How to book an epic Arctic or Antarctica cruise without overspending

Expedition cruises to the icy wilds of the Arctic and Antarctica often come with steep fares. Not all sailings cost the same, though.

Much like traditional ocean cruising, there are a range of operators with varying price points, inclusions and vibes – and those kinds of bucket list trips can be more affordable than they seem.

Travelers can pick between basic ships with some amenities or splurge on nicer cruises, which may not be as different in price as they look. Here’s what to know about which Arctic and Antarctic cruise lines are the most cost-effective.

Quark Expeditions passengers whale-watching from a Zodiac in Antarctica.

What Arctic and Antarctic cruises are most affordable?

Some companies place more emphasis on the action outside the ship than an uber-plush onboard experience, and travelers may find lower rates by booking with one of those. According to Claire Maguire, a travel agent and franchise owner at Cruise Planners, more laid-back, affordable operators include:

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G Adventures

HX – formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions

Aurora Expeditions

Atlas Ocean Voyages is also “a very good value” in Maguire’s opinion, offering a combination of amenities and excursions. “They kind of hit the sweet spot in between everything,” she said. Quark Expeditions is another to consider.

Other cruise lines lean more into the luxury, combining intrepid exploration with a plethora of creature comforts from fine dining to more personalized service, such as:

Silversea Cruises

Seabourn

Other upscale operators include Ponant and Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours.

Maguire noted that while National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions is heavily centered around the expedition elements of the trip, its fares also trend towards luxury pricing for the storied brand name and top-tier onboard experts.

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Even on luxury cruise lines, however, Maguire noted that expedition ships tend to be more casual than the typical oceangoing vessel might, given the spirit of adventure and activity-heavy itineraries.

Pricing doesn’t always fall neatly along those lines, either, and it’s worth comparing and contrasting before booking.

Depending on where the ship is sailing, there may also be limits on the number of guests who can go ashore at a time,somewhat standardizing those aspects of the cruises.

Guests returning back to the ship National Geographic Explorer by Zodiac in Svalbard, Norway.

What do Arctic and Antarctica cruise fares include?

Generally, all expedition cruise operators include many of the activities – with some available for an extra charge – most meals and beverages, onboard lectures, Citizen Science activities, and select gear such as parkas, per Maguire.

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Some companies also offer room-share options that pair guests with another passenger. “So that would help cut the cost down, if you're willing to share with a stranger,” she said.

Luxury cruise lines are likely to bundle more with their fares, however, such as a wider range of alcoholic beverages, a hotel stay – Silversea is even developing its own hotel in Puerto Williams, Chile, which will serve as a stopover for guests on voyages to Antarctica – or flights, depending on the fare type.

Are luxury expedition cruises more expensive?

Not necessarily. “Look at the inclusions, because a lot of them will be a (certain) price point, but then, when you look, you have to add a flight to your separate flight to Ushuaia or your flight from Santiago down to Punta Arenas (to reach Antarctica), or your hotel is not included,” Maguire said.

Pricing can also fluctuate depending on when guests book, meaning different kinds of operators may not be priced so differently.

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For example, a week-long Silversea expedition round-trip from Longyearbyen in Svalbard departing in June 2026 currently starts at $12,560 per person based on double occupancy, according to the cruise line’s website. An eight-day voyage centered on Svalbard’s largest island, Spitsbergen – where Longyearbyen is located – with Aurora, the same month currently starts at $12,236 per person.

“To be honest, it's more about the experience,” said Maguire. “They’re pretty close in price point, because if you get the right sale price, then you can literally get into a luxury trip at the same price point.”

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Luxury or budget? Here’s how much polar cruises really cost