When to book my Antarctic cruise tickets? Booking Times for the 4 Major Itineraries
It is recommended to book Antarctica cruise tickets at least 9 months in advance.
There are three reasons:
Departures for dual-island and triple-island itineraries are the fewest among the four itineraries.
The flight-cruise combination is unique and almost sells out even during the early bird period.
Once the cruise line announces the departure dates for each season, they are fixed and will usually not be adjusted.
For the three itineraries mentioned in points 1 and 2, only high-priced cabins remain available on some departure dates starting in October of this year. Regarding point 3, if you have limited vacation time and can only travel within a specific timeframe, you'll need to purchase your tickets early to accommodate the cruise line's schedule.
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1. Four Major Antarctic Itineraries
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Based on the mode of transportation, the four major itineraries can be divided into the following two types:
1. Single island, dual island, triple island: round trip by cruise ship
2.Flight Cruise: Fly between South America and Antarctica + Cruise within Antarctica
The biggest difference between the four itineraries above lies in the estimated number of days spent in Antarctica. For readers with tight vacation schedules who want to travel to Antarctica more efficiently, we recommend the "Flight Cruise" option.
Additionally, a number of cruise lines are now offering limited itineraries that replace the outbound or return leg of a single, double, or triple island cruise, with flights. Each line only offers two or three departure dates, so space is limited. Interested readers shall contact us to book.
2. Dual Islands (South Georgia Island + Antarctica)
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The two islands have the least number of departures among the four major itineraries, so it is strongly recommended to purchase them at least 9 months in advance.
For example, cruises with a passenger capacity of less than 200 passengers offer no more than five of these itineraries each season, and they will be nearly sold out as soon as they are launched, with only a few high-priced cabins remaining. The highlight of this itinerary is the opportunity to witness the adorable king penguins in person at South Georgia Island.
Warm reminder: Starting in October this year, the minimum number of days for a two-island itinerary has been raised to 18 days in order to increase the time you can stay on South Georgia Island to 3 days.
3. Triple Islands (Falkland Islands + South Georgia Island + Antarctica)
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Triple-Island itineraries, which are second smallest in number of departures, offer up to seven species of penguin sightings in one trip. Thus, it is also recommended to book at least nine months in advance. For those planning to combine a trip with the Christmas and New Year holidays, or the Lunar New Year holiday, please contact us as soon as the government announces a holiday.
Cruise lines still primarily serve European and American tourists, so Christmas and New Year's Eve are the hottest periods, and a popular departure time for triple-island trips. While the proportion of Asian tourists is increasing, the Lunar New Year holiday period varies slightly from year to year, so cruise companies generally don't schedule extra triple-island departures for this holiday. With limited availability, booking in advance is the safest option.
Furthermore, this itinerary can last up to 23 days. Generally, a triple-island itinerary will include one to two days in the Falkland Islands, two to four days in South Georgia, and three to seven days in Antarctica, depending on whether or not the tour enters the Arctic Circle. The longer the stay, the higher the price. The average price ranges from USD 13,000 to USD 30,000.
4. Single Island (Antarctica)
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Single-island itineraries to Antarctica are the most popular, have the largest number of departures, and offer more discounts. However, if you are traveling with more than four people, we still recommend booking at least 9 months in advance.
Single-island itineraries are a staple for many cruise lines. Those with flexible schedules may consider choosing off-season itineraries during October-November and February-March for better prices. These itineraries typically last 10 days, but can extend to 13-15 days if they visit the Antarctic Circle. Prices typically start at USD 8,000 per person.
5. Flight Cruise
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For its uniqueness, flight cruise departure sells out quickly even without discount. Therefore, we recommend you don't wait and book as soon as you confirm your travel date.
For as little as eight days, you can replace the long two-day sea crossing of the Drake Passage with a two-hour one-way journey. A flight cruise brings you to Antarctica with an estimated four landing days. Prices start at USD 12,000, depending on the tier of the cruise ship you choose after arriving in Antarctica.
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