The Best Antarctic Cruises Itineraries

If you’ve heard the call to travel southwards, past the tip of South America, through the rocky seas of the Drake Passage, and onto the shores of the icy continent, know that a trip to Antarctica isn’t something that should be planned lightly. Most people make the trip by cruise, typically navigating around the islands of the Antarctic peninsula, and while you’re guaranteed to see enough penguins and icebergs to fulfill your heart’s desires—if that’s even possible—itinerary choice does matter.

Considering the trip length, cruise style, boat size, and onboard amenities, here are the most ideal sailings to consider for an unforgettable trip to Antarctica in 2023 and 2024.

If you don’t know when you’ll be this far south again, then Hurtigruten’s In-Depth Antarctica & Patagonia Expedition may be for you. Not only do you get the bonus of experiencing the mountainous wonderland of the Chilean coast before you make the crossing to Antarctica, but you’ll have six days to enjoy the icy continent with several landings. Hurtigruten suits travelers with an appetite for knowledge, providing a wide variety of educational presentations as well as luxurious onboard amenities like the top-deck sauna.

Smaller ships offer an enormous advantage in Antarctica, giving guests the option to land at more coveted landing sites like Port Lockroy, home of the world’s southernmost post office, which limit the number of visitors. On National Geographic’s Journey to Antarctica itinerary, you’ll enjoy the benefits of sailing on the National Geographic Explorer which is just big enough for 81 cabins, every last one of them ensuring an outside view. Because weather conditions change quickly, no landing site is guaranteed when you travel to Antarctica, but at least with a small group you know you have better odds of doing and seeing more.

New on the southern sea scene, Atlas Ocean Voyages launched their Antarctic itineraries in 2022, bringing their yacht-style cruising (with gourmet cuisine and luxurious decor) to the white continent. The cruise line offers multiple sailings between 9 and 14 nights with visits to the South Shetland Islands and various landings on the peninsula. Your fare also includes perks like a private charter service to get you to Ushuaia, Argentina, plus gourmet dining experiences and cooking demonstrations if you opt for the epicurean expedition. The World Traveller is an expedition ship that can only hold a maximum of 184 passengers, which means you’ll have better conditions for making the most of your landings.

The rough seas of the Drake Passage have a bad reputation for a reason, so if you prefer to skip the seasickness—and save some time—you can opt for Silversea’s 6-day Antarctica Bridge itinerary which starts with a charter flight from Punta Arenas, Chile, to King George Island. Not only will you get a chance to see an island that most miss on their way to the peninsula, but you’ll also get to relax in the sparkling and sophisticated rooms of the Silver Endeavour which boasts an impressive number of restaurants and amenities for its relatively small size (200 guest capacity) like a full-service spa and beauty salon.

Planning early and choosing the right itinerary can make or break your trip to the icy continent. Chat with a curator today to start organizing your trip to Antarctica.