Antarctica cruises have a minimum age limit on certain ships, but there is certainly no upper age limit. As long as you are fit and healthy and feel capable of getting in and out of Zodiacs, you will be fine. The average age of Antarctic travelers is approximately 50-75 years old; however, this is decreasing each season.

Most Antarctica cruises are not physically demanding and definitely fall into the ‘soft adventure’ category. Walking distances are fairly short, particularly on the Antarctic Peninsula, and when longer walks are available, they are optional and will be offered alongside shorter ones. For more active travelers, optional adventure activities (kayaking, camping, etc.) are widely available on most voyages. There are also select departures like Basecamp Adventure specifically designed for the active traveler.

When deciding when to book your cruise to Antarctica, there are a couple of rules: Rule No. 1: It’s never too early to book. Rule No. 2: The early mover gets the widest choice. To be confident of securing your first choice, you should ideally be booking 12-18 months in advance, or as early as the departure dates are released. The popularity and limited number of departures of Fly & Cruise and South Georgia cruises, in particular, make it even more important to start the booking process early. This may seem excessive to those who don’t typically plan this far ahead, but on an Antarctic trip where places aren’t infinite, the need to book early is crucial to avoid disappointment.

99% of Antarctica cruises depart from Ushuaia in Southern Argentina and Punta Arenas in Southern Chile. These are the main gateways to Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.

Answer: The Drake Passage has a reputation, and not without reason, as approximately 30% of voyages experience rough weather; however, it can also be surprisingly placid too (‘The Drake Lake’). The reality for most of our customers is that it’s rarely as bad as it sounds, and it’s certainly a ‘price’ well worth paying, but if avoiding The Drake altogether by flying to Antarctica is your preference, we have firsthand experience and can help.