antarctica cruise line reviews

Best Antarctica Cruise – Ultimate Guide to Who & How [2024]

• Last Updated: March 28, 2024

If you’re planning on going on the world’s most epic bucket list adventure by booking an Antarctica cruise there’s a few things you need to know first. In our ultimate guide we draw on our personal experience from multiple trips to share the how, who, when and why of travelling on a cruise to Antarctica!

Whether you’re ready to book, doing more research or simply interested in the idea of visiting Antarctica, there’s some very important things you need to know before dropping your hard-earned money on an expedition to the 7th continent.

We’ve been travelling and working in Antarctica since 2017, first as photographers and content creators, then as tour guides taking our own groups to this beautiful part of the world.

One thing we’ve discovered over the years is that no two Antarctic expeditions are the same – both in experience, and in service.

A quick Google will show that there are over 100 operators registered to IAATO, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, to run trips down here, and then there are a handful of private enterprises and sailers that visit each year as well.

So how do you know which operator to book with? What time of year should you go? Why are some companies more expensive than others? And with so many different itineraries now available, which one should you choose?

That’s what we have set out to answer for you in this comprehensive guide.

By the end of this article you will have a great understanding of the differences between the best Antarctica cruises and which companies we recommend based on personal experience and intimate industry knowledge.

Ready to embark on the journey of a lifetime? Let’s dive into it!

READ MORE: Dive deep into our complete guide on travelling to Antarctica !

Table of Contents

Can You Travel to Antarctica in Winter?

Crossing the drake passage vs flying the drake passage, crossing the antarctic circle, the weddell sea and snow hill, falkland islands (islas malvinas), south georgia, the ‘trio’ – antarctica, south georgia and falkland islands, the ross sea from new zealand or australia, quark expeditions, aurora expeditions, hurtigruten, other operators, navigating antarctic waters, does a more expensive trip mean a better experience, 7 days – express (fly the drake), 10/11 days – classic antarctic peninsula, 14 days – crossing the antarctic circle or visit the weddell sea/snow hill, 20 days – falkland islands, south georgia island and antarctica, 21-24 days – trio and crossing the circle, 28 days – ross sea or ‘sailing’ to antarctica on a yacht, zodiac cruises, landings and hiking, onboard seminars, polar plunge, wildlife watching, sea kayaking, day paddling, mountaineering and climbing, skiing and snowboarding, scuba diving, photography workshops, citizen science programs, environmental responsibility when choosing an antarctica cruise operator, when is the best time to go on an antarctica cruise.

All commercial operators that run trips to Antarctica during the Southern Hemisphere’s spring and summer months, stretching from late October to March, with the majority being between November and February.

Each month offers travellers a very different experience.

In November, as the continent emerges from its icy slumber, voyagers are greeted with pristine and untouched snowy landscapes.

Antarctica is at its most beautiful, but it also brings challenges for expedition teams due to weather, sea ice and snow density, meaning some landings might not be possible.

December and January are the peak months of the Antarctic summer, with the warmest temperatures (sometimes never dropping below freezing except at night), very long daylight hours, and the heartwarming sight of penguins nurturing their freshly hatched chicks.

It’s also the busiest time of year though on the Peninsula.

As the season progresses into February and March, the continent witnesses the awe-inspiring migrations of thousands of humpback whales and penguins shedding their feathers in the molting season.

The Peninsula might look it’s ‘dirtiest’ though, with much of the ground snow melted.

While the scenery is mesmerising throughout, the choice of month can tailor very different wildlife encounters and unique experiences.

We’ve written another full guide on the best time to visit Antarctica , but personally we prefer to travel early season (November) for landscapes and penguins, and late season (February and March) for whales.

After our very successful tour to Antarctica this season, we are going to be running another exclusive adventure down to the Peninsula in 2025, this time crossing the Antarctic Circle! Check out the tour page if you’d like to learn more.

Unfortunately tourists cannot visit Antarctica in winter due to the extremely cold weather and huge congestion in sea ice limiting access.

Antarctic Cruise Itineraries

There are a variety of different itineraries that are available to book for cruises to Antarctica.

Depending on your style, budget, interests and length of time available you’ll find some trips that are common (for good reason), and others that are very unique and only happen once every few years.

Here are the main Antarctic cruise itineraries you can book.

Antarctic Peninsula

The most common itinerary to Antarctica is a trip to the Antarctic Peninsula, most often departing from the port of Ushuaia in Argentina, at the very southern tip of South America.

These trips usually take around 10-12 days, with 5-7 days spent on the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula (the rest of the days are travelling over the Drake Passage), and no two trips are the same.

Some of the main destinations that you might visit on an Antarctic Peninsula cruise are:

• Deception Island
• South Shetland Islands
• Vernadsky Station
• Elephant Island
• Paulet Island
• Damoy Point
• Portal Point
• Cuverville Island
• Errera Channel
• Gerlache Strait
• Lemaire Channel

Just because it’s the most common tour doesn’t mean it’s not worth doing. A Peninsula trip is truly mind-blowing, and allows you to officially step foot on the 7th continent.

When researching Antarctic Peninsula cruises you’ll probably see that the majority of the itineraries sail across the Drake Passage , the infamous stretch of sea between South America and Antarctica, while a couple fly over the Drake to King George Island.

Many people are worried about the Drake Passage, which is understandable – it has the reputation for being the roughest sea in the world.

But one thing to keep in mind is that you’re not sailing to Antarctica in a little boat. You’re on a large expedition ship which is designed to handle much worse conditions than the Drake.

Seasickness might be a concern, but there’s medication to help with that and every trip has a doctor onboard.

The alternative is to fly the Drake from Punta Arenas in Chile, and while this is very tempting (it saves 4 days of travel and no rough seas to cross), there’s one very important thing to keep in mind:

Weather at King George Island is very unpredictable, and with just one scheduled flight a day allowed, cancellations are very common.

Visibility needs to be very clear down there and the right direction of wind for the pilots to land safely. If they don’t think they can land safely, they don’t depart Chile.

If your flight to Antarctica is cancelled on one day, the company usually only has one more attempt to get their guests down there before they have to forfeit their spot for the next company’s charter.

So if you’re unlucky and just so happen to get two days of bad weather in either Punta Arenas or Antarctica during your scheduled days of departure, your entire trip can be cancelled.

For that reason we do not recommend flying over the Drake Passage to Antarctica unless you are 110% positive that you mentally cannot handle the sea crossing.

Plus if you do cross the Drake by sea you get that added sense of achievement.

If stepping foot on the Antarctic continent isn’t enough, you can become one of the 0.001% of the human population who will ever cross the fabled Antarctic Circle at 66º southern latitude.

A few companies offer Antarctica tours that aim to cross the Circle (we say aim because nothing is guaranteed down here), and these itineraries are usually around 14 days (with 7-10 days on the Peninsula).

One thing to note is that there isn’t really anything ‘different’ once you cross the circle – the landscapes and wildlife are more or less same.

But you get more time in Antarctica, and get to venture to one of the most remote places on the planet.

Some Antarctica tours go to the eastern side of the Peninsula and enter the Weddell Sea, which promises a different experience again and is not often visited by travellers.

There’s a lot of fascinating history in the Weddell Sea, especially around Sir Ernest Shackleton and his legendary tale of survival from the Endurance with his crew, so if this is of interest it’s worth looking for an itinerary that follows this path.

One unique tour that’s popped up recently, and has been pioneered by Quark Expeditions and now also offered by Ponant, is a trip to the emperor penguins of Snow Hill .

This trip is only offered once every couple of years in the early season (October) and requires either an icebreaker ship or a Class 1A ice-strengthened ship with helicopters, which allows guests to get close to the emperor penguin colony.

It’s known as one of the world’s greatest wildlife experiences, and has the price to match.

We’ve never personally done this but hope to one day.

The Falkland Islands, or Isla Malvinas, is a truly spectacular archipelago about 1.5 days cruising from Ushuaia.

You’ll find some fantastic itineraries that include Falkland Islands, either as part of the trio (below), or sometimes starting in the Falkland Islands.

If you love British history, or just want something a little different, it’s worth looking at an itinerary that includes the Falklands.

The wildlife here, while not as dense as South Georgia, is especially fascinating for birdlife like albatross.

Known as the Serengeti of the Southern Ocean, South Georgia is one of the most incredible wildlife destinations on the planet.

Boasting dramatic mountains, huge glaciers and beaches filled with hundreds of thousands of king penguins, elephant seals and fur seals, it really is a sensory overload and we’ve seen quite a few people shed a tear when they’ve seen Salisbury Plain or St Andrews Bay for the first time.

In all honesty, as amazing as Antarctica is, most people who visit South Georgia end up saying that this spectacular island is their real highlight of the trip.

There are a few itineraries that only visit South Georgia (usually after flying into Stanley in the Falkland Islands), but the majority will either include the Peninsula and possibly the Falklands.

Adding on South Georgia adds significant expense to an Antarctic trip due to how remote it is, but it is 100% worth it.

Check out our guide on the best time to visit South Georgia based on our personal experience.

Considered to be the pinnacle of best Antarctic tours is a trip that includes the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, often referred to as the ‘trio’.

These itineraries are usually around 20 days long, with quite a few days spent at sea navigating between each destination, so if you can find a longer itinerary that includes more days at each place it’s worth exploring.

This is the Antarctic cruise itinerary we most recommend.

Our own group tour on the trio includes the most amount of days in each location available.

An Antarctic cruise to the Ross Sea from either New Zealand or Australia is a very rare occurrence, with only a small number of companies making the journey, and is usually booked by people who have been to the Peninsula before and want to see a different side of the continent.

A trip to the Ross Sea involves a lot of sea days and can be very expensive, but they visit very important research bases, follow the explorers Mawson and Shackleton’s history and includes penguin colonies not often seen, or located on the Macquarie Islands in the Subantarctic.

Heritage Expeditions is one such operator that runs two trips a year to the Ross Sea, via the Subantarctic Islands.

As of 2025 Aurora Expeditions, the award-winning Australian polar company, will be returning to the Eastern side of Antarctica from Hobart on their newest X-Bow ship, the Douglas Mawson.

CEO Michael Heath says, “We are equally delighted to be offering passengers new itineraries departing from Australia as part of the ship’s inaugural season, including an exploration of Mawson’s Antarctica, which will visit Mawson’s Huts at Cape Denison, Commonwealth Bay, and New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands.

“AE Expeditions has pioneered expedition travel to the world’s most remote places for more than three decades, and we know that exploration is not just about what you see, but how you see it.

“That is why we are committed to delivering life changing experiences with the newest, most advanced technology available, and with the most experienced and passionate team in the industry,” he added.

Our Best Tips for Choosing the Right Antarctica Expedition for You

Choosing the right Antarctic cruise is essential for crafting an unforgettable polar experience.

This remote, icy frontier promises unparalleled adventures and sights, but the vast array of cruise options available can be overwhelming.

From the more than 100 different companies that operate down there, different ship sizes and amenities and of course the nuances of itineraries and activities, every detail plays a big part in shaping your journey.

With such a significant investment of time, money, and anticipation, it’s crucial to make informed decisions.

As you dream of gliding past enormous tabular icebergs and observing wildlife in its purest habitat, here are our best tips to ensure you select the right Antarctic cruise and best Antarctica tour company that aligns perfectly with your expectations and desires.

The Best Antarctica Cruise Company – Our Recommendations

With more than 100 operators running trips to Antarctica it’s very easy to be overwhelmed with who to go with.

And if you ask for opinions from a travel agent, they’ll just tell you the one that either a) pays them the most commission or b) is going to offer them a free trip if they sell X number of spots.

Then if you ask in one of the popular Facebook groups, the answer will almost inevitably be whichever company that particular person went with, and they have nobody else to compare them to.

We’ve travelled with a whole variety of polar operators, and here’s our top 5 recommendations and why.

Canadian company Quark Expeditions is one of the true pioneers in polar adventures.

Established in 1991, this trailblazing company has spent decades perfecting the art of delivering unparalleled experiences in the planet’s most remote regions.

They were the the first to organise trips to Snow Hill and revolutionised North Pole tours, so they’re always looking for what’s next in the world of polar voyages.

Quark has an impeccable safety record and has a fleet of ice-class vessels, including the new, luxurious MV Ultramarine , which allows them to execute really unique itineraries.

All of their ships have under 200 passengers too, meeting IAATO regulations for number of people off the ship at any one time.

After lots of research, personal testing, and fielding quite a few (better) offers from competitors, we decided that Quark Expeditions is the company we trust to operate our own group tours to Antarctica.

EXCLUSIVE – We have partnered with the world’s top polar tour operator, Quark Expeditions, to offer readers of NOMADasaurus a very special deal on any trip to Antarctica or the Arctic! Contact us ( [email protected] ) if you’d like to learn more about this exclusive Quark Expeditions discount.

Australian enterprise Aurora Expeditions has carved a niche for itself in the realm of polar travel for being a bit more adventurous than the rest, without compromising safety.

Their focus leans towards a genuine and immersive experience rather than mere sightseeing, with activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving and stand-up paddleboarding available to purchase.

Aurora has a small fleet of luxury ships and a fantastic team of seasoned expedition guides, so travellers are in good hands.

They are also B Corp certified , a testament to their commitment to sustainability.

“Our pioneering spirit leads us to explore rarely visited locations and introduce unique itineraries for every season,” Hayley Peacock-Gower tells us, who is the Chief Marketing Officer of Aurora Expeditions.

“We pride ourselves on innovation and pushing the boundaries of discovery to provide unique, immersive experiences for our expeditioners while maintaining a light footprint.

“We’re constantly seeking new places to explore while on a voyage and want to share these findings with our expeditioners, so we’re comfortable adjusting our schedule to make the most of unexpected wildlife or scenic displays.”

In 2025 Aurora Expeditions will also be welcoming the brand new, 154pax X-BOW vessel, the Douglas Mawson, to their fleet, which will prove to be one of the most capable, luxury ships in the industry.

Their trips however are on the pricier side, which is something to consider. In our opinion though the quality product that you receive with Aurora is worth the price, and they are known in the industry for being one of the top operators.

For those seeking a thoughtful and authentic polar journey, Aurora Expeditions is a good choice.

One of the most famous names in polar travel, Hurtigruten , hailing from Norway and originally started as a ferry company, offers excellent budget-friendly trips to the Antarctic and Arctic.

Their itineraries are fantastic and the service for guests is excellent. They also have an excellent onboard science program.

However , their ships are very large, with between 250 and 500 passengers on each trip, meaning your actual time spent off the ship is limited.

If price is a major factor for you they are a good option and they do have a great product, but the size of their ships is something to consider. Remember, in Antarctica, bigger isn’t better.

Intrepid is famous around the world for organising amazing small group tours around the world, and as of recently have now moved into the polar regions.

They operate a large, older ship, the Ocean Endeavour, but limit passengers to 199 to skate under the 200 pax limit.

Their trips attract a younger demographic and a lower price point, but they’ve worked hard to secure some of the best expedition team members in the industry.

Jarryd travelled with Intrepid this year as an expedition photographer in partnership with Sony Australia, and absolutely loved their service.

The average age onboard an Intrepid trip is around 45, so it’s an entirely different atmosphere compared to something like Ponant or Lindblad that has an older average age.

Neither is better or worse, just something to consider based on your own style.

Scenic is an old hand in the luxury river cruise industry, they have since branched out into polar tours and are doing an amazing job at it with their beautiful ships and brilliant expedition team.

They have some pretty unique offerings, including a submarine that you can book for seeing Antarctica beneath the surface, and really fun activities.

Many of our expedition guide friends are now working at Scenic as well, and we can vouch for just how good they all are.

Of course that’s just scratching the surface and there is plenty of other operators out there. These are some others worth considering:

• Islands and Ice – Small tour company run by the legendary expedition leader David Sinclair, chartering the MV Polar Pioneer for adventurous trips of less than 50 people.
• Ponant – Uber-luxurious cruise operator. If you like your icebergs with a side of caviar underneath a chandelier, this is the company to go with.
• G Adventures – Similar to Intrepid in that they focus primarily on small group trips in other parts of the world, but their Antarctic product is quite good.
• Oceanwide Expeditions – Small groups with under 100 passengers, operating some cool itineraries.
• Albatros Expeditions – Nice, sustainable operator with great ships and decent expedition team.

Ship Size Matters on Antarctica Cruises

You might be tempted to book a tour onboard a larger cruise ship for a number of reasons.

More space and amenities, cheaper price, familiarity with a particular company such as Carnival, etc.

But trust us when we say bigger is not bigger in Antarctica!

IAATO , the body that regulates tourism in Antarctica, has strict rules around the number of passengers from any one ship that can leave the vessel at any one time.

• Less than 100 passengers – Everybody can leave the ship at the same time and step foot on the continent at the same time
• Between 101-200 passengers – Everybody can leave the ship at the same time, but only 100 people can step foot on the continent at any one time, so the rest of the guests will often do a zodiac cruise
• Between 201-500 passengers – Only 200 people can leave the ship at any one time, so 100 maximum people will land on shore, 100 people maximum will go on a zodiac cruise and the rest waits on the ship for a group to come back.
• More than 501 passengers – Nobody leaves the ship at all.

So as you can see if you are booking a trip to Antarctica on a large ship, you run the risk of not even getting off the ship.

You don’t really want to spend all that money just to get down there and look at the continent from your balcony.

For that reason we don’t recommend booking a trip on a vessel that carries any more than 200 people total, and ideally less than 100 people if you can find one.

Let us say that again;

DO NOT BOOK A TRIP WITH MORE THAN 200 PASSENGERS!

Besides that, there’s other considerations when it comes to ship size and choosing the best Antarctica expedition.

Smaller ships have much better manoeuvrability, which allows them to navigate through narrow channels and into tight bays to allow you to access Antarctica close up.

A smaller ship often means a shallower draft too, so they can get into some areas that may not be deep enough for larger vessels.

This might not be something you think about, but when you book a smaller ship you have a greater sense of intimacy with your fellow guests and expedition team.

There is often just the one dining room and one, maybe two, lounges to relax in. That means everybody congregates in the same areas and it doesn’t take long to start getting to know everybody.

The larger ships can feel like a labyrinth, and we’ve heard of people going entire expeditions and not ever finding the library for example.

Personally, we prefer smaller ships.

How Much is a Cruise to Antarctica?

Heading off on an Antarctic adventure is both a dream and a significant financial undertaking.

With such a wide variety of cruise options, ranging from small, older vessels to high-end luxury ships, it can be hard to determine what is worth spending your money on.

At the budget-friendly end, less extravagant ships may lack the luxurious amenities, but they often deliver an authentic, intimate connection with the Antarctic wilderness.

These ships focus on the adventure and Antarctica expedition with an authentic flare, where you feel encouraged to be out on deck or in the lounge areas when you’re onboard rather than sprawled out in your cabin.

On the other hand, luxury cruises offer plush accommodations, gourmet dining, spa services, and even onboard entertainment.

Some of them even have helicopters and submarines onboard, opening up a whole new world that isn’t possible with other operators.

While these amenities come at a premium, it ensures an unparalleled level of comfort amidst a wild Antarctic backdrop.

Essentially, you get what you pay for when it comes to the ship; the more you pay, the nicer the onboard experience.

So how much should you expect to pay for a cruise to Antarctica?

On average, USD$10,000 per person for the standard itinerary, and around USD$18,000 for a trip that includes the Falkland Islands and South Georgia.

Of course you can sometimes find trips for as long as USD$5,000 per person if you book it super last minute on a special deal, and ones as expensive as USD$50,000 or more.

However when you look at the individual itineraries for different operators, you might notice something interesting…

They are often the exact same, whether you’re playing $8,000 or $20,000.

A typical 10-day ‘Best of Antarctica’ itinerary, which actually only includes 4.5 days in Antarctica, has the same number of days and excursions on the continent, often doing the same thing (zodiac cruises, landings, ship exploring, etc).

Adventure activities, such as kayaking, stand-up paddle-boarding and camping, usually have an additional cost no matter which company you’re with too.

So really, in most situations you’re paying more money for a nicer ship and cabin.

There are exceptions of course, especially if your ship has helicopters.

But if the company you’re looking at doesn’t have any obvious benefits such as helicopters or more days at sea, most of the price increase is for better food and nicer rooms.

Is that worth it the difference in cost?

That’s a question only you can answer.

Either way, it’s paramount to really look into what’s included in your package. Some voyages may seem very cheap upfront but then charge extra for essentials like shore excursions, gear rentals, or even certain onboard facilities.

All of the operators we recommend though include daily excursions, all meals and gear rental included, regardless of price and itinerary.

And if you have some flexibility in your travel plans, there’s a big potential to lock in some remarkable last-minute deals.

Subscribe to the newsletters of Antarctic cruise operators or follow their social media channels to see what’s available.

Or get in touch with us for the best price possible with our current favourite operator, Quark Expeditions, even better than what they advertise to the public.

How Long Should You Book to Visit Antarctica?

The length of Antarctica cruises vary quite a bit, with options ranging from a week right up to an entire month.

The length of your voyage determines not only how much of Antarctica you get to explore but also how much time you spend on the open sea versus the continent itself.

The sweet spot is the classic 11-day itineraries, which just visits the Peninsula, but let us break down the general ones you’ll find.

One thing to keep in mind though is that the length of time the companies advertise is not how much time you get to spend in Antarctica.

For example an 11-day itinerary often means just 4-5 days in Antarctica, and the rest of the time is spent before the trip in Buenos Aires or Ushuaia and the two days each way on the Drake.

Misleading? Perhaps. But that’s just what it is.

For those that are on a super tight schedule or really, really don’t want to cross the Drake, you can fly down to join your cruise to Antarctica.

You’ll usually have one full day in Punta Arenas, Chile, then schedule to fly to King George Island the next day. Then you’ll have 4 days on the ship, before flying back for another night in Punta Arenas.

This is the trip most people do.

You’ll meet your group in Ushuaia on the first day, then jump on the ship the next day (or start in Buenos Aires and take a charter flight the next morning).

After that it’s two days sailing across the Drake Passage, 4 days to explore Antarctica, then two days back to Ushuaia.

You wake up in Ushuaia and the trip either ends there for you, or you jump on a charter flight back to Buenos Aires.

Essentially the same structure as above, but you’ll have an extra couple of days to travel the distance required to hopefully cross the Antarctic Circle, or sail around to the east side of the Peninsula to get into the Weddell Sea and maybe see the emperor penguins.

Our personal favourite length, as it ticks off all the major highlights.

Starting in Buenos Aires or Ushuaia, you then have one sea day to make it to Falkland Islands, then usually have two days exploring around the British archipelago.

Then it’s two more days at sea to get to South Georgia, with 3 to 4 days spent visiting the most spectacular place on earth.

You’ll then have a massive three sea days to get to the Peninsula for your 4 days hanging around here.

Then back across the Drake you go.

As above, but with a few extra days to cross the Antarctic Circle.

Basically the ultimate Antarctica trip.

If you have a month up your sleeve you can either take the historic Ross Sea trips from New Zealand or Tasmania, or be a real adventurer and jump on tall ship to sail down to Antarctica.

Activities and Excursions on Antarctica Trips

When you’re heading down to the Antarctic region on an expedition cruise ship there’s quite a few activities that you can do.

Some are included in the price for everybody, and others have limited availability for an additional cost.

Here’s what you can expect for what to do in Antarctica :

There are no ports in Antarctica that allows for a ship to dock, so the only way to get off the ship and explore land is on a small, inflatable boat called a Zodiac.

Zodiacs not only allow you to step food on land, but they also let you get up close to icebergs, glaciers, and wildlife.

Zodiac cruises offer an intimate and immersive experience, allowing passengers to navigate through stunning icy waterways.

The frequent Zodiac landings, integral to most Antarctic cruises, transport passengers from the ship to the very heart of the continent.

Setting foot on the Antarctic mainland, or one of its many islands, is an indescribable moment.

Zodiac excursions are included in most small ship cruises.

Once you’ve used a zodiac to get to shore you have a few other included activities – landings and hiking.

You can wander around a predetermined path, set out by the expedition guides, to visit research stations and viewpoints, or get closer to penguin colonies.

Any decent company, like the ones we recommend above, will also have daily onboard seminars from guides, scientists, biologists and historians to share information about the continent.

They fill the sea days and evenings, and you shouldn’t miss any.

If you want the ultimate bragging rights after your trip to Antarctica make sure you don’t miss the polar plunge.

What is it? Well, it’s going for a swim in Antarctica, of course.

You wander down the gangway, strap a harness and rope to you, and literally jump off a perfectly good (and warm) ship into the icy water.

It’s included in most trips, weather permitting, and you’ll get to come home with some cool photos to prove you did it.

Of course Antarctic wildlife watching is always free and included in your trip.

Some of the animals you could see are many penguin species such as gentoos, adélie penguins, Magellanic penguins, rockhoppers, chinstraps, king penguins, emperors (if you’re super lucky) and macaronis.

You can see lots of whales too such as humpback whales, minke whales and orca (killer whales), and occasionally blue or southern right whales in the Southern Ocean.

Sea birds also make part of the abundant wildlife, with albatross, skuas, petrels and terns commonly found.

And if you like seals in their natural habitat, there’s southern elephant seals, weddell seals, ross seals, leopard seals, crabeater seals and Antarctic fur seals.

Sorry, there’s polar bears down here. You’re thinking of the Arctic.

Optional Activities on your Antarctic Cruises

While almost all Antarctic cruises offer shore landings and Zodiac cruises as standard, there’s a whole bunch of optional activities for those eager to try something different down in the continent.

If you’re ready to step up the adventure, here’s a guide on what’s on offer and how to ensure you don’t miss out.

Gliding silently through the icy waters, kayakers get an intimate perspective of Antarctica’s coastlines.

As icebergs loom majestically overhead and seals laze on floating ice, you can navigate through a surreal world rarely experienced by others.

When you book a sea kayaking package you are given a dry suit and instruction from your experienced guides, and the goal is to get out as much as possible during your itinerary.

Most expedition ships that offer kayaking in Antarctica have a limited number of kayaks, so early reservation is crucial.

It’s also only suited for those with some prior sea kayaking experience.

If you love the idea of kayaking but don’t want to do it every single day on your trip, many companies now offer what’s called ‘day paddle excursions’, where you sign up for a once-off and jump in an inflatable kayak for an hour or two.

It’s absolutely beautiful and is perfect for those that just want to try it once.

Imagine sleeping under the Antarctic sky , surrounded by snow and ice, with the distant calls of penguins lulling you to sleep.

Sounds majestic doesn’t it?

Truth is it’s not comfortable at all, most people get anxious about it and there’s the fear of being too cold to sleep, but we’ll let you in on a little secret – Camping in Antarctica is nowhere near as bad as it sounds and is the ultimate experience.

You are given strict instructions on how it works and will be given your own bivvy sack to sleep in (not a tent), which is rated to the temperatures down there so you won’t freeze.

Given the stringent environmental regulations and the limited gear available, only a few spots are open per cruise. Book in advance.

If you’re a hardcore mountaineer or experienced rock climber there are a number of small expedition companies that offer these activities on certain itineraries.

With the guidance of expert mountaineers, you can ascend icy peaks or navigate glacial routes for an epic bucket list adventure.

You must be an experienced climber, and be able to prove it, before a company will accept your booking for these challenging adventures.

A couple of companies now also offer skiing and snowboarding trips to Antarctica.

As above, you need to prove you have backcountry skiing/snowboarding experience, all the right gear and avalanche rescue training before you can sign up.

Fancy doing a bit of scuba diving in Antarctica? Well you can…on the condition that you have the right tickets and experience.

Diving in Antarctica is a very unique experience where you can see marine mammals, krill and ice, but it does require advanced PADI certification, ice-diving certs and at least 20 logged ice dives.

There’s also only a couple of companies that are equipped for this and it’s quite expensive.

While most ships have an expedition photographer onboard whose job it is to document the entire trip, providing the images and videos to the guests at the end, most companies don’t have dedicated photography workshops.

There are some exceptions, Intrepid being a notable one who Jarryd worked with as a photography guide this year, where you join a small group of people to get daily workshops on photography techniques, camera settings, composition, creativity, editing and more.

For those who wish to contribute to our understanding of this remote region, some companies collaborate with research institutions to allow passengers to participate in data collection and other scientific activities.

Details are often available in cruise itineraries, and early registration ensures you’re part of these enriching experiences.

Finally, remember that it’s a privilege to visit Antarctica and you should always make sure you do so responsibly .

Only every book a trip with a company that is registered of IAATO, which is an official organisation that designates Antarctica purely for the purpose of science and research.

Newer ships produce less emissions and are more fuel efficient, so consider spending a little bit more money for a ship that wasn’t built in the 80s.

Protect the unique wildlife, stunning environment and exploration history of one of the world’s most spectacular places by selecting a reputable company to travel with, like the ones we recommended in this article.

Alesha and Jarryd

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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Antarctica Cruises, Ships & Tours

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• South Georgia

Falkland Islands

Weddell sea, tips for planning your antarctic cruise, how to choose an antarctic cruise.

• Book early! Fewer than 60,000 people step foot on Antarctica each year and many ships fill up many months or even years ahead of time. Plan your trip at least a year ahead of time, or even earlier if you can, for the best prices and selection.
• Choose a smaller ship, preferably with less than 200 passengers. By choosing a smaller cruising vessel for your Antarctica cruise, you are guaranteeing yourself a superior on board  experience with more opportunities for daily excursions to small bays and ports. Ships carrying more than 500 passengers are not allowed to land their passengers ashore in Antarctica.
• Choose your cruise based on activities, destinations, and cruise line experience. Use this guide, or contact one of our Antarctica cruise experts  and we'll help you find the itinerary and ship that is best suited to your you. 
• Be prepared for rough seas. If you are affected by motion sickness, then take tried and tested medications or treatments. Consider taking a flight cruise that can fly you either one, or both ways from Punta Arenas, Chile to King George Island.

Top-Rated Small Antarctic Cruise Ships

Magellan explorer, sylvia earle, ultramarine, greg mortimer, national geographic endurance, ocean albatros, world explorer, ocean adventurer (sea adventurer), ocean victory, ms seaventure, antarctica highlights.

• Zodiac Expeditions: Delve into the heart of Antarctica's icy realm on Zodiac expeditions. Get unbelievably close to massive icebergs and glaciers that defy imagination. Encounter unique wildlife such as seals, penguins, and majestic whales, making every moment a captivating memory.
• Antarctica Camping Trips: For an unparalleled connection with the environment, camp under the starry skies of Antarctica. Some cruises offer camping experiences complete with all the necessary equipment, ensuring your safety while you immerse yourself in the raw beauty of the continent.
• Kayak Among Marine Life: Glide through the pristine waters of Antarctica in a kayak, coming face to face with the remarkable marine life that calls this continent home. Paddle through stunning ice formations and observe seals and penguins in their natural habitat.
• Snowshoeing and Skiing: Embrace the adventure spirit by snowshoeing or skiing on the pristine slopes of Antarctica. Some cruises include these exhilarating activities in their itineraries and provide top-notch equipment for guests seeking an adrenaline rush.
• Glacier Hikes: Embark on glacier hikes through awe-inspiring white landscapes, all while spotting the incredible wildlife that inhabits this unique region. It's an opportunity to stay active and witness wildlife thriving in their natural habitat.
• Scientific Explorations: Visit science research stations and onboard science labs to delve into the cutting-edge research conducted in Antarctica. Learn about the history of exploration in Antarctica and gain insights into the current challenges facing the continent.
• Breathtaking Sceneries: Be prepared to be mesmerized by the inspiring and breathtaking sceneries of Antarctica. Marvel at the incredible species that call this pristine wilderness home every step of the way.
• Relaxation and Luxury: Amidst the adventure, take time to unwind and pamper yourself. Enjoy moments of relaxation as you tour or sail through the blue waters of Antarctica. Many cruises offer onboard services like spas, massages, fine dining, hot tubs, and more, ensuring you have the best of both worlds during your expedition.

Top 10 Things to Do and See in Antarctica: A Complete Guide

Antarctic wildlife, top places to visit in antarctica.

• Antarctic Peninsula : This is one of the most visited regions in Antarctica and is known for its stunning landscapes, research stations, and abundant wildlife, including penguins, seals, and whales. Cross the Lemaire Channel back or from notable visitor sites along the Antarctic Peninsula include Paradise Bay , Deception Island , Neko Harbor, Cuverville Island, Half Moon Island, and Petermann Island.
• East Antarctica: The vast and largely unexplored eastern portion of Antarctica contains the coldest and driest areas of the continent.
• West Antarctica: This region is characterized by its massive ice sheets and glaciers, including the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. It is an important area for scientific research on climate change.
• Ross Sea : Located in the southernmost part of the Pacific Ocean, the Ross Sea region is home to the Ross Ice Shelf, the largest ice shelf in Antarctica. It is a critical area for studying the continent's marine ecosystem, Visit Brown Bluff (Tabarin Peninsula) or sail to the remote Peter I Island and Macquarie Island as you approach New Zealand .
• Weddell Sea : Situated off the eastern coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, the Weddell Sea is known for its diverse wildlife and historic significance, including the famous Shackleton expedition.
• South Orkney Islands: These islands are a sub-Antarctic archipelago located in the Southern Ocean, not far from the Antarctic Peninsula. They are home to various bird species and marine life.
• South Shetland Islands : This archipelago is a popular stop for Antarctic cruises, serving as a gateway to the continent. It is known for its research stations and wildlife, including penguins and seals. Notable visitor sites within the South Shetland Islands include Livingston Island, Hannah Point (Livingston Island), Elephant Island , and Aitcho Islands.
• South Sandwich Islands : This group of uninhabited islands located in the South Atlantic Ocean is home to a variety of seabirds and marine mammals, including chinstrap penguins, fur seals, albatrosses, and orcas.
• Sub-Antarctic Islands: These islands are scattered throughout the Southern Ocean and are known for their unique ecosystems, including various bird species and marine life. Sail to the Falkland Islands and South Georgia Island . Explore visitor sites such as Port Stanley (capital), Saunders Island, Carcass Island, West Point Island, and Sea Lion Island.
• Scotia Arc: This chain of islands and undersea ridges connects South America with the Antarctic Peninsula. It is an important migratory route for marine animals.
• Balleny Islands: These remote sub-Antarctic islands lie in the Southern Ocean and are known for their isolation and unique geology.

Antarctica Travel Guide

Ushuaia airport & transportation, antarctica fly + cruise, best time of year to travel to antarctica, antarctica weather.

• November: This is when tourism to Antarctica begins to kick off. Days start to lengthen, and sea ice retreats, marking the Antarctic "spring" in full force. While temperatures are still chilly, it's a great time for those seeking pristine landscapes and wildlife, including penguin mating rituals and seals having pups. Skiers and snowshoers will find ideal conditions in November and early December
• December: Among the most popular months for visiting, December offers optimal weather, long days, and access to stunning scenery and wildlife. It includes the austral summer solstice, providing extended daylight and relatively warmer temperatures. Penguin hatchlings and chicks are a highlight, and it's a great time for various activities, including kayaking and camping.
• January: Another prime month for tourism, January features ideal weather conditions, long daylight hours, and extensive access to the mainland and coastline. Temperatures are at their warmest, and there's an abundance of wildlife to observe, including penguins and increasing numbers of whales.
• February: Although tourist numbers start to decline from the December/January peak, February continues to offer fine weather. Daylight remains ample, and sea ice is at its yearly minimum, allowing for deeper exploration into the Antarctic wilderness. Whale-watching is particularly rewarding during this time. Scuba divers may prefer mid-December through mid-February
• March: The tail-end of the austral summer provides less-crowded sightseeing opportunities, minimal sea ice, and the chance to experience the "Antarctic fall." While temperatures cool off, March offers lower cruise prices, clearer waters for diving, and unique wildlife experiences, such as leopard seals hunting penguin chicks.
• Don't introduce any non-native species that could become invasive species.
• Always listen to your guides and the ship's crew while on day-trips.
• Make sure to observe animals from a safe distance and never try to touch them (at least 15 feet is a good recommendation).
• Don't feed any animals.
• Stay on designated walking paths.
• Allow animals enough space to make their own navigation decisions. 
• Do not surround any animal or go between baby animals and their mothers.

What's it like on an Antarctic Cruise?

A Typical Day on an Antarctica Cruise

Expeditions to the south pole, south pole expeditions.

• The cruising season in the Arctic is from May to September, while in Antarctica it runs from November through March.
• While temperatures in Antarctica can be more extreme than in the Arctic, the cruising season tends to stay between 20-30 degree Fahrenheit, with plenty of sunny days (sometimes with 24 hours of sunlight each day). 
• A trip through the Arctic might bring you through any of the following countries: Canada, the US, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and Finland. Longer comprehensive cruises might do the whole Northwest Passage or cruise almost all of the Arctic Circle. Cruises board either in Scandinavia, Russia, or Canada.
• Antarctica trips either start in Ushuaia, Argentina for cruises or Punta Arenas for the fly cruises over the Drake Passage . 
• Polar bears or Penguins - While penguins are so prolific in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean that the idea of not seeing hundreds on your cruise seems absurd, the polar bears of the Arctic can be much harder to spot (though some feel that they are more majestic and rewarding when you do spot them). NOTE: Polar bears live in the Arctic and penguins live in the southern hemisphere, so there is nowhere (other than perhaps a zoo) where you will see them both living in their natural habitat on the same trip. 
• Wildlife in Antarctica features more whales and many different types of seals. 
• Active travelers might prefer Antarctica for the chances to do activities like camping, kayaking, mountaineering, cross-country skiing, paddleboarding or scuba diving, which aren't included on Arctic tours for safety reasons.
• Ice vs. Land: Antarctica is aptly named the White Continent because its landmass is almost entirely permanently frozen ice and glaciers with towering rocky mountains, while the Arctic Circle goes through a summer season of lush vegetation when its icy coat melts away.

Antarctica Cruise Lines

Penguins of antarctica.

• Adelie Penguins - are common along the entire coast of the Antarctic continent and is the most widely-spread penguin species.
• Emperor Penguins - the tallest, heaviest and perhaps most famous of the penguin species.
• King Penguins - the second largest penguin, and similar in appearance to the Emperors, King Penguins live in the sub-antarctic islands and northern regions of Antarctica.
• Rockhopper Penguins  - get their name because they are found jumping from jagged rock to rock instead of waddling like most penguins. 
• Chinstrap Penguins - are easily distinguishable by their black chinstrap, which makes it look like they're wearing a bicycle helmet!
• Gentoo Penguins  - are related to the Adelie and Chinstraps, and perhaps the speediest of the penguins in the water. 
• Macaroni Penguins - with their distinctive spikey orange crests, are perhaps the world's most abundant penguin species, though they only visit Antarctica part of the year.

Antarctica Travel FAQ's

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Why Travel With Adventure Life

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Is this the ultimate Antarctica cruise ship? Our take on Lindblad's new vessel

Editor's Note

I was about three days into a 10-night voyage to Antarctica on the new National Geographic Resolution when I began to understand just how special a vessel it was.

We were plowing through one of the thickest ice fields that I have ever experienced during a polar sailing. A sea of white surrounded us. And the Lindblad Expeditions ship was bumping through it like it didn't have a care in the world.

From an observation deck overlooking National Geographic Resolution's bow, I watched, mesmerized, as the 126-passenger vessel pushed aside giant slabs of ice with ease.

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Then the two-month-old ship did something even more awesome. It ran right into a seemingly endless sheet of snow-topped ice that stretched off to the horizon.

The vessel slowly ground to a halt, firmly embedded in the ice.

A few passengers standing near me thought it might have been an accident. But it wasn't.

A few minutes later, a little door swung open at the front of the ship and out popped several of our expedition guides.

In a relatively rare and wonderful moment of Antarctica touring, we had made "landfall" on a sheet of fast ice — sea ice that is "fastened" to the coastline. Unlike drift (or pack) ice, fast ice doesn't move with currents and wind, and it is relatively stable.

Stable enough, it turns out, to walk on.

Soon our guides were calling for us to join them. Bundled up against the cold, we followed them out that little door to romp around in the thick snow that lay over the ice like a blanket.

What followed was an hour-long celebration that included lots of selfie-taking, snow angel-making and a few impromptu snowball fights. Some passengers hiked a circular path stomped out in the snow by our guides. Others just gazed in awe at the larger-than-life scene all around: Snow, ice, glaciers and mountains as far as the eye could see.

Even for people like me who have traveled by ship through polar regions many times, it was a special moment — one made possible by the remarkable abilities of this new vessel.

A faster, more maneuverable ship

National Geographic Resolution is an expedition cruise ship — a type of cruise ship that is specifically designed for adventurous travel to remote, hard-to-reach places such as Antarctica. It's also a particularly hardy and versatile one.

Not every expedition cruise vessel is capable of pushing itself into fast ice in Antarctica to give passengers a chance to walk above the frozen sea. Those that are usually only do it early in the Antarctica cruise season, when fast ice is more plentiful.

Related: An untamed wilderness: Discovering the wild dreamscape of Antarctica

By late January, when I first arrived in Antarctica to test out National Geographic Resolution, the fast ice mostly had melted away in the northernmost areas of the Antarctic Peninsula that draw the bulk of Antarctica expedition vessels. To get us into the ice, the ship had to travel farther south than some expedition ships will go in Antarctica, to an ice-clogged waterway known as Lallemand Fjord.

Lallemand Fjord was so far south that we had to cross the Antarctic Circle — the latitude where the sun never sets at the height of the austral summer — to get there.

We only could do that, and get so deep into the ice, because National Geographic Resolution is tougher, faster and more maneuverable than most existing expedition cruise ships.

Built by Ulstein, a Norwegian shipbuilding company known for producing hardy vessels, National Geographic Resolution boasts an extra-strong hull that lets it bump through ice that would stop many lesser ships. It carries a polar class rating of PC 5 Category A, a notch above most Antarctica cruise vessels.

The ship has powerful engines that let it travel at more than 16 knots even in rough seas — several knots more than is typical for most expedition vessels. This gives it a wider range when traveling in Antarctica.

In addition, National Geographic Resolution can spin completely around in place, thanks to two Azipod thrusters that hang down below the vessel and can rotate a full 360 degrees. This allows it to better maneuver in ice-clogged areas than older expedition vessels with traditional propeller propulsion systems.

The extra maneuverability means National Geographic Resolution not only can get into an ice-clogged area such as Lallemand Fjord, but — more importantly — can also get out.

Wind and currents can quickly pack drifting ice around a vessel that's buried nose-first in fast ice, making backing out tricky. Vessels with traditional propeller systems that try to reverse their way out of such situations risk damaging their propellers.

But when it came time to leave Lallemand Fjord, National Geographic Resolution's seasoned captain, Martin Graser, was able to use the ship's Azipod thrusters to spin it around almost in place so it could break out of the ice facing forward.

A smoother ride across the Drake

The marvels of National Geographic Resolution don't end there.

Another notable — and very noticeable — feature of the ship is its distinctive sloping bow, which looks almost as if it were accidentally put on upside down.

As I saw during my voyage, the patented Ulstein design, dubbed an X-bow, cuts through waves in a way that makes it much more comfortable in rough seas than older expedition ships.

This can be a big deal on Antarctica voyages, which usually begin with a nearly two-day ride across the often-rough body of water between South America and Antarctica known as the Drake Passage.

More than 600 miles across, the Drake Passage often is roiled with waves 10 or 20 feet high, which can bounce around expedition vessels in what Antarctica aficionados call the Drake Shake.

As I've experienced myself on a previous trip to Antarctica, the churn in the Drake Passage occasionally can be even more extreme. Waves up to 30 or even 40 feet high at times are not uncommon — something known as the Drake Quake.

On last week's sailing, the Drake was relatively mild on the way down to Antarctica. But it raged for a time on the way back, with waves topping out at nearly 20 feet. It was then that the X-bow's advantage became clear.

While the ship still pitched forward and back in the waves, it was a smoother rise and fall, without the big bow slaps against the waves you get with traditional bows in heavy seas — something that can send shudders through an entire vessel.

For someone concerned about seasickness, that can make all the difference.

Related: These 8 books are must-reads before an Antarctica trip

Faster to the splendor

Our day of walking atop fast ice in Lallemand Fjord came fewer than 72 hours after departing Ushuaia, Argentina, the hub for most Antarctica-bound expedition cruise vessels. But it wasn't our first epic experience in Antarctica.

Thanks to National Geographic Resolution's speediness, we already had had two other major outings even before we dashed south below the Antarctic Circle.

The day before reaching Lallemand Fjord, after a Drake Passage crossing that lasted barely 40 hours, we had pulled into one of the most stunningly beautiful spots in all of the continent, the ice-filled Lemaire Channel.

A few hours later, we landed at nearby Petermann Island, famous for a colony of thousands of gentoo penguins.

Normally, an expedition cruise vessel heading to Antarctica might not reach the Lemaire Channel and Petermann Island until three or four days into the trip. But with an ability to travel at nearly 17 knots, National Geographic Resolution had reached them far faster.

Lined with glaciers and towering cliffs, the 8-mile-long Lemaire Channel and its environs is one of the great sights of Antarctica, and we used the extra time we had gained from our speedy crossing of the Drake to soak it in.

As passengers looked on from National Geographic Resolution's top decks, Captain Graser carefully navigated the ship down the waterway, past ice so heavy he wasn't sure at first he'd be able to make it through.

It was a scene almost too beautiful to comprehend.

The experience didn't end there. After we reached the far end of the channel, the ship's expedition leader, Shaun Powell, announced we would be venturing out in Zodiacs to steal an even closer look at the ice. (As is typical for expedition ships that visit Antarctica, National Geographic Resolution carries a small fleet of the lightweight, inflatable boats for such exploring.)

Boarding the Zodiacs at a side door near the ship's waterline, we soon were darting around ice chunks of all shapes and sizes, from small transparent "growlers" just a few feet across to larger "bergy bits" as big as a house and even bigger icebergs.

Some were all white; some were laced with spectacular streaks of blue. Some, much to our delight, were topped with lounging seals.

The outing continued until late afternoon, when we returned to the ship to prepare for dinner. While we were dining, Graser moved the vessel to a spot just off Petermann Island, for an after-dinner landing to see the penguins.

Thus began seven days of daily landings and waterborne exploring by Zodiac boats that brought repeated encounters with penguins — often in large numbers — as well as sightings of whales, seals and all sorts of petrels, terns, skuas and other birds.

Fewer than 48 hours after departing Ushuaia, we already were in the heart of Antarctica's wonder zone.

Related: This new luxury tour gets you to Antarctica faster than most

From the Antarctic Circle to the Weddell Sea

As is typical for Antarctica trips, the seven days of exploring mostly took place along the Antarctic Peninsula, a staggeringly beautiful, 800-mile-long stretch of soaring mountains, glaciers, fjords and icebergs.

Thanks to the ship's speed and navigating capabilities, it was a wider-ranging exploration than is sometimes the case.

After pushing south below the Antarctic Circle over the first few days of the trip, we returned northward over the next few days to explore the northwestern parts of the peninsula and, eventually, its eastern side along the Weddell Sea — a part of Antarctica that not all expedition ships regularly visit.

Every day brought something a little different as we stopped at a wide variety of sites. At Neko Harbor, a picture-perfect, mountain-lined bay flanked by a glacier calving into the sea, we landed by Zodiac late one evening to marvel at large numbers of gentoo penguins.

The next morning, in the Gerlache Strait, we ran across an armada of humpback whales. We stopped for hours to watch them — first from the decks of National Geographic Resolution and then from Zodiac boats. Just hours later, we stumbled across a pod of orcas.

Later in the week, after rounding the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula to James Ross Island, some of us kayaked in a tranquil bay fed by waterfalls descending from a glacier, while others explored by Zodiac.

Related: I just went kayaking in Antarctica — and it was the most calm I've felt all year

At nearby Brown Bluff and Devil Island, we gaped at large numbers of Adelie penguins as well as gentoo penguins. At Aitcho Island in the South Shetland Islands, we saw yet another type of penguin, the chinstrap.

It was, no doubt, a very wide mix of experiences.

Maximizing the experience

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention a few more notable things about the design of National Geographic Resolution that contribute to it being able to offer such a wide-ranging exploration.

For starters, it has one of the best Zodiac launch set-ups I've ever seen. The ship's 13 Zodiacs tuck away very close to the waterline, in an indoor "garage" with giant doors that open to the water. This allows them to be deployed more quickly than on some expedition ships.

In addition, Resolution boasts both a rear-facing marina and side doors at the waterline for loading passengers into Zodiacs — a redundancy that gives the ship an edge in running Zodiac operations amid wind and waves. Many expedition vessels have either a marina or side doors, but not both.

Add in the fact that Resolution has a dynamic positioning system that lets it hover in place during Zodiac operations without having to anchor, and the result is a vessel that can land passengers in places like Antarctica much more efficiently than other expedition cruise ships.

Such efficiency plays right into the Lindblad style of expedition cruising, where it's all about maximizing the experience in any given destination, even if that means changing plans on the fly.

As I saw last week during our humpback whale encounter in the Gerlache Strait, the ability to stop the ship on a dime and get passengers out quickly in Zodiacs to take in an unexpected sight can make all the difference in turning an ordinary day into an extraordinary one.

Related: An Antarctica packing list

When Powell, the expedition leader, realized the humpback whales would be sticking around for a while, he was able to make a quick call to put down the Zodiacs to get us out among them. It led to an epic two hours of up-close whale viewing that included the opportunity to watch the massive creatures working together to bubble-net feed on schools of Antarctic krill — a type of coordinated feeding in which they circle their prey with rings of blown bubbles.

The whale encounter went on so long that some of the ship's hotel staff eventually came out in a Zodiac with hot chocolate to pass to passengers looking for a warm-up. They also brought out Kahlua, Frangelico and a few other liqueurs to splash into it — a lovely touch.

An adventure focus

Much to my delight, National Geographic Resolution also is designed with lots of interior and exterior observation areas where passengers can get up-close views of passing scenery and wildlife.

The bow of the vessel, in particular, is awash in outdoor viewing platforms that stretch over three decks. An indoor observation lounge at the bow offers views in three directions, and the ship's forward-facing bridge also is open to passengers.

This may not seem like a big thing. But in a place like Antarctica, it's all about the views, and you want a ship that is open as much as possible to the outdoors. Sadly, not every modern expedition ship has been built with this in mind.

National Geographic Resolution also sails with an impressive stash of adventure gear for exploring, including the previously mentioned kayaks, snowshoes and cross-country skis.

Also on board: a remotely operated underwater vehicle, which a two-person team permanently based on the ship can use to capture images of creatures that are far below the ship.

A stylish and comfortable ship

National Geographic Resolution isn't meant to be a luxury ship. It doesn't offer butlers with every cabin, as one luxury vessel sailing to Antarctica does . Yet it's still a stylish and comfortable ship — more so than many expedition vessels.

For a vessel designed to carry just 126 passengers, National Geographic Resolution offers a generous array of eateries and lounges, all with a soothing, Scandinavian-influenced design. Plus, it features a small but inviting spa and a fitness center that is large for a ship of this size.

The spa, notably, has saunas with glass walls offering views to the ocean as well as a separate yoga studio -- something you don't normally find on an expedition ship.

Just outside the spa, on an outer deck, are two innovative glass-walled "igloos" where passengers can spend the night under the stars on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Related: I just spent the night in an 'igloo' in Antarctica — here's how you can, too

As I experienced during my 10-night sailing, the ship's two main eateries have a focus on locally sourced and sustainable cuisine from South America that is well prepared. The ship also has a high-end chef's table experience, with a six-course tasting menu. Every passenger gets to try it once per sailing, at no extra charge.

National Geographic Resolution's 69 cabins and suites have the same clean-lined, Scandinavian-influenced decor as its public venues and feature lots of cleverly designed storage spaces that come in handy on longer Antarctica sailings. Most come with balconies — something that used to be rare for expedition vessels. About 20% are large suites, with a similar number of solo cabins.

The luxury of small-group exploring

While National Geographic Resolution isn't marketed as a luxury vessel, it does offer a rare and luxurious touch — the intimacy that comes with a vessel designed for just 126 people. This is something that can be a real advantage on an expedition trip to a place like Antarctica.

In expedition cruising, sometimes the ultimate luxury is being in a small group.

Related: The best new cruise ships sailing to Antarctica

Even if National Geographic Resolution is operating at 100% capacity, with every one of its 126 berths filled, its expedition guides can quickly get all of its passengers off the ship onto Zodiacs and on their way to see penguins and other wildlife. That isn't the case with bigger expedition ships that often carry at least 200 and sometimes even 400 or 500 people.

In Antarctica, in particular, the size of a vessel matters when it comes to the quality of the experience, as expedition ships in Antarctica are limited to landing 100 passengers at a time by international treaty.

The more passengers an expedition ship has on board in Antarctica, the more its expedition guides have to break them up into separate groups for landings, greatly slowing down the process of exploring at any single landing site.

The result is that passengers on smaller ships in Antarctica get to see far more wildlife and scenery up close than passengers on bigger ships.

A costly trip

As is the case with all Antarctica trips, voyages on National Geographic Resolution are expensive. Fares for 11-night Antarctica cruises on the vessel start at $16,780 per person, based on double occupancy — more than $1,500 per day.

That said, the fares bundle together a lot of extras, including a pre-cruise, one-night hotel stay in Buenos Aires, Argentina, or Santiago, Chile; flights from Buenos Aires or Santiago to Ushuaia, Argentina; drinks, including spirits and wines; and prepaid gratuities.

Frequent travelers might be able to ease the financial burden a bit. As part of a 3-year-old partnership between Hyatt and Lindblad, World of Hyatt members can pay for a Lindblad cruise using Hyatt points — or earn 5 base points per dollar on eligible spending (excluding incidentals), plus the standard bonuses for Hyatt elite members, as well as elite tier-qualifying night credits. All members — regardless of status — will enjoy a $250 onboard credit to use on incidentals.

Bottom line

National Geographic Resolution is one of two nearly identical vessels that Lindblad Expeditions has unveiled in quick succession. The other, the 126-passenger National Geographic Endurance, also has debuted in recent months and is sailing in Antarctica. It was built at Ulstein in Norway to the same basic specifications.

Lindblad has built up a lot of expertise in polar cruising over many decades of offering ship-based trips to places like Antarctica — an expertise that shows in the way it designed National Geographic Resolution. Along with its sister vessel, the ship is one of the most versatile around for exploring the destination and other polar regions. After four trips to the White Continent, I'm convinced it's truly the ultimate Antarctica cruise ship.

Planning an Antarctica cruise expedition? Start with these stories:

• Dreaming of Antarctica: How to book the trip of a lifetime
• Skip the Drake Passage: What it's like flying to Antarctica on a chartered plane
• 7 tips for visiting Antarctica before it's too late
• The ultimate packing list for an Antarctica trip
• These 8 books are must reads before any Antarctica trip

What It’s Like to Sail to Antarctica on Viking’s Luxe New Expedition Ship

Just last week I sat in a Norwegian hot tub known as a badestamp, the steam rising to meet the crisp air of Antarctica that flushed my cheeks. As our ship sailed at a leisurely pace past brilliant blue icebergs, I kept an eye out for the occasional crabeater seal—usually perched on ice floes, they’d lazily lift their heads to glance over at us. I lived like that—in this delicate sweet spot where great adventure and comfort meet—for a full eleven days on board the brand-new Viking Octantis .

This is only a sliver of the experience on the ship, which just completed the first four sailings of its shakedown season in Antarctica . Announced in early 2020, the 378-passenger ship—which will also sail around the Great Lakes and South America in the year ahead—is the first in the brand’s new line of expedition ships (the second, Viking Polaris , will begin sailing late this summer).

Many on board had spent the last two years looking forward to the ship's launch, which took place at the start of 2022. The consensus: the experience was well worth the wait.

The ship delivers on Viking trademarks that guests love, with all-new offerings geared toward adventure travel: There are zodiacs and sightseeing boats that can be launched off the back of the ship, a science lab where guests can learn from the marine biologists onboard, and an expedition center where wildlife sightings are charted daily beside interactive maps of the region, to name just a few. And when you need a minute between all that activity? You’ll find that beloved Nordic design Viking is known for, with quiet nooks for reading, comfy chairs with stellar views, and more.

Here's what else you'll find aboard the Viking Octantis . 

A ship designed for learning

Chairman Torstein Hagen often says that Viking is “the thinking person’s cruise.” Make of that what you will, but it’s something I thought of many times on the Octantis .

For starters, take the size of the Living Room, a space filled with leather reading chairs, puzzles , and a wealth of thoughtfully selected books curated by London’s Heywood Hill (purported to be the favorite bookstore of Queen Elizabeth II) and Cambridge University’s Scott Polar Research Institute. While it’s not the only area for unwinding, it dwarfs the Explorer’s Lounge, which serves top-shelf cocktails and the sounds of live piano every afternoon, and the chaise-filled Aquavit Terrace pool bar on the back of the ship. (The latter two spaces are also found on other Viking ships.) Though there are always quiet nooks to escape to—the size really is notable—the Living Room hosts a rotation of activities, too, including daily workshops with the resident photographer.

On the back of the ship, a remarkable room called the Aula functions as a lecture hall—if, you know, your college lecture hall had plush pleather seats draped in wool blankets and a help-yourself espresso machine parked outside. Massive windows on three sides make it possible to steal glimpses of the very surroundings a cast of lecturers educate passengers on: Daily talks range from an 45-minute “Diversity of Penguins” seminar from on-board ornithologists, to a discussion on Antarctica’s formation from a geologist. Many evenings, documentaries are played here as well (a favorite featured original footage from Roald Amundsen's 1910 to 1912 South Pole expedition).

Guests have a chance to turn their curiosity into action in The Science Lab, where they can learn about active research projects being conducted onboard (thanks to partnerships with the University of Cambridge and Norwegian research institute Akvaplan-Niva). There’s a citizen science element as well—laymen can sign up for a laboratory experience that involves helping the team count microplastics found in water samples, or preparing bait for an underwater camera that documents local wildlife. (Though, frankly, I felt most helpful taking a tour then leaving them to get back to the real work.)

Outdoor spaces for taking in the destination

With so many great spaces indoors, you might be surprised to learn that the bow was my favorite spot on the entire ship. The wildlife watching, made easy thanks to pro binoculars in every stateroom, was addicting; add in the expedition staff—a mix of marine biologists, cetologists, historians, and adventure tour guides with many years of expertise in the region—and their regular presence on the deck made it hard to step away. What a privilege to be able to point out something moving in the water and have an expert just feet away immediately identify the animal to you, then answer every question you could have about their behavior, lifecycle, and tips for identifying them on your own. Even greater: I found the on-board geologist just as able to answer my questions about Gentoo penguin behavior as a member of the excursion team could pick out humpback whales on the horizon—everyone is an expert in everything, it can seem.

Inside, the scenery still takes the lead

For those less comfortable amid the elements, take comfort in knowing the indoors are designed for appreciating the outdoors. The Shelter is a covered space between the ship and the bow with heated railings to warm cold hands and plush seats. On the back of the ship, the Finse Terrace got a bit less wind, but was also great for bird and whale watching . (It appears a plush set of lounge chairs will fill that area in warmer climes.) And make sure to find secret-spot The Hide before disembarking: Right in the bow of the ship on Deck 1, the speakeasy style enclave has a fireplace and front-row seats to the lashing waves outside, with nightly storytelling hours featuring members of the expedition team. 

As for the staterooms? Nordic balconies, as Viking calls them, ensure everyone can hear the blow of minke whale spouts right from bed—just hit a button and the top half of floor-to-ceiling windows recedes, allowing guests to feel the fresh air from the comfort of their couch. 

Active excursions

While excursions offered on the Octantis will vary by destination, the ship’s hangar full of toys gives passengers a glimpse of what to expect wherever they sail with the ship. It currently houses 16 kayaks, 17 zodiacs, two special operations boats, and two yellow submarines (named John and Paul, as if there were any other option; the Polaris will have George and Ringo).

All of these activities were included in the trip cost, which isn’t always the case on other ships where special experiences like submarine rides can run about $500 a pop. Viking is known for always including one excursion per destination; in Antarctica, landings are guaranteed once per day. Though landing destinations can vary greatly based on conditions, we got to visit an abandoned whaling station at Deception Island, the largest Gentoo penguin colony in the Antarctic Peninsula at Cuverville, and a number of research bases where we could snowshoe to viewpoints (surrounded, of course, by more adorable penguins). 

The Finse Terrace

One big letdown: The submarines weren’t operating for the first three Antarctic sailings due to technical difficulties, and only quietly began running on the last days of the fourth sailing that I was on. Guests were offered a chance to ride on an invitation-basis leaving a good number grumbling about not being asked. (I was among those enviously watching the dozen or so who made the cut.) The submarine did reach depths of over 200 meters—subs on other liners stay closer to 100–where one guest one board said they observed the seabed with a very rare sighting of a 30-foot-long phantom jellyfish. 

It's a reminder that Antarctica requires a high level of flexibility—you might get a day of rough seas on the Drake Passage (we, miraculously, had smooth sailing both ways), weather can lead to canceled landings, sometimes more than once on a single trip, and that submarine just might not work. Consider that when booking, and you'll be in for a better experience over all. 

COVID-19 requirements in place

Like Viking ocean ships, Octantis has an onboard lab that processes over 500 COVID-19 tests daily. At the moment, every day starts with guests leaving a test tube of saliva outside their door for PCR testing, and contact-tracing devices are to be carried or worn throughout the trip. Vaccinations are required, as are masks in indoor areas. Good thing: As I spoke to friends on other Antarctic cruises this season, many smaller than ours across a number of lines, every one reported a few COVID cases on their ship. Not ours; not one.

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Silver Endeavour Antarctica Review — A Luxurious Way To See Antarctica

Feb 8, 2023 | 0

Silver Endeavour Antarctica

By Anne Kalosh.

On an Antarctica cruise aboard the sleek, new 200-passenger Silver Endeavour , the ship glided silently past towering mountains of snow between glittering icebergs.

We landed in Zodiacs at remote, windswept sites where avalanches of early-season snow rumbled into the water and penguins bustled up impossibly steep slopes.

It was an otherworldly experience.

We’d splash-land from Zodiacs steps offshore and scramble up the icy bank. Expedition guides pointed out the paths, marked with orange flags — this way to the gentoo colony, that way to the snow climb, over there to the remains of an Argentine navy refuge.

Flags mark safe paths checked by the expedition team before passengers go ashore. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

I always chose the snow climb first. Those got me warmed up and rewarded with incredible vistas.

On our first landing, we battled the wind in a miserable trudge. Other times we stood in silence, punctuated by the braying of penguins, as snow gently swirled.

Anne jubilant on a snow climb in Neko Harbor, one of her peak experiences in Antarctica. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

A Second ‘Once-In-A-Lifetime’ Trip — My Silver Endeavour Antarctica Adventure

In 1994, I made a once-in-a-lifetime trip — I thought — to Antarctica on Abercrombie & Kent’ s plucky little red ship Explorer , cementing memories and friendships I’ve kept to this day.

I never dreamed I’d get to go back, this time on the extraordinarily luxurious Silver Endeavour . I went in November (2022) on a shakedown trip for the ship, which Silversea Cruises had recently acquired.

This journey carried company executives, travel advisors and media to witness the official naming of Silver Endeavour before the first revenue cruise. The godmother was Felicity Aston , the first woman to ski solo across Antarctica.

But we didn’t know when or where the naming ceremony would happen. As with all Antarctic expeditions, it depended on the weather.

The Silver Endeavour has a 1:1 crew to passenger ratio and all the space and luxury you’d expect from Silversea — even butler service. Yes, in Antarctica! (Penguins in tuxes and butlers in penguin suits?)

Polar ship Silver Endeavour is registered in the Bahamas. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

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A Short History of the Silver Endeavou r

The 20,449-gross-ton Silver Endeavou r was completed in 2021 as Crystal Endeavor (no “u”) for the former Crystal Cruises at MV Werften in Stralsund, Germany.

As a reporter, I’d been on hand for the keel-laying, presided over by then German Chancellor Angela Merkel. So even before embarking, I felt an affinity for the ship.

Its reported $385 million cost makes this the world’s most expensive cruise ship on a per-berth basis (almost $2 million per berth). The money poured into the German design and engineering ensure it performs like a finely tuned, elite sports car such as a Porsche, the analogy by one of its first captains.

Contracted for a maximum speed of 19 knots, it outperformed in sea trials.

Crystal Endeavor debuted in Iceland in summer 2021 then completed the 2021/22 Antarctica season before Crystal Cruises ceased operating following the collapse of its parent company, Genting Hong Kong.

All the Crystal ships were arrested by creditors and sold at auctions.

Crystal Endeavor was a “hot ticket;” two of the other suitors were The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio’s Heritage Group, which acquired Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity and is reviving the Crystal brand this year.

Royal Caribbean Group, Silversea’s parent, was able to get the ship for $275 million, fully financed by a 15-year unsecured loan guaranteed by Germany’s export credit agency, with no amortization payments in the first two years. A great deal.

RELATED: The Crystal Endeavor to Become Part of Silversea Fleet

Silver Endeavour is a Greyhound

On my mid-November trip, Silver Endeavour bounded like a greyhound across the often-storm-tossed Drake Passage that separates the tip of South America from the Antarctic Peninsula.

Activities, from lectures to meals, functioned normally onboard.

The most scenic spot to dine onboard is The Grill, and service went on as usual, even in the high swells of the Drake Passage. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Under Capt. Niklas Peterstam, we averaged 14 knots in gale-force winds of up to 40 knots and swells up to six meters/20 feet.

After casting off from Puerto Williams in southern Chile, we were able to make a landing on the second full day of the trip. Most ships take two full days to cross the Drake and passengers don’t get off until the third day.

Besides being fast and maneuverable, Silver Endeavour is sturdy, built to Polar Class 6 , enabling it to operate in medium first-year ice, which may include old ice inclusions.

Polar Class 6 Silver Endeavour — built for the ice. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

What a Drake Crossing Can Be Like

While much depends on the weather, wind and swells, the difference between my 1994 Drake crossing on a smaller, older ship and in this 2021-vintage vessel was dramatic.

On my earlier crossing, doors to the decks were tied shut, ropes were strung along passageways to hang onto and air sick bags were draped over the interior railings.

Onboard activities ceased, and the number of diners dwindled to a handful in a restaurant where the chairs were permanently bolted to the floor.

The ship shuddered and rattled as it rose on the crest of waves then crashed down into the troughs. Once in Antarctica, crunching through the ice made a cacophony in my water-level cabin.

Drake Passage waves. * Photo: Markov:Silversea

Still, it was worth it — like a rite of passage — to get to Antarctica. And a fabulous trip.

I recount this in contrast with my recent experience and to explain why Silversea introduced the Antarctica Bridge option that lets travelers skip the Drake by flying to embark Silver Endeavour at King George Island, then fly back to the mainland from King George after the cruise.

(See sidebar below)

Our route. * Image: Silversea Cruises

Silver Endeavour Features

With all-veranda-suite accommodations, marble baths, four restaurants, a casual cafe, a spa, salon and ocean-view fitness center, Silver Endeavour offers top luxury in any setting. Particularly Antarctica.

Public areas include the Deck 4 Explorer Lounge for briefings, films and lectures. High on Deck 9 are a well-stocked library with an espresso machine, a fridge with cold drinks and two Wi-Fi equipped computers.

(Shipwide Wi-Fi is included in the fare and, in my experience, it worked well most of the time, even in my room.)

Silver Endeavour’s library is well stocked with books on exploration, geography, natural history and more. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Across the hall from the library is the Expedition Study, where expedition team members were always on hand to answer questions, track the ship’s course on a chart and share samples in a microscope, which could be broadcast on big screens.

Expedition team members are available in Silver Endeavour’s Expedition Study, with its charts, microscope and other exploration tools. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

The Observation Lounge, forward on Deck 9, serves cocktails and nightly piano music. Down on Deck 4, the Connoisseur’s Club is a hideaway for cigars.

Silver Endeavour also has a spacious, multi-room ocean-view fitness center with treadmills, stationary bikes and weight machines.

Part of the ocean-view fitness center. Other areas hold treadmills and more equipment. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

The Otium Spa comprises treatment rooms and steam room, and there’s also a beauty salon/barber shop and two boutiques —one with souvenirs and gear, another with jewelry and watches.

Avail of the self-service passenger laundry, or opt for the ship’s washing and dry-cleaning service.

I suggest bringing multiples of things that are likely to get wet, like gloves and hats, because there’s not always time to dry them between landings.

Dining & Snacks on My Silver Endeavour Antarctica Cruise

The Deck 4 Restaurant serves a la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The Restaurant serves a la carte service at breakfast, lunch and dinner. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

The double-deck, glass-enclosed Grill is also open for all three meals with an eclectic menu and both buffet and a la carte service.

And the views are spectacular. Oddly, there’s a swimming pool in the center; I never saw anyone use it.

The Arts Cafe is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for snacks and light meals that change throughout the day. The morning selection features juices and smoothies, pastries, oatmeal, cold cereals and eggs. I enjoyed an egg, spinach and feta wrap.

Arts Cafe breakfast — egg, spinach and feta wrap and yogurt with granola and berries, all on fine china. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Flavored waters, sandwiches, soups and desserts come out midday. Cookies, gelato, espresso drinks, fancy teas and bar service are always available.

Le Dame, Silversea’s gourmet French dinner venue, has a different menu than on their classic ships, but was the best meal I had onboard, starting with the included glass of Champagne and continuing with wine pairings. A cover charge applies ($60 per person on my cruise).

A fancy dessert in Le Dame, the French specialty restaurant. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Dinner in Le Dame, the French specialty restaurant, begins with Champagne. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

The intimate Il Terrazzino, for Italian specialties, is a mini-version of Silversea’s La Terrazza.

There’s also 24-hour room service.

Inside My Silver Endeavour Suite, # 710

My home was a premium veranda suite, the most numerous type of accommodation. This category measures 356 square feet/33 square meters, including veranda (52 square feet/five square meters).

I was in 710 on Deck 7. Roomy, comfortable and elegantly appointed, it had a king-size bed, a sitting area with convertible sofa to accommodate an additional guest, a vanity table (that I used as a desk), a separate writing desk with two chairs, a large flat-screen interactive television, a walk-in closet and loads of drawers and cabinet space.

Suite 710 vanity, stocked refrigerated mini-bar with espresso machine and door to the foyer. Closer to the veranda are a seating area and desk. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

A console held an espresso machine and a stocked mini-fridge.

The bathroom had double faucets on a large vanity sink, a spacious shower (no tub) and a separate water closet with sink.

Like most other suites across categories, 710 shared a foyer with the neighboring suite and a single door to the outside hall. This configuration facilitates connecting suites, but it also eliminates any noise coming from the hall.

Speaking of noise, I never heard — in my suite or anywhere else on the ship — ice crunching, a sound that was so prevalent on my 1994 Antarctica cruise.

I nearly always enjoyed room service breakfast seated on the sofa near my veranda with views of the incredible Antarctic scenery.

Room service breakfast with a view from Suite 710. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

VIDEO: Below, the view from Anne’s balcony.

Expedition Team & Lectures on My Silver Endeavour Antarctica Cruise

On an expedition cruise, everything revolves around the daily landings. These are previewed and recapped in an evening briefing.

Our seasoned expedition leader, Marieke Egan , did a superb job and made the most of the Explorer Lounge’s technical capabilities by showing us the weather charts and explaining the thinking going into the selection of each landing site.

Expedition leader Marieke Egan details the weather forecast at an evening expedition briefing. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Our 21-member expedition team was outstanding, an international group from Chile, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Latvia, Sweden, Germany, Netherlands, UK, South Africa, Mexico and the US, with expertise in marine biology, ecology, ornithology, polar history, anthropology, climatology, photography and filmmaking.

Alvaro Barrientos, one of several Chileans on Silver Endeavour’s multinational expedition team, at an outpost on Cuverville Island. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

The ship carries 18 Zodiacs, a number that will increase to 22 next year when 10 suites are added (some in the former helicopter hangar, which Silversea doesn’t use, so the ship’s capacity will go up to 220 passengers).

There are also a dozen kayaks. Mounted on the mast is a long-range gimbal camera system that can capture high-quality images from three miles/five kilometers for broadcast onboard.

Attendance was mandatory at Marieke’s briefing on safety and the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators’ (IAATO) visitor guidelines , including how to act around wildlife.

Polar historian/anthropologist Alex Hansen gave a helpful Antarctica overview. Felicity Aston recounted her daring solo trek across the continent, sharing the emotional highs and lows.

Author and past Royal Geographic Society President Nicholas Crane recapped Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance saga , perhaps the ultimate Antarctic survival epic, and explorer Capt. James Cook’s journeys; his Endeavour was our ship’s namesake.

Guest lecturer Nicholas Crane, left, shows travelers a photo plate from Shackleton’s Endurance, perhaps the ultimate Antarctic survival saga. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Tyron McKendry illustrated his talk about whales with dramatic film footage.

Weather, Gear & Guidelines for a Silver Endeavour Antarctica Cruise

All landings and activities in Antarctica depend on the weather, and conditions can change quickly. We had morning and afternoon landings, and due to the size of the ship, everyone got to go — in Antarctica there’s a 200-person limit per landing site.

Silversea provides a packing list, boots to use during the trip, and a parka and backpack to wear and take home. I ordered ahead waterproof pants that were waiting with the parka and backpack in my suite.

I laid out my gear before the first landing to be sure I didn’t forget anything. Silversea provides the boots and parka. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Expedition guides in the mud room check for proper attire before boarding the Zodiacs. I saw a traveler who wasn’t wearing waterproof pants sent back. This is for safety.

Thanks to dressing in layers and waterproofs, I was almost never cold. I did get cold hands and wished I’d brought several pairs of thick ski gloves.

Ashore, everyone must take care not to litter or let anything be carried away by the wind. No food is allowed — and there are no bathrooms. No waste of any kind can be left in this pristine place. All of this was detailed in the safety briefing. We were told to stay five meters/16 feet from wildlife and always give them the right of way.

Another serious matter is thorough boot and equipment cleaning and disinfection before and after setting foot on land. Before our first shore visit, we took any soiled gear to be decontaminated and had to sign to attest to this.

We were particularly warned about bird flu — so no letting backpacks or other gear touch the ground.

Every time we went back aboard Silver Endeavour , we stepped into a shallow disinfectant bath and scraped our boots with brushes.

In the mud room, my boots and locker, corresponding to my suite number. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Going Ashore on a Silver Endeavour Antarctica Cruise

Typically there were two landings a day, one in the morning and one again after lunch.

Our course was updated regularly on a chart in the Expedition Study and in real-time on electronic screens around the ship. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

First Stop, Robert Point

On our first venture ashore, getting traction in the slippery snow while wearing rubber boots took some practice.

Trudging up to the crest at Robert Point, we pressed against wind so punishing I felt dizzy the last few steps.

Our first landing, at windswept Roberts Point (Anne is second from left). * Photo: Silversea

We didn’t stay long — it was hard to stand — and descended a bit to look around and take photos.

It was gray, bleak, rocky — and thrilling!

VIDEO: See and hear the punishing winds below.

Back down on the pebbly beach, skuas menacingly wheeled , ready to pounce on penguin eggs; it was too early in the season to snatch chicks.

We saw a few chinstrap and adelie penguins amid the clusters of gentoos.

Elephant seals lolled, the young bulls sometimes lumbering into roaring displays.

I got scolded for going too near one. It was behind me; I didn’t see it.

That was a good lesson, though, calling to mind the “maintain situational awareness” at all times we’d heard in our visitor guidelines briefing. This means continually looking all around, front, sides and back.

Anne at Roberts Point where juvenile elephant seals were in abundance. Can you make them out on the rocks behind? * Photo: friend of Anne Kalosh

Next was Neko Harbor

Neko Harbor was a real high point for me! Perhaps from the endorphins of a steep, snowy climb but also for the dramatic views and the Christmasy snowflakes.

On the Zodiac to shore, driver Dmitri said the expedition team had seen avalanches that morning.

VIDEO: Anne & shipmates watch a penguin colony on Neko Harbor below.

We were cautioned to stay on the flag-marked paths and warned about crevasses beyond.

The vista from high up at Neko Harbor was stunning — profound snow, deep blue crevasses, glittering flakes. At times, it almost became a whiteout.

I loved the silence.

Deep snow and more coming down at Neko Harbor. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

It allowed me to reflect on a dear Guatemalan friend who just died — I’d met him and his wife on my first Antarctica adventure and we visited each other many times and in many places over the years.

Sharing the esprit de corps of an Antarctica expedition bonded us.

A gentoo penguin colony at Neko Harbor. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Experiencing the Intense Katabatic Winds

Returning in the Zodiacs, we could see ice forming quickly. In Antarctica, strong, fast-flowing katabatic winds from the coast can expose the water to extreme heat loss, sparking intense sea-ice production.

We had to motor around, waiting for the kayakers to return; they were in danger of getting boxed in by the ice and had immediately been called back.

Onboard, I warmed up with soup in the Arts Cafe and chatted with the lecturer Nicholas Crane and his wife, who works for the publisher Penguin, which had just brought out climate activist Greta Thunberg’s new book .

One of the best things about small-ship cruising is the fascinating people you meet.

As we were underway to our afternoon landing site, I bundled up to check out the Deck 6 bow, one of several ship’s lookout points. It was wet, slippery and windy. Crew members huddled in the doorway offering hot ginger tea.

A man told me I’d just missed a humpback whale.

Whale sighting in Antarctica. * Photo: Silversea

I went up to Deck 10 forward, the humorously named Sun Deck, where a crewman was sweeping snow.

At 2:30 p.m. Marieka announced the winds were up to 20 knots, so there would be no kayaking that afternoon. But we did land in the Zodiacs.

This weather forecast shows how the captain and expedition leader chose a safe landing spot (in blue), out of the winds (red). * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Calling on Cuverville Island

At Cuverville Island with its fascinating ice shapes and a big sprawl of beach with huge gentoo colonies , I got very cold.

My heavy gloves were still wet from the morning so I’d layered on woolen mittens over cotton gloves. Not good enough. Plus, I kept taking them off to shoot photos of penguins.

At every stop, I was captivated as they scooted along like mini-torpedos, waddled up sharp inclines or tossed back their heads and opened their beaks to display. And their couplings were comical, the male furiously flapping its tiny wings atop the prone female.

Penguin mating season. * Photo: Silversea

As I hiked at Cuverville, a gentoo penguin seemed to mirror my moves, pausing when I paused, advancing when I advanced.

VIDEO: Gentoo penguins by the zillions.

In the front of the Zodiac going back, I got sprayed and splashed. We were delayed as Silver Endeavour — able to stay in place without dropping anchor thanks to dynamic positioning — was turning.

So we cruised around and observed the ice, including so-called black ice, which is actually clear and virtually invisible in the water.

Onboard, after leaving my boots in the mud room to dry, I headed straight to the Arts Cafe for a cup of restorative hot chocolate.

“Humpback whale off the port bow,” Marieka announced over the PA system at 5:30 p.m.

During our 7 p.m. briefing, she revealed the plan to name the ship the next morning in the Lemaire Channel. That turned out to be stunning.

Cocktails accompany briefings in the Explorer Lounge. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Silver Endeavour’s Sparkling Naming Ceremony

As Silver Endeavour entered the ice-choked, mountain-ringed Lemaire Channel, I stood on my balcony, soaking in the ethereal beauty, the only sound drips of melting ice from the decks above.

We were all excited boarding the Zodiacs to watch the naming festivities from the water.

Jamie, a marine biologist with hundreds of expedition voyages under his belt, skillfully steered our Zodiac.

He took us close to shore to watch penguins scoot up an impossibly steep mountainside using their sharp claws and brush tails to get some leverage in the snow.

VIDEO: Watch how penguins climb, wow!

As Silver Endeavour advanced, Jamie marveled at Capt. Peterstam’s adroitness and the ship’s nimbleness. Seeing its graceful, agile maneuvering from the water made a huge impression on me, too.

Our Zodiacs danced back and forth across the bow and circled Endeavour to admire it from all angles.

Zodiacs in the icy Lemaire Channel where Silver Endeavour was named. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

VIDEO: Circling the Silver Endeavour on a Zodiac, below.

With the ship in position, our Zodiacs clustered off the port bow and a boat circulated with Champagne.

Glasses filled and ready, we turned on our QuietVox headsets and looked up at Felicity Aston on the bridge wing. She named the ship and released a lever that sent a “bottle” of ice smashing on the bow.

VIDEO: Watch the ice bottle break and christen the Silver Endeavour.

We cheered and toasted. What a moment! As if on cue, the sun came out and blue sky seemed to herald good fortune.

Revelry on the Zodiacs! Photographing and toasting the newly named ship. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Eventually Silver Endeavour turned on a dime and headed out of the channel as we raced alongside and Jamie pointed to Petermann Island up ahead.

The newly named Silver Endeavour emerges from Lemaire Channel. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

A Landing on Petermann Island

That afternoon, landing at Port Circumcision, on Petermann Island, where the explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot overwintered in 1909 during the Second French Antarctic Expedition, was sobering.

There, at the beginning of the southern summer, it was windswept and, as dark clouds rolled in, eerie. I can’t imagine what winter would be like.

Landing meant steering the Zodiacs around icebergs into a narrow cove with ice shelves stacked overhead. An abandoned Argentine refuge hut stood near a memorial cross to three young British Antarctic Survey scientists who vanished in 1982.

Once again I marveled at the incredible topography. I observed penguins that had started nesting, a few adelies amid the gentoos. One swiped a pebble from a neighbor.  

Then I struck off on my own, following the flags to the furthest outpost and passing many clusters of penguins on the way. I hiked up to gaze upon an iceberg graveyard, pausing to chat with Felicity Aston.

VIDEO: Walking among the penguins of Petermann Island, below.

Trudging on, I came to crossed flags — the end — and Alvaro, an expedition guide who mused that the surrounding mountains probably had never been climbed.

Later, as I descended to catch one of the last Zodiacs back, Alvaro followed, collecting the flags. I imagined what it would be like to be left behind and pondered Felicity’s lonely solo trek.

The weather was worsening.

“Time to get outta Dodge!” Jamie said at the Zodiac landing.

Back onboard, a crew member offered a glass of mulled wine — perfect!

Next was Deception Island

This is the sunken caldera of an active volcano. It has the remains of a whaling station. In 1994, I’d crunched along the black-sand beach. This time, because of needing to beat the fog to make our flight out of King George Island, we didn’t land.

Instead, Silver Endeavour sailed through the narrow opening, Neptune’s Bellows , and circled the caldera. I watched from the big glass enclosure of The Grill, darting out to snap photos of this desolate place.

I wonder if the ghosts of all the slaughtered whales make it so haunting?

Fabulous views from The Grill, with its pool that no one ever seemed to use. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

King George Island was the Last Stop

Taking the Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise program back, instead of another Drake crossing, we disembarked at King George Island by Zodiac, in our boots and parkas.

We piled into small buses for the short ride to the airstrip but had a long wait because of a medical evacuation from another ship and an unplanned military plane landing.

When our DAP jet finally flew in with the new passengers embarking for their Silver Endeavour Antarctica cruise, we were bussed to the gravel airstrip and stood shaking in the bitter wind while our aircraft was prepared.

Boarding our Antarctica Bridge flight on the frigid gravel tarmac at King George Island. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

A flight attendant offered cups of hot soup as we boarded.

We got to our hotel in Punta Arenas after midnight. An unexpectedly long and tiring day. A note from Silversea apologized for unusual circumstances beyond their control at King George.

Everything Depends on the Weather

Our shakedown cruise was actually cut short by a day since we learned on the night before we were to call Deception Island, our last landing, that fog was forecast for several days at King George. A visual landing is required at that airstrip — the pilot has to be able to see the runway — so we would end our cruise the following day instead of the day after.

Meanwhile, passengers who were in Punta Arenas for a scheduled pre-cruise hotel night would instead be flying a day early to King George to embark.

This illustrates the need for flexibility if you’re taking an expedition cruise, especially in Antarctica where the weather’s unpredictable.

It’s also why the itineraries are not fixed — the captain and expedition leader decide when and where it’s safe to land each day.

In Punta Arenas for our Last Day & Night

We had a choice of a couple tours. I opted for a full-day day visit to a family-run Patagonian estancia (ranch), Olga Teresa, and to see the largest Andean condor colony in the Americas.

I’m so glad I went!

At the ranch we dived into pisco sours and a barbecue with red wine. Ambling around with the charming proprietress, we saw a dog herding sheep, the shearing shed and stables of beautiful, prized show horses.

I would have been excited to spot one or two condors but we saw scores of them.

The following morning we were off to the airport, homeward bound.

RELATED: QuirkyCruise Co-Founder Ted Scull shares his best moments cruising in Antarctica and the Falklands.

Interested in a Silver Endeavour Antarctica Cruise?

“Door-to-door” fares for the 2023/2024 Antarctic season start at about $20,500 per person.

Silversea’s Antarctica Bridge — “Fast Track to The Last Continent”

The Antarctica Bridge option flies passengers to embark the ship at King George Island and then flies them back to South America from King George afterward, skipping the Drake Passage.

This is more expensive, about a 20 percent premium to sailing the whole way, and it makes for a shorter trip from the “standard” Antarctica cruise — six days there bookended by the two-day Drake crossing, making for a 10-day voyage plus the time to get to and from a South American homeport.

Antarctica Bridge provides a five- or six-day cruise, a much shorter option.

Carbon Emissions

I don’t know which has more environmental impact in terms of carbon emissions.

The comparison would be several days on the Drake (typically, two days each way) in a vessel burning low-sulfur marine gas oil (for a number of years, ships operating in Antarctic waters have been banned from using heavy fuel oil) versus a two-hour flight each way in a jet burning jet fuel.

In any case, travelers who make any journey to Antarctica are going to produce sizable carbon emissions on the long flights between their home airports and the southern tip of South America.

So hopefully people at least buy carbon offsets when booking flights and come away from such an extraordinary and privileged trip with a strong commitment to helping fight climate change and preserve the southern continent.

What’s Included in a Silver Endeavour Antarctica Cruise

Silversea’s “door-to-door” fares for a six-night Antarctica Bridge cruise package for the 2023/2024 season start at about $20,500 per person, double occupancy, and include:

• private executive transfers between home and airport
• a pre-cruise hotel in Santiago
• flights between Santiago and Punta Arenas
• flights between Punta Arenas and King George Island
• international economy air
• one night pre- and one night post-cruise hotels in Punta Arenas
• onboard gratuities
• beverages in suite and throughout the ship, including Champagne, select wines and spirits

Five-night cruises are also available. And Silversea offers as long as 20-night Antarctica cruises as well if you do the full circuit including the Falklands and South Georgia islands, plus both ways crossing the Drake Passage. (Note, there are a few less expensive “port-to-port” fares, starting at $18,250, that do not include international flights and transfers.)

With Silversea, passengers fly LatAm from Santiago to Punta Arenas, Chile, for a hotel overnight, then in private, business-class air with DAP Antarctic Airways for the two-hour flight to King George Island off the Antarctic Peninsula to embark their ship.

Silversea calls it “the fast track to the last continent.”

For the return, passengers disembark at King George Island and fly to Punta Arenas for an overnight hotel stay then continue on to Santiago for international flights home.

Exclusive Charter Air

Silversea has an exclusive partnership with DAP Antarctic Airways, and the flights provide bar service, meals and a custom, on-demand entertainment program.

Open bar on the Silversea charter flight. Make mine Champagne, please! * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Each 80-seat plane carries 64 passengers, tops, with no one assigned a middle seat and 16 rows instead of 18. Passengers are allowed 23 kilograms/50.7 pounds of checked luggage, plus hand luggage of 8 kilograms/17.6 pounds, more than the usual allowance because fewer people are carried.

Travelers who choose an ultra-luxury Antarctica trip with Silversea have a choice of three Antarctica ships and four programs, with Silver Endeavour part of the Antarctica Bridge, and Silver Cloud and Silver Wind making the Drake Passage.

I got to experience both the Drake and Antarctica Bridge, since our Silver Endeavour Antarctica shakedown cruise was atypical. Normally, you would choose to do both Antarctica Bridge flights or to do both transits of Drake Passage. (Note, however next season there are three longer 15-night Silver Endeavour programs that cross the Drake one way and fly to or from King George one way.)

We flew on DAP from Santiago to Puerto Williams, the port Silversea uses exclusively for its Antarctica turn-arounds, instead of the more crowded Ushuaia in southern Argentina. There we embarked Endeavour for the Drake passage.

After four days in Antarctica, we landed at King George Island and boarded the DAP charter to Punta Arenas, then continued on LatAm scheduled air to Santiago for flights home.

Normally, passengers on Antarctica Bridge would fly to and from King George Island, while those on regular cruises would fly on the DAP charter between Santiago and Puerto Williams and sail from Puerto Williams to Antarctica and back.

For Me, it Was an Adventure of a Lifetime

Antarctica is the adventure of a lifetime, something not undertaken lightly and a privilege that comes with responsibility to travel with respect and be rewarded by grace.

I’m so lucky to have experienced this incomparable place, and somewhere that only Quirky (small) ships can land visitors.

Going on Silver Endeavour was exceptional.

Anne at Neko Harbor. * Photo: friend of Anne Kalosh.

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© This article is protected by copyright, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission from the author. All Rights Reserved. QuirkyCruise.com.

About The Author

Anne Kalosh

Anne Kalosh has written about cruises for decades and her favorites involve small ships. She is the editor of Seatrade-Cruise.com and senior associate editor of Seatrade Cruise Review.

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Antarctica , Destinations , Uncategorized

Best antarctica expedition cruise: hurtigruten ms fridtjof nansen review.

Antarctica is a dream destination for many adventure travelers. But, planning a trip to Antarctica can be overwhelming. If you’re looking for the best Antarctica expedition cruise, the MS Fridtjof Nansen ship with Hurtrigruten is a great place to start. 

This modern, beautifully designed and hybrid-powered ship is unbelievable. This MS Fridtjof Nansen review is based on my experience on board the Highlights of Antarctica 12-day cruise with Hurtigruten in December 2022. Keep reading for details on the MS Fridtjof Nansen cabins, restaurants, amenities and more!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you purchase through a link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more info, visit this page .

Why book Hurtigruten’s MS Fridtjof Nansen to Antarctica?

What i love about hurtigruten’s ms fridtjof nansen, what i don’t love about hurtigruten’s ms fridtjof nansen, overall opinion of hurtigruten’s ms fridtjof nansen expedition to antarctica, quark expeditions.

• Oceanwide Expeditions 

Polar Latitudes

G adventures, albatros expeditions, what activities are included in your expedition cost, what optional activities are available, what happens if there is bad weather, what gear is provided, how do i know where to go and what to do each day on board, what food and drink is included, is the hurtigruten antarctica drink package worth it, how do you pay for stuff on board.

• The Prepared Girl's Guide to Packing for Antarctica

Among the companies offering Antarctica expeditions, Hurtigruten is a standout due to their commitment to sustainability . They aim to be “the most sustainable travel operator in the world.” On board the MS Fridtjof Nansen, they have eliminated single-use plastic, provide all passengers with a reusable water bottle with refill stations throughout the ship, and implemented unique innovations that have reduced their carbon emissions by over 20% compared to cruise ships of a similar size.

In addition, passengers can contribute by hanging a green tag on their cabin door to indicate that their towels and sheets don’t need changing in order to save energy and water. Each time passengers participate in this program, a donation is made to the Hurtigruten Foundation . Paper schedules for each day’s activities have been replaced with an app and are posted on monitors throughout the ship.

Over a decade ago, Hurtigruten eliminated the use of heavy fuel oil in their ships and continues evaluating new green fuel options as they become available. In short, if sustainability is important to you, Hurtrigruten is a great option for you to consider.

The MS Fridtjof Nansen is a modern ship, built in 2020 in Norway, and is named after a Norwegian explorer most famous for his attempt to reach the geographical north pole in the late 1800’s. It’s capacity is 528 passengers, however for Antarctica expeditions it’s more common for the ship to carry ~300 passengers to allow more time for everyone to enjoy landings and other activities.

The ship is exquisitely designed and built from Scandinavian materials. On board you will find an impressive selection of amenities including a fitness center, spa, sauna, two outdoor hot tubs, a heated pool, a classroom, a science center, three restaurants and a lounge. There are three main types of cabins to choose from, all of which are beautifully designed and more spacious than other cruises I’ve experienced. There is a satellite television, two reclining chairs, and heated bathroom floors in all cabins with additional amenities such as a balcony available in some cabin types.

Although expedition trips are often stereotyped as “basic” accommodations, Hurtigruten’s MS Fridtjof Nansen is modern and luxurious.

Hurtrigruten has been leading expeditions and sailing to remote destinations for over 100 years. While they operate cruises in destinations around the world, they specialize in polar expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.

The MS Fridtjof Nansen ship is one of their newest ships. From November to March it sails to Antarctica from Ushuaia, Argentina. The remainder of the year it sails to destinations in the Arctic region such as Norway. 

I could rave about the MS Fridtjof Nansen for hours, but will do my best to touch on what I love the most about this ship:

• Hybrid-powered 
• The crew (housekeeping, wait staff, expedition crew, and front desk team)*
• Daily landing and zodiac cruise (weather dependent)
• Wifi included
• Beer and wine included with meals
• Very well organized**
• Broad range of workshops, classes and activities – you can even stream them live on the tv in your room if you aren’t feeling up for attending them in person!
• The food (let’s just say I gained a bit on board because it was so good!)
• Commitment to safety
• Seamless travel experience ***
• Beautifully designed and comfortable cabins

* Even during our very rough Drake Passage crossing, the housekeeping and wait staff were incredible. I was amazed at how they continued to provide service in those conditions. 

** Because the MS Fridtjof Nansen is on the larger size for Antarctica expeditions, the crew needed to be very organized to ensure everyone got an opportunity to experience each landing, cruise and the optional add-on excursions without feeling rushed. They were so well organized and communicated effectively to passengers. I always felt like I knew what was going on, where I needed to be, and where to go.

Being a larger ship and with the latest technology, the MS Fridtjof Nansen seemed to handle the Drake Passage better than some of the older and smaller ships. The first day of my trip had over 10 meter (33 foot) swells through the Drake Passage. Two ships who left after us but on the same day had to turn around and depart again a day or two later. If you are concerned about crossing the Drake Passage, the MS Fridtjof Nansen may help make it more manageable for you.

*** From start to finish, my Antarctica expedition on the MS Fridtjof Nansen was seamless. Included in your package is a hotel in Buenos Aires the night before, orientation with Hurtigruten’s ground crew at the hotel, transfer to the airport in Buenos Aires, a charter flight to and from Ushuaia, and transfer into Ushuaia from the airport. Once on board, any additional expenses are charged using your room key and settled at checkout. Hurtigruten has many options for excursions before or after an Antarctica expedition as well!

Pro Tip: Consider joining the free 1893 Ambassador loyalty program before departing. Read more about the benefits here.

There is very little I didn’t love about my experience on Hurtigruten’s MS Fridtjof Nansen Antarctica expedition. Here are three things you should be aware of before booking your trip.

An Antarctica expedition is expensive. There’s no getting around that. Within that already expensive range, an Antarctica expedition on the MS Fridtjof Nansen is in the middle to high end of cost depending on how far you book in advance and what cabin you choose to stay in. However, for all the reasons I listed above, I feel that there’s strong value for the cost if you can afford it. 

Pro Tip: If you book more than 90 days in advance, you can spread the cost of your Antarctica expedition with Hutrigruten out. Check their terms and conditions for the latest info but at the time of this being written, 25% is due at the time of booking with the balance due 90 days prior to departure. 

On top of the cost already being relatively high, there is also the consideration of the single occupancy cost. Prices for Hurtigruten’s Antarctica expeditions are based on double occupancy, assuming two passengers will be sharing a cabin. Those traveling solo are subject to a single occupancy cost which is generally a percentage of the cabin price. For instance, say you book your cabin for $8000 USD and the single occupancy cost is 75% of the cabin rate, you would end of paying an additional $6000 or $14000 total to have the room to yourself. 

Pro Tip: Check Hurtigruten’s special offers page as they occasionally waive the single occupancy fee. Currently there is an offer that waives all single occupancy fees on specific expeditions in 2023!

There are several Facebook groups (Hurtigruten Insiders, Antarctica: Bucket List to Booked) where people will post that they are looking for roommates. Obviously, do this at your own risk. Alternatively, consider booking with a travel agent like I did and they may be able to pair you up with other solo travelers. 

Finally, expeditions are different from typical cruises. They are geared towards outdoor activities, photography, and educational experiences. If you are looking for live music, theater, or other entertainment you may be disappointed. However, if you enjoy learning about Antarctic wildlife, the history of Antarctic exploration, wildlife photography, knot tying, and climate change you won’t be bored.

Ok, one more thing. As a coffee lover, I was very disappointed in the coffee on board. It might be the type of bean they use but despite my best efforts, I could not drink it. If you love coffee, consider bringing your own.

This was among the best travel experiences I’ve had to date. From the ship, to the crew, to the food, and the seamless experience created by Hurtigruten from start to finish, I loved every minute of my experience on board the MS Fridtjof Nansen as part of Hurtigruten’s Highlights of Antarctica package. 

A trip to Antarctica is a bucket list item for many people. Having talented and experienced expedition crew members and photographers on board made sure that we made the most of this one in a lifetime adventure. It’s also arguably the most remote destination in the world. The crew and ship made me feel safe throughout the expedition and with the included wifi on board, I was able to stay in touch with my family and let them know I was safe.

How Does Hurtigruten’s MS Fridtjof Nansen Compare to Alternatives?

There are many options to choose from when booking an Antarctica expedition. As part of my research, I spoke with people who have traveled with different expedition companies. Here’s what I learned from them and through my own research.

Quark was the most highly rated and consistently recommended in my research. Their first expedition was in 1991 to the North Pole and since they’ve expanded and evolved to include destinations around the world. 

Their ships are on the smaller side and offer a more intimate experience with a capacity of under 200 passengers. While they may not be the cheapest, one traveler I spoke with who has been to Antarctica twice told me the “staff are far better than any other tour company.” 

Oceanwide Expeditions  

Oceanwide Expeditions specializes in voyages to the Arctic and Antarctic regions. They aim to maximize time off of the ship either on shore or on zodiac boats. Their ships are on the smaller side as well, with maximum passenger capacity of under 200 people.

This expedition company is highly specialized in travel to Antarctica with their first full season voyages beginning in 2013. Their newest ship, the MS Seaventure, began sailing to Antarctica in 2021 bringing their fleet to three ships total.

Polar Latitudes is Founder-owned and operated. Leading Antarctica expeditions is their passion. In fact you may even find that the owner is with you on board your ship! 

G Adventures is one of the more budget-friendly Antarctica expedition options, geared towards a younger crowd and solo travelers. Solo travelers are given the option to share a room with another traveler of the same sex with options to secure your own room for a cost.

Unlike the other expedition companies on this list, G Adventures does not specialize in Antarctic or polar travel. They offer tours around the world on every continent. So, while they do specialize in curating and hosting travel experiences at a more affordable cost, if you are looking for deep expertise and passion for Antarctic travel other expedition companies may be a better fit.

This family-owned company specializes in Arctic and Antarctic expeditions. Similar to Hurtigruten, they focus on sustainability as well as diversity. They currently have just one ship sailing to Antarctica with another joining their fleet in 2023. Both are small, with less than 100 staterooms. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Hurtigruten Antarctica Expeditions & the MS Fridtjof Nansen

It’s likely that you have a million questions about Hurtrigruten and the MS Fridtjof Nansen. I’ll answer the most frequent questions I receive here but encourage you to check out the extensive FAQ on Hurtrigruten’s website as well.

Each day in Antarctic waters, weather permitting, all passengers can take part in a landing and a cruise. A landing typically includes a hike, wildlife viewing, and other activities. Passengers are transported from the ship to land on a small zodiac boat. A cruise is a zodiac boat ride in the harbor or channel around the ship to look for wildlife, icebergs and other sites. Both the landing and the cruise vary in duration but tend to be up to 2 hours each.

Hurtigruten offers four optional add-on activities on their Antarctica expeditions. These are kayaking, snowshoeing, camping and the science boat. Due to limited spaces in these activities, interested passengers must attend an info session on board and, if still interested, submit their name for a lottery. 

The biggest thing to know about Antarctica expeditions is to be flexible. The weather can change very quickly, creating unsafe conditions for landings and cruises. The expedition leader is responsible for deciding if it is safe to complete the day’s activities. Expect changes, it’s part of the experience.

On the MS Fridtjof Nansen, passengers are provided with boots, a wind and waterproof shell jacket, and a life jacket. For safety and operational reasons, all three were required to be worn anytime passengers leave the ship. 

For landings, hiking poles were available. For all optional excursions such as kayaking, camping and snowshoeing all necessary gear is provided.

For more tips read my complete Antarctica cruise packing guide!

Upon check-in all passengers are assigned to a group, which are named after Antarctic wildlife. To minimize waste, the daily schedule is updated on the Hurtigruten app which is accessible to all passengers and on monitors on board. The daily schedule will show what time each group should report to the Expedition Launch area.

Meals can be scheduled through the app at any of the three restaurants, but drop ins are ok as well.

All three meals are included with your expedition. Beer and wine is included with both lunch and dinner. There is one restaurant on board that provides takeaway if you prefer to eat in your room or elsewhere on board. In general, breakfast and lunch are buffet which includes vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten-free, and plant-based options. Dinner tends to be seated service with a different menu each day. 

Personally, I don’t think so. If you do the math, you would need to drink 4-5 drinks per day in addition to the beer and wine included with your lunch and dinner in order to get your money’s worth. Individual drinks can be charged to your room and paid for at checkout.

There is very little you need to pay for once on board the ship. Typical charges would include any optional excursions, drinks in the lounge, spa services, postage, laundry and purchases at the gift shop. All charges on board are made using your individually assigned room key. At checkout the account can be paid using a credit card. 

Tips can be given directly to staff or placed in an envelope at the front desk.

The Prepared Girl’s Guide to Packing for Antarctica

Make packing for Antarctica easy with this downloadable and printable packing list.

Still have questions about Antarctica expeditions with Hurtigruten or the MS Fridtjof Nansen? Drop a comment below! I’d be happy to answer them.

Related content to read next:

What to Wear for Winter Hiking: A Prepared Girl’s Guide

Visit my Antarctica travel page for additional resources and tips.

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This Big Wild World

Hi! Welcome to This Big Wild World travel blog! I believe that there’s a sense of adventure inside of everyone, waiting to be discovered. From epic hikes around the world to adventures closer to my home in Minnesota, I’m here to help you discover what adventure means to you!

10 thoughts on “ Best Antarctica Expedition Cruise: Hurtigruten MS Fridtjof Nansen Review ”

I’m so excited for you and your wife! It’s going to be an incredible adventure. Great questions! I did camp out on the ice and loved it. I don’t recall the exact cost but believe it was around $450(US). Camping is one of the most popular excursions (that’s not included in the cruise) and has very limited spots. Expect there to be a mandatory info session while you’re onboard crossing the Drake Passage. If after attending the info session, you are still interested in going (they explain how it all works in more detail) you have to put your name into the lottery. In general, they treat people in the same cabin as a pair so if one of you gets in its likely both of you will. So be sure to attend the info session and put your names in the lottery.

As far as bathrooms while camping, they do recommend you limit liquid intake that afternoon but there are portable cartridge toilets you can use. They dig out a spot in the snow and build a half wall of snow around one side of them for privacy. It’s quite cold so you won’t want to have to use it multiple times if you don’t have to. Keep in mind the sun doesn’t set this time of year so it will be light out all night. I was fairly warm in the sleeping bag they provided but put hand warmers in my socks and in my chest pocket overnight to make it more comfortable.

Hope this helps – have an amazing trip!

Great blog. Turns out my wife and I are already booked on the FRIDTJOF NANSEN departing on Dec 2nd. Great minds think alike!

I’d like to know whether you camped out on the ice or if you have any information or recommendations? Also, how expensive is it? Finally, my wife has eard there is a hygene requirement that prevents a camper from even urinating during the entire experience. Is that correct?

Looking forward to your reply.

Cheers, Les

You’re welcome, Jessica! I’m so excited for you!!!

Thank you for your the clarification. Well, I went for it! I booked it!

You’re welcome, Jessica! I completely understand why stepping foot on Antarctica is important for you – it was for me too! I’m really glad you asked this because I can see this wasn’t clear in my post. Hurtigruten allows you to set foot on Antarctica and that is included with the costs of the expedition cruise. Every day we were in Antarctica we got to go on land (referred to as a “landing”) and on a zodiac boat ride (referred to as a “cruise”) around the harbor. This is weather dependent (as is everything in Antarctica) but it’s reasonable to expect to go on land several times during your trip.

The excursions that cost extra and had limited spots were camping, kayaking, and snowshoeing.

I hope this helps address your concern!

Thank you for writing about your experience on this cruise. I’m thinking about booking it, but the only thing that concerns me is the chance of not being able to actually walk on Antartica. You said that due to limited spaces in these activities, you get to participate if your name is picked in the lottery. Is it a relatively small amount of people interested in actually setting foot on land? Or did a lot of people on the cruise end up disappointed because they didn’t get pick?

The Drake shake was quite the experience, for sure, but it’s also part of the adventure! I’m glad we got to experience it but was also glad when it was over 🙂

Thanks, Josy! I can relate. Cruises are not really my thing, but I’m learning that sustainable expedition cruises are 🙂 I was really impressed by all the elements of the ships design and services that were environmentally friendly – and, yes, posh too! That sauna is so dreamy.

Sounds like you had an amazing time! That ship does look very impressive.

Antarctica is on my list, but the Drake shake doesn’t sound like fun at all.

Oooh I have been looking forward to your Antarctica posts Susan! This actually sounds amazing. I mean, it is pricy, but the mean reason I have never wanted to go on a cruise was as they are so, so bad for the environment (before covid…since covid I’ve added the petri dish aspect of cruising…)

Trust you to find a sustainable option that isn’t going to ruin the very place you wanted to visit! It all looks so gorgeous and posh too!

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THE CHAOS DIARIES

I Went on a Cruise to Antarctica: Here’s What It’s Really Like

Stepping into the unknown, embracing the untouched, and awakening to the majesty of Antarctica — my journey with HX Hurtigruten Expeditions aboard the MS Roald Amundsen was nothing short of a dream and I can’t believe I can say I’ve visited the frozen continent!

If you’re looking to travel to Antarctica yourself, you’ve no doubt started researching companies to go with and been met with a whole boatload (excuse my pun) of options. All of these vary in price, level of luxury and in my opinion the most important aspect: respect for the environment.

We boarded a 16 day expedition cruise travelling to both Antarctica and the Falkland Islands, here’s a heartfelt recount of this extraordinary adventure with all the information you’d need to know for those of you yearning to witness the Earth’s final frontier.

I was extremely fortunate that my journey to Antarctica was part of a press trip, however, all the views in this article are completely my own

About Antarctica

Venturing into the heart of Antarctica is like stepping into a storybook where the landscapes are woven from the purest white snow and ice, under a dome of the crispest, clearest sky imaginable. Here are a few fun facts about this extraordinary place:

• The Ultimate Desert : When we think of deserts, our minds drift to vast expanses of sand, scorching sun, and scarce rainfall. Yet, Antarctica turns this image on its head. It’s the driest place on Earth, believe it or not. With an average of just 2 inches of precipitation a year, it’s a desert not of sand but of ice, a realm where silence is a constant companion, save for the occasional crack of shifting glaciers.
• The World Upside Down : At the South Pole, an invisible pinpoint on this vast icy canvas, every direction points north. It’s a place where the concepts of east and west lose their meaning and time zones converge. Imagine standing at the bottom of the world, surrounded by a panorama of endless white under the midnight sun or the ethereal glow of the Southern Lights.
• A Treasure Trove of Fresh Water : Hidden in its icy depths, Antarctica guards about 70% of the planet’s freshwater, locked within its sprawling ice sheet. It’s a staggering thought – this cold, remote continent holding a reservoir vital to life on Earth, its existence pivotal in the narratives of climate and environmental science.
• Life’s Resilience : Antarctica’s extreme cold and isolation make it seem inhospitable, yet life, in its most microscopic forms, thrives. Bacteria, fungi, and a handful of hardy plants and animals (hello penguins!) have adapted to this icy desert, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of life. These tiny inhabitants are masters of survival, thriving in niches where one would least expect.
• A Sanctuary for Peace and Science : In an unprecedented gesture of international cooperation, the Antarctic Treaty was signed, designating this frozen wilderness as a sanctuary dedicated to peace, science, and exploration. It’s a place where military boots are replaced by research boots, where the only battles fought are those of understanding our planet and protecting its future.

Our Cruise Information

Length of the Voyage : 16 days Our Trusty Vessel : MS Roald Amundsen When We Went : December 2023

We were so fortunate that our cabin aboard the MS Roald Amundsen was an Expedition Suite, a slice of luxury that was beyond anything I’ve experienced in my past travels. Not only did it have sprawling windows and a corner balcony that offered us an intimate view of the icy wilderness, but it also had a hot tub on the balcony (that’s right, a flippin’ private hot tub!).

The cabin was super spacious, which was such a luxury during sea days. We could relax with a coffee and a good book in our room. Every cabin on board has at least one TV, where you can look at the route map and even tune in to live or prerecorded lectures to prepare you for the days ahead.

When Should You Travel to Antarctica?

Visiting Antarctica each month offers distinct experiences:

• November : The spring awakening brings pristine landscapes and ice formations, with breeding season starting for many birds and penguins.
• December to January : Peak summer provides the warmest temperatures, longer days for exploration, and wildlife activity, including penguin chicks hatching.
• February to March : Late summer is ideal for whale watching, and as the ice recedes, more remote areas become accessible. This period also showcases dramatic ice landscapes and fledging penguin chicks.

The Itinerary

Embarking from Ushuaia, the edge of the world, our expedition set sail in mid-December 2023, weaving through the icy heart of Antarctica and the windswept Falkland Islands. Here’s a glimpse into the exact route we took, complete with a route map!

It’s important to note that while this was the route we took, now immortalised in the route map below and photos we receive a few weeks post-trip, every voyage is unique. Weather conditions shape the journey, ensuring no two trips are the same, making each expedition a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. If you travel early in the season like we did, you won’t be able to travel as far south as those who embark on their journeys a few months later, but there are pros and cons whenever you visit as I’ve listed above!

Ushuaia, Argentina : After arriving in Buenos Aires and staying overnight in the capital, we took a chartered flight south to Ushuaia, a town that feels like it’s perched at the end of the earth. I prewarn you: You need to be up early for this! Once in Ushuaia, there’s an included excursion for everyone to head to the Tierra del Fuego national park for a guided tour and lunch while the ship is prepared.

Drake’s Passage: The famous Drake’s Passage! If you’re researching a trip to Antarctica, you’ve probably heard of this. I’ll go into more detail below, but any trip to Antarctica requires crossing the infamous passage twice, taking four days in total.

Damoy Point / Dorian Bay : Finally, we arrived in Antarctica! The weather conditions were cloudy but stable enough to go on land, and our first Antarctic embrace brought us to Damoy Point/Dorian Bay. We did an optional activity of a snowshoeing tour which brought us past a few colonies of gentoo penguins and were lucky enough to be shortlisted for the camping excursion that night.

Fish Islands : After being picked up by the ship in the morning and having a celebratory breakfast on board, we headed to our next destination: the Fish Islands. Today was a zodiac cruising day rather than a landing (landing here meaning going ashore). We headed out on the zodiac boat and took a tour of some nearby colonies of gentoo penguins, some other groups also saw seals but we weren’t so lucky!

Cuverville Island : I remember it was a beautiful sunny day and we were able to see the magical Cuverville Island and there were SO many gentoo penguins here! This day, we also managed to stop at another point with fantastic views over the surrounding icebergs, but the name escapes me; however, it shows that occasionally, you’ll manage two landings in one day if the weather allows!

Cierva Cove : At Cierva Cove, the world seemed to hold its breath. Icebergs sculpted by the wind and waves floated by as we went out in the zodiacs to see this place that looked out of a painting! I believe there was even a leopard seal sighting around the ice!

Weddell Sea : This was our last stop in Antarctica and it was quite special – a sea ice landing! The conditions really need to be perfect for this as of course the ice has to be thick enough to allow for a landing but not too early in the season or the ship wouldn’t be able to get through the ice. Lucky us, we managed it! I remember everyone being on board standing at the balconies, watching as the crew went out on the ice to test the thickness, hoping we’d get the green light to head out!

Drake’s Passage (round two)

Stanley, Falkland Islands : After making another voyage across the Drake we had a complete change of scenery upon arriving at the Falklands! Stanley welcomed us with its quaint charm, a slice of Britain amidst the wild South Atlantic. You can imagine my delight in going for a cream tea and shopping at Waitrose so far away from home!

Saunders Island, Falkland Islands : The next couple of days had us away from the “capital” and into the beautiful untamed nature once again. Saunders Island whispered tales of old, its wildlife rich and landscapes rugged, a testament to the resilience of nature. Here we saw 5 different species of penguin who were all relaxing on the beach, a sight I never thought I’d see!

New Island, Falkland Islands : Onto New Island, where history and natural beauty entwine, with shipwrecks and old whaling stations scattered among colonies of seabirds and seals. It was another day full of penguins and we saw my favourite, the rockhopper penguin!

And then, before we knew it, we were heading back to Ushuaia, our hearts full, our cameras brimming with photos, and our minds forever changed by the sights and sounds of the Antarctic and the Falklands.

The Drakes Passage

Crossing the Drake Passage is an iconic rite of passage for any adventurer bound for Antarctica, a journey we had to undertake twice. Known for being one of the most tumultuous sea crossings in the world, it’s a stretch of water that tests the mettle of ships and sailors alike, lying between the southern tip of South America and the northern reaches of Antarctica.

We were incredibly fortunate with the weather during our crossings, experiencing what’s affectionately known as the “Drake Lake” — an unusually calm sea condition that belies the passage’s fearsome reputation. The crew even commented that it was the best weather they’d ever seen on this route! I must admit though we did say it would be nice to experience the rougher seas for maybe… an hour or so.

If you’re coming to Antarctica of course don’t assume you’ll be lucky like we were! Bring travel sickness tablets and be prepared to be feeling less than ideal for a couple of days.

Excursions and Activities

Our expedition to Antarctica with HX Hurtigruten Expeditions was like waking up to a new adventure every day. Imagine this: you’re in one of the most remote places on Earth, and you don’t know what you’re going to do until the night before, or sometimes, just after you’ve had your breakfast.

Surprise, Surprise! Every evening, we’d gather around, buzzing with anticipation, to hear about the next day’s plan. Or, we’d simply check the expedition’s app that evening or first thing in the morning while still snug in our beds. The app was a lifeline, keeping us updated with schedules, weather changes, and any spontaneous plans crafted by our expert expedition team.

Included Activities : Our days were packed with a range of activities included in the expedition. Zodiac cruises were an absolute thrill, taking us up close to towering icebergs and through crystal-clear waters to reach secluded spots teeming with wildlife. Then, there were the landings on the Antarctic mainland and surrounding islands, where we’d find ourselves mere feet away from penguin colonies or observing seals in their natural habitat.

Extra Adventures : For those of us hungry for more, the expedition offered some special, paid activities. We chose to camp overnight on the ice and try snowshoeing across the untouched snow. The camping is quite the magical experience so I’ll chat more about that in its own section below.

Camping in Antarctica

Camping in Antarctica is one of those bucket-list experiences that few can say they’ve lived to tell the tale. Imagine being one of the select few aboard the MS Roald Amundsen, given the chance to spend a night on the most remote continent on Earth. It’s not just any night out; it’s an adventure into the profound silence and untouched wilderness that is Antarctica.

This unique excursion is a rare opportunity, offered to passengers via a draw to keep the experience exclusive and minimise environmental impact. Only once per voyage do about 30 lucky adventurers (housed in 15 tents) get to experience the Antarctic night in its most authentic form.

Let’s not sugarcoat it — the night is cold. You’re given great equipment like a cosy sleeping bag and mats and most other people said they had a great nights sleep. But honestly? I was so cold! Still, it was absolutely worth it.

At dawn you see the ship returning and as you board you’re welcomed with a special breakfast before going about your day (which for me was immediately for a nap!). The cost is around $500 per person so it’s not cheap by any means, but it’s truly a bucket list experience.

How do the landings work?

Antarctica has many restrictions, and rightly so. This means that not everyone from the ship can go ashore at the same time. Instead, you’re all assigned to groups on your first day on board (we were the Adelie Penguins!). For each activity, there will be certain groups at certain times, which will all be listed on the app. They rotate the groups, so one day, you might be out first and the next day last, which keeps it fair for everyone!

For the zodiac cruising, you’ll be taken around and then brought back to the ship, so that’s pretty self-explanatory. For the landings, once you reach the shore, you’ll be told what time to head back (usually, you get up to an hour on average). It’s essential you stick to this time as if you’re late, it’ll delay the next group being allowed out. Of course, if you want to come back earlier, you’re welcome to.

If you’re on a paid for excursion you sometimes might be able to also do the landing/zodiac cruise for that day but this depends, they’ll let you know in the app or during the daily briefing whether or not it’s possible to do both.

Life on board: Sea Days

Sea days on an Antarctica expedition cruise are an adventure in their own right, a chance to dive deeper into the polar experience without even setting foot on land. Our 16-day voyage to the white continent included six of these days, crossing the infamous Drake Passage, which alone accounts for four days (two each way). So, what’s there to do aboard the MS Roald Amundsen during these stretches of sea time?

Science Centre – As a biologist myself one of the first places I found myself drawn to was the Science Centre. Here, you can peer through microscopes at things like phytoplankton samples freshly collected from the waters outside, and attend workshops lead by the scientists on board.

Engaging Lectures – The expedition team’s lectures quickly became a highlight of my sea days. Covering a broad range of subjects from the historical exploits of polar explorers to the intricate balance of marine biology, and even tips on capturing the perfect polar photograph, there was always something new to learn!

Sauna with a View – Relaxation took on a new dimension with the sauna on board. Imagine unwinding in the warmth while surrounded by the most incredible, ever-changing landscapes outside the window. It was magical to say the least.

Art Workshops – The ship’s resident artist, Sean, guided us through art workshops that were both calming and creatively stimulating. We dabbled in watercolours, trying to capture the essence of the icebergs and skies we’d seen, and also attended a couple of drawing workshops.

Dining with a View – Meals on the ship were an event in themselves. The dining experience, complemented by vast windows offering panoramic views of the passing ice and open ocean, elevated every dish served. The quality and variety of the food were also impeccable, as we were lucky enough to have dining in the Lindstrøm restaurant included in our package!

Wildlife Watching – At all times of the day the decks of the MS Roald Amundsen are fantastic wildlife lookout points. Wrapped in warmth, we watched as humpback whales and penguins occasionally accompanied our ship! There are usually always members of the expedition team around too, who will help point out and identify any species seen.

Biosecurity Protocols

Biosecurity on expeditions to pristine environments involves stringent measures to prevent the introduction of non-native species. Before embarking on landings, all equipment and clothing undergo thorough cleaning and disinfection. This includes vacuuming outer garments and disinfecting footwear to eliminate seeds or spores. Additionally, to prevent the introduction of bird flu in Antarctica, you’re no longer allowed to sit, crouch, or do anything other than be upright once on land – nothing but your boots can touch the ground!

Science on Board

The MS Roald Amundsen’s Science Centre and Citizen Science Programme offer passengers a unique blend of adventure and research. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and led by a team of expert biologists and scientists, the programme invites guests to engage in real scientific studies. Activities range from wildlife surveys to collecting microplastic samples and contributing valuable data to ongoing research projects. This initiative not only enriches the expedition experience but also plays a vital role in understanding and preserving the polar regions, you can contribute to real research!

Most days while in Antarctica there are “science boats” that you can sign up for the night before which are limited by number so it’s first come first serve. If you get a place on the science boat you’ll go out and help collect samples for the researchers on board, afterwards you can still do your landing as normal so you don’t miss anything!

This voyage to Antarctica with Hurtigruten was more than an expedition; it was a profound journey of discovery and reflection. For anyone looking to embrace the untamed beauty of the Antarctic, to stand where few have stood before, this is your calling. The landscapes, wildlife, and the serene majesty of the ice will stay with you, long after you’ve returned to the familiar shores of home.

Travel Blogger

Hi! My name's Alicia and I'm a travel blogger and photographer from the UK. I love nothing more than travelling the world (so much so that I now do it full time!) to collect recommendations, itineraries and magical places to share with you.

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Trip Report: South America/Antarctica Itinerary on the NCL Star

by Prof. Cruise · Published January 23, 2024 · Updated February 7, 2024

Trip Report, Review, and Ship Tour: South America/Antarctica Itinerary on the Norwegian Star

Introduction and itinerary.

Why we booked this cruise: This particular cruise checked off all the boxes on our list. Bucket list itinerary? CHECK. Cruise over Christmas, New Years, and my son’s birthday (this has become a tradition for us)? CHECK. Reasonable price? CHECK. Suitable for all the grandparents to join us (an expedition trip to Antarctica wasn’t something they would likely be comfortable with)? CHECK. Minimum of 14 days onboard or it doesn’t even count as a cruise (long cruises and b2b’s have ruined me)? CHECK. So we jumped on it, booking about a year in advance.

We were a cruise party of 6 (I use the word “party” ironically as all of us were in bed by 9pm each night). Mr. Cruise and I were both thrilled and low key terrified when the grandparents agreed to join us. This would be the first time all of us (my husband, 11 year-old son, mom, and in-laws) traveled together and we were coming from three different cities with about 15 different airline connections to make during the winter and most crowded travel time of the year. What could possibly go wrong? Only about 45,000 things that had me Googling “how to make the best of Christmas in the Dallas airport with no luggage or gifts while figuring out how to board a cruise ship that left Buenos Aires without you, but with all your kid’s grandparents 3 days ago” at like 2 in the morning. But thankfully, after a resolved dental emergency two days before sailing, only one other thing actually went wrong (you’ll have to read to the end to find out what it was).

Our itnerary:

Our itinerary was as follows:

• Day 1: Embarkation in Buenos Aires

Day 2: Montevideo, Uruguay

• Day 3: Sea day

Day 4: Puerto Madryn, Argentina

• Day 5: Sea day
• Day 6: Punta Arenas, Chili

Day 7: Ushuaia, Argentina

Day 8: ushuaia, argentina.

• Day 9: Sea day

Day 10: Antarctica, Paradise Island

Day 11: antarctica, elephant island.

• Day 12: Sea day

Day 13: Stanley, Falkland Islands

• Day 14: Sea day
• Day 15: Sea day

Day 16: Punta del Este, Uruguay

• Day 17: Debarkation in Buenos Aires

Flights and transfers: Some may be a bit intimidated by an itinerary like this, fearing the cost or hassle of flying somewhere so far to embark on a cruise. And if I’m being honest, even as a seasoned cruiser and international traveller, I was too. This would be our first visit to South America and none of us spoke any Spanish. As such, we decided to make all our air and transfer arrangements through NCL and also take advantage of a 2 for 1 airfare special they were running at the time of our original booking. This turned out to be financially beneficial, as when I searched independently for flights (for science, so I could report back to all of you), I couldn’t find anything close to the deal we got through NCL.

Upon first receiving our flight assignments I was disappointed to see that my mom and I would be flying on separate flights from my husband and son and that our itinerary also had us leaving Seattle at 5am and then waiting in the Dallas airport for nearly 12 hours for a connection. Not ideal, but I figured at least we’d have PLENTY of time to catch our connection to Buenos Aires and maybe I could pick up some gig work in Dallas for a day to earn some extra spending money (just kidding, but I did generate a fairy long and odd list of things I could do in an airport for 12 hours).

Thankfully NCL changed our flights to match my husband and son’s and our layover time was reduced from 12 hours to around 90 minutes (better, but how was I going to taste and rank every eating establishment in all five terminals in 90 minutes?).

Visas: As Americans, no visas were required for any of our port of calls.

A quick word about cost: As this was a”bucket list” cruise for us, we were prepared to spend more than we normally would (those who follow me know I’m cheaper than a half off fast food value meal and would cruise in a janitor’s closet should one be available for the right price). However, even needing two cabins (since I would be sharing with my mom and my husband with my son), we spent far less than we have on certain itineraries sailing from domestic ports. All in, including flights, transfers, and excursions, we spent around $3,000 per person for a 16-night bucket-list itinerary over Christmas and New Year’s (which are always priced higher). We received several price drops as our final payment date approached, so be sure to always watch prices and call your agent or NCL if they drop.

A note on the weather: While we had a few very warm port days, the weather overall was cool to downright freezing so I’d suggest packing very few warm weather clothing pieces and prioritize cold weather clothing and gear (you WILL need coats, hats, gloves, etc).

Day 1: Embarkation Day

For us, it was about 15 total hours in the air from Seattle to Buenos Aires, not counting time spent waiting in airports. And guess how many of those hours my kid slept? Zero. Well no, he did finally fall into blissful and unwakeable slumber literally 10 minutes before our wheels touched down in Buenos Aires and was heavier than a dead elephant to drag off the plane.

Our NCL bus transfers were easy and although our embarkation terminal changed at the last minute due to storm damage at our original location, we made it onboard the Star without any major issues. Our first day was spent settling into our cabins, making a few reservations, and exploring the ship. And, for me, eating like I hadn’t just told myself to “take it easy, you have 16 days to try everything.”

Here’s a tour of our inside cabin and a bonus tour of my in-laws club balcony cabin:

Montevideo, Uruguay was the first port of call on our 16-night South America/Antarctica itinerary on the Norwegian Star.  We booked a private city tour (Highlights of Montevideo) through Shore Excursions Group.  We saved significant money by both booking privately and purchasing a package deal that included four excursions at four different ports.  I strongly recommend avoiding cruise ship excursions if you’re comfortable doing so – they’re crowded, overpriced, and often not that great.  

Anyway, on our tour we visited Old Town, Independence Square, the Mausoleum of General Artigas, Parliament Palace, Mercado Agricola Montevideo (an iron-built indoor market), Battle Park, the La Carreta statue (a bronze monument depicting oxen pulling a covered wagon), the Estadio Centenario soccer stadium, and Pocitos Beach. It was a decent tour, but much of the commentary was in Spanish, so we didn’t learn as much as we’d hoped. 

Also, don’t hate me, but it’s summer here and being from Seattle where our summer temps are mild, the sun and high 70’s we experienced today had us sprinting toward the ship pool like we were in flames.  Lol.

Tonight we dined at La Cucina, the Italian specialty restaurants on the Star.  I have good news for my regular followers who hate it when I cruise solo because they only see the vegetarian options – there  are four non-rabbits on this sailing with me who only get mildly annoyed when I yell at them mid bite to “spit that out so I can take a photo!” Here’s the menu:

And here’s what we ordered:

Day 3: Sea Day

Merry Christmas Eve from the Norwegian Star.  I spent most of this first sea day channeling my best 10 (almost 11) year-old.  My kid’s had a bit of trouble making friends due to language barriers, so despite having three grandparents onboard (whom I adore, but also invited primarily so I wouldn’t have to supervise or entertain my kid), I hung out with him pretty much all day (with the exception of a penguin lecture I attended with my mom), because either I’m super fun or a sucker or have mom guilt (normally I would have ditched him, but it was Christmas Eve).  

Thankfully he eats a LOT of ice cream, which I also enjoy.  But that’s pretty much where our interests diverge.  If I were cruising solo I guarantee you wouldn’t find me spending 21/24 hours at the arcade with the remaining 3 spent shouting out numbers at Deal or No Deal, golfing, and peeing due to all the Fanta I’d drunk (it would be due to martinis).  

Anyway, we’re off to Christmas Eve dinner (no special Christmas Eve menu in the MDR on NCL – just the regular night 3 menu), to a Christmas sing-a-long (there’s been a real shortage of holiday activities so far), and then to our cabins where we’ll attempt to stay up all night to catch a glimpse of the jolly man, but will likely be out cold by 9:30pm. 

Tonight’s dinner menu in the MDR:

And here’s what we ordered:

Merry Christmas!  Today at port in Puerto Madryn, Argentina we traveled two hours to the largest penguin colony in South America.  Punta Tombo is home to over a million magellanic penguins during the breeding season lasting from roughly September to April.  While this was one of the most spectacular things I’ve seen on a cruise, I was a little disappointed that none of the penguins were wearing top hats and bow ties in honor of Christmas. Still, I’d highly (HIGHLY) recommend this tour, booked privately through Shore Excursions Group.

Additional wildlife we saw in Madryn/Punta Tombo (normally we’d lose our minds for both of these, but the penguins upstaged them). The llama looking thing is not a fictional character invented in the weird, rhyming mind of a children’s book author, it’s a guanaco, a wild llama.  

We ate Christmas dinner in the MDR. Here’s a link to the special menu we enjoyed along with photos of what we ordered:

NCL Christmas Dinner Menu

Day 5: Sea Day

Today was our second “relaxing” day at sea.  I got demolished by a 10-year-old at Alice and Wonderland chess (have 5-6 martinis before playing giant deck chess for a similar effect), ping-pong, and shuffleboard and competed in “Complete Opposites” where I lost the game for my family when I couldn’t say the complete alphabet backwards. Remind me to add Xanax to my packing list the next time I cruise with these people! 

Tonight we dined at Ginza, the complimentary Asian restaurant on the Star.  The food was tasty and it was a nice change from the MDR and buffet, but my favorite thing about it was the Wasabi cocktail (which isn’t at all what you’d expect- it’s a super sweet martini).  Seriously, I’ll fight anyone who doesn’t agree that it’s the best cocktail at sea, across any line. Anyway, here’s what we ordered:

Day 6: Punta Arenas, Chili (Cancelled)

My morning routine has been to hit the gym as soon as it opens at 5am.  If you’re going to be impressed, do so now before I tell you that I mostly just sit on a spin bike while binging The Crown on my iPad.  Then I hit O’Sheehan’s for my 1st of three breakfasts.  O’Sheehans is a complimentary 24 hour pub on the Star serving breakfast, lunch/dinner, and late night fare.  Here’s the breakfast menu along with some food pics:

“Everything is beautiful and I am so sad. This is how the heart makes a duet of wonder and grief. The light spraying through the lace of the fern is as delicate as the fibers of memory forming their web around the knot in my throat. The breeze makes the birds move from branch to branch as this ache makes me look for those l’ve lost in the next room, in the next song, in the laugh of the next stranger. In the very center, under it all, what we have that no one can take away and all that we’ve lost face each other. It is there that I’m adrift, feeling punctured by a holiness that exists inside everything. I am so sad and everything is beautiful.” -Adrift by Mark Nepo

Today marks the 13th anniversary of my beloved dad’s death from cancer.  I woke up to this sunrise and missed him so acutely, heartbroken that he isn’t here to see it, that he’s missed so much.  Everything is beautiful and I am so sad.  

Much like my emotions today, up and down, were the ocean swells, necessitating that we cancel our scheduled port of call in Punta Arenas, Chili (meaning we wouldn’t be visiting Chili at all on this sailing – I guess a good excuse to book another South America cruise).  We made the most of an extra sea day by playing “Cards Against Humanity” (thankfully most of our fellow cruisers don’t speak English or they might have really questioned the appropriateness of our lunchtime conversation) and taking in the views (from indoors) of the Chilean fjords.

At dinner we had a Diet Coke toast in honor of my dad (that was his favorite beverage) and I’m writing this from the bathtub in my in-laws club balcony cabin where I chuckled at the memory of my dad cutting a hole in the wall of his bathroom so he could watch his Sunday morning political shows from the bath.  Up and down with barf bags at the ready, full of sorrow and love and a deep appreciation of this beautiful planet I’ve been so privileged to experience so much of, thankful for the touching words of support I’ve received from so many of you today, I’m signing off for now, eager and hopeful for tomorrow. 

Tonight’s dinner in the MDR:

We spent today exploring Tierra del Fuego National Park near Ushuaia (also known as “The End of the World”). You’ll notice the extreme change in temperature this far south – we’ve gone from shorts to parkas in just a few days.

We’re docked in Ushuaia for a second day.  And what a day it’s been!  Mr Cruise and I are celebrating “keeping a human alive for 11 years with minimal trauma day” and we spent the morning observing prolific wildlife (thousands of penguins and dozens of sea lions were the highlights) as we sailed aboard a catamaran through the Beagle Channel (via a private tour booked through Shore Excursions Group). We died. Dead. Gone.

Tonight we’re off to Teppanyaki to celebrate Mr Cruise and I (and the 11th birthday of the best cruising buddy a gal could ask for!  Join me in wishing H a happy 11th!). 

So, Teppanyaki.  Eating at a Japanese hibachi grill in South America with a Filipino chef.  Go figure. But what I really couldn’t get past was the fact that my son ordered fruit for his birthday dessert. FRUIT!  So while everyone else in my family was sharing memories of my son’s birth 11 year ago, I was questioning whether the whole thing even happened.  Like, “how could you possibly be my child?!?” Anyway, I tried to pause my existential questioning long enough to enjoy the show and my meal, which was ok, but nothing special (note to vegetarians that the miso soup and the mustard sauce are not vegetarian – I really wish NCL made better use of food labels to make it easier for those with dietary restrictions).  Here’s what we ordered along with a few action shots and the menu:

Day 9: Sea Day

Today we entered the infamous Drake Passage en route to Antarctica.  While swells were high at times, it turned out 200 seasick patches and a ginger drip were overkill and by late afternoon seas calmed enough for me to enjoy a lovely (albeit brisk) evening walk on the promenade deck.  During our day at sea mom and I enjoyed two fascinating lectures by two of the four onboard naturalists – one on early Antarctic exploration and one on the Southern Ocean.

We ate lunch and dinner in the MDR and my kid, once again, destroyed me at chess.  We spotted our first enormous iceberg, which dwarfed the bergs we’re used to seeing in Alaska.  

Regarding lunch in the MDR, it appears there are 3 different lunch menus that rotate on longer itineraries.  Here was today’s and what we ordered (and didn’t order, but received anyway):

Mom ordered the peanut butter cup cheesecake, but was told for the 2nd time that it wasn’t available and had been replaced by the lava cake.  I ordered the mocha pot de crème and the raspberry panna cotta, but also received the chocolate lava cake. That’s okay, I gobbled it up and felt justified heading up to the buffet for mocha cake and Victoria cake and some pistachio ice cream.

Here’s what we ordered for dinner in the MDR:

Today we arrive in Antarctica where we will spend the day sailing Gerlache Strait, Paradise Bay, and the Danco Coast.  I’m almost too excited to eat 3 breakfasts this morning. Almost…

Later . We’ve arrived in Antarctica and I’ve made another dramatic slash though one of the few remaining items on my bucket list: seeing penguins on ice (while hard to capture in photos, the little black dots on the iceberg below are penguins and could be seen clearly through binoculars).

Today we visited the Gerlache Strait, Paradise Bay, and the Danco Coast where we viewed towering ice and snow covered peaks, glaciers, and enormous icebergs.  In terms of wildlife, we spotted at least a dozen humpback whales, orcas, gentoo penguins both swimming and chilling on icebergs, and other varieties of sea birds.  Weather conditions have been perfect – clear with partial sun and almost no wind. What a magnificent end to 2023 (good luck 2024, this is going to be hard to top!).

Tonight we enjoyed a special New Year’s Eve dinner menu in the MDR.  Here’s a link to the menu and photos of what we ordered:

NCL New Year’s Eve Menu

Ringing in the new year at sea!  Those who saw the Instagram video I posted of the New Year’s countdown and balloon drop in the ship’s atrium were impressed with my ability to stay up so many hours past my typical bedtime of 9pm.  I embraced their praise while failing to mention that I set my alarm for 11:45pm and was returned to blissful slumber by 12:15am.  But during that 30 minutes, I learned a lot about what goes on on a cruise ship in the wee hours.  Lots of drinking (complimentary champagne was provided), dancing, boisterous merriment, and cranky, over-tired children.  If it’s all the same to you, I prefer sleep. Lol. 

After hitting the gym, I took a two hour nap to make up for my 30 minutes of New Year’s partying (which consisted of snapping one selfie of mom and I where we tried to look alert and then watching the balloon drop before calling it a night).  

Then we attended a fascinating lecture about Shackleton to provide some context for our visit to Elephant Island later in the afternoon.  And while seeing the sight where Shackleton’s crew survived for four months before being rescued, fin whales stole the show today.  Off the shores of Elephant Island, upwards of 50 fin whales surrounded our ship to feed, many getting so close you could see them under the water before they came up for air.  

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Prof Cruise (@profcruise)

It was a surreal and magical experience.  We also saw hundreds of thousands of penguins swimming, on icebergs, and in colonies on the shores of Elephant Island and many species of sea birds.  After today I’d answer the question, “is large ship cruising to Antarctica worth it?” with an emphatic YES! 

As far as dining, we lunched in the MDR and ate dinner, for a second time, at La Cucina.  Here was the lunch menu along with what we ordered:

Day 12: Sea Day

While I sprint through casinos with the speed of a cheetah on uppers, my husband and in-laws have spent a good deal of time there on this long sailing and have reported that it’s remained surprisingly uncrowned. That was until last night when almost no one could believe the incredible luck we had on our return trip through the Drake Passage, famous (infamous?) on YouTube for large puke-inducing swells and strong wind. The seas remained calm all day with almost no wind and all outdoor decks (including the wraparound promenade deck) stayed open.  So last night hordes flocked to the casino hoping to cash in on favorable luck.  Heck, I even tried my luck before losing a nickel and vowing never to do anything so reckless again. Lol.  

Anyway, before my devastating loss of the cost of 1/4000th of a cruise (which is how I measure every financial transaction), I attended two fascinating lectures given by our expedition (naturalist) team on continental drift and the natural history of the Falkland Islands (which we’re visiting next), ate every hour or so followed by a short promenade deck walk to justify eating again, and enjoyed a “Broadway Cabaret” performance in the Bliss Lounge by our production show cast.  

At 8pm, I was hit with an overwhelming craving for vegetable fried rice which, at home in Seattle would result in approximately $40 dollars in delivery fees plus the (exorbitant) cost of the actual rice.  But I just hit up Ginza for a full service meal of rice and tapioca pudding for a total cost of $0.  Oh cruising, how I love you.

Our luck continued today as we anchored near Stanley in the Falkland Islands and tendered to town (this port is frequently missed due to wind and large swells) where we enjoyed partial sun, temperatures in the high 50’s/low 60’s, and no wind.  We paid $20 each to take a bus a few miles outside of Stanley to an area called “Gypsy Cove.”  There we split into two groups with H and I heading out on a small, less groomed trail to the right in search of an adventure.  We came across a wildlife warden who said she could grant us access to a vast, pristine white sand beach if we went through a process of sanitizing our shoes to prevent any contamination of the fragile ecosystem of the area.  

Once on the beach, which we had almost completely to ourselves, we spent hours running up and sliding down giant sand dunes, looking for interesting shells and bones and wildlife, making sand angels, and laughing and talking and running on the beach.  While it’s been wonderful having all the grandparents with us this year, I treasured some one-on-one time with my guy.

Later we met back up with Mr Cruise where we completed a loop trail around Gypsy Cove taking in sweeping vistas and observing dozens of penguins (including our first king penguin) and other sea birds.  We even spotted our ship in the distance and snapped some great photos of her.  

But H’s favorite part of the day (and mine too if I’m being honest) was when a penguin waddled out from his burrow a few feet from us, looked right at us, then turned around to face his butt in our direction and projectile pooped before waddling right back into his burrow.  I feel that way about humans sometimes too, buddy!  

It was another magical day, one many wouldn’t picture when thinking of cruising (it really IS possible to avoid crowded touristy areas, Diamonds International, and overpriced, poor quality excursions). Book a cruise and go on an adventure! 

Dinner. Here’s what our table for six looked like at Cagney’s (NCL’s steakhouse) tonight: three colossal porterhouse steaks next to two plates of all veggie sides (my son and I are vegetarians), and one petite filet.  It was sort of like a three bears situation: too much meat, too little meat, and one juuuuuust right.  I went harder than anyone for the towering chocolate cake though, lest you accuse me of being stodgy and healthy.  

We used three Platinum vouchers to pay for our meal (on NCL, those at the Platinum loyalty level and above get two free meals at specialty restaurants, with one including a complimentary bottle of wine).  It was a fabulous dinner all around, but I’d have keeled over dead had I been expected to pay retail for it (our total bill including the 3 bottles of wine came to nearly $800 and it was soooo satisfying to see it all zeroed out).  Here are photos of what we ordered:

Day 14: Sea Day

Forgive me for striking a more somber tone for today’s post, but life (and cruising) isn’t always puppies and apple pie (and buffet crepes and sunset promenade deck walks).  Yesterday I attended the last of the formal lectures presented by our expedition (naturalist) team.  The first one was about the race to the pole between Great Britain and Norway and included two teams consisting of audience members representing the two countries in a game of trivia.  It was light and informative and fun (puppies and apple pie).  The second lecture addressed melting ice and the effects on global animal and human populations and while not entirely void of hope, offered a stark picture of the future of this wildly beautiful and fragile place we all share, that connects us, that every human will pass down to future generations.  

Two things struck me.  First, how impactful travel can be (even cruise travel which many criticize as not being immersive enough) at transforming abstract concepts and places and problems and stories we read about in articles and see in images into something that deeply resonates with us – that we can’t ignore or downplay or justify.  We’ve breathed in the air, we’ve broken bread with the people, we’ve touched a place and been touched by it.   Now we feel like we have a stake in it, so we’re more likely to act in ways to protect it.  

And second, as I watched my son marvel at dozens of fin whales feeding on krill and penguins floating by on an iceberg and ice sheets that dwarf the skyscrapers we see from our windows in downtown Seattle, I ached wondering if he’ll have these same experiences with his own children and grandchildren or if, by then, it will all be gone.  But then I returned to hope.  Hope that we can be the best version of ourselves as humans.  That we can blur the many lines that divide us and come together to do the difficult, but possible work that needs to be done to save this place.  I cling to the hope that one day my son will put his arm around his grandchild as they watch in awe at the ice and the whales and the penguins that remain because our generation fought to protect the magic of this place, this wild, beautiful, fragile planet.  For us, but mostly for them. 

Dinner at O’Sheehans (complimentary 24 hour pub serving breakfast, lunch/dinner, and late night fare):

Day 15: Sea Day

Today was our final “relaxing day at sea” and now that my kid has finally decided I’m not cool enough to hang with, it actually *was* relaxing.  I walked, I ate, I ate, I ate, I ate.  Then at 10am I attended a Q and A session with our expedition (naturalist team) where I was too chicken to ask what I really wanted to know: how can I score a gig as a cruise ship Antarctica naturalist with zero credentials or qualifications.  

Thankfully mine was the only dumb question and it was a fascinating and entertaining session.  Kudos to NCL for bringing on such a brilliant and engaging team of scientists – they really added tremendously to the experience.

MDR dinner:

Note that, despite looking like a severed limb, the black cherry strudel with vanilla ice cream was delicious.

Today we took a 2 hour bike tour in our last port of call, Punta del Este, Uruguay (booked privately through Shore Excursions group).  At this point my body is like, “pick a season, woman!” Hot, literal ice sheets, and back to hot. Lol. We enjoyed our tour and the city, known as the Monte Carlo of South America, but because this was a tender port, we had to wait over an hour past our stated meeting time for everyone booked on the tour to arrive from the ship (we had priority due to our Platinum loyalty status, but those who used tender tickets had a much longer wait to get off).  My advice if you’re going to book a private tour in Punta del Este is to book something later in the morning or afternoon (ours was scheduled for 9am). 

Back to Buenos Aires tomorrow where we have a final tour and airport transfer booked through NCL, then home. Mr. Cruise is worried Henry (our dog) has forgotten him and is bringing him two South American beef sticks (like he’s going to inquire who or where they’re from before inhaling them). Ha!

Day 17: Debarkation, Buenos Aires

Cry for me Argentina, the truth is I’ve left you. On our last day in South America, we visited many significant sights around Buenos Aires including La Recoleta Cemetery where Evita is buried (I find death terrifying, but death *rituals* fascinating).  

We also explored the colorful, artsy La Boca neighborhood which stood in contrast to the French architecture seen in much of the city.  

We booked this tour through NCL and it included a delicious buffet lunch with wine and an airport transfer.  While I normally avoid cruise ship excursions, this one was well worth the money (especially with the $50 excursion discount we received as part of our fare). 

All Good Things Must Come to an End

A challenging final leg of air travel plus two positive Covid tests (Mr. Cruise and I – everyone else in our group is negative so far) appears to be the universe reminding me that spectacular days only exist because of the mundane and hard ones.  So after 16 spectacular days at sea, we’ll use this time in isolation to reflect, be grateful, and plan our next adventure!  

Norwegian Star Ship Tour

Here’s a comprehensive, fully narrated tour of the NCL Star (don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel):

A Brief Norwegian Star Review

If you prefer your ships like I prefer desserts (HUGE with lots of frosting and sprinkles), you might find the size and amenities on the Star lacking. However, I prefer smaller ships, so I found the Star suited me well (and even if it didn’t, this cruise was all about the itinerary and I’d book it again even if I hadn’t loved the ship).

Things I loved about the Norwegian Star:

• Size and layout (with the exception deck 6 which was tricky to navigate due to one of the MDR’s being plopped down right in the middle of it).
• Complimentary dining venues: We loved having O’Sheehan’s and Ginza onboard in addition to the MDR’s and buffet.
• Food quality. There were some misses, but overall the food quality was quite good. We especially loved the made-to-order soup station, cheese board, crepes, and cobblers on the buffet and the hard ice cream available at Topsiders (or on the buffet when it’s too cold outside).
• Lectures. I loved the lectures provided by our 4 person expedition/naturalist team. I wish every NCL sailing included this.
• Good gym hours: 5am-9pm.
• Promenade deck. The Star has a wraparound outdoor promenade deck (deck 7) which I enjoyed walking around to take in the views or work off 1/10,000th of the calories I consumed each day.
• Arcade, sport court, golf cage, deck games. While my kid never attended the kid’s club, he loved using his arcade pass for unlimited arcade games and enjoyed the sport court, golf cage, and variety of deck games. He really missed having water slides (they were removed from the Star a few years ago), but there were enough other activities to mostly keep him entertained.

Things I didn’t love about the Norwegian Star:

• Music in the atrium. Most of musicians who performed in the atrium were positioned on deck 8 above the coffee shop, meaning you couldn’t see them from the atrium. Why bother having live musicians if you can’t actually watch them?
• No observation lounge. The Star does not have large forward facing observation lounge like most other NCL (and non-NCL) ships.
• Hot gym. So many areas of the ship were chilly, but for some reason the gym (the one place you want chilly) was HOT.
• Entertainment/activities. NCL continues to miss the mark when it comes to activities and entertainment on smaller ships (I love the broadway shows on the large ships). I’d say around 80% of activities were revenue-generating things like bingo, Deal or No Deal, or other events sponsored by the shops, spa, or casino that aren’t very interesting and are mostly designed to get you to buy stuff you don’t want or need. And for the first time ever, I didn’t attend a single evening show in the theater – I’d either seen the shows many times before or they just didn’t sound that great. A few nights there was just a movie shown in the theater (although there were no afternoon movies on sea days which would have actually been appreciated).
• Only one pool shared by kids and adults. Ours was mostly a cool weather itinerary, but on the warm days the pool was VERY crowded with kids and adults.
• Lack of food labels and limited vegetarian options. At this point NCL is the least vegetarian-friendly line I sail. Several restaurants don’t have a single vegetarian entree and lack of food labels at the buffet and several restaurants makes eating vegetarian (or gluten, dairy, or sugar free) challenging.
• Very slow dinner service in the MDR.
• Overworked cabin stewards and no turndown service. Our steward had so many cabins to clean, often ours wasn’t completed until well into the evening. He was extremely positive and friendly, but the level of service just wasn’t comparable to other lines (no evening turndown service, we asked for extra towels and never received them, etc).

More Information about the Excursions we Booked

For those who want more information about the exact excursions we booked, I have included the full name, description, and cost below. All were booked privately through Shore Excursions Group except for the last one in Buenos Aires which we booked through NCL and included an airport transfer. Note that we booked a 4 excursion package through Shore Excursions Group that included the first four tours below for $411 per person (I have also included the a la carte price for each tour).

December 23: Montevideo, Uruguay Highlights of Montevideo $50.00

Experience personal attention, away from the large group tours offered by the cruise lines, when you book the Highlights of Montevideo City tour. This comprehensive tour includes visiting the Old Town (Ciudad Vieja), Port Market, Parliament Palace and much more. 

Begin directly at the pier and board your comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle and be provided with excellent local, knowledgeable guides. The eclectic city of Montevideo is also the capital of Uruguay and the 8th city on the 2013 MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index for Latin America. 

Your first stop is in the historic Old Town, where you can view beautiful buildings from colonial times. The old part of the town is held by Spanish military fortifications whose stone walls set the boundaries of the fortified San Felipe y Santiago city by the guarded fortress named Ciudadela. See also the Solis Theatre, The Cabildo, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Museo Torres Garcia and other museums. There are also many galleries, cafes and antique shops in the area. 

Next you will see Plaza Independencia (Independence Square) close to the city center. On this square you will see the statue and the Mausoleum of General Artigas, a Uruguayan national hero. Also view the Presidential offices, Palacio Estevez, Palacio Salvo and the Ciudadela Gate. Continuing you will see the Parliament Palace, inaugurated in 1925. The symbolism and neoclassical architectural style represents the democratic values of the country. 

From the Parliament area, you will take a scenic ride to Mercado Agricola Montevideo (MAM), one of the last iron-built markets in the Montevideo. What began as a humble fruit and vegetable stand in 1913 has since expanded twice into a shopping mall a city block in length offering a variety of goods. You will find today there are still vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables. In 2006 the building was refurbished and helped to revitalize the entire neighborhood. 

After your introduction to some of the history of Montevideo you will next travel to the Obelisco De Los Constituyentes. This bronze and granite obelisk was inaugurated in 1938 as a tribute to the writers of the nation’s first constitution, dating to 1830. The sculptor of this work of art is the famous Jose Luis Zorrilla de San Martin. 

Continue to the area named Parque Batlle, or Battle Park, where you can stroll through the largest public park and green space in the city. While here, pause at La Carreta, a stunning bronze monument depicting oxen pulling a covered wagon that was created in 1934 by Jose Belloni. Next to the monument you will also see the famous Estadio Centenario, the soccer stadium inaugurated in 1930 for the World Cup in which Uruguay was victorious. On July 18, 1983 it was declared by FIFA as a World Football Historical Monument, being the only construction of its kind in the world. 

Buceo neighborhood gives you the chance to see the naval combat of 1814 that was fought with the victory of Admiral Guillermo Brown that marked an important moment in the wars for independence for South America. You will be able to appreciate the building of the Damaso Antonio Larranaga Zoological Museum, known today as the Oceanographic Museum, built in 1925 with its Arab style that was originally built as Cafe Morisco. Later make your way to the beautiful sands of Pocitos Beach and pose for a photo at the Montevideo sign. Admire the picturesque view from here as you look upon Pocitos Bay. 

Conclude your tour traveling to the Punta Carretas neighborhood and make a stop at the 62-foot tall Punta Brava Lighthouse, also known as the Punta Carretas Lighthouse. If time allows you may be able to enter the lighthouse and climb to the top if you like. 

Make a stop for a brief look at the Port Market, (Mercado del Puerto) and admire the iron structure that was built in Liverpool. At present, this area is one of the most typical gastronomic centers of the city where locals and visitors can taste the delicious Uruguayan meat which is cooked on the big barbecues. A great number of artists also perform in the surrounding area turning the streets into large theaters. Return along the River Plate enjoying city views back to port area and your ship. 

December 25: Puerto Madryn, Argentina Exclusive Punta Tombo Penguins $179.00

A half-million Magellanic penguins are waiting for you in Punta Tombo, South America’s largest penguin colony.

This tour begins with a two-hour drive to the Punta Tombo peninsula in the Argentinean province of Chubut. There you will find hundreds of thousands of Magellanic penguins. The two-mile-long, 1,969-feet-wide peninsula is covered with sand, clay, and gravel.

Between September and April, a large number of Magellanic penguins come to this site to incubate their eggs and prepare their offspring for migration – the largest such colony in South America. Couples stand in front of their nests, protecting the eggs from birds and other predators, and occasionally one adult goes to the sea for food.

Other wildlife encountered in the area includes sea birds (mainly seagulls, chimangos and cormorants), rheas and guanacos.

As you walk along the trail inhabited by penguins on both sides, you will be able to observe the different phases of these birds’ lives. Because of the proximity of the path to the nests, visitors may enjoy and learn from the penguin behavior. The path has benches for visitors to be able to rest and enjoy the view in this isolated place, far from towns and free of human interventions in the landscape.

After this once-in-a-lifetime experience, the tour returns to Puerto Madryn and your ship.

Please note: The length of your stay at the Punta Tombo will be determined by the tour guide according to the ship’s sailing time and following the circulation policies imposed by the reserve administration (usually no more than 90-100 minutes per group).

December 27: Punta Arenas, Chile Exclusive Highlights of Punta Arenas $75.00

Punta Arenas in Chile is the first human settlement that has remained permanently in Austral Patagonia. Now that’s something truly special.

Discover the special charm of this extreme town, formed from the contribution of different cultures that left a deep impression full of rich history and traditions. Today, its citizens are primarily descendants of immigrants from Croatia, Spain, Italy, Germany, England and the Isle of Chiloe in southern Chile.

Punta Arenas (“Sandy Point”) is a commune and the capital city of Chile’s southernmost region, Magallanes and Antarctica Chilena, and has a population of just under 120,000. The city was officially renamed Magallanes in 1927, but in 1938 it was changed back to Punta Arenas. It is the largest city below the southern 46th parallel. Sitting by the Strait of Magellan, Punta Arenas was in the past indisputably considered the world’s southernmost city.

The Punta Arenas Highlights Tour will take you to Cerro Mirador, where you can get a panoramic view of the city and the strait. You will also visit the ãoz Gamero Square, surrounded by mansions from the times of the great cattle traders, and the Magellan Monument, represented with a group of natives (Onas) surrounding it on its base.

You will also have the opportunity to visit the Maggiorino Borgatello Museum. Founded by Salesian missionaries, the museum provides a comprehensive overview of the region’s history, flora and fauna, and the habitat of its indigenous people.

The Punta Arenas tour concludes with a stop on the main square before returning to the port and your ship.

December 28: Ushuaia, Argentina Tierra del Fuego National Park $129.00

Inside Tierra del Fuego National Park, you’ll discover the beautiful rivers, peat bogs, and animals that call Panoramic Point, Lago Roca Lake, and Lapataia Bay home. Book this Ushuaia tour of Tierra del Fuego now for an informative and scenic adventure at a low price.

After a ten-mile drive west of Ushuaia, your professional guide will lead you across the valley from the Pipo River, arriving at Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire) National Park. This 150,000-acre park, established in 1960, extends from the Beagle Channel in the south, along the Chilean border, to Lago Fagnano Lake in the north.

While the vast majority of the park is virtually untouched, there are sections of the forest that were exposed to fire in the past. Today, these sections appear almost ghost-like in contrast against the backdrop of lush green vegetation.

You’ll see Panoramic Point, Lago Roca lake, and Lapataia Bay, which remain in the same state when observed in 1833 by explorer Charles Darwin aboard the British ship HMS Beagle.

December 29: Ushuaia, Argentina Beagle Channel by Catamaran $69.00

A well-equipped catamaran navigates picturesque Beagle Channel with you and other fortunate guests. Passing Isla de Los Pajaros (Bird Island), you’ll see various species of water birds. The catamaran will then cruise around Isla de Los Lobos (Sea Wolves Island), home to a large number of seals and sea lions. Book this Ushuaia tour now for an incredible Argentine experience at a low price.

The waterways of the Beagle Channel form a strait in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago. An English-speaking guide will narrate the adventure as your licensed captain sails along to the Bird Island. This Provincial Reserve protects various species of water birds of high biological value, namely the Black-browed Albatross, Steam Ducks, and Gray Gaviotas.

As stunning rock formations and mountain peaks loom in the background, you’ll cruise on to Sea Wolves Island, a stone outcrop home to a huge number of seals and sea lions, which can be seen hunting, playing, and resting.

While temperatures can be low during this quest, the catamaran is equipped with an enclosed area for your viewing pleasure. Book this Tierra del Fuego tour now for your next great shore excursion.

January 6: Punta del Este, Uruguay Bike Punta del Este $65.00

Take this Uruguay, Punta del Este guided bicycle tour and you’ll agree: few places can boast the beauty, natural and man-made, that Punta del Este offers.

Few resorts in South America rival Punta del Este for glamour. It might be geographically located in Uruguay, but it’s where the glitterati and elite of Buenos Aires make their homes for the summer. This beautiful Uruguayan resort area has become an exquisite place to see.

On this tour you will enjoy a bike ride on flat areas that demand a low level of strength. Your guide will provide you with all the necessary equipment, including reflective vests for your safety. You will be guided along safe paths and visit Mansa Beach, where sea lions can be observed. You will also see the city’s symbolic lighthouse, which dates back to 1860. The lighthouse is 147 feet tall, and the crystal panels that are part of its illumination system were brought from France.

Another highlight of the tour is the church Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria, a beautiful sky-blue and white Victorian structure.

Other points of interest are: the Four Seas point, Punta Salina (where the famous and only navy battle of River Plate between German and British ships took place), English beach, Emir beach, Punta Vapor (where the first mass was held in 1516), and the famous monument known as “The Hand.”

Guests will be able to stop along the way at every attraction to allow for photo opportunities. Punta del Este’s charm, nature, well-kept gardens adorned with colorful flowers, and the Atlantic Ocean’s beautiful sandy beaches make it a perfect location for a smooth bike ride.

Please Note: This tour operates rain or shine; except in cases where a yellow alert/thunderstorm warning is issued.

January 6: Punta del Este, Uruguay Punta del Este Highlights $55.00

The picturesque seaside city of Punta del Este in the Maldonado Department is fast becoming the Monte Carlo of South America.

Make like a local as you experience every corner of this majestic area, from its sandy beaches to busy city streets. Head to the 45-meter-high lighthouse, built in 1860 with volcanic sand from Rome.

Stroll past upscale shops and restaurants along the famed Avenida Gorlero and peruse the local handicrafts while at Plaza Artigas.

You’ll go across La Barra Bridge and experience the sensation of driving over the famous wave-like bridges. Created by Leonel Viera in 1965, this bridge served to expand the area of Punta del Este and helped pioneer the design of concrete segment bridges of this kind.

On this tour you will also see gleaming yachts at the Port, Brava Beach coast, stunning homes of the rich and famous in residential districts as San Rafael, the romantic Hotel L-Auberge, Beverly Hills, the iconic Casa Pueblo and Carlos Paez Vilaro Museum, and much more including the iconic La Mano sculpture. Throughout your journey your guide will share the history and culture of this popular tourist destination.

January 7: Buenos Aires Buenos Aires Highlights With Transfer (booked through NCL) $119

This tour is a great option for those with flights after 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. who wish to gain a greater understanding of Argentina’s wonderfully cultured capital by visiting a range of neighborhoods and landmarks before being dropped at the airport. 

After departing from the pier, you will head to Recoleta & Palermo to drive around these unique residential neighborhoods while learning about the Porteño’s lifestyle from your local guide. 

Next, you will visit Plaza de Mayo, arguably the country’s most famous square. Its name refers to the revolution that began nearby in May 1810 and led to Argentina’s independence from Spain. Some of the surrounding buildings are just as celebrated, including the salmon-colored executive mansion known as Casa Rosado. You will also see the glorious Metropolitan Cathedral, which is adorned with frescoes and elaborate artwork. 

Then, it’s on to the neighborhood La Boca where you can stroll along El Caminito, a cobblestone street full of expressive brightly colored buildings. La Boca, meaning “the mouth,” was the site of city’s first harbor at the mouth of the Riachuelo River. Some claim the tango originated here around 1870, and tango dancers are often seen performing impromptu in the streets. 

Finally, a traditional Argentine lunch at the Puerto Madero waterfront awaits you, after which you will transfer to the Ezeiza International Airport for your flight home. Arrival at the airport is approximately 2:00 p.m. 

And with that…

Class Dismissed!

Homework (10 points): Ask any questions you have about this itinerary or the Norwegian Star to the comments. OR share any experience you have with either.

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Tags: Antarctica NCL Norwegian Star South America

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12 Responses

• Comments 10
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Thanks so much for the report. Plan to keep checking NCl to see if they will offer it again in 2024 as this is a must see for us. Much appreciated.

So glad I found your post! We sail on Star 2/18. You’ve answered so many of my questions! But I have a couple more! We sail the Chilean Fjords after leaving Punta Arenas (assuming we are the lucky ones and don’t have it cancelled!). All aboard is 4pm. How long will we want to be sightseeing the Fjords? When you sail Paradise Bay how long we will want to be sightseeing…does it last into dinner? It sounded like when we will want to be sightseeing Elephant Island it will just be in the afternoon, correct? Is it mostly over by dinner? Thank you so much!

Hi Christine!

I’m so excited for you! This was among my favorite cruises ever and I hope it is for you too. I wasn’t all that impressed with what we saw of the Chilean Fjords and you definitely won’t miss much if you eat dinner during the time you’re sailing through them. Paradise Bay was all day, but was over by dinner. Elephant Island was in the afternoon and also over by dinner. We eat early and never missed anything due to dinner. Have the best cruise! Please report back with how you liked it!

You obviously picked up on my Dinner Theme! haha. We have specialty restaurants booked and I was worried that we wouldn’t want to eat while there was important sightseeing to be done! I read a post somewhere that mosquitos were terrible! Did you find that to be the case?

Yes! But only in Buenos Aires on debarkation day. We didn’t notice them anywhere else. Definitely pack some bug wipes.

Will d! Thank you!

Hi! Are most of the tours you mentioned walking tours? My sister can’t walk much, so I’m wondering.

The penguin tour required about a mile of total walking, so that one probably wouldn’t be ideal (although you’re on your own and can walk as much or little of the path as you wish – my mom has a bad hip and walked the whole thing). All the other “highlights” and city tours would be just fine. There wasn’t much walking at the stops and some people didn’t get off the bus at all and still enjoyed the tours. Have a fantastic cruise!

This is so exciting, I am thinking of going next year. Were you able to land on Elephant Island? It sounds so wonderful .

No, the larger cruise ships just do “sail arounds” in Antarctica. You’d have to go with one of the smaller expedition ships for a “feet on the ground” experience on Elephant Island. It was still a pretty incredible though! Highly recommended!

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About Prof. Cruise

Given name Sarah, but also answers to Prof. Cruise. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. With a concentration in cruising.  Home port: Seattle.  Mom of a shaggy-haired dog and a shaggy-haired human.  Lover of books and dessert.  Fancies herself a bit of a comedian – you’ve been warned.

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Not so long ago, giant phantom jellyfish were an extremely rare sight, with fewer than 130 known sightings. Then tourists aboard personal submersibles started spotting them near the Antarctic Peninsula.

The submersible rides were part of a Viking Expedition trip. Viking Octantis, a luxury cruise vessel, takes thousands of passengers each year through the icy waters of the Southern Ocean to glimpse penguins, seals, and other wildlife.

All the majestic scenery and cruise ship amenities come with a healthy dose of science and the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge Antarctic research . Trips start at $13,000 for a 13-day cruise.

Searching the deep seas for phantom jellyfish

While scientists started using personal submersibles with increasing frequency in the 1990s and 2000s, Antarctic waters are generally still difficult and expensive to get to. Hopping in one right from Viking's cruise ship makes things a little easier.

And it's novel enough that every trip might lead to something unexpected. "The exciting thing is we can go into the water and say there's a very real chance we might find something that is genuinely new ," Damon Stanwell-Smith, Viking's head of science and sustainability told Business Insider.

Viking's Octantis has two, six-passenger submersibles , which take guests down to depths of nearly 1,000 feet.

It was during three such trips in early 2022 that Viking tourists snapped pictures and took video of the giant phantom jellyfish. A year later, other guests had spotted a handful more, National Geographic reported .

Related stories

First described in 1910, the jellyfish has an umbrella-like body with four ribbony arms, which help trap prey and can grow to over 33 feet each.

Finding the jellyfish has proven difficult in the past, and many mysteries remain about its habits. While they're typically observed in deep water , all the Viking sightings were at less than 1,000 feet deep.

Based on the guests' jellyfish encounters, the ship's researchers published a scientific paper in 2023 in the peer-reviewed journal Polar Research discussing how submersibles can help lead to breakthroughs in Antarctica's under-studied waters .

An expedition ship built for luxury and discovery

In addition to hangers built for subs, the Octantis and its sister ship, Polaris, were designed for many other types of science. There are 380-square-foot laboratories with equipment sophisticated enough for environmental DNA testing .

Stanwell-Smit said this capability is cutting-edge for any research vessel, not a cruise ship. "This is incredibly novel," he said. It lets researchers genetically sequence biological samples right away instead of waiting months for another laboratory to do the work.

The cruise line's commitment to science attracts a certain kind of tourist, which Stanwell-Smith refers to as the "retired professor demographic."

The expedition ships cater to these educated, curious guests by letting them participate in research alongside the nine scientists on every voyage, whether to Antarctica or through the US's Great Lakes.

Guests can listen to expert lectures from the ships' resident wildlife naturalists or provide citizen scientist data about the birds they spot. Or they can get involved in what Stanwell-Smith calls "real science" by assisting on-board geochemists or oceanographers with research .

They can take a sample of phytoplankton, watch a weather balloon launch, or prepare a "bait popsicle" to help with a species-monitoring project.

Prepping the smelly bait is one of the expedition ships' most popular activities, Stanwell-Smith said. "There's a subset of our guests who want to roll up their sleeves, put a lab coat on, and just get really messy," he said.

For those who weren't experts before, Stanwell-Smith thinks the cruise will help them embrace the idea of loving what you know and protecting what you love.

"There is something very visceral about feeling you know something better by having actively done it rather than just watch somebody else or seen it on the screen," he said.

Plus, they might witness something completely new that gets written up in a scientific journal.

Watch: I went shark diving in the middle of Denver, Colorado. It was surreal to see the massive animals in my landlocked state.

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A cruise tour is a voyage and land tour combination, with the land tour occurring before or after the voyage. Unless otherwise noted, optional services such as airfare, airport transfers, shore excursions, land tour excursions, etc. are not included and are available for an additional cost.

South America: Antarctica Cruise

17-night sapphire princess cruise.

From $3,048 per person* Includes government taxes, fees and port expenses of $133 - $134 per person

Princess Cruises

Enjoy an overnight stay in Buenos Aires before departing on a round-trip cruise to Antarctica. Sail around the Antarctic Peninsula with opportunities to see Elephant Island, Deception Island, Gerlache Strait and more.

Included Extras

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Executive Members receive an annual 2% Reward, up to $1,000, on qualified Costco Travel purchases

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Sailing Itinerary

Note: Cruise itineraries are subject to change. Please verify ports and times directly with the cruise line.

Port of Call Port of Call (Arrival, Departure)

Buenos Aires

This fabulous city is renowned for its sophistication, although travelers expecting a more 'South American' experience are sometimes disappointed with its European feel. Argentina is one Latin American country where Europeans and North Americans can feel at ease and travel relatively inconspicuously. An interest in soccer and some nimble foot skills may be all you need to feel like a local.

Punta Arenas

This is Patagonia's largest and most commercially important city. Located on the western side of the Strait of Magellan with a superb port and the only large airport in the area, it is the major hub for boat transport through the strait and research vessels on their way to or from Antarctica. For the visitor, Punta Arenas is better known as the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park, 400 kilometers to the northwest. This unique town grew up on wool and international shipping before the Panama Canal opened. In the late 19th century, huge fortunes made by sheep farming left the city with distinguished mansions, some of them now museums and other monuments. Summer cruise ships from Punta Arenas travel to Antarctica, where Chile claims a sector of the icebound continent. You can also begin a scenic ferry cruise through the Chilean fjords from Puerto Natales, sailing north to Puerto Montt, in the southern mainland lake region.

Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world, on the shores of the Beagle Channel and surrounded by the Martial Mounts. It is the capital of the Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and Southern Atlantic Islands Province, and its superlative location allows you to enjoy sea, mountains and forests at the same time. Besides, it is a great place for shopping: the whole island is a tax free zone, thus you can find lots of imported goods along with regional products.

Antarctic Peninsula

The Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of the mainland of Antarctica, located at the base of the Southern Hemisphere.At the surface, it is the biggest, most prominent peninsula in Antarctica as it extends 1,300 km (810 miles) from a line between Cape Adams (Weddell Sea) and a point on the mainland south of Eklund Islands. Beneath the ice sheet which covers it, the Antarctic Peninsula consists of a string of bedrock islands; these are separated by deep channels whose bottoms lie at depths considerably below current sea level. They are joined together by a grounded ice sheet. Tierra del Fuego, the southernmost tip of South America, lies only about 1,000 km (620 miles) away across the Drake Passage.The Antarctic Peninsula is currently dotted with numerous research stations and nations have made multiple claims of sovereignty. The peninsula is part of disputed and overlapping claims by Argentina, Chile and the United Kingdom. None of these claims have international recognition and, under the Antarctic Treaty System, the respective countries do not attempt to enforce their claims. The British claim is recognised though by Australia, France, New Zealand and Norway. Argentina has the most bases and personnel stationed on the peninsula. The first sighting of Antarctic Peninsula is contested but it apparently occurred in the 1820s. Agreement on this name by the US-ACAN and UK-APC in 1964 resolved a long-standing difference involving use of the American name, Palmer Peninsula, and the British name, Graham Land, for this feature. Graham Land is now restricted to that part of Antarctic Peninsula northward of a line between Cape Jeremy and Cape Agassiz; Palmer Land to the part southward of that line. In Chile, it is oficially referred as O´Higgins Land, after the Chilean patriot and Antarctic visionary. The other Spanish countries call it "Península Antártica", among them is Argentina: it has got more bases and people there than any other nation. The peninsula is highly mountainous, its highest peaks rising to approximately 2,800 metres (9,186 feet). These mountains are considered to be a continuation of the Andes of South America, with a submarine spine connecting the two. Since the peninsula has the mildest climate in Antarctica, the highest concentration of research stations on the continent can be found there, or on the many nearby islands. (Source Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia)

Stanley/Falklands

Stanley is a picturesque town of about 1700 people. Brightly colored wriggly-tin roofs contrast strikingly with the grays and browns of the surrounding hills. The town is named after Lord Stanley, Secretary of State for the Colonies 1841 - 1844. He ordered the main settlement to be removed from Port Louis to the Port Jackson area and Governor Richard Clement Moody completed the move and took up official residence in Stanley on the 15th July 1844. Your first point of call should be the newly completed Jetty Center - situated just off the Public Jetty, this is where you'll get all the information you'll need on what to do, how to get about and where to stay. For anyone interested in history, a visit to Stanley will be a rich and rewarding experience. A maritime history trail around the harbor leads you to famous wrecks. Old stone cottages mingle with wriggly-tin houses - there are the amazing Jubilee Villas - a piece of British Victorian suburbia in the South Atlantic and the Chelsea Pensioners houses in Pioneer row (brought here in the late 1840's). There are also more recent reminders of the conflict in 1982 - Stanley may be small but it is filled with interest. Your visit would not be complete without a visit to the museum in Holdfast Road (so called because it was here on the 14th June 1982 that Maj. Gen. Sir Jeremy Moore ordered his troops to 'hold fast' until he had negotiated the Argentine surrender. The museum is packed with a huge variety of exhibits ranging from an 1896 Symphonium to whalebones. The stated objective of the museum is to present a taste of the many aspects of the Falklands' rich and varied history including Domestic, Maritime, Social, Military and Natural History - it is not to be missed!

Home to almost 50% of the nation's population, Montevideo is a modern metropolis with a historical old town dating back to colonial times. Surrounding the whole city lies an uninterrupted stretch of white sandy beach. Highlights include Ciudad Vieja (Old Town) with its 18th century buildings, the vibrant Mercado del Puerto, and the bustling commercial activity of Avenida 18 de Julio and its cultural offerings (theatres, museums and art galleries)

Onboard the Sapphire Princess

Sapphire Princess

Costco Member Reviews

• Year Built: 2004
• Year Refurbished: 2018

Double Occupancy Capacity: 2674

Swim in one of four sparkling pools, shop the boutiques or get a massage in the Lotus Spa®. Dine casually on pizza and burgers or more elegantly in one of the many formal dining rooms and specialty restaurants. And with nearly 750 balcony staterooms, there's a room with a view for you.

Member reviews become available after at least 5 are received in order to provide you with an accurate picture of this travel product.

Onboard Activities

Activities & services (included in cruise).

Show Lounge

• Disco/Nightclub
• Game Arcade
• Movies Under the Stars®
• Theater/Show Lounge
• Beauty Salon
• Fitness Center
• Fitness Classes
• Miniature Golf
• Pool - Adults Only
• Pool - Children's
• Pool - Outdoor
• Pool - Indoor
• Sports Facilities
• Whirlpool/Jacuzzi
• Art Gallery
• Bars/Lounges
• Children's Indoor Play Area
• Children's Outdoor Play Area
• Educational Classes
• Organized Age Specific Activities
• Teen Center or Disco
• Teen Programs
• Business Center
• Duty-Free Shops/Boutiques
• Infirmary/Medical Center
• Religious Services
• Self-Service Laundromat
• Wedding/Vow Renewal

Activities & Services (available for an extra fee)

• Full-Service Spa
• Spa Services/Massage
• Sauna/Steam Room
• Educational Programs
• Internet Center
• Babysitting
• Dry Cleaning/ Laundry Service

Dining Room

Main Dining

International Dining Room:  After final payment, through the MedallionClass® app, you may request your dining preference with Dine My Way℠. Customize your dining experiences nightly by choosing your seating time, dining companions and dietary needs.

Pacific Moon Dining Room:  After final payment, through the MedallionClass® app, you may request your dining preference with Dine My Way℠. Customize your dining experiences nightly by choosing your seating time, dining companions and dietary needs.

Santa Fe Dining Room:  After final payment, through the MedallionClass® app, you may request your dining preference with Dine My Way℠. Customize your dining experiences nightly by choosing your seating time, dining companions and dietary needs.

Savoy Dining Room:  After final payment, through the MedallionClass® app, you may request your dining preference with Dine My Way℠. Customize your dining experiences nightly by choosing your seating time, dining companions and dietary needs.

Vivaldi Dining Room:  After final payment, through the MedallionClass® app, you may request your dining preference with Dine My Way℠. Customize your dining experiences nightly by choosing your seating time, dining companions and dietary needs.

Specialty Dining

Chef’s Table Experience:  Taking dining to a new level, the Chef’s Table Experience includes pre-dinner cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the galley for you and a limited number of fellow guests. After your executive chef describes the specially designed menu for the night, participants are escorted to an intimate table for the main course, including pairing suggestions. This restaurant is available for an additional cost. Limited capacity, reservations required.

Sabatini's℠:  An upscale authentic Italian dining experience in a remarkable eight-course meal. The menu features both local seafood specialties and other regional favorites. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Sterling Steakhouse℠:  An upscale and more refined approach to the traditional steakhouse, this venue features some of the best, most tender cuts of beef, such as New York and porterhouse, plus a prime rib carving station. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Vines:  Vines boasts an extensive collection of wines, like Opus One, Super Tuscans, fine sparkling wines and regional offerings for purchase. The menu also includes wine flights and a selection of wines by the glass.

Alfredo's Pizzeria

Casual Dining

Alfredo's Pizzeria:  This charming sit-down venue offers an enticing menu of freshly prepared individual-size pizzas along with beer and wines by the glass. The open kitchen design allows you to watch as the chefs create pizza by hand and serve them straight out of the oven.

Chocolate Journeys℠:  There are few foods that inspire as much passion as chocolate, and master chocolatier Norman Love has designed some of the most decadent, hand-crafted treats exclusively for Princess' Chocolate Journeys℠ program. Trained in France, and named the Inaugural Inductee into the Chocolatier Hall of Fame by Dessert Professional Magazine, Chef Love combined premium quality chocolate with unique flavors and artful designs to mastermind his exclusive creations found throughout the ship.

Crafted by Curtis Stone:  In the Main Dining Room, savor fresh new cuisine designed by award-winning Chef Curtis Stone during every voyage. Personal reflections on the menu by Chef Stone elaborate on each "Crafted" selection, prepared with the most authentic ingredients. Be enticed by dishes featuring delicious meats and seafood, fresh produce and vibrant, bold flavors.

Horizon Court:  Horizon Court offers a buffet selection that changes throughout the day to satisfy the most discriminating palate. Indulge in a delightful array of worldwide cuisine, freshly baked breads and regional comfort foods, in a casual setting at breakfast, lunch or dinner. Enjoy fresh fruits, signature pastas and desserts galore along with your favorite beverages and customizable features like create-your-own salads and sandwiches.

International Café:  Open 24 hours a day, the International Café located in the Piazza is the place for an ever-changing array of small bite meals, treats and gourmet beverages. Grab a freshly baked croissant to start your day, snack on pies and quiche or choose from a wide variety of salads and sandwiches at lunchtime, and indulge in decadent desserts in the evening. Coffee and tea fans will love the New Grounds Crafted Coffee menu featuring a variety of specialty espresso-based drinks made from a custom blend of coffee beans, as well as iced tea fusions.

Trident Grill:  Follow your nose to the Trident Grill where the burgers are flipping and the hotdogs roasting, served with a variety of fixin’s and crisp fries. Veggie burgers, bratwurst and grilled chicken breast are also served and all are sure to hit the spot when you are relaxing out on deck.

Room Service:  Call for room service delivery or order through OceanNow® in the Princess® MedallionClass® app at any time of the day or night. Guests with the latest Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages enjoy OceanNow® and room service delivery with no charge. Otherwise, a one-time access fee of $14.99 per person per voyage will apply for OceanNow® delivery and a $5 room service fee will apply for each order placed by stateroom phone. To order, guests can press the "Room Service" button on their stateroom phone, or order through OceanNow®.

Disclaimer regarding ship dining

Inside Stateroom

Ocean view stateroom, balcony stateroom, suite stateroom.

Staterooms feature a refrigerator, spacious closet and bathroom with shower.

Interior (Category: IA)

Category: IA Approximately 168 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: IB)

Category: IB Approximately 168 to 182 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: IC)

Category: IC Approximately 168 to 182 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: ID)

Category: ID Approximately 168 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: IE)

Category: IE Approximately 168 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: IF)

Category: IF Approximately 168 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Nicely-appointed staterooms feature a picture window, spacious closet and bathroom with shower.

Premium Oceanview (Category: O5)

Category: O5 Approximately 200 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a forward-facing cabin for memorable views.

Oceanview (Category: OC)

Category: OC Approximately 183 to 194 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window for memorable views.

Oceanview (Category: OF)

Category: OF Approximately 183 to 194 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window for memorable views.

Oceanview (obstructed view) (Category: OV)

Category: OV Approximately 183 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window with an obstructed view.

Oceanview (obstructed view) (Category: OW)

Category: OW Approximately 183 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window with an obstructed view.

Oceanview (obstructed view) (Category: OY)

Category: OY Approximately 183 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window with an obstructed view.

Oceanview (obstructed view) (Category: OZ)

Category: OZ Approximately 183 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window with an obstructed view.

Staterooms feature a private balcony, spacious walk-in closet, desk and bathroom with shower.

Premium Balcony (Category: B2)

Category: B2 Approximately 277 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Premium Balcony (Category: B4)

Category: B4 Approximately 237 to 277 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides dramatic wake views from a rear-facing private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BA)

Category: BA Approximately 237 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BB)

Category: BB Approximately 237 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BC)

Category: BC Approximately 237 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BD)

Category: BD Approximately 237 to 277 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BE)

Category: BE Approximately 237 to 277 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BF)

Category: BF Approximately 237 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Features private balcony and sitting room, two TVs, walk-in closet and bathroom with tub and shower.

Premium Club Class Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: M1)

Category: M1 Approximately 354 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious cabin provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with combination tub and shower.

Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: MB)

Category: MB Approximately 354 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious cabin provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with combination tub and shower.

Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: MD)

Category: MD Approximately 354 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious cabin provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with combination tub and shower.

Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: ME)

Category: ME Approximately 354 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious cabin provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with combination tub and shower.

Grand Suite with Balcony (Category: S1)

Category: S1 Approximately 1,329 sq. ft. including balcony, the Grand Suite features an expansive cabin and oversized aft-facing balcony. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Owner's Suite with Balcony (Category: S2)

Category: S2 Approximately 692 sq. ft. including balcony, the Owner's Suite features an expansive cabin and oversized aft-facing balcony. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Penthouse Suite with Balcony (Category: S3)

Category: S3 Approximately 525 to 572 sq. ft. including balcony, the Penthouse Suite features a spacious cabin and aft-facing balcony. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Penthouse Suite with Balcony (Category: S4)

Category: S4 Approximately 555 sq. ft. including balcony, the Penthouse Suite features a spacious cabin and separate seating area with a sofa bed. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Premium Suite with Balcony (Category: S5)

Category: S5 Approximately 705 sq. ft. including balcony, the Premium Suite features a spacious cabin and separate seating area with a sofa bed. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Vista Suite with Balcony (Category: S6)

Category: S6 Approximately 525 to 548 sq. ft. including balcony, the Vista Suite features a spacious cabin and aft-facing balcony. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Two-Bedroom Family Suite with Balcony (Category: S8)

Category: S8 Approximately 613 sq. ft. including balcony, the Two Bedroom Family Suite features 2 bedrooms to accommodate up to 6 passengers. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

• Ship Name: Sapphire Princess
• Year Entered Present Fleet: 2004
• Ship Class: Diamond
• Maximum Capacity: 2,670
• Number of Passenger Decks: 18
• Number of Crew: 1,100
• Officers' Nationality: British/Italian
• Ocean-View without Balcony: 216
• Ocean-View with Balcony: 522
• Total Inside Staterooms: 366
• Tonnage (GRT): 115,875
• Capacity Based on Double Occupancy: 2,674
• Country of Registry: Bermuda
• Total Staterooms: 1,337
• Suites with Balcony: 214
• Crew/Hotel Staff Nationality: International

Available Dates & Prices

Departure date, departure date - 12/22/2025, departure date - 01/08/2026, departure date - 01/25/2026, terms & conditions.

*Price shown is per person based on double occupancy and is valid for select stateroom categories only. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for details.

†One Digital Costco Shop Card per room/stateroom, per stay. The exact amount of the Digital Costco Shop Card will be calculated during the booking process. The Digital Costco Shop Card promotion is nontransferable and may not be combined with any other promotion. A Digital Costco Shop Card will arrive by email approximately 10 days after the start of your cruise. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for additional information.

© Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. Ships of Bermudan and British registry.

Digital Costco Shop Card

This booking includes a Digital Costco Shop Card which will arrive by email one to two weeks after you return from your vacation. The Digital Costco Shop Card is a convenient payment option in our warehouses and on Costco.com.

Ship Rating

An outstanding luxury cruise experience with an exceptional level of attention to detail. Expect superb service from all levels of officers and staff.

A very good quality all-around cruise experience aboard a ship that offers a range of facilities and services.

A decent, unpretentious cruise experience, with a moderate amount of space and quality in furnishing and fittings.

A modest quality cruise experience with less attention to detail and service.

Expect a very basic cruise experience with minimal attention to service, hospitality and finesse.

Offers some, but not all, of the amenities and services associated with the next highest star rating.

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Expeditions aren't your typical vacation: 'What a privilege it is to see these places'

• Expedition cruising is one of the fastest-growing segments in the cruise industry.
• It's one of the few vacations where passengers can experience pristine wilderness face-to-face.
• The trips themselves are a financial commitment, with most Arctic expeditions starting at over $8,000 per person.

Not every traveler is made for an expedition cruise . However, those who are looking for a connection with nature and aren’t afraid of a little discomfort could find themselves at the most extreme locations in the globe.

But what if you landed in the Arctic Circle on a whim? 

That was the case for Katie McCay who said that after feeling overwhelmed at work , any trip sounded like a good idea. Thankfully, long-time friend Victoria Dixon was there with the idea to cross eight time zones from Melbourne, Australia, to embark on Aurora Expeditions ’ Sylvia Earle for an Arctic exploration. 

“The idea presented itself, so why not,” MacKay told USA TODAY. 

Nature can make you feel small. You should seek that feeling when traveling.

Expedition cruising is one of the fastest-growing segments in the cruise industry. It's one of the few vacations where passengers can experience pristine wilderness face-to-face. According to an Aurora Expeditions spokesperson, the line estimates that by December 2025, "we will have tripled our capacity since 2019 with our three purpose-built ships."

"We know that consumers are increasingly conscious about spending money with companies they know are operating ethically and sustainably, and this is also true for those they choose to travel with," a spokesperson for the line told USA TODAY.

For many of the 58 passengers, boarding the Sylvia Earle was purposeful and intentional. 

“I saw a YouTuber do this exact trip, and I knew I had to do it,” Patricia Spiekermann, a photography enthusiast from Frankfurt, Germany, said. 

How are expedition itineraries created?

Aurora Expeditions product teams work two to three years in advance to design their programs, "with considerations including the popularity of destinations/voyages, market trends, scheduling logistics, port availability and more," the spokesperson said.

Onboard Expedition Manager (and locker room DJ) Samantha Deer added that product teams will also rely on local guides for suggestions and insights into a new area.

While many of the passengers were content with the breathtaking views – which some described as “otherwordly” – quite a few had to adjust their expectations. 

Throughout our Arctic expedition, the group was able to watch Arctic foxes, reindeer, seals, walruses, puffins, and even a pair of humpback whales, but not the emblematic polar bear. A testament that nothing is guaranteed in the outdoors. 

The crew, however, was incredibly diligent in scoping out locations and ensuring passengers had every opportunity to spot as much wildlife as they could. 

“I think that what we're trying to do is we're trying to instill a sense of privilege,” Expedition Leader Howard Whelan told USA TODAY. “You know, what a privilege it is to see these places and, for the most part, (passengers) look after it.”

What can passengers expect from an expedition cruise?

“Goood morning, passengers!” All passengers were treated to Whelan’s cheery wake-up calls every day of the voyage with a quick rundown of what to expect that day. 

Travelers need to be ready to adjust and follow a schedule that’s subject to continuous changes. 

“I'm looking at the ice charts right now, and our second excursion in Svalbard is at a place called Samarinbreen, which is (an expedition on a) Zodiac cruise in front of a glacier, but right now, it looks like there's still fast ice at that end of the fjord,” Whelan explained. “We may either try and make a landing on fast ice, or we may not get in close, in which case I have to come up with an alternative, check around the area and see what's another really fantastic place to go to and I'll make that call. Ultimately, we may be going into a place in the wind direction, which may not be suitable for us to make the landing. So then we'll change that and find a place with a different exposure.”

Of course, if someone wasn’t feeling up for it, they could notify the crew that they would be staying on board. But even for those who ended up on the Sylvia Earle by happenstance, nature forced everyone to bear witness to its splendor.

“We know (passengers) have wonderful trips, but the one thing that most of us love to do is, when we're in the Zodiacs, we love to just turn the engine off and just stop and get everybody in the Zodiac to be quiet for a few minutes. Don't say a thing and just sit there,” Whelan said. “And quite often, at the end of the trip, when we asked people what was the most the most powerful experience that you had, often (people will) say when we sat silently, and we listened to the ice cracking in the glaciers … that was the best thing.”

It is worth noting that the Sylvia Earle is a purpose-built ship. It was made for these expeditions, and as such, amenities on board are fewer than those of an ocean cruise ship. 

In lieu of musical shows, passengers can attend daily lectures on different aspects of what they’re experiencing. Instead of food halls with long operating hours, there is the main dining room where meals are scheduled and a premium restaurant option for an additional cost. And instead of a casino, there’s a daily coin toss to spot wildlife.

“Sometimes (the lectures are a) little too much since we're on vacation,” said Peter Cvek, from Newark, New Jersey, who was on board with his wife Mary. “But I find a lot of it very interesting and very good to know that the people (here) have a lot of knowledge.” 

The purpose is to be outside, as all of the expedition guides made clear with their infectious enthusiasm for the outdoors. 

“This is an opportunity to do something that I would have never thought to do. And it's sitting there right in front of you. So why not take the chance?” Cvek added.

What is a regular day like on an expedition cruise?

No two days are alike – unless you have four consecutive sea days like we did – but on our trip, they all started with a daily rundown before breakfast, getting some time to get our waterproof clothing and hiking gear ready, and then it was off to that day’s adventure. Some days, you could expect to be out until the late afternoon, but in our case, we usually did a morning trek, ate lunch at the ship, and did an early afternoon activity like hiking, kayaking, or Zodiac cruising. Then, it was back on board for a recap of the day, dinner and bedtime.

Expeditions to the Arctic or Antarctica do attract travelers looking to cross a destination off their bucket list, or as Whelan said, those "who make a place a goal rather than a place to experience."

“I think, for me, the most important thing is that people connect in a deeply personal way with these remote, wild places because I think that it feeds the soul,” Whelan said. “We do offer all of these activities and some people get caught up with thinking, ' Oh well, that's so exciting if we go kayaking or if we go skiing or whatever. ' And it's true, it is. But what's really wonderful about that is it puts you in contact with a different way of experiencing the place that we go to and I think that's the beauty of Aurora.”

The trips themselves are a financial commitment, with most Arctic expeditions starting at over $8,000 per person . Aurora Expeditions does not charge a single supplement on select voyages.

"Though our predominant demographic is still in the over 50s-60s, we are seeing that some voyages are skewing younger, depending on the destination and the activities and experiences offered," the spokesperson said. "There is certainly a subset of older millennial travelers who are adventurous and able to afford more premium experiences like an expedition to Antarctica or the Arctic, and they are attracted to our more informal and relaxed approach to expedition cruising."

Aurora Expeditions does have ADA-accessible cabins, but it's important for passengers to carefully review the itinerary and assess accommodations as soon as possible. Also, keep in mind that many of the ports will require Zodiac transportation to shore.

Both MacKay and Spiekermann, who embarked on the Sylvia Earle by opposite paths, said they enjoyed their holiday. The same goes for every passenger USA TODAY spoke to onboard – even those who got seasick.

Travel isn’t always perfect. It’s as messy as real life, and that’s part of it. Those are the moments that provide a foil. Those are the moments that change you as a person. And those are the moments Aurora Expeditions is aiming to provide for its passengers.

The reporter on this story received access to this event from Aurora Expeditions. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.  

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

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Sun princess: the best dining, amenities and more on princess cruises' newest ship.

Sun Princess features an updated layout, delicious new restaurants and plenty of spaces to be entertained.

Sun Princess Review

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

Key Takeaways

• Sun Princess' fresher, more modern design may appeal to a younger crowd than the line normally caters to.
• Incredible dining options abound, including The Catch by Rudi and the new Spellbound dinner and magic show.
• New Cabana Mini-Suites feature indoor-outdoor cabana areas and spacious balconies.

As a travel writer who cruises with all the major lines, I was excited to travel through the Mediterranean on the new Sun Princess cruise ship in May 2024. I traveled with my mother to celebrate her 76th birthday shortly after the new ship's February debut in Rome . The itinerary we sailed was a unique, one-way offering that departed from Athens, Greece , with visits to ports like Bar, Montenegro; Corfu, Greece; and Messina and Naples, Italy .

A true marvel of modern engineering and ship architecture, Sun Princess boasts a maximum guest capacity of 4,300 and room for 1,600 crew. The Sphere-Class vessel is 1,133 feet long and 200 feet high, with a breadth of 139 feet and 21 total decks. There are 2,157 staterooms, including 80 unique suites with extra space for guests.

Standout features include a three-floor main dining area, the Princess Arena with capacity for 990 guests and a 250-person entertainment space known as The Dome. Read on to learn everything there is to know about the Sun Princess cruise ship, including my own take on the dining and entertainment options available to cruisers.

Find your perfect cruise

Sun Princess itineraries for 2024 and 2025

Holly Johnson

While Sun Princess is scheduled to cruise the Mediterranean through September 2024, the ship will cross the Atlantic on its way to Fort Lauderdale, Florida , by October for the winter cruise season.

From this new homeport, Sun Princess will offer seven-day Caribbean cruises with the stops in Honduras, Belize , Mexico, the Bahamas , the Dominican Republic, and Turks & Caicos through March 2025.

Sun Princess will then embark on a 14-day Spanish Passage voyage in March 2025, which ends in Barcelona, Spain , and repositions the ship for its summer in the Mediterranean. At that point, cruisers can book a range of lengthy Mediterranean options over various dates, which include stops in Turkey, Greece, Montenegro, Italy, France, Spain and more.

Who should sail on Sun Princess?

While most people may think of Princess Cruises as a cruise line for baby boomers, Sun Princess aims to attract a younger, livelier crowd. This is immediately apparent when walking around the ship's common areas; Sun Princess boasts bold color schemes, endless windows, sparkling lights and a more modern central piazza than other Princess ships.

While my Mediterranean sailing largely consisted of adult travelers, Sun Princess will likely attract more families on its Caribbean itineraries. The ship's layout is ideal for parents with children of all ages, and amenities geared specifically toward kids abound. It all starts with the ship's Park19 family area, which features a huge climbing structure, a splash zone, a recreational court, a jogging court and more. Sun Princess also has three dedicated youth clubs: Firefly Park Kids Club (ages 3 to 7, with a separate play area for babies and toddlers 6 months and older), Neon Grove Tweens Club (ages 8 to 12) and The Underground Teen Lounge (ages 13 to 17).

What's interesting about Sun Princess is that it still has so much to offer more mature travelers, including couples who want to enjoy a romantic, upscale vacation. This is shown in the ship's elevated dining venues, expansive casino and luxurious spa. Sun Princess also offers the Sanctuary Collection of rooms and suites, which offer more amenities and spaces to relax on the ship.

Travelers who book a room in the Sanctuary Collection get their pick of a nicer selection of rooms, a premium beverage package, access to a private restaurant and pool deck and a more personalized experience overall. Think of the Sanctuary Collection suites as an alternative to MSC Cruises Yacht Club cabins – the biggest difference being that the venues available to cruisers in these cabins are spread throughout the ship.

The stateroom

I stayed in one of the new Cabana Mini-Suites on the Sun Princess, which I would book again in a heartbeat. These rooms are a take on the classic balcony cabin most cruisers expect, but with a twist. In addition to an outdoor balcony, Cabana Mini-Suites have a separate indoor-outdoor cabana-like area with a flat-screen television.

This extra space means the new Cabana Mini-Suites are much longer from one end to the other than a traditional balcony stateroom. The additional space is nice to have whether you want more room for storage or a separate place to read or relax while your cabinmate naps. My mom sat in our cabana area and read several times while I showered and got ready for dinner, and she even took a nap out there while I worked on my computer in our stateroom.

Regardless of the stateroom you book, know that Sun Princess cabins feature soft, neutral tones and plenty of closet space. Power outlets are abundant, and there are all kinds of nooks and crannies for storage. Cabin types on Sun Princess include the following:

Interior Cabins (136 to 145 square feet)

Basic interior rooms offer a queen bed or two small twin beds, a flat-panel television, a refrigerator, and a private bathroom with a shower. These are the most affordable cabins on the ship, and they work best for guests who just want a place to relax and sleep.

Premium Oceanview (212 square feet)

Ocean-view cabins have slightly more space than interior rooms, but they still lack a balcony. These rooms feature a queen bed or two twin configurations, a large flat-screen television, a refrigerator, and more floor and storage space.

Deluxe Balcony (235 square feet, including balcony)

Balcony cabins offer more space than ocean-view rooms due to the addition of a spacious balcony with outdoor seating. Balcony cabins can also come in a queen bed or two twin configuration and have a large flat-screen television, a refrigerator, and more floor and storage space.

Mini-Suite (303 square feet, including balcony)

Mini-Suites are essentially large balcony cabins with more storage space, more closet space and more floor space. These rooms have all the amenities of other cabins but include two flat-screen televisions (one for the bedroom area and another for couch viewing).

Cabana Mini-Suite (329 square feet, including balcony and cabana)

These rooms add the indoor-outdoor space of the cabana adjacent to the outdoor balcony. The cabana area has seating for several people and its own flat-screen television (in addition to the in-room TV).

Signature Suites (304 to 636 square feet, including balcony)

Signature Suites range in size and include larger balconies with premium furniture, two flat-screen televisions, a more spacious bathroom with a separate tub and shower, and dedicated sleeping and living areas.

Signature Sky Suites (1,262 square feet, including balcony)

Princess Cruises Signature Sky Suites are the largest staterooms across all Princess vessels, and they have all the bells and whistles you can imagine. Standout features of Sky Suites include separate living and dining areas; huge, luxurious bathrooms; and Nespresso coffee machines.

(Note: Sanctuary Collection rooms are dotted throughout the ship and consist of balcony-, mini-suite- and suite-category accommodations.)

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Best amenities on Sun Princess

Since my itinerary on the Sun Princess cruise ship included multiple port stops, I didn't get to experience everything the ship had to offer. However, what I did experience was worth it – from the nonstop entertainment in the piazza to over-the-top dining features. Some of my standout experiences include:

Part dinner and part magic show, Spellbound by Magic Castle is bookable for an additional charge. The experience begins with a small group dinner with drink pairings, then moves to a hidden bar area of the ship, where the magic begins. The bar itself features magical artifacts and vintage curiosities, a "ghost" pianist, and an incredible drink menu designed to wow and delight guests. Some drinks were served in cages, golden owls and elaborate chests with dry ice.

Magic came in the form of intriguing card tricks and disappearing acts at the bar, plus a separate stage area where crowd participation helped facilitate the illusions. I don't want to give anything more than that away – you must simply experience it for yourself. Though I thought Spellbound was slightly cheesy at times, I thoroughly enjoyed the dinner and show and feel it was worth the added cost.

The Dome on the Sun Princess is part pool area and part stage. Guests can swim in a unique indoor-outdoor pool by day and watch entertainers dance in the evening, with alluring lighting effects and a cozy, intimate atmosphere.

I watched an acrobatics show in The Dome from the comfort of a padded lounge chair and thought the venue was the place to be.

Princess Arena 

The Princess Arena is a circular stage area that holds up to 990 guests. Shows on offer include multifaceted stage productions and acrobatic features with plenty of surprises.

Fitness center

The Sun Princess' fitness center was huge and featured a range of treadmills, stair climbers, weights and machines to choose from. I never had trouble securing a treadmill at any time, even though I've had to wait and fight crowds for machines on other cruise ships.

I also loved the expansive walking track on the ship, which was constantly in use by both serious exercisers and cruisers walking leisurely to enjoy the views. I used the walking track every morning for at least an hour; I found it much more spacious and usable than other ship walking tracks, which are often congested and never quite wide enough.

The ship also features a Fitness Studio with guided classes, but I did not use it during my trip.

Sun Princess features five large pools and nine hot tubs. There are two pools on the lido deck, plus an indoor-outdoor pool in The Dome, a Sanctuary pool (for Sanctuary Collection guests only) and a wake-view infinity pool.

Medallion services

Princess MedallionClass is one of the coolest and most convenient amenities at sea. In place of a traditional cruise card, Princess gives you a small wearable device to bring with you around the ship and on shore. The medallion tracks your physical location on the ship, which allows you to order services and deliveries on board no matter where you are. Medallion delivery options range from food and drinks to extra pillows or bottled water.

I ordered room service through my medallion multiple times and hot, fresh food arrived in my cabin in less than 20 minutes. Meanwhile, drinks were delivered to our cabin and elsewhere on the ship in less than five minutes.

MedallionNet

Princess' Wi-Fi at sea (MedallionNet) is the fastest internet service I have ever used on a cruise ship. The internet was fast and reliable enough for me to complete some work while on board, which is not the norm on cruise ships.

Best dining venues Sun Princess

Sun Princess features 30 dining and bar options, many of which are included in the base cruise fare. Complimentary dining venues on Sun Princess include three traditional dining rooms, The Eatery (a take on the classic buffet, but with staff service), a café for coffee and light bites, The Lido (serving up salads, pizza and more) and the Promenade Dining grill.

Specialty dining options for an extra charge range from O'Malley's Irish Pub to a sushi spot to steak, seafood and Italian restaurants. For an extra special experience, head to Love by Britto to indulge in fine dining, or opt for Umai hot pot or teppanyaki venues. Meanwhile, bars on Sun Princess include Bellini's Cocktail Bar, Sea View Bar, The MIX and more.

My personal favorite dining experiences included:

My Spellbound dinner was excellent, even though the menu is fairly brief. I enjoyed a delicious shrimp cocktail and seafood entree, followed by a vegan dessert (I'm allergic to dairy and the ship happily accommodated). What stood out for me with Spellbound, at least food-wise, was the eclectic selection of drink pairings offered with the meal. It started with a caprese salad cocktail that tasted like tomatoes and balsamic vinegar in a strange, delicious way, then moved on to the spooky concoctions offered in the Spellbound bar.

Crown Grill

Crown Grill, a specialty dining venue, is not unique to Sun Princess, but it is the cruise line's most popular steakhouse brand. My mom and I had a delicious meal here for her birthday that included a Mediterranean-style spiny lobster cake, Chilean sea bass and a huge (surprise) birthday cake delivered to our table.

The Catch by Rudi

The Catch by Rudi is the ship's specialty dining seafood restaurant. Here, I dined on a delicious shrimp cocktail and the catch of the day (a grilled dorado filet). Everything was fresh and the meal was exceptional from start to finish.

I loved The Eatery, the ship's buffet-style dining option. The main difference between this venue and more traditional cruise ship buffets is that you're served by staff instead of serving yourself, which I prefer. The Eatery featured a rotating selection of exceptional main courses (seafood, chicken, beef and ethnic options), salads, appetizers and delicious desserts. It even had a vegan section and an easy-to-find selection of gluten-free offerings.

Best excursions on Sun Princess

The best excursions on Sun Princess vary depending on where you're going on your cruise – the Caribbean or various Europe destinations. Here's an overview of some excellent excursions offered aboard Sun Princess, a few of which I did myself.

Corfu, Greece 

Catamaran Coastal Cruise & Swim: This easy excursion lets you see Corfu from the sea and get out into the water for some snorkeling and swimming. I picked this excursion so we could relax for one day and avoid a lot of walking, and it delivered. A delicious lunch with an open bar was served on board as we sailed around the island taking in some of Corfu's most beautiful sights.

Naples, Italy

Sorrento & Amalfi Coast Cruise: No trip to this region of Italy is complete without a stop in the Amalfi Coast . This excursion was a long one (eight to nine hours) with lots of walking and bus time, but the views of this dynamic coast and time spent in Amalfi and Sorrento made the travel time well worth it.

Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos

Island Vibes & Beach Swim: This relatively short excursion includes a narrated bus trip throughout the island of Grand Turk, highlighting some of the island's top sights. A beach break at picturesque Governor's Beach is included.

Princess Cays, Bahamas

Princess Cays Coastal Cruise: Princess Cruises' private island offers a range of bookable activities, from banana boat rides to snorkeling tours. This coastal cruise is another option that takes you along the shores of Eleuthera in a 40-foot Reef Princess boat.

Overall impressions of Sun Princess

If you're considering a cruise on Sun Princess, you should know that this isn't your traditional Princess ship. The look and feel of this vessel are younger and livelier compared to other Princess ships I have sailed on. Gone are the hallways filled with cruisers knitting and playing cards; in their place, you'll find dancing, entertainment, music and activities around the clock.

When it comes to Sun Princess dining, every meal I had on board was either very good or excellent. You don't even have to opt for an extra-cost specialty dining venue to get a good meal. The Eatery and the regular dining rooms feature fresh, seasonal foods that are more than enough for the average palate to enjoy.

Caribbean itineraries on offer later this year (and into 2025) start at around $660 per person for an interior cabin, and Princess features an endless roster of sales throughout the year. If you're looking for a new cruising experience and want to give Princess a try (or another chance), Sun Princess is more than worthy of your consideration.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a travel writer who covers all aspects of family travel, including all-inclusive resorts and cruises with both boutique and major cruise brands. Johnson has traveled to more than 50 countries around the world, and she has cruised in destinations throughout the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Arctic Circle, and the Middle East. Johnson works alongside her husband, Greg, who runs the travel agency Travel Blue Book .

You might also be interested in:

• Icon of the Seas Review
• Celebrity Ascent Review
• Crystal Symphony Review
• Cruise Packing List
• The Best Cruise Insurance

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