Antarctica & Polar Expeditions
Considering a trip to Antarctica but overwhelmed by the options?
That's where I come in!
As your Antarctica cruise travel advisor, I first match you to the ship, month, and itinerary that fit you and your schedule.
Then I handle all the logistics: flights, hotels before and after, tours and excursions. I do it all.
Antarctica made easy.
All you have to do is get in touch.
Blog Posts From My Trip to Antarctica on Seabourn Venture
Why Work with Me?
Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime, bucket-list destination for most. Two things matter: knowing exactly what your experience will be from the moment you step onboard, and understanding the differences between the many Antarctica cruise operators.
I'm not just certified with numerous cruise and expedition lines and as a Virtuoso Voyages Cruise Host. I've also been there, and it changed my life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Booking an Antarctica Cruise with a Cruise Travel Advisor
I book Antarctica on luxury lines like Seabourn and Silversea, and expedition lines like Aurora, Quark, and Scenic, from classic Peninsula voyages to longer trips that add South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. I've sailed to Antarctica myself, on Seabourn Venture, so I recommend from experience, not a brochure. I also book the flights and hotels around the ship, and I plan honeymoons, multigenerational groups, and solo trips. Tell me when you want to go.
What Antarctica trips does a cruise travel advisor like you plan?
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You can book it yourself, and it's a fine choice if you like the research. Antarctica has more moving parts than most cruises, though. Ship size decides how much time you spend ashore, the month you go dramatically changes what you'll see and experience, itineraries run from about ten days to three weeks or more, and your flights have to be timed around the sailing.
A cruise travel advisor is worth it if you'd rather not sort that out alone. As a member of the Virtuoso Cruise Community and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), I match you with the ship and itinerary that fit your style. On Virtuoso partner lines you also receive a Virtuoso amenity, usually onboard credit.
Why use a cruise travel advisor to book Antarctica instead of booking it myself?
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No. You pay the same price or better than you'd pay booking direct. Cruise lines and the suppliers I book with pay me a commission, and that commission covers my full concierge service, so it's included at no charge whenever a cruise is part of your trip.
Trips without a cruise carry a planning fee.
Does it cost more to book through you?
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What happens after I reach out?
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We start with a brief call. I get to know you, what you want from the trip, and how far along your planning is. Planning is collaborative: I bring recommendations, you react, and we refine until it's right. Ready when you are - start planning!
What does full-service planning mean for an Antarctica cruise?
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Full-service planning means I research, recommend, and book every part of your trip, not just the ship. Your Antarctica cruise will most likely begin somewhere in South America, which means you have to get there.
I help you decide how early to arrive, where to stay, and what to do before you sail. I always recommend arriving a day or two early, so a delayed flight doesn't cost you the ship. Then I book all of it, down to the transfers to and from the ship.
Does ship size matter for an Antarctica cruise?
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More than almost anything else. Antarctic tour rules limit how many passengers can be ashore at once (100 per landing site), so a smaller ship gets everyone off faster and spends more time on land. Ships carrying more than 500 passengers can't land anyone at all.
I match you to the ship that fits your budget and how much time you want ashore.
When is the best time to go to Antarctica?
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The season runs from late October to late March, and each month is different. Early season, November into early December, brings snow, sea ice, and penguins courting and building nests. December and January have the longest days and hatching chicks. February brings the warmest water and the most whales, and by late March the ice starts to reform and fares drop. I match the month to what you most want to see.
How far ahead should I book an Antarctica cruise?
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As soon as you have an idea. Smaller ships have fewer cabins and the number of logistics involved in planning a trip to the bottom of the world means that people book as soon as schedules are released, often a year or two out.
Unlike flights or hotels, a cruise can often be repriced if the fare drops after you book, so booking early rarely costs you.
How rough is the Drake Passage, and can I skip it?
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The Drake Passage is about 500 miles of open ocean between South America and the Antarctic Peninsula, and the crossing takes roughly two days each way. Conditions vary from calm to rough. If you'd rather skip it, fly-cruise itineraries on lines like Silversea fly you over the Drake from Punta Arenas, Chile, and shorten the entire trip to as little as five days.
Or skip the ship entirely. White Desert flies you from Cape Town to a blue-ice runway on a different corner of the continent and puts you up in a heated pod on the ice. I'll book that too, but I think the crossing is part of the fun.
What if something goes wrong or the weather changes our plans?
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Expedition cruising runs on weather and ice, so the captain and expedition team change the route when they need to. That's part of the trip, not a failure of it. Read my blog about What It Means to be on an Expedition Cruise for more details.
Before and after the ship, if a delay or change affects your flights, hotels, or tours, you call (or WhatsApp) me, not a hold queue. I handle rebooking and pursue any refund or credit you're owed. You don’t need to spend your vacation sorting it out yourself.
Here’s how it played out when my own trip to Antarctica was delayed leaving Ushuaia!
How fit do I need to be for Antarctica?
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You need moderate mobility, not athletic fitness, and to be comfortable being very far away from emergency medical services.
The main physical demands are stepping in and out of the zodiacs, and walking over uneven, rocky or snowy terrain. Kayaking, camping or other activities change the physical requirements.
If mobility is a concern, get in touch, and I'll match you to a ship and itinerary that fit.
Ready to plan your adventure to Antarctica?
Get in touch for a no fee, no commitment consultation.