Embark on a journey of a lifetime with our expert tips for cruising Antarctica from our friend Alexa. Discover the ultimate polar adventure as you navigate icy wonders and witness breathtaking landscapes.
As the remotest continent in the world, Antarctica is among those destinations that only a few people can say they have visited. With its remote location and mesmerising landscape sceneries, Antarctica almost seems unreal.
A trip to this continent is an adventure like no other, involving significant planning and research. And while many companies now offer visitors a chance to visit the continent on a cruise, it’s worth doing enough research to ensure you get the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
After all, a trip to Antarctica does come with a hefty price tag.
Here are some tips for cruising Antarctica
- Best time to visit Antarctica
- Booking tours during your trip to Antarctica
- Things to see in Antarctica
- Choosing the right cruise around Antarctica
- What to pack for an Antarctica cruise
Best time to visit Antarctica
Summer is the best time to visit Antarctica, from November to March. Wildlife is most active at this time of the year, while the days are the longest, giving you plenty of time to explore the remote continent.
The peak season for tourists is summer, particularly between December and February, when temperatures are above zero. If you want to avoid the crowd, avoid visiting during this time.
Deciding which month to cruise to Antarctica depends on what you wish out of your adventure. If you’re keen on seeing wildlife, summer is the best time, when they are most active.
Antarctica cruises departing later in the season tend to be cheaper. But much of the wildlife has already left to the open sea by then. But if you aim to see whales and other marine animals, this is an ideal time.
The tourist season in Antarctica is roughly five months long. It starts in early November and runs until late March. Many visitors cruise Antarctica in the winter season mainly to see Emperor penguins up close. When you visit Antarctica in winter, you can expect a landscape of freezing darkness, with temperatures reaching -50 degrees.
Booking tours during your trip to Antarctica
Nowadays, plenty of specialist travel agencies are offering luxury vacations to Antarctica online. Before booking a tour, perform thorough research about the agency. Also, decide which activities you wish to include on your tour, such as kayaking and camping, so you will know which itinerary works best for you.
It’s best to approach specialist travel agencies with expert knowledge about the continent and can give you tips to make the most of your trip. Get help from the specialist when comparing itineraries and cruises to get the best deal.
Consider booking a last-minute cruise to bag the best deals. Occasionally, cruise operators will have extra cabins before departing and are willing to offer these at a lower price. Another option to save money on your Antarctica cruise is to visit during the shoulder months.
Things to see in Antarctica
Antarctica has many fascinating sights, but you may not be able to see them all in one visit. It is best to list the top attractions to know how long you should cruise. Here are some of the best things to see in Antarctica.
- Science Research Station
As the remotest place on Earth, many countries have established a research centre in Antarctica. Currently, the region has 70 research stations scattered across the continent. Consider visiting one of these research centres to learn more about the continent. - Penguins
Antarctica is one of the best destinations for wildlife lovers. Here, you can come face to face with some of the world’s most fascinating wildlife and bird species, with the penguins being the most popular among them. You’ll find them in various places around Antarctica, but the most popular are the Falkland Islands, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula, and South Georgia. - Deception Island
This ring-shaped island is the caldera of an active volcano and a popular stopping point for many Antarctica cruises. Geothermal activity still happens within the caldera, with a narrow entrance called Neptune’s Bellows. - Whales
If you’re keen on seeing whales on your Antarctica cruise, consider joining a kayaking expedition, where you’ll paddle along Antarctica’s pristine bays, teeming with marine life, including humpback whales, minke, and orcas. - Giant Icebergs
Giant icebergs are among the most spectacular things you’ll see on your cruise. The waters off Pleneau Island, west of Booth Island, are some of the best places to see the icebergs. You’ll also come across them during your sea kayaking expedition. - Drake Passage
One of the things that adventurous travellers look forward to seeing on their Antarctic cruise is the Drake Passage. It’s a turbulent body of water, considered the choppiest in the world.
Choosing the right cruise around Antarctica
Cruising to Antarctica is not cheap, so choosing the right cruise to make the most of your adventure is crucial. Here’s a guide to help you figure out the right one.
- Scenic cruising only
This allows you to admire Antarctica’s scenery by cruise and see wildlife from a distance, but you can’t get off for shore landings. - Classic Antarctica Cruise
Most Antarctic cruises sail roundtrip from Ushuaia. It takes two days to cross to Antarctica, passing along the notorious Drake Passage. The number of days will vary depending on what you want to see and where you will visit. - South Georgia
If you don’t mind spending more and adding extra days to your itinerary, consider a cruise that includes a visit to the rugged and remote South Georgia island. It’s home to thousands of penguins and seals, making it an ideal option for wildlife lovers.
What to pack for an Antarctica cruise
As the coldest place on Earth, you must pack proper clothing on your cruise to Antarctica. To help you prepare for your Antarctica cruise, here’s a list of extra things to pack.
- Woollen layers
- Waterproof Pants
- Fleece
- Thick socks
- Lightweight packable winter jacket
- Long sleeve base layer tops
- Warm hat or beanie
- Lightweight gloves or glove liners
- Warm mittens
- Waterproof walking shoes with traction
- Face mask
- Sunscreen
- Moisturizer and lip balm
Note that aside from the outfit above, you need to pack clothes to wear while onboard the ship, such as sleepwear, joggers, sweatpants, jeans, shirts, etc.
Read next: Arctic or Antarctic: Which Polar Adventure is Right for You?
Don’t miss our best cruise tips
More tips and resources for your cruise
Below are our go-to companies when we cruise. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.
- Cruise: We find great deals at Cruise Direct.
- Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
- Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), VRBO (self-contained), or Hostelworld (budget).
- Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
- Set up private guides at the ports: Looking to maximize our limited time at a port, we often use private guides from Viator.
- Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.
Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.
Are you ready to be cruising Antarctica?
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Photo Credits:
All photos on this page are either shot by our team and watermarked as such or stock images from Depositphotos.
About the author
Alexa is a talented photographer, writer, and world traveller who speaks four languages. She is equally comfortable walking around a city and exploring museums as she is out in the wilderness discovering nature and photographing wildlife. She is an avid coffee drinker, and can often be spotted in local cafes when she needs a break.
