Antarctic Circle Cruises

Explore the furthest reaches of the Antarctic Peninsula on a longer expedition cruise to cross the Antarctic Circle and encounter the icy wilderness of the far south.

Introduction To Antarctic Circle Cruises

Explore the heart of Antarctica with our Antarctic Circle cruises that venture into the seldom-explored southernmost regions. Setting sail from Ushuaia, these cruises explore the west of the Antarctic Peninsula, then venture further south, crossing the magical 66 degrees south mark of the polar circle.

What makes these cruises stand out? More time, for starters. You'll spend longer soaking in the breathtaking landscapes and witnessing wildlife such as penguins, seals, and whales in a region few travellers reach. Beyond the usual stops, our cruises whisk you into the seldom-seen spots south of the Antarctic Circle, where the scenery and wildlife are nothing short of spellbinding.

With a range of options, including icebreakers, intimate small ships, and fly-cruise expeditions curated by our polar aficionados, there's an Antarctic Circle cruise for every explorer. 

Not looking for an Antarctic Circle cruise? To see all the types of Antarctica Cruises, see our Guide Below.

Antarctic Circle Cruises

Falkland islands elephant seals and penguins
Includes Flight Seeing
Buenos Aires to Buenos Aires
Dec 16 2024 - Jan 7 2025
22 Nights

Price from per person

£23,030
Antarctic Circle Cruises landscape in Antarctica from a cruise ship
Ushuaia - Hobart
Jan 16 2026 - Feb 14 2026
28 Nights

Price from per person

£38,340
guest in the falkland islands
Includes Flight Seeing
Buenos Aires to Buenos Aires
Jan 18 2026 - Feb 09 2026
22 Nights

Price from per person

£21,654
Icebreaker cruise in Antarctica on Le Commandant Charcot
No Single Supplement
Ushuaia to Ushuaia
Dec 19 2025 - Jan 03 2026
14 Nights

Price from per person

£18,700
exploring captivating scenery on an Antarctica icebreaker cruise on Le Commandant Charcot
No Single Supplement
Ushuaia to Ushuaia
Jan 2 - Jan 17 2026
14 Nights

Price from per person

£18,700
Door To Door
Puerto Williams to Puerto Williams
Jan 24 - Feb 5 2026
11 Nights

Price from per person

£15,700

Highlights Of Antarctic Circle Cruises

Why Visit?

1

Cross Antarctica's Polar Circle

Crossing the Antarctic Circle located at 66 degrees south is something only a fraction of visitors to Antarctica get to experience.

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Enjoy an Extended Exploration of Antarctica

A significant advantage of an Antarctic Circle cruise is that it gives you more time to explore the Antarctic Peninsula and experience more landings in the captivating nature.

1

Witness Antarctica's Midnight Sun

South of the Antarctic Circle, during the summer, you will be met with a glorious 24 hours of daylight.

1

Explore The Furthest Regions on an Icebreaker

For true explorers, choose an icebreaker cruise to navigate the southernmost reaches of Antarctica, which are off-limits to all other ships due to the thick sea ice.

1

Expert Polar Guides

Antarctic cruises are led by a team of best-in-class polar guides and naturalists passionate about exploring some of Antarctica's most remote regions. 

1

Small Expedition Cruise Ships

Explore in an intimate group size on a state-of-the-art, ice-strengthened expedition ship equipped with Zodiacs and kayaks for ultimate exploration.

How To Get To Our Antarctic Circle Cruises

Cruises to cross the Antarctic Circle sail from Ushuaia in Argentina, which has frequent air connections to Buenos Aires and international connections to Europe and North America. Depending on your chosen Antarctic Circle cruise, a flight is often included in the package between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia in Argentina for your ease.  

A few luxury Antarctic Circle cruises depart from Puerto Williams in Chile. These expeditions include return flights between Santiago, Chile’s capital, and Punta Arenas.  

Fly and Cruise expeditions that cross the Antarctic Circle depart from Punta Arenas in Chile and often include return charter flights from Santiago in Chile. 

To learn more about getting to your cruise and for assistance with planning your trip, please don’t hesitate to contact our Travel Experience Team.

When To Go On An Antarctic Circle Cruise

Antarctic Circle Cruises take place later in the season, when there is less sea ice, allowing expedition cruise ships to navigate further south. They commence in January and operate until March.

January and February are excellent months for wildlife viewing and when temperatures are warm. March is the best month for reaching the most southerly regions as this is the time of year with the least sea ice. March is also an excellent month for whale watching and when marine life is at its most active. 

For a comprehensive overview of when to go to Antarctica, please see our Guide below.

Types Of Antarctic Circle Cruises

Antarctic Circle Fly and Cruise

Fly the Drake Passage and join your expedition ship in Antarctica. Antarctic Circle fly-and-cruise packages are ideal for guests who prefer less sea time.
Silver Endeavour in Neko Harbour by Eric Duran

Antarctic Circle Luxury Cruises

Cross the Antarctic Circle on a luxury small expedition ship in the utmost style and comfort. This is perfect for travellers looking for an authentic expedition with the highest levels of comfort.

Antarctic Circle Small Ship Cruises

Small ship cruises to the Antarctic Circle are the perfect choice for travellers looking to explore in a small, intimate group. They are ideal for photographers, wildlife watchers, and adventurous activities.

Antarctic Circle Icebreaker Cruises

For travellers looking for true polar exploration, Icebreaker cruises offer the possibility of crossing the Antarctic Circle and exploring previously inaccessible regions.

Our Recommended Ships for Antarctic Circle Cruises

Le Commandant Charcot

200 Guests
PC2 Icebreaker
150 Metres
Le Commandant Charcot is the world's first luxury icebreaker and offers one-of-a-kind polar expeditions to cross the Antarctic Circle and explore the most southerly realms of Antarctica. The ice-breaking hull allows it to explore regions inaccessible by conventional expedition ships with a team of world-class guides. The Ship provides outstanding onboard comfort and luxury, with well-appointed suites with balconies, an on-deck heated lagoon, and two fine-dining restaurants.

Ultramarine

199 Guests
1A Ice Class
128 Metres
Ultramarine is a state-of-the-art expedition ship built for adventurous exploration. It is the perfect option for travellers on Antarctic Circle cruises who are seeking maximum exploration and adventure. Equipped with a fleet of 20 Zodiacs and kayaks, Ultramarine offers excellent possibilities for exploration south of the Antarctic Circle. Guests can enjoy spacious cabins with balconies, on-deck hot pools and a large observation lounge.

Silver Endeavour

200 Guests
PC6 Ice Class
164 Metres
Silver Endeavour is one of the most luxurious small expedition ships ever built. It is the ideal choice for travellers looking to cross the Antarctic Circle in total luxury. The Ship offers fine dining options, sumptuous suites with verandas to enjoy the view, and butler service for total indulgence.

Plan Your Antarctic Circle Cruise

Book Well in Advance: Antarctic Circle cruises are in high demand due to the limited season and often sell out in advance. We recommend reserving your cruise for 12 - 18 months to secure your chosen Ship and cabin.

Choose Your Itinerary: We offer a variety of small expedition ships, itineraries, and activities from which to choose. Our Travel Experience Team will recommend different options based on your preferences.

Reserve Your Cabin With North Pole Cruises: We will ensure you receive the best price from the operator on your Antarctic Circle cruise at the time of reservation. Our knowledgeable Travel Experience Team will help you choose your trip and answer any questions. We will also provide lots of helpful information, including packing lists, before the voyage and support you during your journey if you have any issues. Moreover, with every booking, we offer peace of mind with 100% financial protection.

Travel Insurance: When booking, purchase comprehensive travel insurance for your Antarctica small ship cruise that covers trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and evacuation from remote locations. Ensure that your policy explicitly covers polar travel.

Antarctic Circle Cruises FAQ

Cruises to cross the Antarctic Circle are usually between 12 and 14 days in length, depending on the chosen Ship and itinerary. They offer a few additional days of exploring than you would receive on an Antarctic Peninsula cruise, which allows the Ship enough time to sail further south.

Yes, we offer no single supplement on selected Antarctic Circle cruises, but these are in high demand due to the fewer cabins onboard. If you are a solo traveller, we recommend contacting our Travel Experience Team to access the best offers for solo travellers

Cruises to the Antarctic Circle start from £11,542 ($14,246) per person, based on sharing a suite onboard Ultramarine. The price includes return flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia. 

Financial security is paramount for our clients, so all bookings made through North Pole Cruises include 100% financial protection. We also include supplier failure insurance free of charge for extra peace of mind. This ensures you have the very best protection when booking. 

When reserving your chosen itinerary, the payment options will be quoted.

Typical payment terms are a 25% deposit when booking to reserve your cabin and the final balance payable 90 days before departure. 

We accept payment via credit card or bank transfer.

Do you need help planning your expedition cruise?

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