Seabourn Venture
Offering a luxury expedition cruising experience, Seabourn Venture allows you to explore without compromising on comfort.
Discover MoreSpecial Offers Available: Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
Expert impartial advice at no extra cost: no-nonsense advice on 1500 voyages across 30 ships
The Antarctic Experts. No Compromises: there’s no question we can’t answer
The only B Corp certified Antarctic specialist: so your adventures can be a force for good
A full concierge service, unlike booking direct: we leave nothing to chance in delivering your perfect trip
Once a place reserved for pioneers immune to discomfort, Antarctica is now firmly established as a luxury cruise destination. From beautiful cabins and cutting edge marine technology to five star service and world class expedition teams, a new generation of luxury vessels are bringing a flawless cruising experience to the White Continent.
On all our luxury Antarctic ships you can expect two off-ship excursions per day in line with traditional expedition cruise operations, whether that's zodiac cruising or landing at a penguin rookery or historic site. These are richly immersive experiences, travelling in the company of an expedition team who are all polar experts, well versed in bringing Antarctica to life with their erudition and storytelling skills.
Your vessel in Antarctic waters
In today's world the power to choose can be a real luxury. This is a field where today's luxury polar cruise ships really excel.
This choice begins with the luxury of diverse cabin types, enabling you to find the perfect fit for your preferences, from larger cabins with private dining areas for intimate meals to interconnecting cabins for traveling with family. An abundance of shared spaces are available to match your mood and the time of day, from cosy sitting rooms and tranquil libraries to bustling business centres and elegant lounges for evening cocktails.
While sailing you'll have the luxury of selecting your dining experience, deciding which restaurant and what kind of cuisine to savour. Mix up your meal locations rather than being confined to a single dining room – even enjoying breakfast on your private balcony. Enjoy a long list of amenities, picking and choosing from a wide range of on-board options such as a spas and gyms, pools and boutique shops.
The days when Antarctic expedition cruises were the domain of decommissioned Russian icebreakers are long behind us. The ongoing upgrade of the polar fleet with state-of-the-art expedition ships has significantly pushed up the comfort and sophistication of these vessels.
On board you can expect a wide choice of spacious and well-appointed suite categories measuring from 270 to over 1080 square feet (25-100 sq m) plus equally generous private balconies. Dedicated solo cabins, interconnecting cabins for family groups, duplexes, and larger suites with private dining rooms are all on offer. Outside your cabin, the comfortable public areas are more akin to a boutique hotel than a regular cruise ship.
Because comfort is also about the way you travel as well as your surroundings, luxury Antarctic cruise ships are all equipped with modern stabilisation technology, including retractable underwater wings that reduce ship roll by as much as 80% – all in service of making your voyage as smooth as possible.
The calibre of the expedition staff on your ship and very best staff to guest ratio are crucial to getting the most out of a trip to Antarctica.
With luxury cruising there's no doubt that you get what you pay for. The top ships naturally attract the top talent from the guiding world. All of our luxury ships understand the importance of having the very best guides for their voyages and go to great lengths to secure them – including some who operate their own guiding school.
Our luxury ships have the highest staff to guest ratios in the industry, ensuring you of a more personalised service, and that someone is always on hand to answer a question or help identify wildlife. You can expect one on one conversations with some of the most experienced guides on the ice, from former research scientists ready to share their knowledge to leading photographers to help you capture your experiences on camera.
The old adage that 'any fool can be uncomfortable' is just as relevant in Antarctica. The recent arrival of a fleet of well-appointed ships offering creature comforts from Nespresso machines to balcony suites, and even 24/7 butler service, has significantly raised the bar at the end of the Earth.
Alex Mudd Head of Swoop Antarctica
Spa and sauna
In the past, amenities on Antarctic cruise ships tended towards the spartan – a single dining area, a basic gym, some cramped library shelves and a small gift shop if you were lucky. This has all changed very much for the better.
Modern Antarctic luxury cruise ships are extremely well catered for, with facilities in line with a boutique hotel experience on dry land. As well as a range of dining options, you can expect sophisticated gyms, saunas and spas – and even swimming pools in a few cases.
Anyone who's been on a much larger cruise ship might find the comparison with what's on offer there to be unfair, but these ships manage to pack a lot in for their size. And size really does matter here. Ships carrying more than 500 passengers are only allowed to look on Antarctica from afar: a nimbler luxury ship can navigate into smaller bays and quickly get its passengers off the ship and experiencing Antarctica up close and personal with the expedition team.
The restaurant
Having a choice of dining options when you’re on a ship for 10 or even 20 nights is a definitive luxury and one which you’ll only find on the best Antarctic cruise ships.
You can forget the queue for the buffet: some of our luxury vessels have as many as five different eateries with a range of styles and cuisines, allowing you to pick and choose to what suits your taste that day. As with all the best restaurants, you'll generally pre-book your preferred table time before dining.
Of course, choice is nothing without quality. Excellent food is central to the luxury experience, and after a long day exploring dinner is an event to be savoured and enjoyed. There’s typically a choice of both a la carte as well as set menus all accompanied with carefully selected complimentary paired wines, offering you some of the best dining on the Southern Ocean. For those who enjoy their wines, every ship has an extensive cellar of wines to choose from including premium wines all priced individually.
If you want a little personal service, why not dine your cabin? There's nothing quite like having a butler serve you breakfast on your private balcony while you watch icebergs to start your Antarctic day.
While eschewing your luxurious cabin for a night of camping out on the ice might not be high on your Antarctic wish list, there are additional activities on our luxury ships than can offer you novel perspectives on the White Continent.
Kayaking is the most popular of these and there's nothing quite like being surrounded by porpoising penguins when you're out on the water to bring home just how special Antarctica is. Not all luxury ships offer additional adventure options, so if this is important to you we can help guide you to those which do.
Uniquely, two of our luxury ships even offer the option to experience Antarctica underwater aboard one of their pair of seven-man piloted submarines. Dive below the surface for a view of Antarctica which few others will ever get to experience.
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
4.7 out of 5
Sail to the White Continent aboard one of the most luxurious ships currently available. Unsurpassed comfort and true 5* service are this operator’s hallmarks. From the discreetly attentive service and French-inspired cuisine to the beautifully appointed public areas, this is…
Soak up the Antarctic Peninsula's spectacular wildlife and landscapes from the ultra comfort of a modern, luxury ship. Balance time exploring ashore with sumptuous relaxation on board, where the highly trained onboard team caters to your every need. With the…
4.5 out of 5
Travelling on board a modern, state-of-the-art 5* ship with only 200 people, this voyage combines the best of both traditional and expedition cruising. Spend 5 days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula in comfort. All-inclusive pricing means luxury at an affordable…
Combine the spellbinding wildlife spectacle of South Georgia with the White Continent's jaw-dropping landscapes on this luxurious time-saving expedition. Cut out two days at sea by flying between Antarctica and South America in just two hours. If you're seeking seamless…
3.5 out of 5
Focusing only on Antarctica and South Georgia, missing out the Falklands, this voyage is both rare and attractive. Sail first to Antarctica and then on to South Georgia at a time when the king penguins are in their greatest numbers.…
Travelling aboard a modern, custom-built expedition ship with luxury amenities, all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the adventure as you speed through the Southern Ocean. The all-inclusive price – with outstanding food – is excellent value…
Retrace the path of famed French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot on a luxurious icebreaker. Heading further south than most expedition vessels can attempt, you'll venture below the Antarctic Circle. Spend an impressive 9 days exploring with the expert expedition team, immersing…
3.9 out of 5
For those travellers looking for seamless travel on a trip that is hassle-free and all-inclusive, this is the perfect option. Skip over the notorious Drake Passage on a comfortable two hour flight to Antarctica, then travel onboard a state-of-the-art mega…
Swoop has catered for travellers of every group size. Whether you’re adventuring solo or bringing a group of over 100. We can help.
Your Antarctic vessel
In narrowing down your options to find exactly the right voyage for your luxury cruise, it’s worth considering the following key questions that will allow us to find the right ship and sailing for you:
King George Island, Antarctica
When time itself is a luxury and squeezing the most out of your time in Antarctica is of the utmost importance, flying can be a great option. It takes two days to sail to Antarctica but just two hours to reach it from Punta Arenas in Chile instead. For many, skipping the crossing of the notoriously choppy Drake Passage is reason enough to consider flying.
When you fly to Antarctica, you’re taken directly from the plane on landing to embark on your cruise ship. From here, you’ll have exactly the same experience as any other polar travellers, enjoying the same daily landings, zodiac cruising and activities as if you’d sailed.
However you travel, it's important to remember that Mother Nature calls the shots in Antarctica. Since planes are more susceptible to bad weather than ships, if you fly you’ll need to accept a flexible schedule and the possibility of weather impacting flight timetables.
Luxury Antarctica Cruises trips scored 4.6/5 from 519 reviews
My advice is to strongly consider this new segment of cruises that are small and combine expeditions with luxury (cabins, restaurants). Read the full review
Travelled: February 2022
Gary Lincoln Neilson - USA
It was wonderful; the ship's crew could not do enough for anyone, and the food was excellent.
Travelled: March 2018
Mick - UK
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.
Travelled: February 2018
Sue - Australia
Very pleased - the Hebridean Sky and expedition staff were first class.
Travelled: February 2018
RSW & MW - UK
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.
Travelled: December 2017
Jill & Family - Texas
Swoop and especially Loli were terrific from initial contacts to getting on the ship.
Travelled: December 2017
Austine & Cathleen - Colorado
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.
Travelled: December 2017
Dominic & Jennifer - New York
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.
Travelled: December 2017
Lori - Texas
Review:
Most of the luxury Antarctica 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.
These trips are highly sought-after and cabins begin to fill up 24-18 months in advance. To be confident of securing your first choice of ship and cabin, we strongly recommend booking well in advance to avoid possible disappointment.
Yes: kayaking amongst the icebergs and penguins is offered on a number of luxury voyages, offering you the ultimate close-up experience of Antarctica. See our dedicated page about kayaking to more information about exploring Antarctica by paddle.
Some of the most luxurious Antarctica cruises are those aboard the Silver Endeavour. The all-suite ship has extensive onboard amenities including a spa, jacuzzi and multiple dining options. Each suite has its own private balcony, where you might sample breakfast delivered by your personal butler. One of our favourite trips aboard the Silver Endeavour is the Ultimate Luxury Antarctic Fly & Cruise.
Our team has visited Antarctica over 150 times and has 100 collective years of polar experience, so from which trip is right for you to what shoes to bring - there’s no question we can’t answer.
Choosing the right voyage is complicated, Swoop makes it easy. We offer no-nonsense advice on 1500 voyages across 30 ships to find you the right trip, cabin, price - and we don’t charge a fee.
We want to protect Antarctica for future generations - which is why we became a certified B Corp and set up our own conservation fund. So your adventures can be a force for good.
We leave nothing to chance in delivering your perfect trip and have over 6500 happy travellers to show for it. With a dedicated Antarctic co-ordinator & support throughout - you’re in safe hands.
Offering a luxury expedition cruising experience, Seabourn Venture allows you to explore without compromising on comfort.
Discover MoreWith luxury, comfort and exceptional service as the foundations of its onboard experience, the Silver Endeavour is purported to be one of the most expensive expedition ships ever …
Discover MorePurpose built expedition ships with state of the art luxury. These ships offer 5* service for their 200 guests travelling in serious comfort.
Discover MoreA uniquely versatile ship combining the incredible power of an icebreaker with the ultra comfort of a luxury cruise vessel.
Discover MoreWe'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
With over 100 years of Antarctic experience between us, we can help guide you to exactly the right trip for you.
We don’t charge a commission and there are no hidden fees. Just impartial, expert advice from the leading Polar cruise agent. Schedule a call with our Antarctic Experts today.
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