Antarctic Cruise Ships

Small passenger numbers, careful expedition crew. Huge privilege to have the opportunity to visit Antarctica in such comfort with access to so many places and experiences. Read the full review

Travelled: March 2025

10/10 - It was truly an incredible trip! The ship was great, I met incredible passengers and staff, the expedition team was amazing and so knowledgeable! Read the full review

Travelled: March 2025

The perfect ship, I think, for its thoughtful design, amenities and the little extras that made the trip comfortable (like heated bathroom floors that can be adjusted to dry our gloves) to absolutely enjoyable (like the observation deck on the top floor with glass 220 degrees) and bar right there for late evening imbibing). LOVED it! Read the full review

Travelled: March 2025

10/10 - It was just outstanding. The staff and itinerary were fantastic. There was never a dull moment and the ship was amazing! Never thought I'd be in a jacuzzi sailing through the snow past icebergs and whales! Read the full review

Travelled: February 2025

10/10 - Swoop were absolutely awesome from the beginning to the end of the process. They helped me pick the expedition that best fit what I was looking for. They planned all of the other part of travel such as flights and car transfers, and all of it went incredibly smoothly. They were great with communication and helping keep on track with planning and deadlines. When I had originally started looking at Antarctic travel on my own I found it a bit overwhelming. Swoop made planning this trip very straightforward and eliminated all of the stress that would have been involved in planning it on my own.

Travelled: February 2025

10/10 - Swoop were very supportive and helpful in arranging my trip. Great advice on what to pack and preparing for the journey. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2025

10/10 - Being on a small ship with few passengers allows more exploration, especially on the zodiac. Having a knowledgeable and friendly expedition team added a lot to the experience. You get to learn and explore more. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2025

Small ship experience is a must. Very intimate experience getting to know the guests and crew. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2025

10/10 - The cruise itself was amazing! We were really really pleased with the experience on the boat and I don't think we would have found this amazing cruise line without you so we thank you!

Travelled: February 2025

Choose the smallest ship you can afford - it makes a big difference in terms of time spent waiting to load and unload zodiacs and to time spent onshore.

Travelled: January 2025

10/10 - Swoop was so helpful in guiding us to the trip that was the best fit for us in terms of our interests and timing. We have never been on a cruise or expedition on a boat and we really knew nothing about any of the expedition companies. Our contacts at Swoop had personal experience with the ship itself. We got great guidance about which cabin to choose. The recommendations for what to bring, how to arrange travel etc were all so helpful. In addition, we welcomed the timely reminders for all of the steps (payment, forms, bookings). Read the full review

Travelled: January 2025

The staff of the ship was so attentive, professional, and helpful. This ranged from the reception staff who memorized and greeted every guest by name (several times a day), the captain and his staff's safe navigating, the wonderful and plentiful food, and the serving staff who made extra efforts to help us with our dietary needs. The cabin and the ship were luxurious and so comfortable. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2025

10/10 - The guides on our ship were fabulous – very knowledgeable, very positive, and fun! This was the number one thing we wanted in our trip. The small number of tourists on our boat made twice a day excursion as possible. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2025

10/10 - Great job matching what we wanted from our trip with the appropriate ship. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2025

10/10 - Swoop were very helpful with suggestions, and speaking with representatives, they exactly picked the right type of expedition ship for us. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2025

The size of the ship and number of guests was just right. We met a lot of wonderful people which included the guests and also the exceptional expedition team. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2025

10/10 - Everything from planning the trip all the way to the end was nothing but a positive and memorable experience. The ship, crew, staff, every single aspect of the adventure was top notch and created lasting memories. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2025

10/10 - Great advice on which cruise to take and your website provides a wealth of information. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2025

Travel on a small ship that provides the most opportunities to be in a zodiac or on shore. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2025

This ship was wonderful in every way, very comfortable, just the right size and the food was so amazing - I haven’t eaten that well in a long time. After this, I’ll never be able to take a “regular” cruise. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2025

Decide what is important to you. I was very happy with a functional boat, but great locations, landings and sightings. I never felt stressed at not being appropriately dressed for meals or events. It was a very relaxed boat, which I appreciated.

Travelled: January 2025

I would definitely choose this ship again. Our cabin was perfectly appointed and carefully laid out to use every available inch of space. I am a rather heavy packer, and to my surprise I had more than enough room for everything. The food was great and the ship staff went above and beyond to accommodate our needs and wishes. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2025

Really liked the ship, the professional staff was great, felt safe, informed, well organized. We understand why you recommended this trip on this ship. Food was good, felt that was within expectations for a boat of this type at this price point, good value. Housekeeping was excellent too, that staff should be mentioned! Read the full review

Travelled: January 2025

The cabin was great, hardly felt in a ship, it looked like a hotel room. The food was the best I have ever had in a cruise. Perfect portions, incredible variety, high quality. Absolutely spotless! And all the waiters were incredibly nice and efficient. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2024

Swoop did a great job helping pick the right trip for us, and all the materials were nicely organized. We seemed to have a better idea on some things than other passengers (e.g. mountaineering equipment requirements). Read the full review

Travelled: December 2024

10/10 - I had the time of my life aboard the Plancius. The expedition guides were amazing, professional, fun, and kept us safe while providing up close, adventurous experiences. The hotel staff and dining room servers were incredible. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2024

I can't rave enough about how satisfied I was with everything, especially after talking with other travelers we met in the airport who had been on other ships, and didn't see half of what we did. Also, I need to commend on the amount of time we were given during landings. We seemed to be given a wonderful amount of time at the different locations of landings - to explore, photograph, and just enjoy the unique places we were able to visit. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2024

Advice? Go with a company/ship that will give you a more personable/intimate opportunity of actually "touching" the land. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2024

10/10 - I'm not a ship person, have never been, because I'm always considered them floating hotels. Still, we were kept busy with so many opportunities, and the group was small enough to get to know one another well... that it was a worthwhile experience. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2024

The food, cleanliness, and kindness of the staff were amazing. For my first time being on a cruise this ship was perfect with a smaller amount of passengers and stabilizers of the ship. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2024

Most memorable moment? Spotting different types of seals and penguins on ice floes from the gorgeous balcony of ship’s cabin. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2024

You did a good job matching us with the right boat and adventure. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2024

It's very expensive to go to Antarctica. Choose a small ship to get the full value of multiple landings each day if the weather permits. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2024

From its exceptional facilities—an inviting library, observation lounge, gym, sauna, and jacuzzi—to its deeply personal atmosphere, I wouldn’t choose any other cruise. This isn’t just a journey; it’s an unforgettable voyage that touches both the heart and the soul. Perfect! Read the full review

Travelled: November 2024

Every day involved an impactful experience of majestic power and the serene strength of the Antarctic. At the peak of a snowshoeing event I came to realize all of what surrounded me did not seem real. Words cannot describe what I saw and felt on this journey. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2024

We were overwhelmed with the choices and talking to Swoop, who knew so many of the outfits, was so helpful for getting a cruise we loved. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2024

Overall it was a fantastic trip, great credit to the captain for his skills to make the trip very comfortable and making it possible to land in very tricky places. The expedition team was brilliant and handled the whole project precisely and with a lot of commitment. The hotel was great and the food good. The people we met on the trip were an other highlight and some became good friends to go forward. Read the full review

Travelled: March 2024

Fabulous vessel, great limited number of people. Very comfortable vessel with great deck space. Read the full review

Travelled: March 2024

The size of the vessel was perfect. We always had something to do. The guides were all so friendly. They provided lectures to help enhance our trip. The food was amazing! I had no idea it would be such fine dining on an Antarctic expedition. The hotel staff and dining room staff were outstanding. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2024

Wow. Just wow. Professional, experienced, friendly, LOVED the ship, loved the crew and staff. Everyone knew what they were doing! From the moment we boarded the ship to the moment we left, we knew we were in good hands. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2024

This was my first "cruise" so I wasn't sure what to expect. But everything from the cabin, the food, the staff and crew were fantastic. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2024

The entire expedition team was great - they seemed to have good camaraderie and their enthusiasm for the Antarctic and its wildlife was infectious. Every member was knowledgeable in their own way and were really friendly. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2024

10/10 - Small purpose-built ship with small number of eager and intelligent passengers, plus excellent weather to observe Antarctica and its wildlife is a winning business model. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2024

We were able to see so much and enjoy the wonders of Antarctic without worry about safety. The guides on the zodiacs were full of information which they readily shared. Memorable zodiac cruise with the whales! Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

Swoop's guidance helped me chose the perfect ship for my trip, and I was well prepared. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

I loved the small ship. Staff was friendly and attentive and quickly learned who everyone was. Steward took great care of our room. The food was plentiful and delicious. Would absolutely choose the Seaventure again. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

10/10 - Having Swoop to talk us through our ship options was worth every penny. There are so many options out there, but he found exactly the right ship for us! We wanted something that emphasized adventure over luxury, and if we'd gone with the ship we were originally planning to book, we wouldn't have been able to have some of the experiences (like camping) that we did. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

Swoop understood what we were looking for and directed us to the perfect expedition team. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

The staff really made the trip! They were so organized and really wanted us to get the most out of our trip. I also loved that it was a smaller ship so that we got to go on all the excursions together. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

10/10 - I really felt like I was heard about which company and ship would be right for me. I didn't care about fancy - I wanted to explore and experience as much as I could - to see what Antarctica had to offer. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

Take the smaller ships, less than 500 people, so you can get off and actually be in/on Antarctica to get closer to the land and wildlife. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

Cabin was great, we loved having the balcony so we could privately go out and watch the scenery and wildlife go by. And also watch the Drake Shake waves! Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

Small ship allows for so much more access to Antarctica! Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

Take the time to determine the right size of ship for the experience you want, as this is one of the most important factors in my opinion. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

I was impressed by how safety oriented the captain and entire crew were as we traveled to our destinations. They did everything they could to make sure we took the most safe and comfortable route. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

The smaller-scale of the ship and orientation towards wildlife and excursions really made the experience sensational. I cannot imagine expending the effort and money to travel there only to see it pass by my window/balcony. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2023

10/10 - One trip that you cannot describe but only experience. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2023

The perfect trip for us! The size of the ship was ideal - personal, small staff-to-passenger ratio, beautiful accommodations, and amazing scientific staff/programs. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2023

I LOVED the zodiac cruises – the expedition team was awesome, they showed us such amazing things, wildlife, icebergs, and kept us safe getting in and out of the zodiacs. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2023

10/10 - ALL OF IT WAS AMAZING!! Awesome activities, some much wildlife, the indescribable landscapes, the overwhelming awe, the incredible captain, staff, and crew, and all the open-minded and flexible passengers who brought so much positive energy to the experience. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2023

Loved the smaller guest size—although I didn’t get to meet everyone, it still felt like a big family and it was great to be with others who shared the same sense of adventure. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2023

The trip was a great experience and one we had been looking forward to for a lifetime. The comforts of the ship, the professionalism and courtesy of the crew and the expedition leaders, the first class quality food and the awesome beauty of the Antarctic was incredible. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2023

This ship is beautiful. My suite was great, with a balcony to step out on. Service was above and beyond, with staff who I believe really enjoy their job. The food was excellent and they were always willing to accommodate one's preferences. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2023

Small-ship expeditions allowed us to be on land for a good amount of time. The expedition team was top notch and they knew many of the passengers by name. The ship is a smaller ship, so it was able to get to many places. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2023

10/10 - It was reassuring to have a customer service representative making sure that I had submitted all the required forms and information, and interfacing with the ship to answer any questions I had. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2023

The small ship experience is by far the best way to visit Antarctica. The crew and expedition staff are first rate. The expedition leader worked tirelessly with the Captain to adapt to evolving conditions and give the guests the best possible experience. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2023

Choosing the right vessel and the proper company is the most important factor in planning for this trip. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2023

Get an expedition ship, not a cruise liner. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2023

Always felt comfortable in the hands of our expedition team. True professionals who love and want to share what they do. Makes for an unbelievable experience. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2023

10/10 - Swoop was instrumental in showing me Antarctic cruise options that I didn’t even know existed before calling, and they thoroughly explained the pros and cons of each option to make sure it was right for me. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Our tip? Just do it! Even though it's quite expensive it's the best trip we've ever been on and we will remember it for the rest of our lives. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

A visit to Antarctica offers many “memorable moments”. I was “most” moved on several occasions when cruising on Zodiacs in the middle of pristine, majestic environments surrounded by water, mountains, snow, floating ice and penguins. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

10/10 - I'm still mentally processing all the things we saw and the experiences I had; it's almost overwhelming how much got packed into 'only' two weeks. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Swoop was 10/10 - My favourite thing was how I felt like the representative I worked with really listened to me and helped me find a ship/company that best suited us and our wants and priorities. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

The expedition team was phenomenal. They were genuinely interested in making the trip the best it could be. I would have a hard time saying that any one was a standout because they all were in different ways. Likewise, I enjoyed all of the lectures. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Beautiful ship. The staff and crew were excellent and so friendly. Read the full review

Travelled: March 2022

Loved the zodiac excursions. The zodiacs provide intimate access to locations the ship cannot reach. Zodiacs and shore excursions make all the difference in an Antarctic journey. I couldn't imagine simply viewing just from the ship. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2022

It's good to take a exhibition trip on a purpose-built ship. Everything about the ship is designed to make expeditions (kayak, zodiac cruising, whale-watching etc.) easy. The food was surprisingly good, with many choices, each expertly prepared. We were surprised that there were so many fresh vegetables and fruit. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2022

Expedition team were extremely knowledgeable and on task with any inquiries you might have. There were years of experience as the team had been in Antarctica a number of times. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2022

The entire experience was well planned with necessary information given to trip participants in a timely manner. And besides logistics, the number and variety of off-ship excursions were outstanding, allowing us to see and experience so much of what Antarctica has to offer even in a short visit. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2022

Expedition team members were uniformly friendly, approachable, helpful, and full of knowledge related to what we were seeing or could see. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2022

Just leave it to the experts at Swoop to organise. So simple and worry free. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2020

Swoop were responsive and knowledgeable about what every ship offered and did a good job of steering us to the perfect ship. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2020

I really appreciate Swoop suggesting that we consider the slightly more expensive Hebridean Sky cruise, as my wife, who was not looking forward to the cold, enjoyed the extra comfort. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2020

There were 98 passengers on board the Island Sky and we were surprised by the age range, 22 to 78 with an average of 62. It made for a wonderful atmosphere with people mixing to chat and eat together. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2019

Good choice for the size of the expedition cruise ship. Excellent throughout the whole progress. Thank you very much, John. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2019

Resolute was an excellent ship. Like a floating 5 star hotel. So good that I am not going to share much of the interior pictures less people might think we were on a cruise rather than an expedition. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2019

Go on a small ship. Try to get on the Hebridean Sky for the aft deck. Don't worry about the Drake Passage. Everything else will make the time in the passage seem minor. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2018

John Newby was quick and thorough in his responses when I had questions. When asked about the differences between ships, he'd been aboard all of them. When asked about wildlife, he'd experienced both times of the season!

Travelled: September 2018

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

Going with a polar specialist is certainly the best way to travel and the smaller size of the boat we knew would provide greater flexibility for seeing nature and taking advantages of opportunities that came along.

Travelled: February 2018

The highlight was having humpback whales feeding within five meters of the Zodiac! The Zodiac drivers were very professional and ensured that we got a good position to see them without disturbing them. We got to see all the three species of penguins and all species of seals.

Travelled: February 2018

Glad we were on a smaller ship with only around 120 guests so we never felt overcrowded on any of the shore landings. You could feel close to nature all the time.

Travelled: January 2018

I was on the Ocean Endeavour, a fantastic ship. It really was gourmet food 4 times a day. The staff all knew my name (I don't know how). I would recommend this trip to any one wanting to see the 7th continent.

Travelled: November 2017

The crew on Plancius were fantastic, very knowledgeable, exceptionally professional and very accommodating. I met some great and very interesting people among both divers and passengers. Surprises included the quality of the service, expedition staff on Plancius, and restaurant quality meals!

Travelled: March 2017

Julie and I have just returned from our Swoop adventure. In a word, it was sensational. Everything was terrific: the ship, the hotel and the expedition team; thank you for making this trip possible. We will recommend you to all who want to share this incredible journey.

Travelled: February 2017

I was amazed with the elegance of the Hebridean Sky. Our room was spacious and furnished beautifully. Anyone interested in going on this trip, I would be sure to tell them about our experience. It was perfect.

Travelled: January 2017

The Ocean Nova was excellent and the perfect size. The ship’s crew and the expedition crew were both first class. Swoop did a terrific job in putting it all together.

Travelled: February 2016

Sea Spirit - what a plucky little ship! She carried us in comfortable luxury whilst still being small enough to provide an intimate experience. Both the crew and expedition teams worked tirelessly to ensure we had the time of our lives.

Travelled: February 2016