Antarctic Peninsula Cruises
The Peninsula is the classic way to experience Antarctica. Some of the best wildlife and most dramatic scenery can be found in this part of the Frozen Continent.
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Why travel solo to Antarctica?
- As soon as you walk up the gangplank you're immediately embraced by a group of like-minded adventurers
- While Antarctica's icescapes and wildlife always take centre stage, the camaraderie of an Antarctic voyage is consistently rated as the third highlight by solo travellers
- There's a choice of onboard accommodation to suit everyone, from value-led shared same sex cabins, to dedicated singles and twins with single supplements
- A number of ships we offer provide all-inclusive elements including pre-voyage hotels, domestic flights, gratuities and drinks, to take the hassle out of travel to the ends of the earth
- Swoop has assisted hundreds of solo travellers over the years and our staff regularly solo travel to Antarctica: we know what’s important to make your trip truly unforgettable
Swoop says
Whenever I travel solo to Antarctica, I never worry because I know that as soon as I walk up the ship’s gangway I’ll be instantly swept up by a welcoming crowd of excited fellow travellers.
Maddison Clare Antarctica Specialist
3 choices of onboard accommodation
Choose from the following onboard cabin options
1. Shared same sex cabin
The most popular (and cost effective) option for solo travellers sailing to Antarctica is to share a cabin. Cabin shares are always with another solo traveller of the same sex.
Wherever possible you’ll be matched with another passenger of the same relative age and nationality to make getting to know each other smooth and easy.
Some ships have triple and quad cabins as well, all with en suite bathrooms. While it might initially feel odd to consider sharing with a complete stranger, it’s a highly effective way to book an affordable Antarctic trip and the very nature of expedition cruising means that new acquaintances rapidly become friends.
In terms of the amount of space you’ll have, it’s worth knowing that average cabin sizes in the polar fleet have almost doubled over the past ten years as well as becoming a lot smarter with storage space, giving everyone a lot more room. Of course, cabins are really only places for sleeping in and getting ready for excursions: the point of expedition cruising is to be out exploring Antarctica!
Sharing a cabin comes with the implicit requirement to be respectful of the common space; those concerned about the idea might be more relaxed with securing their own cabin entirely.
While exact cabins vary from ship to ship, note that the highest cabin categories on a ship often aren’t available for sharing.
2. Dedicated single cabin
Dedicated single cabins for solo travellers used to be a real rarity for Antarctic voyages, but the recent growth in expedition cruise ship numbers now means that those travelling by themselves have access to a lot more choice.
The price of a dedicated single cabin is typically close to the cost of a twin cabin with single supplement and is more expensive than a shared cabin.
The number of dedicated solo cabins varies hugely between different ships. These cabins are always limited in number and in high demand however. Even with the increased choice on offer, early booking is strongly recommended: booking 18 months in advance of travel isn’t too soon.
Swoop knows the entire polar fleet like no one else so we can guide you in choosing the right ship on the right date with the perfect cabin for you – our close connections with all the operators will help you secure your chosen berth.
3. Twin cabin with single supplements
If you’d like your own space and your preferred ship has no dedicated cabins or they’re all booked up, the option exists to pay a single supplement to secure exclusive use of a twin cabin.
There’s no restriction on which cabin category you can choose, but the single supplement you’ll pay operates along a sliding scale according to which ship you're sailing on. Typically, you'll pay somewhere between 140%-170% of the cost of a single berth. On most ships, if you wish to secure the top cabin categories you’ll need to pay the full price of the cabin.
Swoop’s expertise can help guide you through the best matched options for your needs, including which ships offer the most competitive single supplement costs. We’re also on top of when ships may choose to run incentives for solo travellers and waive the single supplements on their twin cabins.
Adventure activities
There are few better ways of breaking the ice with new travel companions than getting out in a zodiac together for your first landing in Antarctica, but there are plenty of other ways to find your people when you're on board.
Booking additional adventure activities such as kayaking or camping can be an ideal option for solo travellers. Groups taking part in activities are often the first to bond during a voyage: you'll take part in dedicated briefings from your guides and if you're kayaking you'll be paired up with a kayaking buddy. We know from experience how like-minded people meeting for the first time quickly become tight-knit teams through shared adventure. From sharing photos of the day in the ship’s lounge and swapping stories over dinner, these activities are a great way to make new friends as well as experiencing Antarctica from a unique perspective.
Our most popular Antarctica trips booked by solo travellers
Price Match Promise - We’ll match any price you find elsewhere for the same trip
What our customers think about about solo travel to Antarctica
Review:
Travelling solo to Antarctica: FAQs
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Do all ships offer solo cabins or single supplements?
An increasing number of ships have dedicated solo cabins and the vast majority offer twin cabins with the option of paying a single supplement.
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Why is it so expensive to have my own cabin?
We get asked this question a lot! Ship economics means that most cabins are designed to be reserved by two or more people, so if you'd like one to yourself you'll generally have to pay a premium (albeit less than buying two berths yourself). This said, there are often no single supplement offers on different ships. These tend to sell out very quickly, but our close relationships with the many ship operators means that we'll always be able to offer you the best deals available at the time.
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Who will I be eating meals with?
Antarctica cruising is one of the most sociable forms of travel out there – you'll only eat alone if that's what you choose. If you're staying in a shared cabin, you'll have met a first dining companion the moment you check in. Most ship restaurants will have tables set up for sixes and eights that are perfect for mingling, as well as for twos and fours. Once you've been at sea for a while or done your first landings, the shared travel experience soon breaks down barriers. Joining other people for dinner is the norm rather than the exception, even for those travelling as couples!
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I'm happy to share: should I book a twin, triple or quad?
It's all down to personal choice in terms of what you're comfortable with in terms of budget as well as space. Without a doubt these cabins provide the most budget-friendly way of getting to Antarctica. If you're the sort of person who might once have enjoyed staying in hostels with communal accommodation, these are a great option; if you're not as gregarious (or want a cabin with a balcony) then a twin might be a better option.
If opting for a triple or a quad, it's important to note that these cabins tend to have bunk beds and that individual bunks cannot be reserved in advance of sailing. Triples and quads also typically don't have balconies.
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How much room will I really have in a shared cabin?
Sharing a cabin with someone you've only just met always takes a little bit of accommodating, but cabins are a lot more spacious than you'd expect.
Cabin sizes naturally vary between different ships and across the twin-triple-quad range. However, twin cabins typically average around 190-215 square feet (18-20 square metres).
Once on board you'll quickly develop a routine to make sure you and your cabin mate get enough quiet time. This said, Antarctic cruises have packed itineraries – you'll be out on landings or zodiac cruises or just out on the deck or relaxing in a lounge – so at the end of your trip you may be surprised at how little time you actually spent in your cabin.
More on Antarctica cruising
When to go to Antarctica
Choosing when to go to Antarctica is a key part of planning a cruise, with each month of the season offering a different side of the continent.
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What to expect in Antarctica
Until you reach the White Continent, it can be hard to imagine exactly what it will be like. We hope our guides and videos give you a taste of what to expect.
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Antarctica & South Georgia Cruises
A jewel in Antarctica's crown, South Georgia is one of the world's great wildlife destinations: the Serengeti of the Southern Ocean
Discover MoreReady to plan your Antarctic adventure?
1
Listen
We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
2
Match
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
3
Reserve
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.
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