Antarctica Cruises

[CaptainCurtis]

Life is short, and with my proximity being in the US, I am considering doing an Antarctica cruise. Bucket list stuff obviously, and I have plenty of leave to take.

Looking firstly to hear who has done one, and for any help with things such as:

• Best time to go
• Recommended itineraries and durations. Have seen there are options up to 22 days which I’m not opposed to
• Recommended expedition lines, noting I’ll be going solo. I’ve heard Ponant is a good option.
• Best way to book

 

[DC3]

Life is short, and with my proximity being in the US, I am considering doing an Antarctica cruise

Arctic cruises, also?

 

[VPS]

I went with Seabourn as a solo traveller and loved it

Thread 'On the Quest to see pingüinos'

Jan 21, 2020

So a little play on words here but I'm on the Seabourn Quest heading for Antarctica. I had hoped that I could do a live TR but the speed of the Internet (and the cost) on board isn't going to make that possible. I have been writing up my TR each day so when I get home I will be able to write it up reasonably quickly.

I only booked this trip three weeks before the cruise started and many of the people on board are seasoned Seabourn travellers (I've met some that have done about 15 Seabourn and 70 cruises all up).

We are now on two sea days having just left Ushuaia and one of the...

• VPS
• Replies: 241
• Forum: Trip Reports

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There is also this thread

Post in thread 'Planning an Antarctic expedition type cruise'

Aug 23, 2022

Yes, I've recently re-checked out your TR and the Penguinos . I will, but at the moment its the Devil I know ...

We did Ponant to Antarctica. Itinerary included South Georgia which was wonderful. To be truthful, I felt Silversea was better for a number of reasons. Lectures were in French and then an English version later - quality of English lecturers much poorer than French. Though if fluent in French would be fine. Food was very average I felt. Zodiac experience still great though.

• love_the_life

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And I think @love_the_life did a Ponant cruise to Antarctica

Happy to answer any questions but I very much enjoyed a few days in Buenos Aires before I came home

 

[zig]

The longer itineraries generally include South Georgia and the Falkland Islands which you should definitely try to include.
As small a vessel as possible will ensure that you have more time on land.
I went with Silversea and would recommend them. The solo supplement with them though could be a disadvantage.
Regardless of when you go in the season I'm sure you will enjoy the experience.

 

[RooFlyer]

• Best time to go
• Recommended itineraries and durations. Have seen there are options up to 22 days which I’m not opposed to
• Recommended expedition lines, noting I’ll be going solo. I’ve heard Ponant is a good option.
• Best way to book

Once in a lifetime - try not to go budget.

Best time to go - early in the season (before, or at Christmas), before the penguin cough is everywhere.

Recc itineraries Definitely do the Falklands and especially South Georgia. The latter arguably a better experience than the Antarctic continent. Two weeks, then the longer the better!

Recc lines. I did SilverSea as a solo and it was great. TR here.

Thread 'Chile and Antarctica cruise'

Dec 12, 2023

I haven't begun this TR until I'm sitting here in the Qantas F Lounge at Sydney, waiting for my flight to Santiago, mainly because there have been so many issues to date, I wondered if I'd ever make it this far.

But what is planned:

Flights are all revenue, except the VA one first.
HBA-SYD, VA J
SYD-SCL , QF J
SCL-MVD, LATAM Y (bumped to the next day due to late SYD-SCL, was originally booked PE )
MVD-SCL LATAM PE
SCL-PWU Charter flight, effectively Eurobusiness
Cruise
PWU-SCL charter, 'Eurobusiness'
SCL-SYD, QF J
SYD-HBA, VA J



Cruise is SilverSeas, 19 days...

• RooFlyer
• Replies: 336
• Forum: Trip Reports

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But must be a small, expedition vessel <250pax. If you don't know what expedition is, pls ask.

I cruise on Ponant a lot, as there are lots of cruises with no single supplement (you pay 1 fare for a cabin) but for Antarctica I think anyone should aspire for a better experience, like SilverSea or Seabourn. The French/Anglo thing on Ponant has drawbacks. You will probably pay a single supplement on SS or Seabourn (I paid 25% with SS and that was a good deal). If you look at Ponant, or anyone, watch the timing of the cruise - is it no single supplement, but at the cough end of the season?

Best way to book. With a cruise specialist Travel Agent. They can advise on the various lines, prices etc and if its a Virtuoso agent, there are on board credits and other stuff. Not to sway you one way or another, but nice if it comes in. Check out the various lines - and see the 'Solo travellers' thread VPS started recently

Thread 'Solo traveller deals'

Jan 1, 2026

I know there are few solo travellers on this site so thought it might be worth having a dedicated thread for deals with no or reduced single supplement

I found this site that might help

Solo Travel Tips, Destinations & Deals for Those Who Travel Alone

Solo travel tips and advice from experts and real travelers. For over 10 years, Solo Traveler has been THE source for those who travel alone.

solotravelerworld.com

• VPS
• Replies: 20
• Forum: Cheap Flights & Travel Deals

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... then talk to a TA. I can put you in touch with a very good 'bricks and mortar' TA who is a cruise specialist and has booked me all round the place. DM me, if you like.