Antarctica Cruises & Travel Tours for the Ultimate Adventure

Antarctica is often considered the ultimate travel destination for Australians, and the best way to visit Antarctica is on an expedition cruise. Many consider Antarctica the last frontier and the ultimate in travel experiences.

Travel to the end of the Earth and explore the vast wilderness of the great white continent on one of our many incredible small ship expeditions. Travellers are invited to join us as we explore the planet’s most remote continent with its unspoilt, awe-inspiring scenery and incredible wildlife encounters.

Antarctica is the fifth largest, the coldest and the driest continent on Earth. Cruises not only offer travellers the amazing opportunity to observe the abundance of wildlife it has to offer from the comfort of their expedition vessel, but also to gain inspirational insights from a dedicated and knowledgeable crew who spend their working lives traversing the icy ends of the globe. This is truly the very height of exciting travel and adventure holidays. Add the great, white continent to your travel itinerary and see for yourself what the most remote destination on the planet can offer you.

The Antarctica cruise season runs from November to March each year. November and March generally offer more affordable cruises, while December to mid-February is the peak season. Each month offers unique advantages. Browse our Antarctica season specials or consider longer voyages to Antarctica from Australia or New Zealand.

The voyage from South America is the more affordable and popular departure option having considerably less sea days, but the Australia and New Zealand options offer an opportunity to see the sub-Antarctic islands crossing the Ross Sea and witness the amazing King and Emperor Penguins. Luxury Antarctica cruises offer travellers a unique opportunity to explore this isolated wilderness with the comforts of a luxury hotel as they move around.

Choose from our range of fascinating trips or contact us and we’ll be happy to tailor the perfect itinerary to suit your requirements.

Icebergs in Antarctica

Explore the full collection

Discover your perfect Antarctica voyage

Browse our complete range of Antarctic voyages, with prices from $8,194pp per person.

LAUNCH CRUISE FINDER
Plan By Season

All Antarctica Deals By Season

Season Deals!

26/27 Season Deals

View Deals
Early Bird!

27/28 Season Early Bird Deals

View Deals
Hot This Month

Handpicked Cruises & Popular Tours

Unique cruises!

Antarctic Cruises from/to Australia & New Zealand

Embark on an extraordinary adventure with cruises from/to Australia and New Zealand to East Antarctica!
Hot This Month!

The Ultimate South Georgia, Falklands & Antarctic Peninsula Cruise

19 Nov 2026 departure - 30% off plus an extra 10% for returning Heritage guests!
Free Flights!

Free International Flights to Antarctica!

Book one of these expeditions and the second guest’s international flights are on us!
Featured

Best Antarctica Cruise Deals

From $8,194pp

Browse our full range of Antarctica cruises, sorted by price, ship and departure date, with our easy-to-use Cruise Finder.

Launch Cruise Finder

PackageDealDaysShipNext departureFromDescription
Classic AntarcticaBest deal10 DaysMV Ushuaia03 Nov 2026AUD $8,194ppThe Classic Antarctic Peninsula voyage is the ultimate introduction to the White Continent and great value aboard the MV Ushuaia....
Classic AntarcticaBest deal11 DaysExpedition22 Nov 2026AUD $11,359ppVivid emerald, violet tints, intense blue and crimson light—the Antarctic is anything but a world of white desolation. Join us...
Antarctic Wonders: roundtrip cruise from UshuaiaOn Sale11 DaysSH Vega03 Dec 2026AUD $12,645ppThe Antarctic Peninsula Discovery luxury cruise is a breathtaking round trip that begins and ends in Ushuaia, Argentina. Known as...
Antarctic Wonders: roundtrip cruise from UshuaiaOn Sale11 DaysSH Diana11 Nov 2026AUD $12,645ppThe Antarctic Peninsula Discovery luxury cruise is a breathtaking round trip that begins and ends in Ushuaia, Argentina. Known as...
Antarctica Small Ship ExpeditionBest deal10 DaysMagellan Discoverer17 Mar 2028AUD $14,172ppExperience the extraordinary land of Antarctica aboard the amazing Magellan Discoverer. You'll witness jaw-dropping scenery, incredible wildlife, glaciers, and visits...
Antarctic Peninsula Odyssey CruiseOn Sale12 DaysSH Diana08 Dec 2026AUD $14,895ppEmbark on the Antarctic Peninsula Odyssey from the picturesque city of Ushuaia, a gateway to untamed natural beauty. Begin your...
Galapagos of the Southern Ocean: New Zealand and Australia's Subantarctic IslandsBest deal12 DaysHeritage Adventurer22 Nov 2026AUD $15,655ppThis extraordinary journey takes you through the breathtaking beauty of New Zealand and the remote subantarctic islands, blending dramatic landscapes...
Antarctic Peninsula Odyssey cruiseOn Sale12 DaysSH Minerva16 Dec 2026AUD $16,499ppEmbark on the Antarctic Peninsula Odyssey from the picturesque city of Ushuaia, a gateway to untamed natural beauty. Begin your...
Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th ContinentBest deal11 DaysOcean Explorer12 Nov 2026AUD $17,267ppIf this is your first visit, our classic Antarctic Explorer voyage gives you the best of the stunning Antarctic Peninsula...
South Atlantic cruise: from South Africa to Antarctica (Cape Town - Ushuaia)On Sale22 DaysSH Diana22 Oct 2026AUD $18,300ppEmbark on an extraordinary journey with a South Atlantic luxury cruise from South Africa to Antarctica. Starting from the vibrant...
Roundtrip cruise to Antarctica from UshuaiaOn Sale15 DaysSH Diana21 Feb 2028AUD $20,916ppEmbark on the Antarctic Peninsula in Depth luxury cruise, a remarkable round trip adventure starting in Ushuaia. Known as the...
Antarctic Circle - Crossing 66º South LatitudeOn Sale15 DaysSea Spirit26 Jan 2027AUD $22,416ppwas AUD $23,595 Crossing the Polar Circle starts from the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia, Argentina, and takes you on an adventure...
Patagonia and Antarctica ExplorerBest deal23 Days30 Nov 2026AUD $28,476ppEmbark on the ultimate adventure with our Patagonia and Antarctica Explorer tour! Begin in vibrant Santiago before venturing to the...
Ultimate Antarctica Adventure from Ushuaia to DunedinOn Sale35 DaysSH Minerva02 Feb 2027AUD $37,311ppEscape into another realm as you board our luxury boutique ice-class ship on this once-in-a-lifetime trip from South America to...
Guarantee

Why Book With Eclipse Travel

Independently owned, ATIA accredited, and built on decades of firsthand expertise.

  • Price Assurance

    You almost always pay the same as booking direct. Our expert advice costs you nothing.

  • True Destination Experts

    Specialists who travel the places they sell, every year.

  • Independent & Unbiased

    100% independently owned, never tied to one operator.

  • Tailor-Made Journeys

    Every itinerary built around how you want to travel.

  • Support You Can Rely On

    24/7 emergency contact and trusted local partners.

Discover

Destinations & Experiences

Helpful

FAQs

Most Antarctic cruises and expeditions run during the Austral summer from October to March, when sea ice recedes enough for ships to reach the continent and wildlife activity is higher. Early season (October–November) has dramatic ice and fewer crowds, peak season (December–January) offers long daylight and active penguin colonies, and late season (February–March) can be excellent for whale sightings and softer light.

The majority of visitors reach Antarctica by expedition ship cruising from South America (usually from Ushuaia, Argentina) across the Drake Passage. A small number fly part of the route (fly-cruise options exist) before joining a ship, and a few specialised expeditions fly directly to inland sites.

Antarctic wildlife highlights include penguin colonies (gentoo, chinstrap, Adelie), seals (elephant, fur, leopard), whales and a variety of seabirds. Sightings can vary by itinerary and season, but wildlife is abundant around coastline landing areas and on Zodiac excursions.

Antarctic voyages vary from about 10 nights to several weeks, depending on whether you visit just the Antarctic Peninsula or include places like the Falklands, South Georgia or the Ross Sea. Longer voyages give more time for exploration and higher chances of wildlife encounters.

Layered clothing is essential because weather can change rapidly — include thermal base layers, waterproof outer gear, insulated gloves, hat and UV-protective sunglasses. Many expeditions provide parkas and rubber boots, but confirm gear included ahead of time. Our Antarctica specialists will provide detail packing guidelines and recommendations ahead of your trip.

You don’t need to be an athlete to visit Antarctica, but you should be in good general health and able to walk on uneven terrain during Zodiac landings or short hikes. Expedition leaders can help accommodate different fitness levels, but if you have mobility concerns, check with us before booking and we can recommend the most suitable options.

Stories to inspire

Blog Posts on Antarctica