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Antarctica Sail & Cruise Trips
3
Sailing
When do you want to go?
2026
I'm flexible
Passengers
Adults (18+)
Children (0 - 17)
Discover Antarctica sail & cruise trips
Travel to the Antarctic Peninsula by expedition cruise, for ice, wildlife, and expert led landings
Antarctica sail & cruise trips offer a rare opportunity to travel deep into a remote, ice shaped world where the elements set the agenda. Each day is guided by weather and sea ice, as well as what the expedition team finds on shore, so no two voyages unfold in quite the same way. Most trips focus on the Antarctic Peninsula and nearby islands, with regular landings and close-up wildlife viewing, supported by an expert team on board. Routes often start and end in Ushuaia, and many cross the Drake Passage on the journey south into polar waters. Once in Antarctica, you sail past sheltered bays, towering glaciers and snow-covered peaks, although the route can change quickly when conditions shift. With trip lengths ranging from shorter cruises to longer voyages, it is straightforward to choose an itinerary that matches your preferred pace and time at sea.
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Why fully guided travel is perfect for your trip to Antarctica
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Fully Guided
A dedicated guide or tour leader is with you throughout, with each detail arranged.
Escorted by a guide or tour leader
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Antarctica sail & cruise at a glance
Trip and guiding style
Antarctica sail & cruise trips in this range are fully guided, led by an English speaking expedition team. They deliver talks and briefings, coordinate landings, and interpret what you are seeing, from wildlife behavior to polar history. You can expect a clear daily plan, although timings and locations may be adjusted at short notice as ice and weather dictate.
Accommodation
You stay on expedition ships, including The Ushuaia Polar Vessel and Ocean Albatros or Ocean Victory Ships, with some departures also offering a 5 star hotel stay before the ship. Cabin categories, communal spaces and bathroom set ups vary by vessel, and upgrades may be available on request depending on availability. Your accommodation is therefore an important part of the overall experience, especially on sea days and during the Drake crossing.
Trip pacing
These Antarctica trips are active, yet generally suitable for travelers with a moderate fitness level and a willingness to be flexible. Days may start early to take advantage of calm seas, tidal windows and the best light, and the schedule can change quickly as conditions evolve. Time is typically shared between shore landings, Zodiac cruises and on-deck viewing, creating a varied rhythm without feeling relentlessly non stop.
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What you'll see in Antarctica
Glaciers, icebergs, wildlife rich shores, and striking Antarctic scenery
Antarctica sail & cruise trips commonly explore the Antarctic Peninsula, where ice-capped peaks rise sharply from the sea and the coastline changes with every bend. You may sail into broad bays filled with sculpted icebergs, with fresh snow bright against darker rock and exposed cliffs. Shore landings can include time near penguin colonies, short guided walks, and unhurried moments along snowy beaches where the scale of the setting really lands. Zodiac excursions allow you to move quietly through the ice, edging closer to glaciers and bergs while keeping watch for seals resting on floes. Many voyages also include the South Shetland Islands, and places such as Deception Island introduce a stark volcanic landscape that contrasts with the peninsula’s whiteness. Depending on conditions, you may visit simple historic sites like Damoy Point, offering a tangible link to early polar travel and the practical realities of exploration. Across your days in Antarctica, the most memorable moments often arrive without warning. You might hear the crack and rumble of calving ice, notice subtle color shifts in the water near a glacier face, and finish with a long evening watch on deck as light and weather transform the horizon.
Discover the highlights of Antarctica
Frequently asked questions
What type of trip is an Antarctica sail & cruise?
An Antarctica sail & cruise is an expedition cruise, with the ship acting as your base for exploration. Daily plans are built around ice and weather, so routes and landing sites can change to take advantage of the safest, best conditions. Trips are fully guided, and most itineraries include shore landings and Zodiac cruising for close-up views and wildlife encounters.
Are Antarctica cruises fully guided?
Yes. The Antarctica sail & cruise trips in this range are fully guided by an English speaking expedition team. They run briefings and educational talks, manage landings and safety procedures, and help interpret what you are seeing on shore and from the ship. This structure allows travelers to focus on the experience rather than the logistics.
What wildlife can be seen in Antarctica on these cruises?
Wildlife viewing is a major feature of these Antarctica sail & cruise trips, although sightings always depend on location and conditions. You can often see penguins, seals and seabirds, and you may also spot whales during periods of favourable visibility. Time on deck and in Zodiacs typically gives the best opportunities for close observation and photography.
Do Antarctica cruises include shore landings?
Many Antarctica cruises include shore landings, and they are usually a highlight of the voyage. Landings are guided and carefully managed by the expedition team, with attention to safety, wildlife protocols and local conditions. Because ice and weather can change quickly, you only go ashore when it is safe and appropriate to do so.
What places in Antarctica do these cruises visit?
Itineraries often focus on the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, with some voyages also visiting sites such as Deception Island and Damoy Point. Exact landing locations may vary due to ice, wind and sea state, and the expedition team may adjust plans to make the most of conditions. The emphasis remains on scenic bays, glaciers and wildlife-rich shores.
What is the pace like on an Antarctica sail & cruise?
The pace is generally moderate, and a moderate fitness level is recommended for getting in and out of Zodiacs and walking on uneven, snowy ground. Days can start early to take advantage of calmer conditions, and plans may shift as the weather changes. Time is usually split between landings, Zodiac cruising and time on board, so the experience stays varied without feeling exhausting.
What is accommodation like on an Antarctica cruise?
Accommodation is on expedition ships, and standards, cabin layouts and onboard facilities vary by itinerary and vessel. If operational changes are required, a ship of a similar standard may be used, subject to availability and capacity. Some ships have different bathroom set ups, and certain departures may offer cabin upgrades depending on what is available at the time of reservation.
Is Ushuaia included on Antarctica sail & cruise itineraries?
Many Antarctica sail & cruise itineraries start and end in Ushuaia, the main gateway city for voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula. Time in Ushuaia is usually focused on embarkation, key briefings and preparation for the sea crossing, rather than extended sightseeing. Some trips may also include a hotel night before boarding, depending on the departure.
Are meals included on Antarctica cruises?
Yes, meals are included, with the exact arrangements set by the ship and the specific itinerary. This simplifies day-to-day planning, particularly when landing schedules and Zodiac operations shift around ice and weather. On busy landing days, meal times may be adjusted to fit the operational window.
Who operates Antarctica sail & cruise trips sold by On The Go Tours?
These Antarctica sail & cruise trips are operated by trusted local partners, with the expedition team and ship crew leading the voyage. On The Go Tours sells the trip and supports you in choosing the most suitable itinerary and sailing date. Operational responsibility on the ground and at sea remains with the partner and vessel.
Why visit Antarctica
A fully guided cruise is a great way to explore remote polar landscapes
An Antarctica sail & cruise trip suits travelers who want a genuine expedition experience, backed by expert support and an itinerary that can adapt to real-world conditions. The landscape is the main draw, with ice-filled bays, blue-white glaciers and jagged mountain ridges that feel almost unreal in their scale. You often take it in first from the water and then on foot during landings, and the quiet, open space can be as striking as the scenery itself. Wildlife watching is central to the journey, and the combination of landings and Zodiac rides brings it into sharp focus. You might see penguins moving between colony and shoreline, scan the waterline for seals hauled out on ice, and watch seabirds glide effortlessly around the ship. It is a far more immediate experience than observing nature at a distance, especially when conditions allow you to linger in a sheltered bay. A fully guided cruise also adds context and meaning, with a team on hand to explain what you see and why it matters. They run onboard talks, manage briefings, and coordinate safety and logistics so each landing runs smoothly. For many travelers, it is that balance of comfort, knowledgeable guidance and time in a truly remote environment that makes Antarctica unforgettable.
