Many travelers have already started planning their Antarctica trips for end of 2025 and early 2026.
You might be wondering, “Isn’t it too early to start planning now?”
Not at all! But why?
Because a trip to Antarctica requires careful preparation, including:
- Planning your time off.
Antarctica cruises have fixed departure dates, so once you choose a sailing, your travel dates are set. If you’re working a full-time job, you can make the most of the New Year holiday.
If you’re also planning to visit other destinations in Argentina or Chile, consider extending your trip before or after the holiday period.
For those with both time and money to spare—feel free to skip this step!
- Booking flights in advance.
There’s no way around it—traveling to Antarctica means securing a round-trip ticket to South America!
Scoring a great deal on airfare usually requires some flexibility with travel dates. However, with careful planning and early booking, you might just find discounted flights that align perfectly with your itinerary—saving anywhere from a few hundred to even thousands in airfare!
When is the best time to book an Antarctica cruise for the best price?
To answer this global mystery, it really depends on the type of cruise you’re booking.
- If you’re going for a luxury cruise (e.g., Silversea, Quark Expeditions):
You can book as early as now for departures at the end of this year or during next year’s Chinese New Year. These high-end cruises rarely drop their prices, so booking early gives you access to early-bird discounts—meaning the sooner you book, the better the deal. - If you’re not booking a luxury cruise, Summer recommends waiting, as the best discounts haven’t arrived yet.
- For peak-season cruises (December to January):
Check for price drops about six months before departure. If you find a good deal, it’s usually safe to book since discounts for peak-season cruises tend to be limited. - If you’re looking for last-minute deals, then you really have to wait until the very last minute. Some travelers even head to Ushuaia and book directly on-site for the best last-minute rates!
- Or, travel around South America while waiting for the right deal.
Instead of staying in Ushuaia and waiting, you can explore South America and jump on a cruise as soon as you find a good price and available cabin. This way, you avoid the extra expenses of accommodations and dining in Ushuaia while waiting. That’s exactly what I did—I was already traveling in South America when I found a discounted cruise in February, booked it immediately, and set off for Antarctica in March!
Why visit Antarctica’s Three Islands in February and March? What can you see?
The biggest reason: Prices drop significantly in February and March!
Compared to the 16,000 USD per person price tag in December and January, finding a cruise for under 10,000 USD is an absolute steal!
For those eager to see penguins, February and March are still fantastic months—the colonies remain large, and this is the best time to witness penguin chicks learning to swim and hunt for food. If you want to capture adorable baby penguins in action, this is the season to go!
February and March: The Golden Season for Whales—Especially March!
Before heading to Antarctica, I had heard that there wasn’t much to see in March. With some hesitation, she decided to go anyway—and it turned out to be a whale lover’s paradise!
March is peak whale-watching season. Not only are there scheduled whale-watching sessions morning, noon, and night, but the ship’s broadcast frequently announces new sightings in different directions—each one offering a unique experience!
To put it simply, Summer spent the entire trip either on the deck watching whales or on her way to the deck to see more whales!
For more information on Antarctica travel prep and cruise tickets, feel free to send me a message!
I’m Summer, an outdoor-loving backpacker.
I only recommend the most exciting adventures to the farthest places.
Follow me, and let’s talk Antarctica and travel!
