Antarctica Cruises
Except for a few hardy researchers, there are no permanent residents of Antarctica and tourist traffic is controlled in an effort to protect this fragile continent. Most of what visitors see is limited to views from the deck of a passing ship. The serenity and expansiveness of Antarctica is unmatched anywhere on Earth. The only uninhabited continent is a marvel to explore and a beauty to see.
Read more about Antarctica Cruises >
Antarctica Cruise Highlights
Get ready to observe an extraordinary display of wildlife, from fur seals to penguins, sea elephants, whales, birds and albatrosses. Visitors to Antarctica become amateur researchers and naturalists as they undergo an educational experience, able to stand feet away from these majestic animals at times. On land or on board a ship, stand in awe of the open, white wilderness, untouched by most of civilization. Once anchored in Antarctica, passengers can board Zodiacs to step on land and hike along the snowy grounds. Adventurous souls can even kayak or paddleboard through icy waters.
Popular Antarctica Cruise Ports
Other than a few researchers, there are no permanent residents of Antarctica, and the number of visitors on land is capped at 100 passengers at a time. There are no actual ports of call on this continent, so ships anchor at locations like Cape Evans and Cape Royds, Deception Island, Lamaire Channel and Half Moon Island. Once anchored, passengers can explore the continent via Zodiac landing craft - a sturdy, inflatable designed for exploration use.
When is the Best Time to Go to Antarctica?
With freezing temperatures nearly year round, there are only a few months a year when it is ideal to visit Antarctica. Cruise ships typically visit between December and February, when the temperatures are between 20 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. During this time, it is high summer in Antarctica, with 20+ hours of daylight per day. Because of the distance required to get there, most Antarctic voyages are a minimum of 10 nights.
What Cruise Lines Go to Antarctica?
Only a select few cruise lines make the trek down to this remote but grand destination. Here are a few to explore:
- Quark Expeditions: A world leader in polar cruises, Quark Expeditions will bring you up close to magnificent icebergs and spectacular wildlife on 7- to 23-day expeditions. Adventurers can revel in outdoor activities like cross-country skiing, mountaineering, hiking and even stand-up paddleboarding while in Antarctica.
- Silversea Cruises: Can you imagine having afternoon tea in the southernmost part of the globe? Silversea makes that dream a reality with its signature white-glove service aboard several sailings to Antarctica each year. Depart from Ushuaia, Argentina; Buenos Aires, Argentina; or Valparaiso, Chile and explore Antarctica's Peninsula, Sound, Shetland Islands and more.
- Ponant Cruises: Ponant's small, luxury ships are known for sailing to ports and anchorages off the beaten path, and the Antarctic is no exception. Travel on Ponant and discover outings in Zodiacs to Cooper Bay, New Island and Half Moon, as well as stops in the Falkland Islands and South Georgia.
| Month | Number of Cruises | From Price |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2024 | 21 cruises | $9,501 |
| Dec 2024 | 80 cruises | $1,409 |
| Jan 2025 | 84 cruises | $1,605 |
| Feb 2025 | 73 cruises | $1,241 |
| Mar 2025 | 25 cruises | $1,143 |
| Sep 2025 | 1 cruises | Call For Price |
| Oct 2025 | 23 cruises | $8,850 |
| Nov 2025 | 66 cruises | $8,619 |
| Dec 2025 | 92 cruises | $2,758 |
| Jan 2026 | 107 cruises | $2,278 |
| Feb 2026 | 78 cruises | $2,683 |
| Mar 2026 | 18 cruises | $8,414 |
| Oct 2026 | 10 cruises | $10,916 |
| Nov 2026 | 31 cruises | $11,133 |
| Dec 2026 | 51 cruises | $11,457 |
| Jan 2027 | 57 cruises | $2,076 |
| Feb 2027 | 40 cruises | $11,674 |
| Mar 2027 | 8 cruises | $10,916 |
| 17 Night Antarctica Cruise from Buenos Aires | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
Sapphire Princess 7 Sail Dates: 12/1; 12/18; 1/4/25; 1/21/25; 12/22/25; 1/8/26; 1/25/26; See More Starting Port: Buenos Aires, Argentina Ports of Call: Buenos Aires, Punta Arenas, Ushuaia, Antarctic Peninsula, Port Stanley, Montevideo, Buenos Aires |
17 Nights |
$1,409per person
(double occupancy) |
| 14 Night Antarctica Cruise from Buenos Aires | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
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14 Nights |
$2,076per person
(double occupancy) |
| 14 Night Antarctica and South America Argentina and Chile Cruise from Buenos Aires | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
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14 Nights |
$2,568per person
(double occupancy) |
| 14 Night Antarctica and South America Argentina and Antarctica Cruise from Buenos Aires | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
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14 Nights |
$1,586per person
(double occupancy) |
| 22 Night South America and Antarctica Cruise from San Antonio | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
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22 Nights |
$3,149per person
(double occupancy) |
| 22 Night South America and Antarctica Cruise from San Antonio | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
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22 Nights |
$3,149per person
(double occupancy) |
| 22 Night Iguazu Falls Adventure Tour 1F Cruise and Land Tour from Rio de Janeiro | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
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22 Nights |
$6,708per person
(double occupancy) |
| 22 Night South America and Antarctica Holiday Cruise from Buenos Aires | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
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22 Nights |
$3,099per person
(double occupancy) |
| 7 Night Antarctica Direct Fly the Drake Passage Cruise and Land Tour from Puerto Natales | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
National Geographic Explorer 32 Sail Dates: 11/26; 12/1; 12/15; 12/20; 1/3/25; 1/8/25; 1/22/25; 1/27/25; 2/10/25; 2/15/25; See More Starting Port: Puerto Natales, Chile Ports of Call: Puerto Natales, King George Island, Cruising Antarctica, King George Island, Puerto Natales |
7 Nights |
$10,138per person
(double occupancy) |
| 5 Night Antarctica Direct Fly the Drake Passage Cruise from King George Island | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
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National Geographic Explorer 32 Sail Dates: 11/27; 12/2; 12/16; 12/21; 1/4/25; 1/9/25; 1/23/25; 1/28/25; 2/11/25; 2/16/25; See More Starting Port: King George Island, Antarctica Ports of Call: King George Island, Cruising Antarctica, King George Island |
5 Nights |
$10,138per person
(double occupancy) |
| 10 Night Voyage to Antarctica Cruise from Ushuaia | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
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10 Nights |
$15,976per person
(double occupancy) |
| 11 Night Voyage to Antarctica Cruise and Land Tour from Santiago (Valparaiso) | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
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National Geographic Resolution 19 Sail Dates: 11/30; 12/10; 12/20; 12/30; 1/9/25; 2/18/25; 11/17/25; 11/27/25; 12/7/25; 12/17/25; See More Starting Port: Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile Ports of Call: Santiago (Valparaiso), Ushuaia, Drake Passage, Cruising Antarctica, Ushuaia, Buenos Aires |
11 Nights |
$15,976per person
(double occupancy) |
| 6 Night Antarctica Direct Fly the Drake Passage Cruise from King George Island | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
National Geographic Orion 19 Sail Dates: 11/17/25; 11/23/25; 11/29/25; 12/15/25; 12/21/25; 1/3/26; 1/14/26; 1/27/26; 2/19/26; 11/20/26; See More Starting Port: King George Island, Antarctica Ports of Call: King George Island, Cruising Antarctica, King George Island |
6 Nights |
$13,975per person
(double occupancy) |
| 11 Night Voyage to Antarctica Cruise and Land Tour from Buenos Aires | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
National Geographic Endurance 17 Sail Dates: 11/22; 12/2; 12/12; 12/22; 1/1/25; 1/31/25; 2/10/25; 12/9/25; 12/19/25; 12/29/25; See More Starting Port: Buenos Aires, Argentina Ports of Call: Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Drake Passage, Cruising Antarctica, Ushuaia, Buenos Aires |
11 Nights |
$17,314per person
(double occupancy) |
| 10 Night Voyage to Antarctica Cruise from Ushuaia | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
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10 Nights |
$17,314per person
(double occupancy) |
| 8 Night Antarctica Direct Fly the Drake Passage Cruise and Land Tour from Puerto Natales | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
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National Geographic Orion 17 Sail Dates: 11/16/25; 11/22/25; 11/28/25; 12/14/25; 12/20/25; 1/2/26; 1/26/26; 2/18/26; 11/19/26; 11/25/26; See More Starting Port: Puerto Natales, Chile Ports of Call: Puerto Natales, King George Island, Cruising Antarctica, King George Island, Puerto Natales |
8 Nights |
$13,975per person
(double occupancy) |
| 9 Night Antarctica Direct Sail and Fly the Drake Passage Cruise and Land Tour from Ushuaia | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
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National Geographic Explorer 15 Sail Dates: 12/8; 12/27; 1/15/25; 2/3/25; 11/7/25; 11/26/25; 12/15/25; 1/3/26; 1/22/26; 2/10/26; See More Starting Port: Ushuaia, Argentina Ports of Call: Ushuaia, Drake Passage, Cruising Antarctica, King George Island, Puerto Natales |
9 Nights |
$12,173per person
(double occupancy) |
| 7 Night Antarctica Direct Sail and Fly the Drake Passage Cruise from Ushuaia | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
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National Geographic Explorer 15 Sail Dates: 12/9; 12/28; 1/16/25; 2/4/25; 11/8/25; 11/27/25; 12/16/25; 1/4/26; 1/23/26; 2/11/26; See More Starting Port: Ushuaia, Argentina Ports of Call: Ushuaia, Drake Passage, Cruising Antarctica, King George Island |
7 Nights |
$12,173per person
(double occupancy) |
| 20 Night Antarctica South Georgia and the Falklands Cruise from Ushuaia | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
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National Geographic Endurance 7 Sail Dates: 1/12/25; 2/21/25; 10/31/25; 11/20/25; 2/8/26; 11/13/26; 2/9/27; See More Starting Port: Ushuaia, Argentina Ports of Call: Ushuaia, Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island, Cruising Antarctica, Drake Passage, Ushuaia |
20 Nights |
$36,139per person
(double occupancy) |
| 17 Night Antarctica and Patagonia Legendary Ice and Epic Fjords Cruise and Land Tour from Santiago (Valparaiso) | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
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National Geographic Resolution 6 Sail Dates: 1/19/25; 2/3/25; 10/12/25; 1/26/26; 2/10/26; 2/17/27; See More Starting Port: Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile Ports of Call: Santiago (Valparaiso), Ushuaia, Drake Passage, Cruising Antarctica, Pia Fjord Chile... |
17 Nights |
$26,262per person
(double occupancy) |
| 16 Night Antarctica and Patagonia Legendary Ice and Epic Fjords Cruise from Ushuaia | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
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National Geographic Resolution 6 Sail Dates: 1/20/25; 2/4/25; 10/13/25; 1/27/26; 2/11/26; 2/18/27; See More Starting Port: Ushuaia, Argentina Ports of Call: Ushuaia, Drake Passage, Cruising Antarctica, Pia Fjord Chile, Cruising Garibaldi Glacier... |
16 Nights |
$26,262per person
(double occupancy) |
| 9 Night Antarctica Direct Fly the Drake Passage Cruise and Land Tour from Puerto Natales | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
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National Geographic Orion 6 Sail Dates: 12/26/25; 1/19/26; 2/11/26; 2/24/26; 12/1/26; 12/20/26; See More Starting Port: Puerto Natales, Chile Ports of Call: Puerto Natales, King George Island, Cruising Antarctica, King George Island, Puerto Natales |
9 Nights |
$16,458per person
(double occupancy) |
| 7 Night Antarctica Direct Fly the Drake Passage Cruise from King George Island | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
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7 Nights |
$16,458per person
(double occupancy) |
| 21 Night Antarctica South Georgia and the Falklands Cruise and Land Tour from Buenos Aires | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
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National Geographic Endurance 5 Sail Dates: 10/30/25; 11/19/25; 2/7/26; 11/12/26; 2/8/27; See More Starting Port: Buenos Aires, Argentina Ports of Call: Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island, Cruising Antarctica, Drake Passage... |
21 Nights |
$38,910per person
(double occupancy) |
| 21 Night Antarctica South Georgia and the Falklands Cruise and Land Tour from Santiago (Valparaiso) | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
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21 Nights |
$38,910per person
(double occupancy) |
