Which expedition cruise lines go to the Ross Sea or cross the Antarctic Circle?

By Richard Jasinski·Updated 9 November 2026

These 17 expedition cruise lines sell a Ross Sea voyage or one that crosses the Antarctic Circle on their own websites, read 9 November 2026. Each card gives what the line says about it, with the ship, voyage, length, price or number where it names one, then why to choose it, what to ask for and the limits it publishes.

Which expedition cruise lines go to the Ross Sea or cross the Antarctic Circle?

17 expedition cruise lines in the Uncompromised Travel table say on their own websites that they sell a Ross Sea voyage or one that crosses the Antarctic Circle; Quark Expeditions, Natural World Safaris and Aurora Expeditions have the most Google reviews under the line's own name.

Who is on this page and why. The Uncompromised Travel expedition cruise lines table holds 54 companies: the expedition cruise lines ChatGPT names most often when asked about expedition cruises, plus lines found from the IAATO and AECO member lists. Their own websites were read on 9 November 2026, with their Google and Trustpilot listings matched by name. This page carries every line in the table that, on its own website, sells a Ross Sea voyage or one that crosses the Antarctic Circle: 17 lines. Cards are in alphabetical order. Each line on a card gives what the company's own website says, with a link to the page it came from; a second reader checked 324 of the table's rows against the pages. No company paid to be on this page.

Antarctica21

Best for: Flying over the Drake to Antarctica
Voyage south: Runs the Polar Circle Air-Cruise in February, 10 days with 9 nights from Punta Arenas, which aims to reach the Antarctic Circle at about 66° south, from $24,995 USD per person in a double cabin on Magellan Explorer.
Why choose them: Says it pioneered the Antarctica fly-cruise programme in 2003, flying with DAP Airlines. Google: 4.6 out of 5 from 75 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.0 out of 5 from 17 reviews, newest 5 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise, its most popular itinerary, which flies from Punta Arenas to King George Island.
Not the fit if: travelling with children under 8: air-cruises take children aged 8 and above, sea voyages 12 and above.
Enquiry: antarctica21.com/book-a-call

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: our-expeditions/polar-circle-air-cruise, landing/antarctic-flights-agents, home page.

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Antarpply Expeditions

Best for: Antarctic Peninsula voyages from Ushuaia
Voyage south: Sails Polar Circle Quest, 11 nights and 12 days on the Ushuaia in February, aiming to go south of the Antarctic Circle as far as ice and weather permit.
Why choose them: Often makes two landings a day by Zodiac in the South Shetland Islands and on the Antarctic Peninsula. Google: 4.2 out of 5 from 47 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the Classic Antarctica departures A211126, A191226, A291226, A080127 or A180127, which add an extra day around the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands.
Not the fit if: you want an all-in fare: a fuel surcharge of US$47 per person, per night is charged in addition.
Website: antarpplyexpeditions.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: expeditions/polar-circle-quest, expeditions/rates-timetable.

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Aurora Expeditions

Best for: Small-ship polar voyages with solo cabins
Voyage south: Sells Ross Sea Odyssey, 26 days, December 2026, from USD $35,726 per person twin share; Across the Antarctic Circle runs, 13 days, from USD $18,536.
Why choose them: Publishes an Expedition Team-to-expeditioner ratio of 1:7. Google: 4.4 out of 5 from 107 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for one of the 10 dedicated solo cabins with no single supplement on the Greg Mortimer or Sylvia Earle.
Not the fit if: you may need to cancel late: from 120 days before departure the cancellation fee is 100% of the full ticket price.
Money protection: Deposit Protection Program: all voyage deposits go into a separate trust account (Aurora Passenger Trust).
Enquiry: aurora-expeditions.com/booking-form

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: book-onboard, about-us, terms-and-conditions.

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EYOS Expeditions

Best for: Private expedition yacht charters worldwide
Voyage south: Offers Ross Sea expeditions at 70-80 degrees South on La Datcha, Arctic, Octopus and Aqua Lares, crossing the Southern Ocean from Australia.
Why choose them: Says it pioneered expedition yachting, defining the category in 2008.
Ask for: Ask for a book-by-cabin departure, such as Antarctica aboard Sherakhan on December 13-20, 2026, or a private charter planned around your own priorities.
Not the fit if: you need a guaranteed polar bear sighting: it says sightings in Svalbard can never be guaranteed.
Published price: 62,500 EUR based on double occupancy, Book-by-Cabin Antarctica aboard Sherakhan, December 13-20, 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Website: eyos-expeditions.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: destinations/the-ross-sea, home page, destinations/svalbard.

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Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Best for: Bilingual PC6 expedition ships, pole to pole
Voyage south: Crosses the Antarctic Circle on Expedition Antarctica: Antarctic Circle (intensive), 21 days from Ushuaia on HANSEATIC inspiration, 21 Jan to 11 Feb 2028, from €21,270 per person.
Why choose them: Its three HANSEATIC expedition ships, commissioned in May and October 2019 and May 2021, have PC6, which it says is the highest ice class for passenger ships.
Ask for: Ask for the cruises on its offers list where there is no or only a small surcharge for single occupancy of the cabin or suite.
Not the fit if: you use a wheelchair: guests who depend on one cannot travel in the Zodiacs.
Money protection: Insolvency cover with Deutscher Reisesicherungsfonds GmbH for European customers; ABTOT ATOL Franchise, ATOL number 12926, for UK customers.
Website: hl-cruises.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: cruises/destinations/antarctica, press/photo-archiv/hanseatic-nature, service/faq/planning-your-cruise.

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Heritage Expeditions

Best for: Ross Sea and Subantarctic expeditions
Voyage south: Sails In the Wake of Scott & Shackleton, a 28-day Ross Sea expedition that also takes in the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands and Macquarie Island, departing 6 January 2027, 1 February 2027, 5 January 2028 and 31 January 2028.
Why choose them: Aims to keep a guide-to-client ratio of 1:12 on its expeditions.
Ask for: Ask for the 17 December 2026 Galapagos of the Southern Ocean voyage, which has a wildlife photography workshop with Nikon Ambassador Rachel Bigsby.
Not the fit if: you need a refundable deposit: the 25% deposit is non-refundable and on Antarctica voyages the full fare is lost within 120 days of departure.
Published price: From US$10,900 per person (reduced from US$13,500), Antarctic Peninsula Expedition Cruise incl. South Shetland Islands on Heritage Discoverer, departures from 22 November 2027. Read 9 November 2026.
Money protection: Deposits held by Heritage Security Ltd on behalf of Heritage Expeditions (2018) Ltd under a customer deposit agreement.
Enquiry: heritage-expeditions.com/contact

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: offers, about/responsible-travel, terms-conditions.

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Natural World Safaris

Best for: Specialist-led wildlife voyages on partner ships
Voyage south: Sells the Antarctic Ross Sea Expedition, 28 days from Invercargill on Heritage Adventurer.
Why choose them: Has been planning wildlife travel since 2005 and has expertise across 40+ countries. Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 139 reviews; Trustpilot (whole company): 4.8 out of 5 from 88 reviews, newest 7 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the Svalbard Wildlife Safari, an intimate ship charter focused on polar bears, with its dates and price in writing.
Not the fit if: you might cancel within 89 days of departure: 100% of the entire cost is then payable.
Published price: From $12,000 per person (US$), Classic Antarctica Adventure on Sea Spirit, 28 Nov to 09 Dec 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Money protection: ATOL or Trust My Travel, included for UK and EU clients.
Website: naturalworldsafaris.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: polar-regions/antarctica/safaris/antarctic-ross-, resources/about-us, resources/terms.

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Oceanwide Expeditions

Best for: Activity-focused polar voyages on ice-class ships
Voyage south: Crosses the Antarctic Circle on the Polar Circle Deep South Discovery Voyage on m/v Ortelius, 12 nights, 6 to 18 March 2027, from 11,000 USD per person.
Why choose them: Says Ortelius and Hondius have the highest ice-class notation among its ships, UL1 and Polar Class 6, which it gives as equal to 1A-Super. Google: 4.5 out of 5 from 66 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for an Antarctica Basecamp voyage, where camping, kayaking, snowshoeing, mountaineering and a photo workshop come free with no pre-booking.
Not the fit if: you want a cabin alone at little extra cost: single occupancy costs 1.7 times the Twin or Superior rate.
Website: oceanwide-expeditions.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: antarctica/cruises/otl29-27-antarctica-polar-cir, home page, trips/dates-rates.

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Polar Latitudes

Best for: Small polar ships with citizen science
Voyage south: Sails Crossing the Antarctic Circle, 13 days/11 nights on Ocean Albatros, Jan 21 to Feb 2 2027, from $23,095 per person.
Why choose them: Publishes a passenger-to-staff ratio of 7:1 to 8:1 on every voyage. Google: 4.1 out of 5 from 7 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.7 out of 5 from 189 reviews, newest 8 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a Solo Vista Stateroom on MV Discoverer, designed for solo travellers with no single supplement.
Not the fit if: you want to sail without travel insurance: it is mandatory at booking, with at least $150,000 USD cover for medical expenses and evacuation.
Website: polar-latitudes.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: rates-and-dates, about, terms-and-conditions.

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Ponant

Best for: Polar expeditions with French-style service
Voyage south: Sails Expédition sur les traces de Scott et Shackleton to the Ross Sea, 21 nights on Le Soléal round trip from Dunedin, 25 January to 15 February 2027, from 26,770 € per person.
Why choose them: Le Commandant Charcot is a hybrid electric ship running on LNG, which it says cuts CO2 by 25%, nitrogen oxides by 85% and fine particles by 95%. Google (whole company): 4.8 out of 5 from 699 reviews; Trustpilot (whole company): 4.6 out of 5 from 644 reviews, newest 7 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a departure with the single supplement waived, marked 'Voyageur Solo 0%', for a double cabin to yourself at no extra price.
Not the fit if: you travel with children under 6, who are not accepted on expedition cruises (under 8 on Le Commandant Charcot).
Website: ponant.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: destinations/antarctique, faq, destinations/mediterranee.

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Poseidon Expeditions

Best for: One small ship in both polar regions
Voyage south: Sails Antarctic Circle 'Crossing 66º South Latitude', 15 days, 26 Jan to 9 Feb 2027, from US$15,295 per person.
Why choose them: Founded in the UK in 1999, it now sails one ship, the 114-passenger Sea Spirit. Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 36 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.5 out of 5 from 595 reviews, newest 3 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the Request-Share programme if travelling solo: if no cabin-mate is found, the single supplement is waived.
Not the fit if: you require walking assistance: it advises such guests to strongly consider not joining.
Website: poseidonexpeditions.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: antarctica, about, info-for-travelers/faq.

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Quark Expeditions

Best for: Polar-only voyages with helicopter options
Voyage south: Sells Antarctic Express: Crossing the Circle, 11 days; also Antarctica by Helicopter: Crossing the Circle and the Peninsula, 14 days.
Why choose them: Ultramarine carries two twin-engine helicopters and 20 quick-launching Zodiacs. Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 604 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.9 out of 5 from 578 reviews, newest 8 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the Antarctic Express fly-cruise options if you would rather fly the Drake Passage than sail it both ways.
Not the fit if: you want to pay late: the full balance is due 150 days before Day 1 and bookings made inside that window are paid in full.
Money protection: USTOA Consumer Protection Plan ($1 million posted with the USTOA).
Website: quarkexpeditions.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: about-us, about-us/small-ships, booking-terms-and-conditions.

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Scenic

Best for: All-inclusive polar yachts with helicopters
Voyage south: Sails Antarctica's Ross Sea: Majestic Ice & Wildlife, 24 days round trip from Christchurch, 2028/2029 season, from £26,238 per person.
Why choose them: Scenic Eclipse takes a maximum of 228 adult-only guests, 200 in Antarctica and the High Arctic, with an almost 1:1 crew to guest ratio.
Ask for: Ask for the fare on select voyages that includes a 30-minute helicopter flightseeing experience in Antarctica.
Not the fit if: you travel with children: Scenic Eclipse sails with adult-only guests.
Money protection: ATOL 9294 on flight-inclusive holidays where indicated at booking; ABTA member.
Enquiry: scenic.cruises/UK/en-GB/contact-us

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: UK/en-GB/offers/expedition-voyages-and-land-jour, UK/en-GB/about-us/the-scenic-difference, UK/en-GB/plan-your-journey/faqs.

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Secret Atlas

Best for: 12 to 36 guest polar micro cruises
Voyage south: Sails the Antarctic Circle Expedition Micro Cruise by Air, 11 days on Aureum with a push for 66°33'S on every departure, from £16,500 / US$20,995 per person in a Classic Twin, 13-23 Dec 2027.
Why choose them: Publishes a 1:6 guide ratio in the Arctic and in Antarctica and South Georgia. Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 82 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the Antarctic Circle by Air departure, which replaces the Drake Passage crossing with a two-hour charter flight from Puerto Natales to King George Island.
Not the fit if: you might cancel late: the initial 30% deposit is never refunded and nothing is refunded less than 3 months before departure.
Website: secretatlas.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: expeditions/expedition-micro-cruises, home page, booking-terms-and-conditions.

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Swan Hellenic

Best for: Cultural expedition cruises on three ships
Voyage south: Sails Antarctica and Ross Sea from Ushuaia to Dunedin (32 nights on SH Minerva from 3 February 2027) and a 13-night Antarctic Circle round trip from Ushuaia from 22 December 2026.
Why choose them: SH Minerva and SH Vega carry 152 guests each and SH Diana 192. Trustpilot: 4.6 out of 5 from 179 reviews, newest 28 October 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask which departures waive the single supplement for solo travellers.
Not the fit if: you might cancel within 60 days of departure: 100% of the cruise package price is charged.
Money protection: Insolvency bonding with ACTA (Cyprus) for cruise-only and flight-inclusive bookings.
Website: swanhellenic.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: destinations/antarctic, latest-news/how-many-people-are-on-a-cruise-ship, terms.

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Terra Nova Expeditions

Best for: Antarctica on a 98-guest ship, activities included
Voyage south: Crosses the Antarctic Circle on Polar Circle Quest, 12 days on Terra Nova Adventurer, from $10,980 per person in US dollars, next departure January 2027.
Why choose them: Keeps its Antarctic expeditions to fewer than 100 guests, with Terra Nova Adventurer taking a maximum of 98.
Ask for: Ask for an open-air camping place early: it is included but limited to 30 guests per departure.
Not the fit if: you want to fly over the Drake Passage: every voyage leaves Ushuaia and crosses it by sea.
Website: terranova-expeditions.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: en/faqs, home page.

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Viking

Best for: Large Polar Class ships with submarines
Voyage south: Sells Into the Antarctic Circle, 15 days from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, crossing the 66°33′ line of latitude.
Why choose them: Its expedition ships Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, launched in 2022, carry 378 guests each. Trustpilot (whole company): 1.7 out of 5 from 382 reviews, newest 8 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a submarine dive: each submarine takes 6 guests and a pilot.
Not the fit if: you travel with children: it lists no children under 18 on its ocean voyages; the pages read give no age rule for its expedition ships.
Enquiry: vikingcruises.com/expeditions/contact/index.html

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: press/press-releases/2026-05-05-viking-opens-boo, about-us/history.html, oceans/why-viking/did-you-know.html.

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Which of these show a dated price on this page?

13 of the 17 cards show a price for a voyage of this kind, with its currency and a date or season. Quark Expeditions and Viking publish fares on their own websites without a date or currency on the pages read, so no figure is shown for them. Ask every line for a written quote with the departure date and what it includes.

Antarctica21
Aurora Expeditions
EYOS Expeditions
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Heritage Expeditions
Natural World Safaris
Oceanwide Expeditions
Polar Latitudes
Ponant
Poseidon Expeditions
Scenic
Secret Atlas
Terra Nova Expeditions

Which of these lines name a scheme that protects your money?

7 of the 17 lines name a scheme, bond, licence or account that protects payments for some or all bookings; check the number with the scheme before you pay.

Aurora Expeditions: Deposit Protection Program: all voyage deposits go into a separate trust account (Aurora Passenger Trust)
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: Insolvency cover with Deutscher Reisesicherungsfonds GmbH for European customers; ABTOT ATOL Franchise, ATOL number 12926, for UK customers
Heritage Expeditions: Deposits held by Heritage Security Ltd on behalf of Heritage Expeditions (2018) Ltd under a customer deposit agreement
Natural World Safaris: ATOL or Trust My Travel, included for UK and EU clients
Quark Expeditions: USTOA Consumer Protection Plan ($1 million posted with the USTOA)
Scenic: ATOL 9294 on flight-inclusive holidays where indicated at booking; ABTA member
Swan Hellenic: Insolvency bonding with ACTA (Cyprus) for cruise-only and flight-inclusive bookings

Who to contact first

Start with the 7 lines on this page that publish both a voyage price and their cancellation terms on their own websites, then add any other card that fits your dates and the voyage you want.

Aurora Expeditions
Heritage Expeditions
Natural World Safaris
Polar Latitudes
Quark Expeditions
Secret Atlas
Terra Nova Expeditions

What to ask each one to set out in writing:

What the fare includes, line by line: flights, hotel nights before and after, drinks, gratuities, excursions, kayaking or camping, parka and boots.
The ship: passengers on board, ice class where it matters, the cabin and whether anything on board costs extra.
The deposit, when the balance is due, what you lose if you cancel and what happens if ice or weather changes the route.
Which scheme or licence protects your money, the travel insurance you need and the medical cover it must include.

Ross Sea and Antarctic Circle cruises: the questions people ask

What should I ask an expedition cruise line before booking?

What the fare includes, line by line; how many passengers the ship carries and how many go ashore at once; the deposit and what you lose if you cancel; the travel insurance and medical cover it requires; and which scheme protects your money.

Can I book with these lines directly?

Yes. Each card links the line's own website or enquiry page; ask for a written quote that lists what the fare includes and the cancellation scale.

Do these lines all sell the same kind of voyage?

No. Each card names the voyage, ship or offer the line's own website gives; ship sizes, lengths, routes and prices differ, so compare the cards before you ask for quotes.

Do I need travel insurance for an expedition cruise?

14 of the 17 lines set out on their own websites what insurance they ask for; many polar voyages require cover for medical evacuation. Ask each line for the cover it requires before you buy a policy.

Which of these have the most Google reviews?

Quark Expeditions, Natural World Safaris and Aurora Expeditions, in that order. A count says how many people reviewed a line, not whether it fits your voyage; each card gives the rating and count, read 9 November 2026.

Which of these have Trustpilot profiles?

8 of the 17: Antarctica21, Natural World Safaris, Polar Latitudes, Ponant, Poseidon Expeditions, Quark Expeditions, Swan Hellenic and Viking. Each card gives the TrustScore, the review count and the newest review date, read 9 November 2026.

Which of these publish their cancellation terms?

8 of the 17: Aurora Expeditions, Heritage Expeditions, Natural World Safaris, Polar Latitudes, Quark Expeditions, Secret Atlas, Swan Hellenic and Terra Nova Expeditions. Ask each for the full scale in writing before you pay a deposit.

Where can I check these facts myself?

Each card links the pages of the line's own website its lines were read from, with the date they were read.

How were these lines chosen?

Each one is in the Uncompromised Travel expedition cruise lines table, built from the expedition cruise lines ChatGPT names most often. On its own website it sells a Ross Sea voyage or one that crosses the Antarctic Circle. A line is on the page because its published facts fit the question, never because it paid.

Is any company on this page paying to be here?

No. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel; none paid to be on it.