Best Antarctic Cruises

Alex Burridge – June 2025
MD Antarctica Travel Centre

There are literally hundreds of Antarctic Cruises offered by the small luxury and expedition cruise ships we have on this site.  In the end the choice is yours and with almost 25 years of experience in working with our specialist partners I have chosen the top 5 (okay 6) itineraries and ships that operate them.  I’ll explain why they are in my opinion cruises you should strongly consider.

Often it’s simply the itinerary, quite often it’s about time in destination (and value), sometimes the ship and operator offering that specific cruise, it’s less often to do with price as each ship has a range of cabins to choose from and of course a longer cruise costs more.

Please click on the Cruise Itinerary name or ship to be taken to the relevant pages.

#1.  First Place is shared by Two Similar Itineraries: The Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula – 23 Days

Crossing the Circle via Falklands and South Georgia – 23 Days

On-board the Ultramarine

Antarctica Complete – 23 Days

On-board Douglas Mawson, Sylvia Earle and Greg Mortimer

Gold Harbour South Georgia

These two Antarctic Cruises give you everything;  The Falkland Islands, South Georgia and decent time on the Antarctic Peninsula, including crossing the Antarctic Circle.  So if you want to ‘see it all’ on one trip – these two itineraries give you the lot.

I have joked with clients in the past about saving them money – by doing one longer trip, as opposed to perhaps doing an Antarctic Peninsula Cruise first and then deciding to do another trip to include South Georgia.

Whilst there many cruises that combine the Falkland Island, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula, only these two cruises head as far south on the Antarctic Peninsula to cross the Antarctic Circle.  Which affords quality time on the Antarctic Peninsula, and time equals experience and  opportunity, and that’s as well as heading further South to cross the Circle.

The Falkland Islands are home to 5 species of penguin and large colonies of black-browed albatross.

The choice of ship is yours; the Ultramarine is a 200 guest luxury – expedition ship.
The Three sister ships: Douglas Mawson, Sylvia Earle and Greg Mortimer all accommodate a maximum of 130 guests.

Both are operated by companies with many years of polar experience come from the an ‘expedition’ background, which means they want to get you off ship as often is possible.
The Ultramarine edges ahead in the comfort and possibly cuisine stakes, the three sister ships having fewer guests can mean more time ashore or exploring (given the 100 person ashore limits).

All ships are modern, purpose built Polar Expedition cruise ships.

# 2.  Crossing The Circle – 15 Days

Onboard Sea Spirit

Most Antarctic cruise ships offer Antarctic Circle Crossing options.  I have selected the Sea Spirit as she has a 15 day option.  I’ll keep making the same point; time equals opportunity.  The more time you have the greater the chance of extra special encounters.  That’s above all the additional excursions and time you’ll have cruising along the edge of the Antarctic Peninsula.  With a maximum of just 114 guests it means you’ll be maximise your time out exploring by zodiac or making landings.

# 3.  Third Place is operated on two quite different ships; Snow Hill Emperor Penguins

Emperor Penguin Quest – Expedition to Snow Hill – 14 Days

Onboard Ultramarine

Weddell Sea in search of Emperor Penguins – 11 days

Onboard Ortelius

I find it very difficult to go past an expedition cruise into the Weddell Sea and a helicopter flight (a unique experience in itself) to the Emperor penguin rookery near Snow Hill Island.  Massive tabular icebergs, fast sea ice and the Emperor Penguin (of March of the Penguins and Happy Feet fame) colony near Snow Hill make this a very special Antarctic cruise.

The two ships offering this amazing experience are very different;

The Ultramarine is a modern 200 guest luxury-expedition ship purpose built in 2020
Whilst the MV Ortelius, with a maximum of just 108 guests, was built in 1989 (refurbished in 2019).

 Accordingly the cabin prices are quite different; both offer an incredible experience – in this case it may well be your budget dictates which option.  That said with just 108 guests the Ortelius has fewer guests to shuttle to and from the colony; both ships have two helicopters.

# 4.  Polar Circle Fly Cruise 10 Days

Onboard Magellan Explorer or Magellan Discoverer

There is one dedicated fly-cruise specialist operating in Antarctica,  Antarctica 21.  She has two, near identical, sister ships, the Magellan Explorer (launched 2019) and Magellan Discoverer (maiden cruise Nov 2026).  Each only offers one 10 day Polar Circle voyage a season (with many 8 day Classic Antarctic Fly Cruise departures).  They have their own property to meet at in Punta Arenas and only require one flight to get all 76 guests to or from King George Island.  I’ve chosen this voyage, as you have more time, are on a small ship and with a dedicated fly-cruise specialist.

# 5.  Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctic Odyssey – 20 days

Onboard Sylvia Earle

I know I have already offered a Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctic cruise – so why another.  In part as I cannot recommend strongly enough you consider a longer voyage the includes South Georgia.  This one makes the top 5 as it’s on a small luxury-expedition ship and flies from King Georgia Island to Punta Arenas at the end.  Which achieves three things: 1. saves two days crossing the Drake Passage, which means more time on the Antarctic Peninsula, 2. it gives you an additional experience flying out of King George Island and 3. ending in Punta Arenas in Chile means you can easily add Patagonia – without having to fly Ushuaia to Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires to Santiago and then onto Punta Arenas (or Puerto Natales).

Black-browed albatross – Falkland Islands

Chinstrap penguins – Antarctic Peninsula

Humpback whale – Antarctic Peninsula

# 6.  In the Wake of Scott and Shackleton – Ross Sea -28 Days

Onboard Heritage Adventurer

McMurdo Sound Ross Sea

Yes I know I said top FIVE.

I just couldn’t leave out an amazing expedition into the Ross Sea, which includes the New Zealand Sub-Antarctica Islands of The Snares, Auckland, Enderby and Campbell and the Australian sub-Antarctic Island Macquarie.  Whilst in the Ross it is hoped to visit Cape Adare, Cape Hallett, Franklin Island, Ross Island Scott and McMurdo stations, including Scott’s huts.  Given the amazing history of Polar exploration this voyage could easily be #1.  It’s often the last Antarctic expedition cruise for those who’ve explored the Peninsula and South Georgia; you’ll discover a quite different part of the Antarctic Continent.   It’s longer – larger due to distances and to allow for variable weather conditions.

Each polar cruise has its own highlights and as the weather varies the schedule may change. Call 1300 784 794 or email contact@antarcticatravelcentre.com.au to talk to one of our Antarctic Experts to find the cruise that is right for you.