Worth knowing: IAATO, the international body that governs Antarctic tourism, prohibits ships carrying more than 500 passengers from making landings on the continent. This single rule is what defines the difference between the two experiences more than anything else.
Expedition voyage
- Small ships, typically 100-200 passengers, some ships up to 500
- Daily landings on the continent via Zodiac, weather and ice permitting
- Itinerary is flexible and adjusted in real time by the expedition leader
- Expedition team of naturalists, scientists, and specialists leads all activities
- Evening lectures, citizen science programs, and wildlife briefings
- Dress code is functional: waterproof layers, boots, parka
- The ship is a base camp; the continent is the destination
- You may be woken at 2am for a wildlife sighting
- Higher cost per person
Traditional large ship cruise
- Large ships, typically 500+ passengers
- Antarctica is the scenery, there are no port stops in Antarctica
- No landings on the continent; Antarctica is viewed from the deck
- Cruise director coordinates onboard entertainment and programming
- Multiple restaurants, pools, shows, casinos, and organized excursions
- Formal nights and dress codes on some lines
- Uninterrupted schedules and predictable daily routine
- Lower cost per person
Note: this website covers expedition voyages only. If a traditional cruise is what you're looking for, the operators to research are Princess, Norwegian, and Celebrity, among others.
