How to choose an Antarctic cruise
Deciding to embark on a journey to the furthermost corner of the world can be an exhilarating yet daunting thing, but the question of how to choose the right Antarctic cruise for you can leave you with a little anxiety. Antarctica isn't one of those on-a-whim destinations and the best way to pick a cruise you're going to get the most out of is by deciding on the time of year you want to go, the itinerary of the cruise you want to do, and how long you want to go for.
Once that's done, your Antarctic adventure to the icy wilderness awaits.
Decide on the time of year
One of the most important things to do when it comes to choosing your Antarctic cruise is to figure out the best time of year to go but you can't just go whenever you want to. The Antarctic season runs from October to March with each month promising unique sights, an abundance of wildlife, and life-changing experiences.
While both December and January are the most popular months to visit the White Continent, they are often the busiest and most expensive ones too. If you want to avoid breaking the bank (as much as you can on a trip to Antarctica), then opt for a cruise that departs earlier or later in the season.
November
Temperatures start to rise in November as the region stumbles into spring with an average of 0°C during the month. Another big draw card to visiting this snowy desert during November is both the animals and vegetation that come to life - we're talking about hatching penguins and blooming flowers found on the Sub Antarctic Islands. We know you might be cold but if the sight of hundreds of tiny, fluffy penguins experiencing snow for the first time doesn't instantly warm you up then absolutely nothing will.
December
Summer really gets going in December (and by that we mean you'll be treated to temperature highs of around 10°C) so it's little wonder why travellers flock to the region during this time. Not only is it warm enough to wear one layer of clothing instead of two, but December also enjoys around 19 hours of sunlight per day, ensuring that there's plenty of time to see and do everything.
January
Following on from the high temperatures of December, January also basks in warm sunshine for most of the day (18 hours to be exact), giving you the opportunity to spot fascinating wildlife wherever you go. From wriggling seal pups to flocks of mating birds, the abundance of Antarctic animals is astounding and by travelling in January, you've bought yourself a front-row seat to the best wildlife show in the world.
February
If you're travelling to Antarctica in February then you're in for a real treat as breathtaking pinks and purples dance across the sky during sunrise and sunset. While the weather may be starting to get cooler, there are still plenty of sunshine hours to see penguin chicks start to come into their own, marvel at snow algae in full bloom, and spot elephant seals returning to shore to begin their annual moulting ritual.
March
The ice buildup from winter has well and truly melted by March, allowing polar expeditions greater access to the South Pole and better opportunities to spot whales as they breach the water's surface. Crowd numbers are down (and so are cruise prices) due to lower temperatures and decreasing daylight hours but the whale and seal watching - especially around South Georgia Island - make travelling in March more than worth it.
Look at the itinerary
Whether you're dying to kayak your way around giant icebergs or you want to plunge into the icy depths of the Southern Ocean, deciding on your preferred itinerary narrows down which Antarctica cruise you should go on, and since this remote and breathtaking destination is a once-in-a-lifetime kinda place, you want to get it right.
Choose from wildlife-focused cruises, cruises over Christmas and New Years, or cruises that promise an in-depth look at Antarctica to get the most out of this unforgettable corner of the world.
Length of cruise
It's super important to think about how much time you want to be away for when choosing an Antarctic cruise that's right for you. Most expeditions don't offer itineraries of less than 11 days purely because it can take up to 48 hours to cross the Drake Passage and reach the Antarctic Peninsula from Ushuaia in Argentina (and then another two days back again).
While 11 days may be the shortest, some cruises can go up to 21 or even 28 days, so figuring out if you can handle being on the water for that long is a must before you pick an Antarctic cruise and start the booking process.
When is the best time to visit Antarctica?
What is the weather like in Antarctica?
Click here to read more Antarctica FAQs
Read more about Antarctica
Jul 27, 2022
How can a responsible tour operator...
It’s the world’s last great wilderness – so why are we still taking...
Oct 29, 2022
Beyond sightseeing: All the things...
If you're after a way to break up all that sightseeing, there are a number of ways...
Apr 19, 2023
In sickness and in health: How I...
Intrepid travellers Sara and Nick have said ‘I do’ all over the world, after a...
Aug 14, 2022
Travel to Antarctica alongside whale...
Ever wondered what it would be like to explore Antarctica with a team of whale...
Aug 25, 2022
I travelled solo to Antarctica just...
Rachelle Berke had travelled to more than 60 countries before deciding to visit...
Oct 25, 2022
Meet Eva, the polar scientist heading...
Eva Prendergast is a polar scientist, photographer, naturalist and marine mammal...
Jan 01, 2023
7 unforgettable wildlife experiences...
If you dream of spotting sloths and sea turtles in Costa Rica or channelling your...
Mar 02, 2023
Meet Martin Cohen, Intrepid’s...
Listen to Intrepid ambassador Sarah Davidson’s podcast, Seize the Yay, to hear all...
Jun 23, 2022
Your guide to tackling the Drake...
This is the Drake Passage: the only unhindered flow of ocean on earth. Prepare...
Jun 28, 2022
Polar Pointers: All your Antarctica...
What you'll see, what you'll eat, who you'll meet, and what it's *really* like...
Jun 28, 2022
What to pack for an Antarctica cruise
How do you pack for a trip to Antarctica, one of the coldest, windiest, remotest...
May 14, 2022
6 reasons why you should visit...
Something tells us you don't need that much convincing though...
Aug 17, 2022
The top 9 destinations for travel in...
From hiking in Patagonia to spotting newborn wildlife in Uganda, here's where you...
Oct 26, 2020
The top 8 destinations to travel to ...
Find out where to travel while giving back to local communities.
Jun 22, 2022
How to become a citizen scientist in...
Want to become a citizen scientist in the coldest, highest, driest and windiest...
Mar 13, 2018
Take the plunge: What it’s like...
Curious about what it *actually* feels like to jump into two degree celsius water...
Dec 16, 2014
How Antarctica challenged and changed me
A few years ago, I embarked on what would become the greatest adventure of my life...
Aug 30, 2017
Visiting Antarctica with Intrepid:...
Having traveled to over 40 countries and touched every continent, I can safely say...
May 05, 2019
How to be a responsible traveller in...
You might think the highest, driest, coldest and most remote continent in the...
Jun 28, 2022
What it’s like taking the Polar...
The Polar Plunge - leaping off a ship into the freezing waters below - has become...
Jun 28, 2022
Why you should visit the most...
A place where the only sound is provided by nature, or the gentle hum of your...
Jun 09, 2019
What an expedition to Antarctica is...
At home in Brixton, I am not a morning person in the slightest. So it came as a...
Jun 26, 2021
Meet the animals of Antarctica
Learn about these 7 curious creatures you may meet on your Antarctic adventure.
Oct 11, 2017
10 epic destinations to make you feel...
These are the moments we live for as travellers – finding those spectacular places...