Antarctica Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call
21 ships from 11 cruise lines
Antarctica cruises at a glance
Waterways Cruise lists 87 upcoming sailings on 21 ships from 11 cruise lines visiting Antarctica, calling at 6 places. Cruises can start in King George Island Antarctica and end in King George Island Antarctica. Of 87 upcoming sailings, 15 start in Antarctica and 16 end there. More Antarctica cruises.
Reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard · About this page · About us
Compare Antarctica cruise lines
See every Antarctica cruise line by ocean and river and by ultra-luxury, luxury, premium and contemporary style, with fares, cruise lengths, ships and ports.
About Antarctica
Antarctica is not a country but a continent-size wilderness governed by the Antarctic Treaty, and visiting it means traveling as an expedition passenger rather than a tourist. For the American reader who fears being herded, this is the antidote: small ships, zodiac landings, no souvenir shops, no crowds in the conventional sense, and a powerful message that every footstep is a privilege. This package covers the Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, and sub-Antarctic gateways, with honest guidance on Drake Passage discomfort, weather-driven itinerary changes, and the premium cost of true expedition travel.
Typical routes
- Classic Antarctic Peninsula from Ushuaia: cross the Drake Passage, spend 4–6 days in the South Shetland Islands and western Antarctic Peninsula, then recross the Drake. Usually 9–12 days.
- Fly-cruise from Punta Arenas: fly to King George Island, board an expedition ship there, and explore the peninsula without the Drake crossing. Usually 7–10 days, with a night in Punta Arenas before and after.
Ports overview
Antarctic cruising is expedition cruising. There are no docks, no terminals, no port agents, and no scheduled arrival times. 'Ports of call' are anchorages, bays, and scientific stations where small ships land passengers by zodiac. This section lists the principal landing sites and gateways, grouped by route family.
Cruise season
Antarctic cruise season runs from late October to early March (austral summer). Early season (Nov) offers fresh snow and penguin courtship; mid-season (Dec–Jan) has milder weather and penguin chicks; late season (Feb–Mar) features whale sightings and more mature wildlife.
Find your Antarctica sailing
Upcoming sailings calling at Antarctica, earliest departure first.
11 Days One-Way from Venice to Rome City
Visits Antarctica. Also visits Italy
SS La Venezia
7 Days King George Island Antarctica Round Trip
Starts and ends in Antarctica
Silver Endeavour
14 Days Buenos Aires, Argentina Round Trip
Visits Antarctica. Also visits Argentina
Quark Ultramarine
Why Book With Waterways Cruise?
Four decades of expertise, one dedicated advisor, and every detail handled, from your front door to the gangway and back.
Cruise Concierge
A dedicated advisor who learns your name, your travel style and your preferences, then stays with you from the first conversation to the day you return home. Not a call center. Never a stranger.
100% Custom‑Built
No cookie-cutter packages. Flights, hotels, transfers and shore days are designed from scratch around how you actually like to travel, then refined until the trip feels like yours.
40+ Years in Travel
Founded by J. Richard, a four-decade veteran of the travel industry, and focused solely on premium river and ocean cruising. Decades of ship and itinerary knowledge go into every recommendation.
Book With Total Confidence
A travel agency that is a proud member of Signature Travel Network, CLIA, ASTA and IATA.
19 Days Puerto Williams, Chile Round Trip
Visits Antarctica. Also visits Chile, Falkland Islands, South Georgia And South Sandwich Islands
Silver Wind
20 Days Ushuaia, Argentina Round Trip
Visits Antarctica. Also visits Argentina, South Georgia And South Sandwich Islands
Douglas Mawson
16 Days Puerto Williams, Chile Round Trip
Visits Antarctica. Also visits Chile, South Georgia And South Sandwich Islands
Silver Cloud
10 Days One-Way from Ushuaia to Puerto Natales
Visits Antarctica. Also visits Argentina, Chile
National Geographic Explorer
8 Days One-Way from Ushuaia to King George Island Antarctica
Ends in Antarctica. Also visits Argentina
National Geographic Explorer
9 Days Puerto Natales, Chile Round Trip
Visits Antarctica. Also visits Chile
National Geographic Orion
7 Days King George Island Antarctica Round Trip
Starts and ends in Antarctica
National Geographic Orion
8 Days Puerto Natales, Chile Round Trip
Visits Antarctica. Also visits Chile
National Geographic Explorer
10 Days One-Way from Puerto Williams to King George Island Antarctica
Ends in Antarctica. Also visits Chile
Silver Wind
Where Antarctica cruises start and end
Embarkation ports (1)
Disembarkation ports (1)
Ships by type: 13 ocean 2 river 8 expedition · a ship that visits several places here is counted once; an expedition ship that also sails as an ocean ship appears under both types.
Plan your Antarctica cruise
Antarctica cruise port guide
Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.
Antarctica cruise port guide →More Antarctica cruises
Frequently asked questions about Antarctica cruises
How many places do cruises visit in Antarctica?
6 Antarctica places are visited by 21 ships from 11 cruise lines.
When is the best time to take a Antarctica cruise?
Antarctic cruise season runs from late October to early March (austral summer). Early season (Nov) offers fresh snow and penguin courtship; mid-season (Dec–Jan) has milder weather and penguin chicks; late season (Feb–Mar) features whale sightings and more mature wildlife.
Sources and further reading
Background on Antarctica draws on these references. Sailing, fare and port data come from cruise line itineraries and are refreshed regularly.
- International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators: IAATO Antarctic Travel Guidelines
- National Science Foundation: U.S. Antarctic Program
- Government of the United Kingdom: Foreign travel advice: Antarctica / British Antarctic Territory
- Secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty: Antarctic Treaty and Environmental Protocol
- Central Intelligence Agency: The World Factbook – Antarctica
- National Geographic: Antarctica Cruise Guide
Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard, Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise.
Published September 9, 2026 · Last updated October 30, 2026
Fares, availability and itineraries change often. Confirm current details with your cruise line or a Waterways Cruise agent before you book.
Cruise Disclosure
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 41 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 585 ships visiting 1,731 ports across 7,194 unique cruises, creating 13,822 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!