From South America, in less than two days sailing you arrive at the Antarctic Peninsula where you'll be met by iceberg flanked passageways, fossil rich islands and abundant wildlife, including penguins, seals, petrels and whales. Explore the shoreline and the beaches by Zodiac, get close to the icebergs by kayak or take a scenic helicopter ride for a birds eye view. The trip of a lifetime!
Quick Search Search 454 cruise Departures to the Antarctic
For more than 36 years Scenic have sought that which lies beyond the horizon, seeking out new experiences, landscapes and cultures to expand your consciousness....more The Scenic Eclipse fleet sets the standard in ocean cruising in terms of technology, size and luxury. State-of-the-art safety features allow us to unlock destinations only others can dream of. Designed to deliver the ultimate experience of a lifetime for only 228 guests, only 200 in the Polar regions, the Scenic Eclipse fleet takes ocean cruising to a whole new level – marrying luxury, discovery and safety, and giving guests the opportunity to explore above and beyond what was previously imaginable.
A luxurious cruise means many things to many people but we feel that Silversea’s small ship cruises personify the true meaning of comfort. Our intimate,...more ultra-luxury ships can sail up narrow waterways into the heart of a city, or tie up right at the pier while others must anchor off shore. And for those who yearn to explore the new and unknown, Silversea’s expedition ships can transport you to the furthermost boundaries of the planet. Enjoy free-flowing premium wines and spirits, delicious gourmet cuisine, in-suite dining, full butler service for every suite and of course all gratuities. Whether you long to mingle in the Mediterranean, swim with the turtles of the Galapagos or embrace the glaciers of Alaska, there is something special about knowing that this cruising is all inclusive.
Chart a course along remote coastlines around the world with APT’s collection of small ship expedition cruises or combine a land journey and ocean cruise,...more in partnership with Holland America Line and Ponant.
Discover Must do experiences and highlights on an Antarctic Cruise
A Scenic Helicopter Ride
Antarctica is amazing by sea, but imagine a helicopter ride from your cruise ship, weaving above icebergs for a unique view of ice and wildlife below.
Kayak Among the Icebergs
Glide quietly among the creaking icebergs in the pristine waters of the Antarctic Peninsula, where the spotting of penguins and albatross warm the soul.
Conquer Drakes Passage
An adventure traveller’s rite of passage is through the tempestuous waters of Drake’s Passage, heralding big seas, whales, dolphins and albatross. A bucket list cruising experience.
Camp under the Polar Sky
Camp overnight on the Antarctic Peninsula to experience the life of a polar explorer. Under the midnight sun you observe penguins and Antarctic fur seals hugging the shoreline and whales of all species in the water.
The Gentoo of South Georgia
Watch hundreds of gentoo penguins huddle together on icy beaches or march in formation along the shoreline when you stop to explore the abundant wildlife of South Georgia Island. A once in a lifetime experience!
Recent Reviews What our clients are saying about adventures to the South Pole
Antarctica & Chilean Fjords Janet and Scott, VIC, Australia, Feb 2024
Hi, we have just returned from Antarctica and the Chilean fjords. WOW!!!!!!!! Our holiday was organised by Georgie and she was amazing, we were told that we would be met at the airport Buenos Aires and we were. Everything from then on went like clock work. We were so impressed we have booked again with Georgie for our trip tp Cambodia and Vietnam next ...read more year. Thank you Georgie for all your hard work.
Amazing cruise Ay Yuan, NSW, Australia, Feb 2020
It was a wonderful trip everyone should do it at least once in their lifetime. I went to Falkland Island, South Georgia Islands and Antarctica twice, both trips were excellent but I will recommend the January cruise if you like to see more penguins especially if you want to see those baby chicks still in the nest with mummy. Cabin was simple and clean, ...read more dining room staffs were excellent, always welcome you, greet you with your name and smile, help you anyway they can, I don't know how they can remember everyone's name. They remembered my Asian name, my drink and my cabin number. I'm not interested in food, everyone said meals were excellent and plentiful, many thanks to Hannah who makes booking online so easy. I gave 2 stars for entertainment that was because I never went to the bar at night.
Trip of a lifetime Ken & J, NSW, Australia, Nov 2019
A journey to the most remote and coldest continent on our planet was always going to be heavily dependent on weather, and boy did we luck out, with the two journeys to and back through the notoriously rough Drake Passage as calm as it could get. So lucky were we that we got to Antarctica a whole half-day early, and also arrived back into Ushuaia the ...read more same, 12 hours early. Throughout the nine days of sailing, we had mostly fine weather, which is a rarity down in that part of the world, with a few days of bright sunshine, and only one day of a very mild drizzle. The sparkling weather really made for the most wonderful of journeys, and we managed to do 9 Zodiac trips in total (7 landings, 2 explorations), so we got the most out of the whole time in Antarctica.
The expedition team onboard the Expedition were fantastic, in particular the team leader Jonathan, whose British charm and refined character was very well received by every passenger. They made us feel special, and every excursion we attempted was well handled, varied, and exciting. We got to see humpback whales up close, as well as seals and numerous gentoo penguins, chinstrap penguins, and the occasional adelie penguins in their natural elements, which made the trip all the more special. And the highlight? The crossings through the legendary Lemaire Channel, where our return trip had one of the best (and longest) sunsets of our lives. We can't finish without also praising the variety and amount of food served on the ship, which was excellent, with every type of cuisine imaginable for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; it really felt like we were constantly eating but that's what a holiday is for, right? Overall, our trip to Antarctica was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that will be impossible to better, and will long linger in our memories for as long as we live.
Brilliant, scintillating Antarctica Norm & Wendy, WA, Australia, Jan 2018
Antarctica - you must visit and soon and no better than with APT and Ponant. The ship was first class, the meals delicious and plentiful and the ‘free’ bar tempting. As a small ship, the Le Lyrial catered for the varied passenger list, all of whom were easy to liaise with and share experiences.
The expedition, yes expedition and not a holiday, was ...read more challenging for some as the twice daily zodiac trips to the mainland involved a dressing up/layering against the cold and somewhat difficult landings (no warm water and soft white sand). The naturalists, experts in a variety of animal, plant, mammal, fish fields, made the trip. Their enthusiasm in their fields excited the passengers to enjoy and learn while away. A visit to Port Lockroy, the British Antarctic station is a bonus. My only concern was pre-expedition in Buenos Aires where several meals were missing, something not encountered with our previous APT trip in Europe.
Global Journeys, our travel agent, were delightful and promptly helpful.
Explore More Explore moreYour guide to travelling to Antarctica
East Antarctica Departing From Australia & NZFrom exploring the Ross Sea, deemed the most pristine piece of ocean left on Earth, to discovering legendary huts made immortal by explorers’ tales, the ultimate adventure awaits you in East Antarctica. With only three departures available...
Following the recent launch of Viking expeditions, you can now look forward to exploring Antarctica, the Arctic and North America’s Great Lakes on board Viking’s two new purpose-built expedition ships. Maintaining its reputation as The Thinking Person’s Cruise, Viking has developed an...
Considering an Antarctic Cruise? You may have noticed that there are quite a few options. We’ve discussed the different types of itinerary on offer below to help you make your choice. A classic Antarctica cruise itinerary will depart from the cruise port of Ushuaia in Argentina, from where you...
If you need a break from the human race, the wilderness and solitude of Antarctica may be just the place to restore your equilibrium. Here are some good reasons why you should visit Antarctica. The wildlife Penguins, penguins and more penguins! There are four species of penguin that live,...
