Antarctic Cruises

Antarctica is a spectacular wilderness that needs no introduction. A voyage into this otherworldly environment puts you among breathtaking frozen landscapes, rugged icy coastlines and towering mountains, stunning coves and islands, abundant wildlife and the seemingly endless expanse of the continental ice sheet.

On an Antarctic cruise you can marvel at the majestic frozen landscapes of Earth's most pristine wilderness; see whales, seals, penguins and other Antarctic species at play; and watch as enormous icebergs are spectacularly '"calved'" into the ocean.

Snowshoe across the ice sheet; explore previously un-climbed peaks in the company of expert guides; and visit key scientific stations to learn about their critical research work.

Practice your photography on dramatic icy landscapes and majestic wildlife; take the plunge with a kayak, snorkel or dive experience like no other; and enjoy a sunset cocktail on the deck of your vessel, complete with a chunk of Antarctic ice.

Our range of Antarctic cruising adventures travel lightly aboard small vessels with a core focus on sustainability and minimal environment impact. Your shipmates will be research scientists and wildlife experts, photographers and fellow travellers with a shared interest and respect for this frozen wilderness.

Join us as we cruise across the fabled Antarctic Circle into this spectacular wilderness - a mysterious and remarkable environment that has long-lured explorers and adventurers - for a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should be on everyone's travel radar.

The sheer scale of the Antarctic ice cliffs | Peter Walton

About Antarctica

FAQs

Follow in the footsteps of explorers and adventurers by crossing the fabled Antarctic Circle

Marvel at the majestic frozen landscapes of Earth’s most pristine wilderness

See whales, seals, penguins and other Antarctic species at play

Enjoy a drink onboard at sunset, complete with a chunk of Antarctic ice

Watch as enormous icebergs are spectacularly “calved” into the ocean

Head ashore in a zodiac to explore the ice sheet and visit one of the Antarctic Peninsula’s research stations

Practice your photography on dramatic landscapes and majestic wildlife

Take the plunge with a kayak, snorkel or dive experience like no other

The climate in Antarctica is characterized by a long winter and a relatively short summer. We visit the Peninsula during the summer (November to March) when temperatures hover between –15 and +2 degrees Celsius during the day. Wind chill can cause this temperature to drop below –15 degrees Celsius. The Antarctic continent is considered to be the coldest desert in the world. Precipitation can occur during the summer on the Peninsula however it is unlikely to persist for longer than a few hours.

Spectacular views from the ship - <i>Photo: Scott Pinnegar</i>

There are numerous time zones across the Antarctic continent, however the Ukraine research station of Vernadsky which is located on the Antarctic Peninsula is -3 hours behind UTC/GMT.

There is no official language for the Antarctic continent.

Payment of incidental expenses aboard most ships can be paid for with US dollars cash or with Visa and Mastercards.

We recommend taking a universal adapter.

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.