Honeymoon in Antarctica

Venturing on your Antarctica honeymoon will undoubtedly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Unlike most prime vacation spots, there are no hotels in Antarctica and only a few expensive luxury camps. So, whether you cruise or fly to Antarctica, your accommodations will most likely be on board a ship once you arrive. There are a few great options to choose from depending on the amenities you’d like to enjoy and how many others you’d like to travel with.

With its serene, snowy landscapes and abundance of wildlife, many people aspire to travel to Earth’s southernmost continent. Very often, it’s the last continent for brave adventurers to check off on their 7-continent bucket list. Out of 1.4 billion international trips every year, only about .004% are visits to Antarctica. And only 1,000-4,000 people scientists and explorers live on the “Great White Continent” at any given time.

Mark the occasion of your new marital adventure by visiting one of the most unique, least-traversed destinations in the world together.

Honeymoon Registry with Honeyfund

An Antarctica honeymoon does require a sizable budget for all the plans you’ll need to make in advance. Luckily, Honeyfund can help with a honeymoon registry. Friends and family love gifting couples with experiences, especially those that are interesting and exciting. Your loved ones will be thrilled to help you take this adventure together. Chances are, you’ll be the only person they know to visit Antarctica. And they can be a part of it!

How to Visit Antarctica for your Honeymoon via Cruise or Private Flight

There are two ways to reach Antarctica for your honeymoon: a charter flight or cruise.

Cruising to Antarctica

The vast majority of people who visit Antarctica choose to voyage on a cruise. This allows for several days of exploration in Antarctica with experienced guides. It’s a popular option because cruise companies figure out all the logistics for their passengers. You won’t have to be the one to fuss with scheduling the nitty-gritty details, including meals. It’s all figured out for you. And since an Antarctica honeymoon entails more planning than most basic trips, their guidance is a big time and stress-saver.

Cruises to Antarctica typically start in Ushuaia, Argentina, commonly regarded as the southernmost city in the entire world. Mid-range vessels hold 80-200 passengers. Amenities onboard will likely include a lounge, bar, dining room, gift shop, gym, and an observation deck. Deluxe or luxury vessels may hold 100-200 travelers. Amenities will be similar to those on other major cruise ships.

Cruises can range from around $9,699 for a 9-night voyage per person to $15,599 for a 12-night voyage with a cruise line like Atlas Ocean Voyages. Plus, all of Atlas’ Antarctica sailings include extraordinary extras like roundtrip private charter jet service, complimentary excursions, and unlimited premium drinks.

Flying to Antarctica

You won’t be able to go to the airport and book a flight to Antarctica—the only flights tourists can book are charter flights included in package deals. Air/cruise package pricing is typically between $10,500-$27,500 per person.

Departing from Punta Arenas, Chile is popular amongst those who travel to this icy continent by plane. Travelers who are prone to seasickness often choose to forgo the savings of cruising to avoid the potential of rough seas on the way to Antarctica. But since there are no hotels, accommodations are typically on-board cruise ships, even if you fly in.

Be aware that flying does have an increased risk of delays related to weather conditions when compared to cruising.

Geography and Climate

Antarctica is a landmass made mostly of ice, situated in the southern hemisphere. It’s bordered by the Atlantic Ocean at the Antarctic Peninsula. The closest neighboring countries are Argentina, Chile, The Falklands and South Georgia. (Some of which are part of the Antarctic Zone.)

The air in Antarctica is dry—it’s a polar desert. Coastal temperatures are milder, with wetter climates than inland areas. Seasons are the reverse of those experienced in the United States because of the opposing hemisphere. Even though the traveling season includes “summer” for the area, it will be cold! Be prepared for temperatures hovering around or just above freezing, with windy conditions.

Our best advice? Pack layers, snow boots and a winter coat to wear on land. Save the dressier “date night” attire for onboard your cruise ship.

There are 24 hours of sunlight in Antarctica from mid-October through February. So, you’ll want to pack sunglasses and sunscreen. Because the ozone layer is thinner and snow reflects UV light, you’ll want to make sure you’re well protected.

Best Time to Visit

Leisure travel cruises and charter flights to Antarctica operate from late October to early March, their summer season. Traveling to Antarctica outside of these months is best left to the professionals due to extreme winter conditions.

Language to Know for your Honeymoon

Knowing languages other than English most likely won’t apply to your honeymoon. It is usual for most cruise lines to give announcements in English, even if they offer tours in additional languages. It never hurts to double-check before you book.

Antarctic Peninsula Time Zone

Antarctica’s large landmass spans multiple different time zones. But you’ll likely visit the Antarctic Peninsula, where most of the public itineraries plan to tour. In the Antarctic Peninsula, the time zone is Chile Summer Time (GMT -3 hours). Daylight Savings Time is not observed.

That means if it’s 3:00pm in New York during February, it’s 12:00pm in Los Angeles, California, and 5:00pm in the Antarctic Peninsula.

Currency for Your Trip

It may sound strange, but you can most likely leave your wallet in your cabin safe. If you’re on a cruise, you’ll be able to add most purchases to your bill and pay at the end. All cruise lines accept Visa and Mastercard, and many also accept American Express. You can also double-check your payment methods with your cruise or experiences ahead of time to be sure you’re prepared. FYI, Antarctica does not have its own legal tender.

Passport and Visa Requirements

You’ll need a passport to travel internationally for your Antarctica honeymoon. While there isn’t a traditional customs office checking passports in Antarctica, you’ll go through the standard checks at your departure destination and any other stops. You need a passport with one available page for stamps whether you arrive in Chile or Argentina. It simply has to be valid for the duration of your stay. No visa is required for a stay of fewer than 90 days.

Vaccinations and COVID-19

Traveling on a cruise ship, even a lesser populated ship, means that vaccinations and COVID-19 precautions are of the utmost concern. The CDC recommends routine vaccines (the flu, measles, chickenpox, etc.). Additionally, check your cruise ship’s travel requirements with the cruise line you book. You may need to provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or evidence of a negative PCR test.

What to Expect during an Antarctica Honeymoon

You’ll revel in the rare and wonderful experience of traveling to Antarctica for your honeymoon. You’ll feel like you’re in a world all your own as you survey vistas of crisp, sparkling snow, towering icebergs and untamed wilderness that surround you.

Make sure your camera’s memory cards have plenty of room for awe-inspiring photography opportunities. (And that you bring a waterproof bag to protect your hardware.) Trekking through ice and snow makes for great photos and videos, both along the coast or inland.

We recommend planning plenty of time to just live in the moment, too! You can observe the natural habitats and behaviors of animals like penguins, seals, snow petrels, orcas, and wandering albatross. (No polar bears here! For that, you’d want to travel to the Arctic.) Rarely, even blue whales can be spotted during Antarctic summer, especially during late-season cruises.

If you’re going to the Antarctic by cruise (which is likely), prepare for the Drake Passage. It’s infamous for its unpredictable rough waters and large swells. If you are prone to seasickness or like to be well-prepared, consider packing remedies. Prescription medicines or over-the-counter pills for motion sickness may help. If you dread the Drake Passage, look for a cruise that bypasses it, or plan to fly in and out to avoid it altogether.

Cruise Ships to Check out for your Antarctica Journey

You might not know that many cruise lines actually visit Antarctica. Some even combine Antarctica with other destinations. Patagonia and the Falkland Islands, or South Georgia are common add-ons. Generally speaking, smaller ships are pricier for more exclusive sailings. Longer-length cruises are also more expensive.

Check out the cruise lines below who sail to the region.

Large Cruise Ships that go to Antarctica

• Celebrity Cruises
• Norwegian Cruise Line (itineraries go to The Falkland Islands in the Antarctic Zone)

Mid-Size and Small Ships that sail to Antarctica

• Atlas Ocean Voyages
• Abercrombie & Kent
• Aurora Expeditions
• Hurtigruten
• Quark Expeditions
• Scenic
• Silversea

Extending your Antarctica Honeymoon Adventure

If you’re already in the area for your Antarctica honeymoon, you may want to expand your vacation. For example, nearby Patagonia spans Argentina and Chile. Here, you can go hiking, kayaking and see wildlife, including penguins and whales.

You can even visit great ice masses and icebergs in Patagonia. And you don’t have to plan it all yourself—many tour companies will help you create an incredible itinerary.