What's Included in an Antarctic Expedition Cruise Fare?

An Antarctic expedition cruise is the best way to have a completely immersive experience in the Polar regions. Antarctic expeditions are small ship cruises that help you make the most of your time off the ship, with twice-daily opportunities to enjoy thrilling zodiac rides, shore landings, or even the amazing feeling of kayaking through crackling ice.

However, just exactly what’s included in an Antarctic expedition cruise fare? Expedition cruise pricing differs from larger, traditional cruises, but that’s because they’re completely unique in what they offer. Unlike traditional Antarctic cruises, which take large numbers of passengers and have limited, if any, chances to get off the ship, expedition cruises are all about adventure and exploring on the ice.

Here’s a guide to what’s included in an Antarctic expedition cruise fare, designed to help you budget and learn more about your upcoming Polar journey!

Your onboard cabin or suite

Onboard the ship, your cabin or suite will be your relaxing respite, the perfect place to unpack, enjoy the scenic views from your window or balcony, and fall asleep after an exciting day in Antarctica.

Each ship offers a range of different cabin types to suit everyone, from shared rooms for solo travellers on a budget, all the way up to owner’s suites, featuring lounges, private balconies, and luxury amenities.

If you’ve never cruised before, you can think of a ship cabin as similar to a hotel room, with amenities including a private bathroom, daily housekeeping service, and storage for your belongings. Some ships also offer a mudroom. This is a space where you can get ready for your excursions, offering private lockers and places to stow your expedition gear, freeing up space in your cabin.

Most cruises that start in Ushuaia also include one night’s accommodation at a comfortable hotel in town for the night before your cruise’s departure. This is a great time to explore the port city or visit the nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park.

All meals

You’ll eat well on your Antarctic cruise! All meals, including morning and afternoon tea, are included in your cruise fare, along with water, juice, tea, and coffee. Some ships may also include beer and wine, but otherwise, drinks can be purchased from the onboard bar or restaurant.

Breakfast is often a buffet, featuring hot and cold items, a pancake or omelet bar, and fresh fruit and juices. Lunch may be plated or buffet style with many delicious options to choose from, such as curry, stir-fry, fresh salads, sandwiches, or make your own tacos.

For dinner, enjoy a three-course meal or casual buffet with a rotating menu each night. Morning and afternoon teas and evening canapes ensure you’ll never go hungry, and you’ll often find biscuits or warm hot chocolate set out to welcome guests back onboard, warming you up after an exhilarating Antarctic landing or zodiac cruise.

Daily Antarctic excursions

Antarctic expeditions are all about maximising your time on the ice, so your cruise will aim for two excursions per day (weather permitting). Sometimes, your ship may stay in one landing site all day, offering a completely immersive opportunity. Other times, you may visit one landing site in the morning, the ship then repositions during lunch, and then you’ll spend time at a second location that afternoon.

Excursions are often up to several hours in length, but depend on factors such as the weather and the number of passengers on your ship. Due to the strict environmental guidelines in place by IAATO, the governing body for Antarctic tourism, landing site visits are limited to 100 passengers at a time.

This is why it’s so important to travel with a ship taking fewer than 200 guests, as it allows you to spend the maximum amount of time out enjoying the beauty of Antarctica, rather than waiting around your ship.

Citizen science programs

Many Antarctic travellers find that participation in citizen science programs becomes one of the most rewarding and memorable parts of their journey. Led by your expedition crew, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in a range of scientific research projects, such as identifying and counting bird species, observing cloud patterns, or photographing whales.

Overseen by the Polar Citizen Science Collective, a non-profit, data collected by travellers is shared with researchers and scientists. This allows access to much more data than could otherwise be harnessed and is a huge advantage to the fields of Polar biology, wildlife conservation, and more.

Your experienced and passionate expedition crew

The crew is the heart and soul of any Antarctic expedition! Expedition crew members are highly trained Polar experts who come from a wide array of backgrounds, including marine biology, outdoor recreation, education, and geology.

Your crew will provide daily briefings on what to expect, will drive and guide zodiac cruises and shore landings, and will always be there to help. Whether you have a burning question about orcas or simply want to chat over a cup of tea, the insight and guidance from your expedition crew will bring your experience to life.

Onboard lectures and special activities

There is so much happening on expedition cruises, including a daily program of fun and education lectures. Joining in on lectures while travelling on the Drake Passage is a great way to get excited about what’s to come, helping you meet fellow travellers and learn more about the wildlife and landscapes you’re soon to see on arrival in Antarctica.

Antarctic expeditions also offer lots of fun traditions, like onboard charity auctions, evening entertainment, the Polar Plunge, and more surprises that you’ll discover!

Expedition gear

Most ships will provide an exterior shell parka to wear on your excursions, either on loan or to keep. A lot of ships may also provide an inner puffer jacket to wear under your parka or just to keep you warm as you birdwatch from the back deck.

Usually, muck boots will also be provided, ensuring you stay dry and comfortable on wet shore landings and when you walk around on shore.

You’ll provide your sizes at the time of booking; however, there are always extras of everything, so you can swap if your allocated gear doesn’t fit.

Are there any optional activities that I can participate in?

Antarctic expedition cruises are unforgettable, no matter what you do on board, but some travellers opt to add on optional activities. These are special programs or excursions that you can join in on for an additional fee.

These include ice camping, sea kayaking, or day paddling, and photography programs. Due to limited places on each cruise, it’s best to reserve your optional activities at the time of booking to avoid missing out.

If you’re ready to plan your Antarctic expedition, or have questions about what’s included, please reach out. Our experienced team of experts is always here to help.