica. Instead, Antarctica is governed by several countries in a unique international partnership. The Antarctic Treaty, first signed on December 1, 1959, designated Antarctica as a continent dedicated to peace and science.

What is the permanent population of Antarctica?

There are no permanent residents in Antarctica. It includes research stations and field camps, and former whaling settlements, staffed seasonally or year-round.

How many days do you need to visit Antarctica?

The shortest trip to Antarctica is six days on an Express Air Cruise. From here you can sail or fly to King George Island and return by plane or cruise. To get the optimal Antarctica experience without flying, you’ll need a trip of at least 10 days, starting and ending in Ushuaia.

A trip to the Ross Sea lasts about 30 days. Budget at least 18 days to explore the Falkland Islands and South Georgia in addition to the Antarctic Peninsula.

What can you see and do on an Antarctic cruise?

All of our small ship Antarctic cruises offer zodiac trips and hikes that allow you to encounter Antarctic wildlife up close. Some ships have sea kayaks that provide a unique perspective on penguins, whales, and other wildlife. Some Antarctic expeditions include skiing and camping in Antarctica for the ultimate adventure trip to the White Continent.