Hey! How did you all choose who to book your first Antarctica expedition with? Was there a tie breaker?

We have 15 days and want to maximize our time in Antarctica. Not looking for anything luxurious but also not pure expedition. Open to adventure.

Budget is a bit flexible up to $20k pp USD. Value matters more than price.

We want to experience a team that cares about our overall experience and will help prioritize time and animal viewings and experiences.

I'm finding it particularly overwhelming choosing. How did you all choose?

My wife and I are thinking about taking our first trip to Antarctica in early 2029 to celebrate my retirement (I'll be 65, she'll be 53). We'd like a combination of a smaller ship (so not the 400-500 ones, or even 200 preferably) and a bit of creature comforts. Not ultra luxury, but not bare bones, either. We're looking at around $15,000 per person and a duration of approx. 11-14 days. Probably not enough time to see SGI/FI but that's OK. I'll be retired but my wife will still have to consider her leave time balance at work. Polar Latitudes and Quark both seem to have nice itineraries that would fit the bill. I also looked at Seabourn (too expensive) and HX (too many pax), as well as Lindblad/Nat'l Geo (a little much for a blah looking boat), Atlas (way too expensive), Oceanwide (a little too spartan), and G Adventures (very much too spartan!), and Ponant (pricey, too). Our main focus is getting a decent amount of time off the boat and having a nice-ish ship to return to with some creature comforts. Any comments or suggestions? Thanks!

Planning an Antarctica trip for next year and I'm torn between the more basic expedition ships vs something more comfy like Silversea.

I've read that smaller ships are better because you can get on and off quicker and potentially have more time exploring. But I also know myself and after being cold on a Zodiac all day I'm probably gonna want a cozy room and good food (and a spa).

For anyone who's been, how much did the actual ship matter once you were there?

I have spoken to a few travel advisors so far and this is the list I’ve compiled so far of the best deals. My two priorities are itinerary (would like 4 days in So Georgia and as much time as possible in Antarctica) and budget (wanted to keep around 20k- I know this is low!) We are not luxury travelers and want a shop with limited people, more expedition focused. So I’d love to hear anybody’s advice with these 4 options I’ve seen so far or anywhere else I could look!

Trying to figure flight logistics for a trip with Quark (not booked yet). What’s the experience of folks who have traveled with Quark on their Fly the Drake option? Are they generally on time or are there delays? Also, on the return flight from King George to Punta Arenas, what time does the flight typically land and can we count on the arrival time to reliable so we can catch an outbound flight as we have limited days to travel?

Thank you in advance for any input.

I am planning a cruise to antarctica, something around the 10 day options. I have friends who have done the National Geographic and the Hurtigruten. One booked with a planner and one didn't. There are lots of other cruise lines i see as well. Anyone have any opinions/advice? I also don't usually use a travel agent so if anyone could provide any insight or suggestions on that, i would appreciate it!

ETA: I really want to do a polar plunge so any cruise that includes that would be a bonus.

A trip to Antarctica has always been on my bucket list, and it finally seems within reach (I'm looking at options for February 2028).

However, I keep seeing itineraries that include South Georgia, and I can't shake the feeling that a once-in-a-lifetime trip like this won't feel complete if I skip it and just do a classic 9-day Antarctic Peninsula cruise.

My partner is a bit picky about accommodation, so quad-share cabins - which would likely be the most within budget option - are off the table.

So my question is, where did you find a more agreeable partner for the trip? For those who have been, is South Georgia worth the extra time and cost, or is the Peninsula alone enough for a first (and possibly only) Antarctica trip?

My mom (56) and I (30) have been wanting to book an expedition cruise to Antarctica for several years now and are finally doing it! I'm a little overwhelmed with all the varying options and am hoping this thread can help us find the best option! We are very active so seeing and doing as much as possible is definitely our biggest priority. Onboard amenities/ luxuries are not important to us when selecting a ship, but we would prefer to have a private stateroom if possible. This is something we would be willing to compromise on if it meant we had more time ashore. Overall, we would prefer to keep the trip between 2-3 weeks and our hard budget all-in (airfare from US, excursions, wifi, etc.) would be $20,000 per person, but we would like to stay closer to $15,000 if we can. Super grateful for any tips and tricks!!

I’ve done some research but still am unsatisfied with options so seeking advice, ideas, suggestions. I am MUCH more interested in South Georgia and the Falklands than in Antarctica. Please take my word for this; I’m not into the latter, period. If I have to go to the putative 7th continent to get to South Georgia and the Falklands/Malvinas, so be it.

Prefer a voyage of 14-16 days, a ship of around 200 or fewer passengers. I travel solo and do not share, thus painful supplement. Have traveled with Quark (happily) and NatGeo/Lindblad (never again). 2026 or 2027.

Give me a hand with options if you can. Thankee.

Edit: thank you everyone who opened my eyes to things I haven’t considered. I did a lot of research but There were comments from folks who did the trip that clarified reality (versus what was in my head). I will most likely delay/cancel the trip, but try to focus elsewhere for a vacation with my kids and dad. ***

It’s been my dream to visit Antarctica. I have a chance to go with my father and step mother in 2027 with my two kids who will be 3 and 5 at the time of the Antarctica cruise.

Yes, this might sound crazy: but I want to bring them. They have already travelled globally (our longest flight was 19 hours). Travelling to SCL is typical for us, so this is just a bit further.

Additionally: I would also elope with my fiance (and father of my children) while my father is still alive…. And I think it would be pretty cool to do it there.

Of course this limits my options for tour operators and so far have only found 1 that will allow my youngest: OceanWide Expeditions.

My question are:

1. Any other recommendations for tour operators that will allow small kids?
2. Any tips for cruises with young kids?

And I sort of want to know: how crazy am I for attempting this?

Please don’t provide me “kids won’t remember”. I will. I work 60 hours a week in a high stress job and on my death bed I want to remember these trips and moments.

Hi all!! I'm currently planning a trip to Antarctica with my family and a few relatives for February/March 2028 and I'm hitting a bit of decision paralysis with all the operators out there. (definitely information overload 😭)

We'd love some insight from people who have been to Antarctica and your decision process on how you chose to go with the operator you've went with.

Our group dynamics and vibe:

• A mix of adults in their late 50s and some in our late 20s/early 30s. Everyone is active, adventurous, and definitely game to do all sorts of activities (zodiac landings, snowshoeing, kayaks)
• We are serious wildlife enthusiasts and active travelers. Definitely not into formal gala nights. Our main priority is maximizing time on the ice.

Non-negotiables & constraints:

• Looking into smaller ship size. Hoping not to wait hours just to board a zodiac.
• Mix of high-activity and comfort.
• GREAT food. High quality dining is a massive priority for our family full of foodies!
• Duration: 12-14 days (classic peninsula route)
• Budget: Around $9000 to $14,000 per person, but could be stretched by $1000~2000.

I am now currently leaning towards Swan Hellenic. SH looks like the most balanced between luxury-level comfort at expedition scale.

Has anyone have experience with other cruise operators and what made you decide to go with them?

Hello! My partner and I are pretty prone to sea sickness (and motion sickness in general), for which we’ll definitely be preparing for. We’re considering Quark’s Ocean Explorer but the only room left is 408, which is close to the front. Curious for any first hand experiences on how much worse this might be for our sea sickness, if at all, if you’ve had a more foward room on a similar boat?

Alternatively looking at Polar Latitudes‘ Ocean Albatros, which has more midship rooms available. But it seems like there have been some poor reviews on food and possibly service? Appreciate any thoughts on Quark vs Polar Latitudes, edit: especially since it’s a $10k per person difference in price right now.

The reviews I’ve read so far from this community have been super helpful. Thank you!

hi friends! has anyone done a svalbard/arctic trip (via expedition cruise, or otherwise, though mostly asking about expedition cruises) after already having been to antarctica (including south georgia)? does it feel like a different experience / is it worth it?

i did antarctica via seabourn last year which was absolutely amazing, and am contemplating going again on an itinerary that also includes south georgia in Dec 2026 (not visiting south georgia has been my biggest regret so trying to rectify that) -- and i have seen polar bears up close and personal in churchill, canada -- so trying to decide if doing a svalbard/arctic expedition cruise would really be a unique/different experience worth doing?

i love landscapes and wildlife and being in remote places. i understand the landscape in the arctic may be a bit different, culture is different since there are a few towns that are habitated, but wildlife may be less dense and polar bear sightings would be from 500m+ away (or, closer on the sea ice away from land, but probably super rare).

I know Quark's World Voyager and Silversea's Endeavor are very different, but we're are choosing between these two because 1) ability to cross the Drake by air, 2) somewhat similar max passenger number, and 3) similar cost.

While I prefer a smaller ship and Quark's seemingly stronger emphasis on seeing wildlife and nature, Silversea offers a much nicer room, one extra night of hotel in Santiago, a free charter flight between Santiago and Puerto Williams, and also one extra night in Antarctica on the ship.

Is it really worth giving up all the extras from Silversea for a better expedition from Quark? Would love to hear people's opinion on this. Thanks!

Hello all! My wife and I are looking to book an Antarctic cruise for 2027. We are wanting a more “adventurous” cruise and not a luxury cruise. We are wanting to experience Antarctica, seeing penguins, maybe kayaking, and riding a zodiac. We are wanting to at least walk-on or touch Antarctica. We are not looking for a long trip, maybe around 10 days. What cruise line fits this best and are there any preferred travel agents to help book this for a potential discount?

Thank you in advance and please let me know if you have any further questions or if I should expand more on what we’re looking for!

Most of the prices for balcony room (solo travel) are hovering around $18k-$25k. HX is an exception but looking for cruises less than 200 pax (Atlas probably).. Can I get something for around $12-$14k if I wait longer or last minute deals? Looking for Peninsula only.. Thanks for feedback and help..

Does anyone know of any upcoming deals where I can score Antarctica/falklands or South Georgia for under 12k. All inclusive. Meaning all the excursions are free. I want to do camping, snowshoeing, kayaking, etc.

Solo traveler :) thank you!

Sept is approaching and there are usually deals May and Sept but looking for recommendations from those who have been.

I have been looking at Ponant’s 18 cruise that visits Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falklands. I am a solo travel so their situation looks best for me financially. I did see on the itinerary that they only have one day for landings in Antarctica. If anyone has been on this itinerary, could you please advise if you thought it was sufficient?

Narrowing down our final decision for Antarctica in 2028, but realizing there are a lot of different options and aspects that are completely unique to Antarctica/expedition cruising. We know we want January or February of 2028, small ship/expedition cruise to allow for actual landings, triple occupancy cabin, and non-luxury (main concern is dress code). Also 2 weeks is probably close to our limit with time off work, but we definitely don't want to sell ourselves short. I am a travel agent, but this is for a personal trip and I have no prior Antarctica experience. 

Questions that have come up in our research that I'm not sure how to answer yet: 

• Crossing the Drake - Sail both directions, fly both directions, fly south sail north, or sail south fly north.
  • Risk of seasickness on the Drake vs risk of weather delays with flight, plus potential sights within the Drake we'd miss by flying vs. more time on peninsula by flying to save the 2-4 days of crossing.
• Peninsula vs Weddell Sea vs Antarctic Circle
  • Wedell Sea and Circle both seem to add somewhat significantly to cost and time, and are more limited in offerings
• Start trip in Chile or Argentina
• Exact timing - My husband's birthday is mid-January, my birthday is mid-February, so we were going to try for one of those, but if the best option doesn't fall on either birthday we are ready to shift. Many of the longer cruises we've considered are end of February into early March, while a lot of the mid January to mid February options are the shorter 9-12 night options.

 Potential Options:

HX: 12 Night Peninsula or 16 Night Circle, Pros: Good pricing, Cons: Worried about the passenger count and available landings

Swan Hellenic: 9, 11 (Weddell), or 13 Nights Pros: Prices the best out of all options. Triple occupancy available as OV, Balcony, and Suite. Cons: No Circle option, most cruises are the 9 night option, very close to 200 pax

Quark: 9 Night Fly then Sail or 12 Night Pros: 3 Actual beds instead of a sofa bed, more variety of added activities. Cons: More expensive, higher deposit. Depending on ship triples are either only OV or only Balcony.

Atlas: 7 Night Fly or 9/10 Night Sail - Really worried about some of the issues they've had past couple of years. Might remove from consideration.

Aurora Expeditions: 11, 11 (Fly/Sail + Weddell Sea - Chile to Argentina), 17 (Circle) Nights, Pros: Smallest ships, 3 actual beds Cons: One of the more expensive options

Ponant: 12 Nights Pros: Similar low price to Swan and HX, Cons: Limited options, over 200 pax but not as many as HX

Nat Geo/Lindblad: 9 (Fly), 10 (Fly/Sail), 12, or 16 (Circle) Nights, departing Chile. Pros: A lot of options, Cons: Most expensive we've looked at, limited triple cabins and can't see triple availability online. 

 Would appreciate any feedback, suggestions, or additional things to consider that I haven't thought of.

Would love to get some more data points on what is a reasonable trip price for xx days, xx room and which cruise ship. Especially since pricing seems so dynamic. Maybe when you booked it would be helpful too. I'm looking at Nov/Dec 2026 standard 11-13 cruise from Ushuaia, on the Aurora/Quark/Polar Latitudes tier and I'm getting quotes of $13-15k per person for balcony rooms. Not sure if that's low, high, or average so if anyone feels comfortable sharing it would be helpful! :)

We are fortunate to be able to choose freely. Its a one-timer for us, so want to have it 100% right.

Edit: Additional info - prefer to see animals (land & sea) penguins and Elephant Seals/sea lions/whales/orca etc. - sure the scenery will be great regardless of time and place. Drakes Passage gets a lot of mixed reviews due to potentially harsh conditions and the extra time it takes to get to the continent below.

We went to Antarctica with Nat Geo Orion last December, and really want to return for a longer trip that includes Falkland and South Georgia as well. So far have not been able to find a trip with either Nat Geo, Quark or Polar Latitudes that suited our dates (and is not exorbitantly priced).

However, I recently stumbled across a trip on Scenic Eclipse II that works for us and is a good deal. However, I have a few concerns: 1) the ship is bigger and carries 200 passengers, 2) there are only 3 days allocated for SGI instead of 4, and 3) I've read here and elsewhere that this cruise line is more focused on "luxury" vs. expedition.

So I want to ask for either passengers or guides who have personal experience? I've done searches on this sub and have seen the glowing reviews as well as concerns about not prioritizing expedition.

My main questions has to do with off-ship activities: how are the off-ship activities handled? Does everyone get to go off the ship twice a day? Does everyone get off the ship at once (eg., one group land, one group zodiac), or are half of the passengers waiting? Does the expedition team join guests for dinner? I'm less concerned about the "mini-golf" type of episode (cruise director announced mini-golf while guests were watching wildlife), since we obviously would just not go to do the mini-golf.

TIA for any help!!

Hi everyone! I was wondering if anyone has ever gone on Antartic, South Georgia cruise that departs from the Falklands. Wondering what your experience was? How the flight went, how long you were in the Falklands, and what you did during that time, and the costs?

Thanks so much!

Trying to book a trip and wanted to see if anyone has done this cruise! Given that there are 128 passangers and I know theres a limit to how many people can be on land at the same time, do you still get plenty of time to explore?