Dunedin - Dunedin
Feb 16 2025 - Mar 09 2025
21 Nights
Price from per person
£17,350
Cruises to the Ross Sea from New Zealand and Australia are the ultimate adventure. You'll see stunning landscapes, wildlife, and historic sites, and you'll do some science, too. It's the ultimate trip to the bottom of the world.
Antarctica cruises from New Zealand get you to the remote and seldom-visited parts of Antarctica in the Ross Sea Region, known as 'The Heart Of Antarctica'.
Some cruises go to or beyond the Antarctic Circle to experience the extreme environment and 24-hour daylight. Because of its remoteness, only a few hundred people cross each year to see East Antarctica's wild coastlines, which are locked in ice for most of the year. You'll be amazed by the wildlife, the landscapes seen by the early explorers, and the history. For history buffs, visiting Scott and Shackleton's huts, still standing today, is a tribute to the golden age of exploration.
New Zealand and Australia cruises also include visits to sub-Antarctic islands with abundant wildlife and penguin species. Macquarie Island has over 850,000 royal Penguins and some of the largest King penguin populations in the world.
Our selection of Antarctica cruises from New Zealand to the Ross Sea are small ship voyages. They are perfect for wildlife enthusiasts, explorers who want to get off the beaten track, or those who have already been to the Antarctic Peninsula.
Want to go somewhere else in Antarctica? See our full list of Antarctica cruises.
Price from per person
Price from per person
Antarctic exploration is an adventure that allows you to follow in the footsteps of the great explorers and see unspoilt nature on a grand scale only seen by a few humans. You can see the most remote coastlines of Antarctica by Ship, on Zodiacs, and on foot.
East Antarctica is a wildlife haven from one of Antarctica's largest Adelie Penguin colonies at Cape Adare to mineral-rich waters where whales feed, seabird colonies and seals.
A big draw for history buffs, the well-preserved huts of the explorers from the race to the South Pole can be visited. Today, Shackleton's and Scott's huts are on Ross Island and give a glimpse into a bygone era of exploration.
Off-limits to ships for most of the year, the Ross Sea is a sight to behold, with giant icebergs and sheer ice cliffs along its ice shelf. The vast Ross Ice Shelf, the size of France, adds to the scenery and is a natural barrier that presented considerable challenges to the early explorers.
A great stopover on the way to Antarctica, Macquarie Island is a rarely visited sub-antarctic Island, a penguin paradise with hundreds of thousands of penguins. The Auckland Islands' unique wildlife and scenery are another important stopover on our expedition cruises to Antarctica. With its rugged scenery and abundant wildlife, Campbell Island is a beautiful place to explore.
Each New Zealand to Antarctica cruise is led by a team of expert naturalists and polar guides who love exploring the most remote polar regions.
Modern, ice-strengthened expedition ships allow you to explore the most remote parts of the Ross Sea in comfort and safety with a small group.
Antarctic cruises from New Zealand depart from southern ports on the South Island of New Zealand, Dunedin and Queenstown, and occasionally Hobart in Tasmania. These cruises offer different options for getting to Antarctica during the southern summer.
Most Antarctic cruises depart from Ushuaia, Argentina, at the bottom of South America.
For guests embarking in Dunedin, there is an airport with direct flights to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch for international connections.
For guests embarking in Queenstown, the local airport has daily flights to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch for international connections.
Our Travel Experience Team can help you with your travel arrangements. If you need help with your flights to New Zealand, please get in touch. To learn more about how to get to Antarctica, including flying, see our full guide below.
Antarctica cruises from New Zealand to the Ross Sea have a short season and only operate during the peak of the Antarctic summer, January and February when conditions are best for this remote region. This is when the temperatures are mildest, the sea crossing is easiest, and the wildlife is most active. Cruises to the Ross Sea in Antarctica during this time offer special experiences, rare wildlife sightings and the chance to explore one of the most remote places on Earth.
Because of this region’s harsh weather and climate, the Ross Sea can only be visited by Ship during this time.
See our guide below for what Antarctica offers each month, including wildlife sightings.
Here at North Pole Cruises, our team has over 30 years of experience exploring Antarctica and firsthand experience travelling to Antarctica from New Zealand.
We can advise you on which ship and itinerary best fits you.
We will help you plan your travel arrangements to New Zealand.
We include 100% financial protection on every booking we make so you can confidently travel.
Cruises to East Antarctica are some of the longest in duration due to the long sea passage between New Zealand and Antarctica.Â
A cruise from New Zealand to Antarctica to explore the Ross Sea region and visit the sub-Antarctic islands typically lasts between 21 and 28 days. If you want to see more, we recommend choosing a more extended cruise.
It takes between 6 and 7 days to reach Antarctica by Ship from New Zealand or Australia, depending on the Ship’s speed and weather conditions. Macquarie Island and the Snares offer excellent stopping points to help break up the sea crossing.
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.Â
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.Â
We accept payment via credit card or bank transfer.
Cruises from New Zealand to Antarctica start from £15,850 ($19,924) based on two guests sharing a suite onboard Le Soleal on a 22-day expedition.
Yes, we offer only one supplement on selected Antarctica cruises from New Zealand, 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.
Subscribe to be the first to know about new voyages, exclusive offers and insider travel tips.
North Pole Cruises – a brand by the Expedition Collective Limited
A valuable opportunity to discuss your travel interests, ask questions, and receive impartial guidance on the different ship options and itineraries.
Do you have a question for our knowledgeable Travel Experience Team? We’re all ears! Just fill out this form, and we will be in touch shortly to answer your question.
Subscribe to be the first to know about new voyages, exclusive offers and insider travel tips.
