15 Best Antarctica Cruises In 2023 [With Itinerary]

Sapphire Princess is among the best Antarctica expedition cruises in 2023. The 34-Day Antarctica cruise sails from Los Angeles to Buenos Aires.

The vessel was launched in 2004 as a sister ship of Diamond Princess. The Gem-class ship is owned by Princess Cruises.

The expedition sails for 13 days on seawater through the South American beauty of Patagonia. Cruisers can experience up-close encounters with icebergs.

Your adventure continues with exploring Cape Horn where the Pacific meets the Atlantic.

• Date: December 1, 2023 - January 4, 2023
• Price: Starting at $1999
• Ship Capacity: 2,670 (double occupancy)
• Route: Los Angeles - Puntarenas - Manta - Lima - Pisco - La Serena - Santiago - Ushuaia - Cape Horn - Falkland Islands - Montevideo - Buenos Aires

Seabourn Venture is slated for the 13-Days Antarctica Exploration. The itinerary includes a hotel stay in Buenos Aires and air to or from Ushuaia.

The Venture is an ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ship launched in 2021. It is owned by Carnival Corporation and is operated by Seabourn Cruise Line.

The trip leads you to the capital of Tierra del Fuego surrounded by lush landscapes of the Andes Mountains.

You will be offered zodiac cruises to encounter Antarctica's dramatic landscapes and wildlife.

• Date: November 27, 2023 - December 10, 2023
• Price: Starting at $13,999
• Ship Capacity: 264
• Route: Buenos Aires - Bue Jorge Newbery - Ushuaia - Ushuaia - Ezeiza International Airport

The 73 Days Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage itinerary is slated in Zaadam. The ship is operated by the Holland America Line.

The vessel departs from Fort Lauderdale and arrives at the same place. In between the ship passes through a man-made canal, Panama Canal.

The trip ends on the extreme southern tip of South America between Chile and Argentina. Do not miss shore excursions surrounding the wilderness in Punta Arenas.

• Date: October 7, 2023 - December 19, 2023
• Price: Starting at $7500
• Ship Capacity: 1432
• Route: Fort Lauderdale - Georgetown - Puerto Limon - Manta - San Antonio - Castro - Punta Arenas - Cockburn - Beagle Channel

One of the best Antarctica cruise operators is Holland America. MS Oosterdam is slated for the 22-Day South America & Antarctica Holiday itinerary.

The ship was launched in November 2002. The Vista-class vessel was refurbished in 2016 with more cafes and revitalised suites.

The Antarctic expedition will take you through the landscapes of the Falkland Islands and the Tierra del Fuego archipelago.

• Date: December 16, 2023 - January 7, 2024
• Price: Starting at $2479
• Ship Capacity: 1,964
• Route: Buenos Aire - Montevideo - Punta Del Este - Puerto Madryn - Stanley - Cape Horn - Ushuaia - Beagle Channel - Punta Arenas - Sarmiento Channel - Chilean Fjords - Chile - San Antonio

If you are wondering about last minute Antarctica cruise deals, then Viking Cruises has got your back.

The 13-day Antarctica Explorer itinerary explores the spectacular Glacier Alley. In Ushuaia, you can browse the Argentinean leather markets and explore the nearest trails.

To reach Cape Horn every ship must cross the Drake Passage which has extremely unpredictable throughout the season. 

• Date: November 9, 2023 - November 21, 2023
• Price: Starting at $11,995
• Ship Capacity: 645
• Route: Buenos Aires - Ushuaia - Drake Passage - Cape Horn - Ushuaia

Viking Cruises are one of the best among the 2023 Antarctica cruises. The cruise line has two ships operating in the area.

Octantis is a polar-class expedition ship launched in December 2021. It has a length of 205 meters with a 77-foot beam.

After sailing on the South Atlantic Ocean for 3 days, the ship docks at West Point Island on the fourth day. The scenic island boasts its highest sea cliffs in the Falklands.

• Date: October 29, 2023 - November 16, 2023
• Price: Starting at $19,995
• Ship Capacity: 378
• Route: Buenos Aires - Ushuaia - West Point Island - Port Stanley - Drake Passage - Ushuaia

The best small ship cruises to Antarctica is Silver Cloud. Silversea Expeditions operates the ship on pole-to-pole expeditions around Antarctica.

The Silver Cloud is the first hybrid ship in their fleet with more than 20 Zodiacs. The vessel has four dining options and 10 kayaks.

The 18 Days cruise from Puerto Williams to Puerto Williams has stops in 10 ports. The trip is through four countries.

• Date: October 29, 2023 - November 16, 2023
• Price: Starting at $20,400
• Ship Capacity: 254
• Route: Puerto Williams -New Island - West Point Island - Port Stanely - South Georgia - Elephant Island -Antarctic Sound - Antarctic Peninsula - South Shetland Islands -Cape Horn Puerto Williams

One of the best luxury cruises to Antarctica is Silver Endeavor. The 6-day King George Island to King George Island cruise is sailed by Silversea Cruises.

The exploration technology and hallmark Silversea's comfort make her the most luxurious expedition ship. The ship was launched in December 2019.

Keep an eye out for the local wildlife from orcas to penguins colonies. While experiencing the visceral thrills of Antarctica you can navigate through Iceberg Alleys.

• Date: November 21, 2023 - November 27, 2023
• Price: Starting at $16,150
• Ship Capacity: 264
• Route: King George Island - Antarctic Sound - Antarctic Peninsula - South Shetland Islands - King George Island

L'Austral is among the best Antarctica cruise for families. The 12-day Emblematic Antarctica cruise takes passengers to the untamed realm of Antarctica.

The ship was launched on April 2011 as a sister ship of Le Boreal and Le Soleal. She is commissioned by Compagnie du Ponant.

The snow-blanketed landscapes and colossal ice sculptures make the Antarctic an ideal destination for a getaway.

You can go for zodiac outings in consideration of Expedition Leader in the Antarctic Peninsula.

• Date: November 13, 2023 - December 11, 2023
• Price: Starting at $11,484
• Ship Capacity: 264
• Route: Ushuaia - Drake Passage - Antarctic Peninsula - Drake Passage - Ushuaia

The 18-Day Antarctica and Patagonia Expedition Southbound is scheduled on MS Roald Amundsen. Hurtigruten Expeditions operates the vessel.

The cruise departs from Valparaiso and eventually arrives in Buenos Aires with multiple stops along the way. One of the stops is rustic Castro.

While on the ocean you can relish the lido deck buffet while enjoying the scenic spots. Your hearts will melt with the beauty of the mountains surrounding Puerto Natales.

• Date: October 17, 2023 - November 1, 2023
• Price: Starting at $7933
• Ship Capacity: 530
• Route: Valparaiso - Castro - Puerto Eden - Bohemian Puerto Natales - Chile's Fjords - Cape Horn - Ushuaia - Buenos Aires

The National Geographic Resolution is operated by Lindblad Expeditions. The ship was launched in November 2021.

The vessel offers geared toward adventure travel from zodiacs and sightseeing boats. You can venture into the untouched wilds of the Antarctic on this expedition.

Ushuaia is nicknamed the end of the world for being the southernmost tip of South America. Most Antarctic cruises from here.

• Date: December 2, 2023 - December 13, 2023
• Price: Starting at $17280
• Ship Capacity: 128
• Route: Buenos Aires - Ushuaia - Drake Passage - Ushuaia

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has slated HANSEATIC Inspiration for 16 Day Expedition in Antarctica. The ship is one of Vard built three luxury expedition vessels.

Sailing through the Victorian houses of Stanley and mighty glaciers and fjords in South Georgia you will feel like paradise came into view.

The South Shetland Islands boast the beauty of the legendary Elephant Island and gigantic icebergs glint in Paradise Bay.

• Date: December 1, 2023 - December 17, 2023
• Price: Starting at $17280
• Ship Capacity: 128
• Route: Ushuaia - Stanely - South Georgia - South Shetland Islands - Antarctic Peninsula - Ushuaia

World Explorer is among the best Antarctica cruise for families. The ship is slated for 8 Days short itinerary by Quark Expeditions.

The vessel is operated by two companies, Quark, and Nicko Cruises. While Mystic Invest via the subsidiary Mystic Cruises owns the ship.

Starting from Punta Arenas, you will fly to King George Island crossing the legendary Drake Passage. You can enjoy four days at Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands.

• Date: December 5, 2023 - December 13, 2023
• Price: Starting at $15995
• Ship Capacity: 172
• Route: Punta Arenas - George Island - Antarctic Peninsula - King George Island - Punta Arenas

MV Plancius is an expedition-style voyage of Oceanwide Expeditions. The vessel was formerly called HNLMS Tydeman.

You will enter Antarctica on the fourth day. Then you can do shore excursions for the next 6 days around Port Lockro, Petermann Islands, and Errera Channel.

Even though the departure time is settled, the weather conditions of  Drake Passage can change the dates.

• Date: November 13, 2023 - November 25, 2023
• Price: Starting at $13,995
• Ship Capacity: 73
• Route: Ushuaia - Drake Passage - Antarctic Peninsula - Ushuaia

The 21 Days South Georgia & Antarctic Odyssey itinerary is set on December 1, 2023. Aurora Expeditions operates Sylvia Earle.

The three-week long trip takes you on an Antarctic journey from the Martial Mountains to the windswept coastlines of Falklands.

The ship sails around South Georgia for four days during which you can enjoy the view of rugged islands and shore excursions.

• Date: December 1, 2023 - December 17, 2023
• Price: Starting at $17280
• Ship Capacity: 126
• Route: Ushuaia - Drake Passage - Elephant Island - Scotia Sea - South Georgia - Falklands - Ushuaia