An Antarctic cruise is the trip of a lifetime: towering icebergs, penguin colonies, whales and landscapes unlike anywhere else on Earth. The season runs from November to March, and most voyages sail from Ushuaia in Argentina across the Drake Passage, though some fly over it.
Here are the best Antarctic lines we sell, from small expedition specialists to polar luxury.
You’ll find on this page
- A comparison table of every cruise line in this guide
- Small-ship specialists
- Comfort and luxury
- Antarctica tips
- Answers to the questions we’re asked most
- How to book or get expert advice at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the cruise lines
| Cruise line | Style | Fleet | Best for | Included highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quark Expeditions | Expedition | 4 Polar-only ships in the fleet | Adventure activities | Polar parka, Muck boots, All meals |
| Antarctica21 | Expedition | 3 Small expedition ships | Avoiding the Drake | Punta Arenas hotel, Charter flights, All meals |
| AE Expeditions | Expedition | 3 Purpose-built small expedition ships | Responsible travel | Polar jacket, Muck boots, House drinks at meals |
| Polar Latitudes | Expedition | 2 Chartered ships | Photographers | All meals + drinks with meals, Expedition gear, Daily zodiac excursions |
| Poseidon Expeditions | Expedition | 2 Ships (Sea Spirit + chartered icebreaker) | Polar purists | All meals + drinks with meals, Expedition gear, Zodiac landings |
| HX Expeditions | Expedition | Hybrid Battery-electric propulsion on newer ships | Science lovers | Main dining, Science & lectures, Zodiac landings |
| National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions | Expedition | 23 Ships in the global fleet | Expertise | All drinks (polar/sail/river fleet), Crew gratuities (polar/sail/river fleet), All activities + shore excursions |
| Ponant Explorations | Expedition | 14 Ships in the fleet (incl. Paul Gauguin) | Polar luxury | Open Bar all day, One excursion per port, All meals |
| Scenic Ocean Cruises | Luxury ocean | 2 Discovery Yachts | Ultimate polar luxury | All-suite accommodation, All drinks, all day, All dining |
| Atlas Ocean Voyages | Expedition | 3 Boutique yachts | Boutique comfort | All meals, Drinks with meals, Daily shore excursions |
| Swan Hellenic | Expedition | 3 Sister ships | Learning on board | All meals, Drinks with meals, Expedition gear (polar voyages) |
Fleet sizes and inclusions are from each line’s own information and can change; inclusions often depend on the fare you book.
Quick verdicts
Small-ship specialists
Quark Expeditions
- Expedition
- 4 Polar-only ships in the fleet
- 138-199 Guests per ship — small-ship polar scale
Polar-only since 1991, with ships of 138 to 199 guests, daily landings and Zodiac cruises, and one of the best guide-to-guest ratios.
Best for: Adventure activities
Antarctica21
- Expedition
- 3 Small expedition ships
- 69-100 Guests per ship — true small-ship
The Air-Cruise pioneer: a two-hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island skips the Drake Passage both ways, then small ships of 69 to 100 guests.
Best for: Avoiding the Drake
AE Expeditions
- Expedition
- 3 Purpose-built small expedition ships
- 130-160 Guests per ship — small expedition scale
A Certified B Corporation with small ships of 130 to 160 guests, a polar jacket and boots included, and daily landings.
Best for: Responsible travel
Polar Latitudes
- Expedition
- 2 Chartered ships
- 100 Max guests
Smaller chartered ships of up to 100 guests, meaning more landings, plus citizen science and photography mentoring.
Best for: Photographers
Poseidon Expeditions
- Expedition
- 2 Ships (Sea Spirit + chartered icebreaker)
- 114 Max guests (Sea Spirit)
The 114-guest Sea Spirit on Antarctic and Arctic voyages, plus North Pole trips on a chartered icebreaker.
Best for: Polar purists
HX Expeditions
- Expedition
- Hybrid Battery-electric propulsion on newer ships
- 180-530 Guests — boutique to small-ship scale
Purpose-built, ice-strengthened ships with full science teams and hybrid-electric propulsion on newer vessels.
Best for: Science lovers
Comfort and luxury
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions
- Expedition
- 23 Ships in the global fleet
The original Antarctic expedition company, with Starlink-enabled Wi-Fi on its polar fleet and drinks and gratuities included there.
Best for: Expertise
Ponant Explorations
- Expedition
- 14 Ships in the fleet (incl. Paul Gauguin)
- 32-264 Guests per ship — small-ship by design
French luxury expedition ships including Le Commandant Charcot, an LNG-powered luxury polar icebreaker, with an open bar included.
Best for: Polar luxury
Scenic Ocean Cruises
- Luxury ocean
- 2 Discovery Yachts
- 228 Max guests
Discovery Yachts carrying a submarine and two helicopters, all-suite and fully ice-classed, with all drinks and excursions included.
Best for: Ultimate polar luxury
Atlas Ocean Voyages
- Expedition
- 3 Boutique yachts
- 196 Max guests
Boutique 196-guest expedition yachts with polar-class hulls, expedition gear and excursions included.
Best for: Boutique comfort
Swan Hellenic
- Expedition
- 3 Sister ships
- 152-192 Guests per ship
Polar Code expedition ships of 152 to 192 guests, with expert lectures and Zodiac landings.
Best for: Learning on board
Antarctica tips
When to go: November for pristine snow and courting penguins; December and January for long days and chicks; February and March for whales. Ship size: industry guidelines allow no more than 100 people ashore at a landing site at a time, so on smaller ships everyone gets more time ashore. The Drake Passage: two days each way, sometimes rough; fly-cruises avoid it. What to pack: layers, waterproofs and sunglasses; most lines lend or give you a parka and boots.
How we chose these cruise lines
We compared every Antarctic expedition line we sell by ship size, comfort and style. We sell more than 60 cruise lines, from big family ships to tiny expedition vessels, so these recommendations are based on what each line actually offers: ship size, what’s included in the fare, who it suits and who it doesn’t. Fares, inclusions and ships change, so always check the details for your sailing, or ask a Travel Designer to compare them for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Antarctica cruise line?
Quark for adventure, Antarctica21 if you want to fly over the Drake Passage, and Scenic or Ponant for luxury.
How long is an Antarctica cruise?
Typically 10 to 21 nights from Ushuaia, or around 6 to 14 nights on a fly-cruise.
Can you avoid the Drake Passage?
Yes. Antarctica21 flies guests from Punta Arenas to King George Island.
When is the best time to visit Antarctica?
December and January for the warmest weather and penguin chicks.
Find your cruise
Browse every cruise line we sell, or ask a Travel Designer to compare ships, cabins and itineraries for you.
Keep planning
Updated October 2026. Cruises can be booked through Travelisto, with flights and hotels added where you need them.
