Be bold. Experience the Untamed.
Antarctica, a land of extremes, boasting a rich tapestry of history woven into its icy landscape. Challenge your perception of beauty and survival with nature’s pristine canvas, where climatic extremes dictate life’s pace. Amidst this overwhelming landscape, penguins waddle with poise, seals bask in the sun and whales breach the icy water in a magnificent show of strength and grace. Tread in the footsteps of explorers who have ventured to the ends of the earth in search of knowledge and adventure.
Explore Natural Marvels in Luxury
Explore Antarctica’s icy realm, encountering towering glaciers, crystalline waters, and breathtaking vistas that showcase nature’s raw power. Traverse icy fjords, witness colossal icebergs, and marvel at the ethereal beauty of the polar landscape.
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Ready to Experience Antarctica?
Encounter Majestic Wildlife
Immerse yourself in the realm of diverse wildlife, from playful penguins to graceful whales. Antarctica teems with life, both above and below the frigid waters. Witness colonies of seabirds, spot elusive seals basking on ice floes, and encounter majestic pods of orcas gliding through the Antarctic seas.
Luxury or Expedition Cruise
Embark on a voyage of discovery to the Antarctic region, where the options are as diverse as the landscapes themselves. Whether you seek the lavish comforts of a luxurious cruise or the thrill of an immersive expedition, the following cruise lines deliver unparalleled adventures and onboard experiences.
Luxury Ships That Sail Antarctica
- Silverseas Silver Endeavour: A premier expedition ship, boasting cutting-edge technology, 5-star luxury, and a top speed of 20 knots. Its spacious all-suite cabins, 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio, and polar experts ensure an unparalleled Antarctic expedition experience. The Endeavour is stationed on King George Island and is the only cruise ship that does not traverse the Drake Passage except on the first and last 15 day voyage of the season to and from the island.
- Ponant Le Commandant Charcot: Experience unprecedented exploration onboard the world’s sole passenger ship with a Polar Class 2 hull, enabling navigation through multiyear ice. Delve into uncharted territories, encountering majestic icebergs, volcanic islands, and Antarctic wildlife inaccessible to conventional ships.
- Scenic Eclipse and Eclipse II: The ultimate in Antarctic immersion and luxury polar cruising. Purpose-built with Polar Class 6 rating and advanced technology, they offer safe navigation through icy waters. Great reviews, just 200 guests, enjoy multiple daily Zodiac landings for an immersive Antarctic experience.
- Viking Polaris & Octantis: Purpose-built expedition ships, larger than most in the region, offering a range of staterooms from Nordic Balcony to spacious Explorer Suites. Experience comfort and elegance while immersing yourself in remote, untamed regions.
- Swan Hellenic: Offering unparalleled journeys to the White Continent. With three ships sailing the region you choose your level of comfort, their 5-star expedition ship ensures smooth sailing for 152 guests with its PC5 ice-strengthened hull and large stabilisers. Enjoy onboard amenities, fine dining, and thrilling shore excursions.
- Hapag-Lloyd: Prepare to be mesmerized by the Antarctic’s stunning beauty. Encounter mighty glaciers, majestic icebergs, and captivating wildlife up close in this extraordinary habitat, with expert guides that reveal the region’s unfathomable magic, from its white snow formations to glowing blue ice. Marvel at penguins, whales, seals, and sea birds as our seasoned team navigates you through this polar wonderland, leaving you with unforgettable lifetime memories.
- Tauck: Experience refined small ship cruising with Tauck, accommodating up to 264 passengers. Enjoy exclusive shore excursions and French cuisine aboard Le Boréal’s 6 decks, featuring lounges, dining options, and ocean-view staterooms and suites, most with private balconies.
- Aurora Expeditions: Embark on small-ship expeditions with Aurora Expeditions, accommodating up to 132 expeditioners. With over 33 years of experience, we prioritise adventure and positive impact travel, offering exhilarating journeys to the world’s wildest destinations on purpose-built ships.
- Regent: Regent Seven Seas offers super luxurious cruises with unmatched onboard experiences. Ideal for sightseeing enthusiasts, the cruise line doesn’t offer onshore excursions, catering to guests with limited mobility.
Note: There are cruise ships which offer flights over the Drake Passage but the onboard experience is less luxurious.
SubContinent
The sub-continent enables those wishing to explore the wonders of Antarctica’s incredible sea and birdlife without having to invest in a lengthy cruise nor the need to endure colder temperatures like you would expect when venturing further south to Antarctica. The islands most often visited are;
- Ulva Island: Nestled off the coast of New Zealand, Ulva Island is a pristine sanctuary teeming with rare wildlife. An untouched paradise with lush rainforests with diverse bird species such as the elusive kiwi.
- The Snares: An untouched wildlife haven and home to the unique Snares penguin and a host of other seabirds, the air vibrates with the calls of myriad seabirds.
- Enderby Island (Musgrave Inlet): Enderby Island, a jewel of the Subantarctic, boasts a wildlife spectacle unlike any other. Frequented by rare yellow-eyed penguins and New Zealand sea lions. The island’s unique ecosystem is a paradise for birdwatchers and nature lovers alike.
- Macquarie Island: Listed as a remote UNESCO World Heritage site, its rugged landscapes are home to vast colonies of royal and king penguins, fur seals and elephant seals and a haven for diverse marine birds.
- Campbell Island: A sanctuary for the world’s rarest duck, the Campbell Island teal and albatross colonies. Rugged cliffs and verdant fields bloom with unique megaherbs, creating a stunning backdrop for wildlife enthusiasts.
- Antipodes Island: This rugged volcanic outpost is a haven for the endemic Antipodean parakeet and the world’s rarest penguin, the erect-crested penguin. This rugged landscape provides sanctuary for a variety of seabirds and marine mammals.
Ponant is the only luxury cruise line to navigate all of the sub-continent (subantarctica) islands and New Zealand’s Fiordland’s with a round-trip departing Dunedin, (New Zealand).
Ross Sea
For those looking for a more adventurous connection on their Antarctica cruise, the Ross Sea strikes the perfect balance with six-star luxury cruising and expedition travel allowing you to get more up close and personal with Antarctica. Several departure options available. The islands and bays you are likely to visit may include;
- Balleny Island: Magnificent untouched ice-scapes and volcanic peaks frequented by seals, penguins, and a myriad of seabirds which offers intrepid explorers a glimpse into one of the planet’s most pristine ecosystems.
- Bay of Whales: An iconic Antarctic destination named for its abundant whale sightings. This raw and majestic icy refuge also attracts seals, penguins, and a diverse array of seabirds.
- Cape Adare: Hosting the world’s largest Adélie penguin colony amongst its formidable, rugged ice-covered peaks. Witness thousands of penguins nesting in a stark, monochrome landscape with seals doting the shoreline.
- Macquarie Island: Home to vast colonies of royal and king penguins, fur seals and elephant seals, this remote UNESCO World Heritage site is a breathtaking spectacle.
Ponant cruises the Ross Sea with a round-trip departing Dunedin (New Zealand) visiting select subantarctic islands along route to Antarctica.
Scenic cruises the Ross Sea with a round-trip departing Dunedin (New Zealand), and a cruise from Queenstown to Hobart, and Hobart to Dunedin, each cruising the Ross Sea with stops in Antarctica.
Your Antarctic Adventure Awaits
Embark on a journey of a lifetime and awaken your sense of adventure amidst the untamed beauty of Antarctica. Book your voyage now and set sail for an unforgettable adventure. Ask one of our experts how we can create a bespoke itinerary and create an experience that will exceed your expectations. Call Platinum Cruising on 1800 CRUISE or complete an enquiry form on the cruise that interests you most.
Featured Antarctica Cruises
Mawson’s Antarctica: Along the East Coast
Breathtaking Voyage Alongside East Antarctica
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15 Dec 24 24 nights |
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Scenic Eclipse 2 |
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Queenstown Hobart |
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From $41,846*/person |
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore the wonders of Antarctica with Major cruise lines that go to Antarctica include Silverseas, Ponant, Scenic, Viking, Swan Hellenic, Tauck, Aurora Expeditions, and Regent Seven Seas.
The best time to visit Antarctica is during the Antarctic summer, which runs from late November to early March. This period offers milder temperatures, longer daylight hours, and increased wildlife activity, making it ideal for exploration and sightseeing.
Cruise ships sailing to Antarctica typically depart from ports in South America, such as Ushuaia in Argentina and Punta Arenas in Chile. These ports serve as gateways to the Antarctic Peninsula and provide embarkation points for expeditions to the southernmost continent.
Regent offers the most luxurious experience of all ships visiting Antarctica, however it solely focuses on the onboard experience and does not offer onshore or zodiac experiences amongst other things. Our short-listed luxury cruiselines list above provide the best balance of luxury, comfort and adventure, with Aurora expeditions focused more on adventure rather than onboard experience.
Aurora Expeditions is a field leader in adventure expedition cruises with over 33 years experience. Geared toward adventure, they suit a younger and more active adult traveller demographic.
The duration of a cruise to Antarctica varies depending on the itinerary and the cruise line. Generally, Antarctic cruises range from about 10 to 21 days. Some shorter cruises focus solely on the Antarctic Peninsula, while longer expeditions may include visits to other subantarctic islands or destinations in South America.
The cost of an Antarctica cruise can vary widely depending on factors such as the cruise line, the duration of the cruise, the level of luxury, and the time of year. On average, prices for an Antarctica cruise can range from around AUD $15,000 to AUD $30,000 or more per person. It’s essential to check with specific cruise lines for accurate pricing and availability.
Antarctica cruises are generally considered safe when operated by reputable cruise lines with experienced crews. These cruises adhere to strict safety regulations, including international maritime standards and guidelines set by organisations like the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO). However, Antarctica’s remote and challenging environment presents unique risks, such as extreme weather conditions, icy waters, and rugged terrain. To ensure safety, cruise ships are equipped with advanced navigation systems, experienced expedition teams, and safety protocols for onboard emergencies and shore excursions. It’s essential for passengers to follow crew instructions, dress appropriately for the cold climate, and stay vigilant during excursions. While no adventure is entirely without risk, with proper planning and precautions, Antarctica cruises offer a safe and unforgettable experience.
