An Antarctica cruise departing from Ushuaia, Argentina typically costs $5,000–$15,000 per person for a standard 10–12 day expedition, with luxury and extended voyages reaching $25,000–$50,000+ per person in 2025–2026.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Antarctica is the most expensive cruise destination on earth — and most of those voyages depart from one city: Ushuaia, Argentina, the world's southernmost city. If you're budgeting for this trip without understanding the full cost picture, you'll get burned. Here's the real breakdown.
What an Antarctica Cruise from Argentina Actually Costs
Expedition cruises to Antarctica operate almost exclusively from Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, crossing the Drake Passage to reach the Antarctic Peninsula. The voyage length is typically 10 to 24 days, and pricing is almost always quoted per person based on double occupancy.
Budget $5,000–$8,000 per person for the entry-level expedition experience on a larger ship (200–500 passengers). Mid-range sits at $8,000–$15,000 per person on smaller, more specialized vessels. Splurge options on luxury or ultra-small ships run $18,000–$50,000+ per person.
| Tier | Ship Size | Per Person (Double) | Typical Duration | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | 200–500 passengers | $5,000–$8,000 | 10–12 days | Drake crossing, basic zodiac landings, shared cabins |
| Mid-Range | 100–200 passengers | $8,000–$15,000 | 12–15 days | Smaller groups, more landings, better naturalist guides |
| Luxury | 50–150 passengers | $15,000–$25,000 | 12–18 days | Private balconies, premium dining, kayaking/camping extras |
| Ultra-Luxury | 12–100 passengers | $25,000–$50,000+ | 14–24 days | Exclusive access, helicopters, submarine excursions, all-inclusive |
Solo supplement is brutal on Antarctica cruises — typically 50–100% of the per-person rate, though some operators offer single cabins at $7,000–$12,000 for the mid-range tier.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Key Factors That Drive the Cost
1. Ship size and passenger count Smaller ships cost more — full stop. A 500-passenger vessel can spread fixed costs across more people. A 12-passenger sail yacht cannot. But smaller ships get closer to wildlife, land more frequently, and offer a radically different experience.
2. Departure timing Antarctica season runs November through March. Prices follow a curve:
- November (early season): 10–15% cheaper, icy conditions, less wildlife activity
- December–January (peak): Full price, best wildlife, penguin breeding season
- February–March (late season): Occasional last-minute discounts of 20–30%, whale activity peaks, some ice breakup
3. Cabin category Inside/triple-share cabins are your cheapest entry point. On larger expedition ships, inside cabins start around $4,800–$6,500 per person. Suites on the same ship can hit $15,000–$20,000 per person.
4. What's included Most Antarctica expeditions are semi-inclusive — meals and some excursions are covered, but watch for these common add-ons:
- Kayaking: $500–$1,200 per person
- Camping on the ice (snow camping): $300–$600 per person
- Scuba diving: $1,000–$2,500 per person
- Photography workshops: $500–$1,500 per person
- Helicopter transfers (some luxury lines): included or $500–$2,000
5. Getting to Ushuaia This is the cost travelers forget. International flights to Ushuaia (USH) typically route through Buenos Aires (EZE or AEP). Budget $1,200–$2,500 per person for transatlantic flights plus the Buenos Aires–Ushuaia leg. Add 1–2 nights in Ushuaia at $80–$250/night as a pre-cruise buffer — ships wait for no one, and Drake weather can delay departures.
6. Drake Passage alternative: Drake by Air Some operators offer fly-cruise options departing from Punta Arenas, Chile, flying directly to King George Island to skip the 2-day Drake crossing each way. This saves 4 days of seasickness but adds $1,000–$3,000 per person to the base price.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Practical Tips to Cut Costs Without Cutting the Experience
Book last-minute — carefully Antarctica last-minute deals (typically 60–90 days before departure) can slash 20–40% off posted prices. Sites like Last Minute Expeditions and direct operator deals are worth watching from September onward. Risk: cabin choice is limited, and flights to Ushuaia spike in price at short notice.
Travel in pairs and book early for peak Peak-season December and January cabins sell out 12–18 months in advance. Early booking discounts of 5–15% are common before the 12-month mark.
Choose a larger ship for your first trip If this is your first Antarctica voyage, a 200–400 passenger expedition ship (Hurtigruten, Quark, Ponant's larger vessels) gives you the experience at 30–40% less than a boutique small ship. You can always upgrade on your next trip — and yes, most people go back.
Skip the add-on excursions until you're onboard Don't pre-book every kayaking slot. Conditions dictate what actually happens in Antarctica — some activities get cancelled due to weather or wildlife encounters. Book essential ones (camping if it's a must-do) in advance, leave the rest flexible.
Consider repositioning voyages Some ships reposition between Antarctic seasons, offering South Georgia & Antarctica combined itineraries at relatively lower per-day costs — though total prices are higher due to length (18–24 days).
Best Operators for Antarctica Cruises from Ushuaia (2025–2026)
| Operator | Ship Size | Price Range (pp) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quark Expeditions | 100–500 passengers | $6,500–$18,000 | First-timers, range of options |
| Hurtigruten Expeditions | 100–530 passengers | $7,000–$20,000 | Science-focused, modern ships |
| Lindblad/National Geographic | 100–148 passengers | $12,000–$28,000 | Serious naturalists, photography |
| Ponant | 92–270 passengers | $10,000–$35,000 | French luxury, small ships |
| Aurora Expeditions | 100–160 passengers | $8,500–$22,000 | Adventure add-ons, B-Corp certified |
| Silversea Expeditions | 100–274 passengers | $15,000–$45,000 | Ultra-luxury, all-inclusive |
| Greg Mortimer / Ocean Albatros | 160–200 passengers | $5,500–$9,000 | Budget-conscious expedition |
Note: Prices above are per person, double occupancy, and reflect 2025–2026 season published rates. Last-minute deals can reduce these by up to 35%.
Total Budget: What to Actually Plan For
Here's what a realistic total trip costs when you add everything together:
| Trip Tier | Cruise Fare (pp) | Flights (pp) | Hotels/Pre-cruise | Add-Ons | Total Per Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5,500 | $1,500 | $200 | $300 | ~$7,500 |
| Mid-Range | $11,000 | $2,000 | $400 | $800 | ~$14,200 |
| Luxury | $20,000 | $2,500 | $600 | $1,500 | ~$24,600 |
| Ultra-Luxury | $38,000 | $3,000 | $1,000 | $0 (included) | ~$42,000 |
Antarctica is expensive no matter how you cut it. But it's also the trip that permanently rearranges your sense of what's possible on this planet. Budget honestly, book smart, and don't cheap out on getting there — missing your ship in Ushuaia is a $10,000 lesson nobody needs.
Use CruiseMutiny to compare Antarctica expedition operators side-by-side, filter by departure date and ship size, and see which last-minute deals are live for the 2025–2026 season. If you're ready to book, CruiseHub has competitive rates on expedition cruises: browse Antarctica departures from Ushuaia.