Antarctica cruise itineraries - Candid tips by Howard Hillman

Antarctica
cruise itineraries

page 1 of 4

Ushuaia departures

Ushuaia is the
leading departure port
for Antarctica cruises

Most cruises sail from and return to Ushuaia, Argentina (see map below).

There are three basic sea itinerary routes from Ushuaia:

Short itinerary

You sail to the Antarctica Peninsula and, likely, will stop at one of the South Shetland Islands. Typical cruise duration is normally 7 to 10 nights. Note: One of the drawbacks of the short itinerary is you have to cross the sometimes stormy Drake Passage twice. It is 650 kilometers (400 miles) of open sea between South America and Antarctica.

Mid-length itinerary

The Falkland Islands is added to the short itinerary. Cruise duration averages 11 or so nights. As my map shows, it (and the long itinerary) makes only one straight-across trip through the Drake Passage.

Long itinerary

South Georgia Island is added to the mid-length itinerary. Cruises are normally 14 to 20 nights, though some last four weeks. Unlike the Falkland Islands, the rugged South Georgia Island scores high marks from both passengers and lecturers. It's renowned for spectacular wildlife.

Click for more itinerary pointers

PAGE TWO - Ushuaia - Which is best route?
PAGE THREE - Destinations - Peninsula
PAGE FOUR - Destinations - Other