Antarctica & South America Cruises with Scenic: A Practical Planning Guide

What This Guide Covers

This guide draws exclusively on Gvoya's live inventory of Antarctica and South America cruise departures operated by Scenic. In our inventory, there are 66 departures across itineraries ranging from 12 to 36 nights, with a single cruise line — Scenic — represented. The information below is intended to help travellers make informed, comparable decisions about operator, ship size, itinerary length, departure timing, and all-inclusive cost structure. All prices and availability are subject to change; final price confirmed at booking.

The Operator: Scenic and Its Fleet

In our inventory, every departure is operated by Scenic, an expedition-led cruise line running three vessels to Antarctica and South America. The ships available, along with their guest capacities, are as follows: — Scenic Eclipse carries 228 guests — Scenic Eclipse II carries 228 guests — Scenic Ikon carries 152 guests Travellers considering ship size as a decision factor should note that Scenic Ikon, with a capacity of 152 guests, offers a notably more intimate ratio of passengers to expedition staff and landing craft compared with the two larger vessels. Smaller ships can mean more frequent or longer zodiac landings at remote sites, though the larger vessels carry a broader range of onboard amenities. Neither configuration is objectively superior — the right choice depends on whether a traveller prioritises shore time or onboard comfort.

Itinerary Lengths and What They Cover

In our inventory, itinerary lengths run from 12 to 36 nights. The most common itinerary length is 12 nights, which typically forms the core Antarctic Peninsula experience. Longer sailings — stretching toward 35 or 36 nights — incorporate a wider sweep of South American destinations alongside the polar segment. Itinerary highlights found across departures in our inventory include Antarctica itself, Ushuaia (the southernmost embarkation hub), the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, El Calafate (gateway to Patagonian glaciers), Iguazú Falls, the Sacred Valley, and Cusco. Travellers considering coverage should weigh itinerary length carefully: a 12-night voyage concentrates on the Antarctic Peninsula and Ushuaia, while voyages approaching 35 or 36 nights can layer in South Georgia, the Falklands, and Andean cultural highlights such as Cusco and the Sacred Valley in a single continuous journey. South Georgia, in particular, is a destination that requires additional sailing days to reach from the Peninsula; travellers with a specific interest in its naturalist-guided wildlife encounters should filter for longer departures.

Departure Months and Timing Considerations

In our inventory, departures operate across six months of the year: October, November, December, January, February, and March. The busiest departure month is January, reflecting peak Antarctic summer conditions — longer daylight hours and the most accessible ice conditions for zodiac landings. October and November departures mark the opening of the austral summer season. Early-season sailings can offer different wildlife encounter patterns compared with mid-season, as breeding cycles are at an earlier stage. February and March departures close out the season; late-season voyages may encounter different ice configurations and can appeal to travellers who prefer shoulder-season pricing dynamics, though Scenic's all-inclusive pricing structure means the starting price remains consistent across the season. Travellers considering timing should align their departure month with their primary interest: early season for certain wildlife behaviours, January for the most reliable conditions, and late season for a quieter atmosphere aboard and ashore.

Embarkation Ports and Pre-Cruise Logistics

In our inventory, embarkation ports for Scenic's Antarctica and South America departures include Buenos Aires, Santiago, Rio de Janeiro, and Lima. This range of embarkation points reflects the variety of itinerary structures on offer: shorter Antarctic-focused voyages typically embark in Buenos Aires (with overland transfer to Ushuaia), while longer itineraries incorporating Andean destinations may begin or end in Lima or Santiago. Travellers considering logistics should factor in the overland or short-haul flight segment between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, which is standard for Antarctic departures and is typically incorporated into the Scenic all-inclusive package — though travellers should confirm the precise inclusions at the time of booking. Those joining in Lima or Santiago for longer itineraries should plan for pre-cruise nights in those cities to accommodate international flight connections.

Pricing, All-Inclusive Structure, and Single Supplement

Scenic's Antarctica and South America voyages are positioned as fully inclusive expedition cruises. In our inventory, Scenic departures start from $20,000 per person. Prices and availability are subject to change; final price confirmed at booking. The all-inclusive model is a defining characteristic of Scenic's offering: shore excursions, zodiac landings, specialist expedition staff, onboard dining, and beverages are typically bundled into the fare rather than charged separately. Travellers considering total cost of ownership should account for this structure when comparing against operators that price excursions and activities à la carte — the headline fare and the total expenditure can diverge significantly depending on how active a traveller intends to be ashore. On the question of single supplements: in our inventory, departures with at least one cabin available at no single supplement number zero. Travellers planning to travel solo should budget for a single supplement on all Scenic departures currently listed and confirm the applicable supplement rate directly at the time of enquiry.

How to Choose: A Decision Framework

Given the range of options in our inventory — 66 departures, itineraries from 12 to 36 nights, three ships, and six departure months — travellers benefit from narrowing their search along a few clear axes: **Ship size:** Travellers who prioritise maximising time ashore at remote landing sites should consider Scenic Ikon (152 guests) over the two larger vessels (228 guests each). Those who place equal or greater value on onboard facilities may find the larger ships more suitable. **Itinerary length:** A 12-night voyage is the entry point and the most frequently scheduled option in our inventory. Travellers who want to include South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, and Andean cultural destinations such as Cusco and the Sacred Valley in a single voyage should look at departures in the 35-to-36-night range. **Departure month:** January offers the highest frequency of departures and peak-summer conditions. October and November suit travellers who prefer the opening of the season; February and March suit those who prefer the close. **Budget:** With a starting price of $20,000 per person, these are significant travel investments. The all-inclusive structure means most in-voyage costs are captured in the headline fare, but travellers should confirm exactly what is and is not included — particularly international flights, pre- and post-cruise hotels, and visa fees — before committing. Prices and availability are subject to change; final price confirmed at booking.

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Inventory data on this page last updated 2026-10-23.

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