What makes a luxury trip?
- The focus on customer service is evident throughout - from the highly experienced expedition teams to the award-winning restaurants
- The level of comfort of the cabins and communal spaces is unrivalled, designed to maximise space, light and views
- Time on board is fully maximised, the best polar guides in the business are ready to share knowledge and anecdotes, and lectures fill sailing time
- When time is a luxury, flying to Antarctica is the ultimate way to make the most of the white continent
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Adventure at the heart of your voyage
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Never miss a minute of whale-watching and iceberg spotting
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Fine dining with a view
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The Promenade Deck at sunset
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Gourmet dishes, perfected down to the finest detail
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The spacious Owners Suite
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Tasteful and bright, the Veranda Suite
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Interiors to rival a 5* hotel
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Flying to Antarctica, the ultimate luxury
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Paddle past icebergs, for a seal's-eye-view of Antarctica
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Brush shoulders with specialists and experts in the library
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The majestic arched flukes of a humpback whale
What to expect
Onboard expertise: Your expedition leaders have been handpicked for their experience, passion and expertise, at the highest standards of any ships in Antarctica. The excellent service and welcoming hospitality of the staff is enhanced by a staggeringly high crew to guest ratio, often at nearly 1:1.
You will travel with explorers, scientists, authors, photographers and destination experts at your side, as you discover these remote and remarkable environments.
Cabins & communal spaces: Open up the doors of your cabin straight onto your personal balcony and watch whales breaching with your morning coffee. Stroll across the ample deck space, or relax in a choice of lounge areas. The emphasis here is on space and light, maximising your opportunities for spotting wildlife, and for feeling right in the heart of Antarctica.
Food: Only here will you find gourmet menus and a choice of restaurants at the end of the earth. Premium fine wines, champagnes, three-course menus and international cuisine await, to be savoured with a backdrop of sparkling icebergs and glittering snowscapes.
What our customers think
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It was wonderful; the ship's crew could not do enough for anyone, and the food was excellent.
Mick, UK March 2018
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It was a beautiful ship! Our rooms were really large. The food was delicious and the entire crew on the ship was so friendly. It's the perfect size ship to get to know pretty much everyone.
Jill & Family, Texas December 2017
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The expedition staff were all super professional and top in their field. They were very personable as well. It was nice to have the option to snowshoe on one day and go out on the science boat on another.
Lori, Texas December 2017
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Swoop and especially Loli were terrific from initial contacts to getting on the ship.
Austine & Cathleen, Colorado December 2017
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The expedition team went out of their way to make it the best experience possible for us. They were very personal in their approach and always willing to spend time individually with passengers.
Sue, Gavan & Jenni, Australia February 2018
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Very pleased - the Hebridean Sky and expedition staff were first class.
Roger & Marina, UK February 2018
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Swoop provided excellent service; they have a lot of experience in Antarctica and recommended me the perfect voyage. There were many discussions but they helped me narrow it down.
Dominic & Jennifer, New York December 2017
Choosing your luxury cruise
Small expedition ships
Explore the onboard library with an expert glaciologist, get out each day to feel the snow and ice crunching beneath your boots, or just breathe in the Antarctic air from your balcony. Ships such as the Hebridean Sky, Magellan Explorer, Silver Explorer and Greg Mortimer are designed for comfort and adventure, everything from deck space to lounge areas to ship stability has been considered, without compromising your discovery of Antarctica.
The luxury here is bigger than just your surroundings, it comes from the sheer experience of the expert team, the focus on remote, adventurous landings, and the impressive crew to passenger ratio. Travel in comfort, soaking in the passionate, expeditionary atmosphere.
Medium sized ships
Settle into life on board a world-class cruise ship, with fully inclusive service, Relais & Chateaux gourmet menus and exquisite cabins and communal spaces. The onboard experience is at the heart of these voyages, with breathtaking vessels designed to cater for more passengers without compromising on space or service.
You'll still be taken on guided adventures ashore to walk with penguins, observe whales from your zodiac and hike to viewpoints, and will have support from an expert team as you travel the white continent.
Fly to Antarctica
When time is a luxury, maximising your days in Antarctica is of the utmost importance, and flying across the Drake Passage is a logical shortcut. It takes just two hours to fly to Antarctica, but it eliminates four days of sailing across open sea, so you can spend each precious moment out exploring.
On arrival, you'll embark on a luxury vessel where the aim is an intimate experience: the Hebridean Sky and Magellan Explorer have only 70 passengers, ocean view cabins, and an action-packed itinerary to get you straight to the best Antarctica has to offer.
Our best luxury trips to Antarctica
Luxury vessels sailing to Antarctica
Hebridean Sky
The Hebridean Sky follows a complete refurbishment for the upcoming 2016/17 season. Formerly known as Sea Explorer, her elegant lines, luxury all suite accommodation and attention …
Island Sky
Island Sky is a class act. Offering refined comfort and high levels of service for only 108 guests, its no wonder she has such a loyal following from past travellers.
Greg Mortimer
With its eye-catching X-BOW design and state-of-the-art onboard technology, the Greg Mortimer is unquestionably redefining the future look of expedition ships in the Polar Regions.…
Magellan Explorer
MV Magellan Explorer is the first small passenger ship purpose-built for Antarctica in the last 14 years. Capacity will be limited to a maximum of 70 passengers per Antarctic …
Luxury voyages: FAQs
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Will I still get a proper Antarctic experience?
Most of these ships are expedition ships at heart - their focus is on getting you out and into Antarctica. Experiences such as walking with penguins, kayaking, zodiac rides with humpback whales, and hikes on remote islands are all still very much on the menu. What's more, you'll be with award-winning expedition teams, and can relax in comfort as you sail between Antarctica's most intriguing, spectacular destinations.
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How far in advance should I plan my trip?
These trips are highly sought-after, and cabins begin to fill up 24-18 months in advance. If you have a ship, cabin or voyage in mind, you'll need to be considering your trip a few seasons in advance to avoid disappointment.
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Can I still do adventurous activities?
Yes; kayaking amongst the icebergs is offered on a number of luxury voyages, and if you can bear to leave your luxury cabin for the evening then camping out under the stars is also available.
Ready to plan your Antarctic adventure?
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With over 50 years of Antarctic experience between us, we can help guide you to exactly the right trip for you.