A Princess Cruises Antarctica sailing is one of the most accessible, comfortable, and visually extraordinary ways to experience the White Continent — combining the raw, breathtaking scenery of the Antarctic Peninsula with the vibrant cultural capitals, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and dramatic Patagonian landscapes of South America in a single grand voyage. A Princess cruise to Antarctica is not a typical cruise — it is a true expedition to the most pristine and remote continent on Earth, designed to provide a deep, immersive experience centred around scenic cruising rather than traditional port calls. Princess ships are larger than specialist expedition vessels, meaning guests experience Antarctica's icebergs, glaciers, and wildlife from the comfort and elegance of a world-class ocean liner rather than a small polar ship — a genuinely different and equally extraordinary way to encounter the seventh continent. The Cruise Web

How Princess Cruises Approaches Antarctica

Princess Cruises is a member of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO), committed to safe and environmentally responsible travel to this delicate region. These journeys typically depart from or return to South American cities like Buenos Aires and Santiago, sailing through the legendary Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula. The experience is centred around breathtaking vistas from the ship, where guests can witness colossal icebergs, massive glaciers, and diverse wildlife from the comfort of their vessel. 

This scenic cruising approach means guests remain aboard the ship while navigating Antarctic waters — rather than landing by Zodiac on the continent as expedition cruise guests do. The advantage is significant: Princess ships offer vastly more comfortable accommodation, superior dining and entertainment, and a more relaxed onboard atmosphere than the smaller expedition vessels. For travellers who want Antarctica's extraordinary scenery without the physical demands and Zodiac landings of expedition cruising, Princess is the definitive choice.

Princess Antarctica Ships

Sapphire Princess

Sapphire Princess, at 115,875 gross tons, conducts the Antarctica sailings — carrying up to 2,670 guests across itineraries ranging from 17 to 53 nights. Sapphire Princess delivers the full Princess experience alongside the Antarctic Peninsula — rotational dining, Princess Live! entertainment, Movies Under the Stars, the Sanctuary adults-only retreat, and the full range of specialty restaurants including Sabatini's Italian and Crown Grill steakhouse — all while gliding through Antarctic waters with icebergs visible from every deck. 

Majestic Princess

The 3,560-guest Majestic Princess makes her debut on the South America and Antarctica season aboard the Royal-Class ship. Majestic Princess is one of Princess's most technically advanced and elegantly appointed ships — featuring the Piazza central atrium, multiple specialty dining venues, Princess Live! entertainment venue, and the spectacular Ocean Terrace stern deck from which Antarctic scenery is viewed in complete comfort. New for the season, Princess introduces scenic cruising through the Beagle Channel Fjords and Glacier Alley, showcasing spectacular hanging and tidewater glaciers descending from the Darwin Mountain Range — an unforgettable visual experience. 

Princess Antarctica Itineraries

The South America and Antarctica season includes five itineraries and six departures, ranging from 15 to 33 days, featuring two overnight scenic experiences in the Antarctic Peninsula, as well as 17 destinations in 10 countries and 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Cruise Industry News

17-Night Antarctica & South America

The 17-night Antarctica cruise features four days in the Antarctic region and a special festive voyage that celebrates both Christmas and New Year's Day at sea, including an overnight stay in Buenos Aires. This is Princess's most immersive Antarctic itinerary — four days gliding through Antarctic waters means four full days of iceberg, glacier, and wildlife viewing from the ship's decks and observation areas, interspersed with the cultural highlights of Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile. 

15-Night Cape Horn & Glaciers of Patagonia

The 15-day Cape Horn and Glaciers of Patagonia sailing features scenic cruising and an overnight in Buenos Aires — rounding South America's most dramatic cape and threading through Glacier Alley in the Beagle Channel before approaching the Antarctic Peninsula. This itinerary is the best choice for travellers who want Patagonia's extraordinary fjord scenery alongside the Antarctic experience. 

33-Night Grand South America & Antarctica

The 33-night Grand Adventure sailing is Princess's ultimate Southern Hemisphere voyage — combining every major South American cultural highlight (Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Rio de Janeiro, Lima) with the full Antarctic Peninsula scenic cruising experience in a single extraordinary month-long voyage. Wildlife becomes your welcoming committee, glaciers tower like ancient monuments, and every port reveals a story shaped by nature, history, and the people who call these shores home. 

UNESCO World Heritage Sites on a Princess Antarctica Voyage

Princess Antarctica itineraries visit 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites — including Peninsula Valdés Patagonian Nature Preserve from Puerto Madryn and Sitio Roberto Burle Marx from Rio de Janeiro. Other UNESCO highlights include the Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Pampas from San Martin, Peru, and the Historic Centre of Lima. No other Antarctica cruise programme combines this concentration of UNESCO-listed natural and cultural sites with Antarctic Peninsula scenic cruising. 

What You'll See — Antarctic Peninsula Scenic Cruising

Princess cruises deliver incredible opportunities to glide through the glacial waters of Antarctica to enjoy views of Elephant Island, Antarctic Sound, and Gerlache Strait — all unforgettable sights to behold. Elephant Island — where Shackleton's crew survived for months awaiting rescue — is one of the most historically resonant sights in all of Antarctic cruising. The Gerlache Strait, threading between the Antarctic Peninsula and Palmer Archipelago, delivers the most dramatic concentration of iceberg and glacier scenery accessible to any large cruise ship. Whales, penguins, and seals are frequently sighted from the ship's decks and observation areas throughout the Antarctic leg. TravelMole

Best Time for a Princess Antarctica Cruise

Princess Antarctica sailings operate from November through January — the austral summer. November and December sailings offer the most dramatic Antarctic scenery with active wildlife and longer daylight hours. January sailings deliver the peak of southern summer — the warmest conditions and the most accessible Antarctic waters for scenic cruising. The festive December sailing — celebrating Christmas and New Year's Eve at sea in Antarctic waters — is consistently one of the most sought-after and earliest-booking departures in the programme.

Princess Antarctica Cruise Prices

Princess Antarctica sailings represent the most accessible price point for large-ship Antarctic cruising. 17-night Antarctica and South America sailings start from approximately $3,500–$6,000 per person for interior cabins. 15-night Cape Horn and Patagonia sailings start from approximately $2,800–$5,000 per person. 33-night Grand Adventure sailings start from approximately $6,000–$12,000 per person. GetMyCruise displays live Princess Antarctica cruise pricing across all itineraries, cabin categories, and sailing dates in real time.