5 Best Affordable Antarctica Cruises

Cruising to Antarctica is a fantastic way to visit the White Continent. However, if you’ve ever seen the prices and the cost of an Antarctica trip, it probably left you in sticker shock. The good news is, there are ways to travel to Antarctica on a budget! This post will cover the best affordable Antarctica cruises to show you that you won’t need to go into debt to travel to this incredible place.

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** Please note that pricing and itineraries can vary from year to year so it’s always a good idea to check current offerings. This post is meant to act as guidance to get you started in your search.**

Don’t have time to read the whole post? Here are my top picks!

Best Affordable Antarctica Cruises: Larger Ships

The cheapest way to visit Antarctica is by cruising on a larger ship that sails by the continent but doesn’t let passengers go ashore. Instead, you will sail to the Antarctic Peninsula and into some of the surrounding bays where you will see wildlife, mountains, icebergs, and more. It is truly a magical experience.

While several big cruise lines sail to Antarctica, like Celebrity, Norwegian, Princess, and Holland America, not all itineraries are created equal. For example, Celebrity and Norwegian only spend two days in Antarctica and do not go further into the peninsula where some of the best scenery is. That is why these cruise lines didn’t make my list.

Here are my recommendations for the most affordable Antarctica cruises.

1. Princess Cruises 16 Day Cruise

For an affordable cruise that still spends plenty of time in Antarctica, consider sailing with Princess. This 16-day itinerary stops in some South American ports like the Falkland Islands as well as spends 4 days in Antarctica. Onboard naturalists and expert speakers will help you get the most out of your journey.

This option is excellent if you are short on time and want a cheap option that provides the most value for a trip to the White Continent. Prices start at around $1,700 per person and include transportation, accommodation, onboard activities, and meals. Wi-Fi, beverages, tips, and excursions (not available in Antarctica) are an additional fee.

Other itineraries are also available if you wish to combine more of South America with an Antarctica trip. For example, you could book the 34-Day Antarctica, Andes & Cape Horn Grand Adventure for around $3,100 per person.

2. Holland America 22 Day Cruise

This 22-day cruise combines some of the beauty of South America with a voyage to Antarctica. You’ll spend time cruising the Chilean Fjords, visiting interesting ports where you have a chance to get close to adorable penguins, and sailing the Antarctica Peninsula for 4 days.

Onboard, you can attend port talks, and learn about the science of the area, as well as get a better understanding of Antarctica from someone who used to live there. Holland America hires scientists and experts to make your journey a truly enjoyable one.

Once in Antarctica, you’ll visit incredible areas such as Deception Island, Le Maire Channel, Neu Maiyer Channel, Paradise Harbor, Neko Harbor, Cuverville Island, Gerlache Strait, Wilhelmina Bay, Charlotte Bay, and Elephant Island. Your days will be busy as you watch for wildlife such as Humpback Whales, Orca Whales, four different species of penguins, seals, and birds.

The cost of this cruise starts at $3,500 per person which includes meals, transportation, onboard activities, and accommodations. You can add extras for an additional fee such as Wi-Fi, alcoholic beverages, specialty dining, gratuities, and shore excursions (not available in Antarctica).

Best Affordable Antarctica Cruises: Expedition Ships

Sailing to Antarctica on an expedition ship will certainly cost more than a larger cruise ship. However, the main benefit to these types of cruises is that you can step foot on the White Continent. They are also mainly all-inclusive.

If this is more of the experience you wish to have during your voyage, then it may be worth the added cost. Below are my recommendations for the most affordable Antarctica expedition cruises.

3. Hurtigruten Expeditions 11 Night Cruise

This 11-night cruise will allow you to visit both the Shetland Islands as well as the Antarctic Peninsula. You’ll be able to take advantage of the included landings so you can say you actually stepped foot on Antarctica.

Watch adorable penguins waddle over snowy icebergs, look for whales and more during your trip. Expedition leaders will be on hand to help you take the perfect picture as well as provide valuable information about what you are seeing.

Prices start at $9,300 per person and include onboard activities such as an onboard science center where you can participate in research, landings, transportation, meals, Wi-Fi, a reusable water bottle, 1 night pre-cruise hotel stay, domestic flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, and loan of clothing (boots, trekking poles, and coat).

Some items such as shore excursions (camping in Antarctica, kayaking, snowshoeing etc.) and gratuities are an additional cost.

This is the cheapest and most inclusive expedition cruise to help you get the most value out of your money.

4. Silversea 10 Night Cruise

While this is the shortest cruise to make my list, it is one that sails only to the Antarctica region. As a result, you’ll spend 6 days in Antarctica with an additional day in the Shetland Islands. If you are planning to explore South America on a separate trip, this is a fantastic option.

It is also considered more of a luxury ship vs an expedition ship. You will enjoy all the classic comforts during your voyage.

Prices start at $13,350 per person and include accommodations in a suite with private butler, ocean transportation, entertainment and daily activities, gratuities, on-board meals, wines & spirits, and port charges. Not included in the price are shore excursions and Wi-Fi.

5. Hurtigruten Expeditions 17 Night Cruise

As the longest cruise to make this list, you will get to spend ten exciting days in Antarctica during this sailing. In addition, you will get a chance to go farther south than any other voyage on this list. It is an immersive experience that is perfect for lovers of the 7th continent.

You will be delighted with the wildlife you see as well as the giant icebergs that float by. There will be plenty of chances for you to go ashore and be amazed at the beauty around you.

Although this is the most expensive cruise on this list, it is one of the cheaper longer itineraries available so you can fulfill all your Antarctica dreams. Prices start at $12,700 per person and include one night pre-cruise hotel stay, flight to Ushuaia, expedition leader, science center, loan of clothing, reusable water bottle, Wi-Fi, meals, Antarctica landings, and more.

Not included are excursions, travel insurance, tips, and personal expenses.

Antarctica Cruise Questions

What is included in the price of my cruise?

Each cruise line will have separate inclusions and exclusions in the cost of their voyages. For the cruises that made this list, I’ve included that information above. If you find an itinerary or cruise provider that is not mentioned here, look at the fine print to see what is included in your fare.

What should I pack for my Antarctica cruise?

Layers

For both styles of cruises, you will want to pack and wear layers. Usually, a moisture wicking layer in addition to warmer items such as fleece or wool. Outer layers should offer protection against wind and precipitation.

If you are a wheelchair user who is concerned about staying warm, consider using a wheelchair cozy or lap blanket to help hold in heat.

Quality Camera

You will also want to make sure to pack a good camera with a quality zoom lens. Wildlife can be far away, and cell phone cameras just don’t quite cut it. It would be a shame to spend all that money on a trip to not have wonderful photos to remember it by.

You’ll also want to make sure you have the right camera for your abilities. Having something so high-tech you don’t know how to properly use it doesn’t produce the best images. Likewise, if you are a person with a disability, you will want to make sure you have the right tools to make photography for disabled individuals easier.

Are cruises to Antarctica wheelchair accessible?

Are there sales on cruises to Antarctica?

You will often find sales on cruises to Antarctica when you book early (like when itineraries are first released), during wave season (January-March), and around the holidays. Sales can vary by cruise line but may include free international airfare, no single supplement fees, or other perks such as onboard credit.

Are cruises to Antarctica rough?

Drake’s Passage has two nicknames, the Drake Shake and the Drake Lake. It’s hard to predict how rough or calm this notorious passage will be. Waves can get as high as 60 feet tall! It’s always better to plan for rough weather and be prepared with seasickness prevention measures. Sea Bands, Dramamine, ginger chews, and more can help combat this illness.

What is the best month to go to Antarctica?

The best month to go to Antarctica will depend on your goals. If you are looking for cheaper prices, then the months of November and March (or even late February) may help you score a better deal.

However, during the months of December and January there tend to be more whales and the penguins have started to hatch their chicks. So, for a wildlife lover, these months may be optimal.

Is cruising to Antarctica worth the price?

People value different things so it’s hard to give a universal answer to this question. Personally, I felt like cruising to Antarctica was worth the price. I sailed with Holland America and although I didn’t set a wheel on Antarctica, I still had an incredible experience.

If you’re still on the fence, check out my post on the top reasons to visit Antarctica to help you make your decision.

Are cruises to Antarctica safe?

You may have heard in the news about ships getting damaged or people dying during a cruise to Antarctica and now wonder how safe this journey will be. It is important to remember, that the news mostly highlights the negative and those few and far between circumstances where someone is injured or has died. Most cruises to Antarctica do not have such dramatic outcomes.

Any time we travel, there are inherited risks and cruising to Antarctica is no exception. However, the captain and crew work hard to ensure everyone’s safety by taking necessary precautions such as changing the itinerary due to weather. Don’t let the news scare you and prevent you from taking this incredible trip.

Are cruises to Antarctica safe for the environment?

There are very strict rules and regulations for anyone traveling to Antarctica. Most of the area around the White Continent is protected and a sanctuary for wildlife. Additionally, there are several organizations that regulate tourism in the region.

One of these organizations is IAATO. For more information about what they are doing to protect the Antarctica environment, I encourage you to visit their website.

While cruising to Antarctica does present some challenges to protecting it, they also serve a significant importance to its preservation. When people visit and experience the beauty of the continent, they become more invested in protecting and saving it.

Conclusions on the best affordable Antarctica cruises

I hope that this post has shown you that there are affordable Antarctica cruises out there, and that traveling to the White Continent may be cheaper than you originally thought. It is truly a trip of a lifetime which I hope you get to take. I know it’s a journey that will leave you in awe, just like it did me.