Antarctica
Arctic
Artic
Info
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Your contact
Bruna
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Length
15 Days
Ship category
Classic
Ship type
Small Ship
Capacity
0 Passengers
Early season magic
Longest South Georgia expedition available
Exploring the legacy of Shackleton
Expert-led exploration, specialist lectures and guided excursions
Best Price Guaranteed
Explore with just 44 guests
St Andrews Bay, Grytviken, Salisbury Plain, Gold Harbour, and Prion Island
Flexible, photography-focused adventure
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Polar Athena is a small, ice-class expedition ship built for true Antarctic exploration. With a 1A super ice-class rating and just 42 guests on board, she combines ice-breaking strength with intimate, small-group charm. Her compact size allows for quick Zodiac landings, flexible itineraries, and personal, immersive exploration of the polar wilderness. Originally a research vessel, she’s now refurbished for comfort and authentic, slow travel to the most remote corners of the Earth. … Read more about Polar Athena
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Observation Lounge
Observation Deck
Library
Restaurant
Open Bridge Policy
Mudroom
Sauna
Hot Tub
Internet/Wifi
Meals on Polar Athena are freshly prepared and served in an intimate setting. From hearty breakfasts before daily excursions to elegant dinners shared with fellow explorers, every meal balances warm hospitality, delicious flavors, and a sense of community. Dining is a highlight, offering both comfort and connection after full days of adventure.
Keep in mind this is an expedition cruise, so your itinerary will depend greatly on the weather, amount of ice and wildlife breeding behavior.

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Depart Port Stanley, Falkland Islands in the afternoon and set sail across the Scotia Sea toward South Georgia. Keep your eyes peeled high and low for wandering albatrosses that tend to glide alongside the ship and dolphins playing in the wake.
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As we approach South Georgia, we may first pass the remote Shag Rocks, alive with seabirds.
Depending on conditions, there’s a chance for an evening Zodiac excursion — your first thrilling taste of the subantarctic.
Over four full days, we plan to explore South Georgia from north to south, aiming to visit iconic wildlife havens such as St Andrews Bay, Salisbury Plain, Gold Harbour, and Cooper Bay. Walk among vast king penguin colonies, watch elephant seals lounging on golden beaches, and visit Grytviken, the final resting place of Sir Ernest Shackleton.
We’ll aim to embark on a Zodiac excursion alongside the towering glaciers of Drygalski Fjord, and witness large numbers of albatrosses heading out to fish from their nests on Prion Island.
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Between spotting wandering albatrosses gliding effortlessly above the swells and dolphins dancing in the wake, you’ll enjoy a dynamic, curated program of lectures, workshops, and personal accounts from our expedition team. Hands-on photography sessions will help you sharpen your skills for polar environments, while time on deck offers endless opportunities to connect with the wilderness.

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Our voyage concludes in Port Stanley, where you’ll disembark. Before your onward journey, take time to stroll the colourful streets, visit local shops, or enjoy a final taste of island life before transferring to the airport.
From
Until
Info
Availability
Price
10
Oct
2026
24
Oct
2026
From
USD 18,995
10
Oct
2026
24
Oct
2026
USD 18,995
24
Oct
2026
7
Nov
2026
From
USD 18,995
24
Oct
2026
7
Nov
2026
USD 18,995
11
Sep
2027
25
Sep
2027
Upon Request
11
Sep
2027
25
Sep
2027
Upon Request
25
Sep
2027
9
Oct
2027
Upon Request
25
Sep
2027
9
Oct
2027
Upon Request
9
Oct
2027
23
Oct
2027
Upon Request
9
Oct
2027
23
Oct
2027
Upon Request
23
Oct
2027
6
Nov
2027
From
USD 19,995
23
Oct
2027
6
Nov
2027
USD 19,995
Preferred date unavailable? Contact us
When booking online, you can choose the option to "Upgrade to single occupancy". This will guarantee you the whole cabin to yourself, for an additional fee. If you don't select this option, then another traveler of the same sex might be placed into the same cabin with you. Exceptions may apply.
Lectures and tutorials on board
Zodiac excursions (MK V heavy-duty inflatable boats) for shore landings and unforgettable photography opportunities
Free use of ship’s Wi-Fi powered by Starlink
Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) all-day soft drinks, alcoholic beverages served with dinner
Rubber Muck boots for shore landings
All transfers included—from the airport to your hotel on arrival, between your hotel and the ship for embarkation and disembarkation, and from your hotel to the airport on departure day
International flights – we recommend booking early. For excellent service and support, consider using our partner Exito Travel
Travel and cancellation insurance – we strongly recommend securing coverage to protect your expedition. For guidance, see our Travel Insurance Checklist
Additional expenses – any extra costs such as museum entry or optional activities.
After completing your booking, you will receive an invoice from your travel specialist by email. A deposit of 30% of the trip price is required to secure your booking. Payment can be made through bank transfer or by credit card through a secure payment link.
Full payment is expected 30 days before your trip. Payment can be made in installments.
All cruises in the polar regions operate to itineraries that are more-or-less fixed. We say "more or less", because wildlife (breeding, seasonality) and weather always play an important role in routing. Most cruises will offer a range of land-based and water-based activities that you will enjoy at various points in your cruise, including:
All boats carry English speaking, scientifically trained guides. They will lead you on your excursions, allowing you to learn as much as possible about the unique wildlife and habitats of the Polar Regions.
Choosing the right ship for a cruise to Antarctica or the Arctic seems difficult, but it doesn't have to be. Our fleet is over 30 vessels, we are sure that there is the perfect one for you. Please, follow these simple steps, and you will be able to find your ideal ship:
In addition: We work with responsible partners who provide a great experience for their passengers. All of our providers are committed to sustainability and to preserving the beauty of the polar regions. You don’t need to worry about the impact of your cruise, because we’ve already taken care of it.
We love to help people find their dream vacation to the Arctic and Antarctic. Whether you give us a call, contact us via email, or use our website inquiry form, one of our Polar travel experts will be more than happy to answer any questions, recommend ships and itineraries, and walk you through the whole process!
Step 1: Find your perfect trip. If you have already started looking for Polar Cruises, you will have quickly noticed that the sheer amount of options can be quite overwhelming. To help you navigate the countless departures and itineraries that our fleet offers, we have put together a great filter page for Antarctic and Arctic Expedition Cruises. Use this page to filter all trips by price, date, ship category, and even destinations you wish to visit. We update all dates, prices, and availabilities daily, and are proud to host what is doubtlessly the world's most complete collection of information.
Step 2: Found something you love? We'll hold your spaces, free of charge! If you find a cruise you like, you can either inquire directly with us or make an unbinding booking online. We will then reach out to the shipowners to put a hold on your spaces for a limited time, free of charge. Once we have confirmed your block with the ship, we will send you a written confirmation of your reservation and include full payment details in an invoice. Typically, we are able to hold unpaid reservations for up to 1 week*. This gives us time to clarify all your remaining questions, and also ensures that no other passengers can book your spaces, while we continue our conversation.
Step 3: Confirm your booking. In order to confirm your booking, we ask for a deposit payment. You can pay via bank transfer or credit card. Keep in mind, that we can only hold your spaces for a limited amount of time. If we don't receive your payment after this time, we can no longer guarantee that the places will be available or that the price won't increase. To prevent disappointment, we will automatically cancel your reservation if we don't receive your deposit by the due date stated on your booking reservation.
Step 4: Booking confirmation & Payment. As soon as we have received your deposit and a completed passenger information form, we will be pleased to send your booking confirmation and updated invoice, along with your trip itinerary, important information, and other great tips for your cruise.
Step 5: Final payment. In your initial invoice, we will define a final payment date by when you need to pay us the remaining amount of your trip. Once we have received your final payment we'll send you your cruise documents and voucher. As your trip approaches, we make sure to pass along all necessary information, so you feel super prepared and stress-free.
*For last-minute bookings, we might not be able to hold your spaces for so long. We will also require the full payment of your cruise upon booking.
An expedition cruise to Antarctica or the Arctic is a big deal! Most people plan for this type of trip at least 8 months in advance. This means the earlier you book, the better chance you'll have to reserve your prefered cabins. Early bird discounts are also popular and a great way to get 10-30% off your cruise.
Most expedition cruises offer optional activities like camping and kayaking, but the spaces are limited. A cruise with 120 passengers can have only 10-15 spaces for kayaking. These are reserved on a first come first served basis. The earlier you book, the higher your chance of grabbing a spot.
Even though last minute deals do occur, keep in mind that the airline prices will be much higher if you purchase them last minute. You may save a few hundred on your cruise, but you may end up paying the most for airfare.
If you are prone to motion sickness then here are a few hints to help you.
Firstly, book a cabin in the middle of the ship. The middle of the ship will move less, both in roll and in pitch. Secondly, chose a larger ship. Bigger vessels typically are more stable, and some of them are even equipped with "stabilizers", fins under water that remove the rolling in the swells. Thirdly, take medical advice on anti-seasickness medication. Some traditional remedies are said to be very effective, such as taking ginger or using commercially-available acupressure wristbands.
Watch this informative video about life onboard an expedition ship and seasickness from our expert guide and Polartours Brand Ambassador, Kevin.

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USD 18,995
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