How Much Does An Antarctica Cruise Cost?

Antarctica Cruise Costs

The cost of an Antarctica cruise will depend on your chosen ship, cabin, duration of your Antarctica cruise, departure date, type of expedition and level of luxury. Antarctica expeditions can be pricey, and costs vary.

An Antarctica cruise can start from £4,000 ($5,000, €4,590) per person for a shorter budget expedition cruise with basic accommodation. It can go up to £81,179 (€94,900, $103,332) for the owner’s suite on a 15-day Antarctica luxury expedition cruise.

The cost of an Antarctica cruise can vary greatly depending on the cabin category, location, amenities and configuration, which can make a big difference.

In this article, we will discuss all the factors that affect the cost of an Antarctica cruise so you can plan your dream trip. Understanding the cost of travelling to Antarctica, including flights, visas, and gear, is key to planning and budgeting.

What’s Included in the Cost?

When looking at the cost of an Antarctica cruise, you need to know what’s included in the price. The cost of an Antarctica cruise includes a wide range of amenities and services to improve your trip. Here’s what you can expect:

• Cabin or suite on board the ship: You will stay in comfortable cabins or suites throughout your trip.
• Meals and snacks: Meals and snacks are prepared by the onboard chefs.
• Shore excursions and guided tours: Explore Antarctica’s landscapes and wildlife with expertly guided excursions.
• Lectures and educational programs: Learn from guides and guest speakers through presentations and lectures.
• Use of onboard facilities: Gym, library and lounge areas.
• Services of guides and expedition staff: Experienced professionals to improve your trip.
• Port charges and taxes: These are included in the price, so there are no extra fees.

But not included:

• Flights to and from the embarkation port: You must book and budget for these separately unless your trip includes flights.
• Travel insurance: Essential for any trip but not included in the cruise cost.
• Pre or post-cruise hotel stays: If you want to extend your trip, these will be an extra cost.
• Optional activities: Activities like scuba diving or kayaking may incur extra charges.
• Gratuities and tips are not always required, but tipping the crew and guides is expected and appreciated.

Before booking your Antarctica cruise, make sure to read the inclusions and exclusions to understand what’s included in the price.

Factors that Affect Antarctica Cruise Costs

Several factors can affect the cost of an Antarctica cruise, so it’s important to consider them when planning your trip. Here are the key factors:

• Time of year: Cruises during peak season (December to February) are more expensive due to high demand and good weather. Shoulder season cruises in November and March can offer big savings.
• Type of cruise: Luxury cruises, which offer high-end amenities and services and include extra activities like scuba diving or kayaking, are more expensive than standard cruises.
• Length of the cruise: Longer cruises, which offer more itinerary and more destinations, are more expensive than shorter trips.
• Type of accommodation: The level of luxury in your cabin or suite can make a big difference in the price. Luxury suites and cabins with private balconies or verandas are more expensive than standard cabins.
• Departure port: Cruises from South America, especially from Ushuaia in Argentina, are often cheaper than those from New Zealand and Australia due to the shorter travel distance and lower logistical costs.

Once you understand these factors, you can make informed decisions and find an Antarctica cruise that suits your budget and preferences.

Time of Year: Peak Season Vs Shoulder Season

The time of year you go on an Antarctica cruise can affect the cost. Antarctica cruises during the summer peak season (December to early February) are 25% more expensive than those in the shoulder season (November or March). Go in November or March for the lowest price and best deals. The most expensive time to travel to Antarctica is over Christmas and New Year, with expeditions sometimes selling out one year in advance. The overall Antarctica trip cost can be affected by the time of year, with peak season trips being more expensive.

Types of Antarctica Cruises

There are several types of Antarctica cruises to choose from, each offering a different experience. Whether you want a budget-friendly adventure or a luxurious expedition, there’s something for every traveller.

Budget Options

Budget options are available for those visiting Antarctica without breaking the bank. These cruises offer:

• Simple accommodation: Basic but comfortable cabins with all the necessities for your trip.
• Basic amenities: Limited onboard facilities focus on essentials rather than luxury.
• A more rustic, expedition-style experience: Emphasis on adventure and exploration over luxury.

Budget options can be a great way to visit Antarctica without the cost of luxury cruises and see its wonders on a more modest budget.

Mid Range Cruises

Mid-range cruises offer a balance of comfort and affordability and are famous for many travellers. These cruises offer:

• Comfortable accommodation: Well-appointed cabins with various amenities for a comfortable stay.
• Amenities: Access to facilities like gym, library and comfortable lounge areas.
• Guided excursions and activities: A range of included excursions and activities to see the Antarctic landscape and wildlife.
• A more relaxed, still adventurous experience: Comfort with the thrill of exploration.

Mid-range cruises are a great option for those who want to experience Antarctica in comfort without the cost of luxury cruises and have a well-rounded and enjoyable trip.

Luxury Cruises to Antarctica

Luxury Antarctic cruises offer the opportunity to experience the white continent in the most comfortable setting. These cruises offer:

• Luxury accommodation: From spacious suites with balconies to palatial owners suites with private wrap around decks.
• Amenities: Expect gourmet restaurants and dining experiences through to spas and helicopter flight seeing.
• A great choice for those that want to combine indulgence to the highest standard with polar exploration.

Luxury cruises offer the best option for for those who want to explore Antarctica in the highest levels of comfort with many luxury ships offering a personalised butler service.

Duration & Itinerary

The duration and your chosen itinerary will be the deciding factors in the overall Antarctica trip cost. Generally speaking, shorter nine or 10-day cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula from Ushuaia in Argentina are the cheapest option. Itineraries that include antarctic islands like South Georgia and the Falklands will increase the overall cost. A longer trip like an 18-day expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and the Falklands or a 24-day semi-circumnavigation of Antarctica to the Ross Sea will start at around double the cost. Fly and cruise expeditions are the exception as these cruises vary from 6-8 days and have the highest price due to the charter flights included.

Ship Costs: Choosing Your Ship

With several ship options, your choice of expedition ship in Antarctica will impact the overall Antarctica cruise cost. Luxury ships with modern amenities and exceptional services like Jacuzzis, gourmet dining and spacious cabins will cost more. Here are some things to consider when choosing your ship:

Number of Guests

Small ships that take under 200 guests often cost more than those that take over 200. We always recommend a smaller ship size to maximise your experience, as these offer more daily shore landings.

Levels of Comfort and Luxury

Depending on your level of comfort, we have ships offering 4-, 5-, and 6-star experiences in Antarctica. Ships with the highest level of luxury cost more per person than ships with standard amenities.

Luxury icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot offers guests the opportunity to visit places that were previously inaccessible.

If you need help choosing a ship that suits your needs and budget, please don’t hesitate to contact our Travel Experience Team. They are knowledgeable about the different ship options in Antarctica.

Cabin Costs: Choosing Your Cabin

Choosing your perfect cabin will add to the overall cost of your Antarctica cruise. All cabins are well-appointed on modern expedition cruise ships and have ensuite facilities. Even entry-level cabins are highly comfortable. Many cabins have private verandas where you can enjoy stunning views of the polar regions.

Each ship has different cabin types, from entry-level suites to mid-range suites, high-end staterooms, and owners’ suites.

On the premium luxury expedition ship Silver Endeavour, all cabins have large windows and a veranda to enjoy the scenery. The entry-level option is the Classic Veranda Suite, which has floor-to-ceiling windows, a veranda, a sofa, a large double bed and an ensuite bathroom. For guests looking for a top-end cabin option, the owner’s suite has an extensive wrap-around private veranda on the ship’s bow, living space, two double bedrooms and a spa bath. This cabin option is approximately five times the cost per person of the Classic Veranda Suite.

If you need help choosing a cabin that suits your needs and budget, please don’t hesitate to contact our Travel Experience Team, who are knowledgeable about the different cabin options.

Antarctica Cruise Costs By Type Of Cruise

Antarctica Peninsula Luxury Cruise Cost

In 2025, a 10-night luxury Antarctica cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula on L’Austral in a deluxe stateroom costs from £9,860 ($12,551, €11,555) per person. The owner’s suite costs £26,330 ($33,547, €30,860) per person.

Antarctica Luxury Fly and Cruise Expedition Cost

In 2025, a 6-day luxury fly-and-cruise expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula with flights from Santiago in Chile costs £16,164 (€18,950, $20,594) per person for the Classic Veranda Suite and £57,920 (€67,900, $73,804) per person for the Owners Suite.

Antarctica Small Ships Cruise Cost

In 2025, a 13-day small ship cruise on the Greg Mortimer to cross the Antarctic Circle from Ushuaia in Argentina costs £11,136 ($14,190, €13,052) per person for a twin cabin with portholes and £22,212 ($28,300, €26,031) per person for the Captain’s Suite. Antarctica, a cruise from South America, particularly Ushuaia, offers different ships and itineraries.

Antarctica and South Georgia Cruise Cost

For an 18-day cruise on the luxury expedition ship Silver Endeavour, the Antarctica Peninsula, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands, prices start from £18,303 (€21,450, $23,304) for the Classic Veranda Suite and £130,593 ($166,390, €120,200) for the owner’s suite.

Would you like to know more? You can search all our Antarctica cruises here.