Ultimate Family Adventure: Cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula

Earlier this year, my family embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula.
We hesitated at first to choose a cruise for our vacation because people often have strong opinions about them – they either love or hate cruises. However, we discovered it was the perfect choice for our diverse group. My parents are in their 70s and 80s, and my mother-in-law also joined us. We needed a holiday that catered to different fitness levels and mobility needs.

(Check out my guide for traveling with older companions).

We had always dreamed of seeing Antarctica with my parents, but most cruises to this part of the world are incredibly expensive. Fortunately, we found an affordable option with Princess Cruise Line, which offered a 16-day cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula. While this type of cruise doesn’t allow passengers to disembark and set foot on the continent due to ship size and capacity limits, it was ideal for us. Our primary goal was to enjoy the cruise as a family and experience the breathtaking proximity to this incredible part of the world.

Our Journey

Boarding the Ship in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Our cruise began in Buenos Aires, where a recent storm had forced the port of embarkation to change. This unexpected shift made the boarding process quite chaotic, and it took longer than expected to get on board. Despite the delays, we were excited to start our journey. We stayed in internal cabins with no windows, as these were the most affordable options. They still had the most comfortable beds, plus wardrobes for unpacking and feeling more at home. We were very happy with our accommodations!

We found the packages offered by Princess Cruises to be quite expensive, particularly for WiFi. My parents and mother-in-law decided not to purchase any packages, but my husband and I did, as he needed to work remotely during our cruise. It was absolutely remarkable to be in one of the most remote places on the planet and still be able to access WiFi and work without any issues. How many people can say they’ve worked from Antarctica 😜

A Short Visit to Montevideo, Uruguay

Our first excursion the day after boarding was to Montevideo, Uruguay. We took a coach tour and visited some of the city’s highlights, including Plaza Independencia and the Mausoleum of José Gervasio Artigas, a national hero. We explored the vibrant Mercado del Puerto, browsed through the charming bookshop Librería Más Puro Verso, and tasted a delicious chivito—a traditional Uruguayan sandwich filled with steak, ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and a fried egg.

Falkland Islands / Islas Malvinas

Next, we cruised south to the Falkland Islands, also known as Islas Malvinas. Onboard the ship, we attended expert lectures about our destinations, learning about the history of the islands, including the relatively recent war. While on the island, we visited the capital, Port Stanley, and ventured out to see King Penguins and Southern Rockhopper Penguins. The curious little guys often approached us to take a closer look! We finished our visit at a traditional British pub, which felt surreal given our distance from England. We took home a Falklands Islands £5 note as a souvenir!

At Sea and Drake Passage

After the Falklands, we spent four days at sea, crossing the Drake Passage and cruising the Antarctic Peninsula. We were fortunate to experience the “Drake Lake” instead of the notorious “Drake Shake,” as this part of the world’s oceans is known for being treacherous.

Our first glimpse of land in this remote region was Elephant Island, where Shackleton’s crew was famously stranded. Learning about their harrowing ordeal and the extreme conditions they endured was both humbling and fascinating. Our visit was at the height of summer and we were still in our warmest winter gear. Shackleton’s crew endured winter conditions, surviving on limited rations and living under makeshift shelters made from their lifeboats and other salvaged materials. It really brought their incredible survival story to life for us.

Antarctic Peninsula and Icebergs

Seeing our first icebergs was a jaw-dropping experience. In the vast ocean, the size of them can be quite deceiving, but there were icebergs as tall as multi-story buildings. We spent as much time as possible on deck, soaking in the stunning views and keeping an eye out for wildlife.

The calm seas and favorable weather conditions created the perfect environment for wildlife spotting, including several species of whales.

We joined the birdwatchers at the bow (front of the ship), and they helpfully pointed out the various species of birds. We saw albatrosses with their impressive wingspans gliding effortlessly above the waves. Just like icebergs, it was difficult to grasp just how large these amazing birds are. Petrels and skuas were also frequent visitors, flying close to the ship, seemingly curious about our presence.

The countless penguins were a delight to watch. We observed Adélie, Gentoo, and Chinstrap penguins, both on the ice and swimming in the frigid waters. Their playful antics and social interactions provided endless entertainment, and we never tired of watching these charming creatures.

One of the highlights of our journey was when the calm seas and good weather allowed our captain to detour to see A-23A, one of the world’s largest icebergs. This colossal iceberg, nearly twice the size of New York City, was a sight to behold. It was impossible to see from one end to the other, and its sheer scale was truly incomprehensible. The iceberg’s massive presence in the vast ocean left us feeling both humbled and amazed.

Exploring the Bays of the Antarctic Peninsula

For the next few days, we traveled into bays along the Antarctic Peninsula. Each morning, we grabbed breakfast, walked a few laps around the deck to get in at least one mile, and then spent the rest of the day admiring the incredible sights of Antarctica. The constant views of blue and white landscapes were awe-inspiring, making us feel like we were in another world. The lectures onboard enriched our understanding of this remote part of the planet, making the experience even more meaningful. Being in such a remote and pristine part of our world was profoundly moving.

Returning North: Cape Horn and Ushuaia

After four incredible days in Antarctica, we turned north to cross Drake Passage again, thankfully enjoying another smooth crossing. We then saw Cape Horn, a dramatic and iconic sight! Our next stop was Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, often referred to as the “End of the World.” We took a tour of the town and then a boat trip out to the famous lighthouse, Les Eclaireurs, in the Beagle Channel. It is known as “Faro del fin del mundo”, or the lighthouse at the end of the world, in Argentina.

Punta Arenas, Chile

Our journey continued to Punta Arenas, a significant city in southern Chile. Here, my family split up to partake in different activities. My parents and mother-in-law took a relaxed city tour, while my husband and I opted for a hike along the Strait of Magellan. Despite the wild weather, which left us soaked, the hike was exhilarating. Meanwhile, my parents and mother-in-law visited Museo Nao Victoria, which houses a replica of Darwin’s ship. Although we missed this tour, we enjoyed seeing their photos and hearing about their experiences.

Cruising the Chilean Coast and Fjords

Heading north up the Chilean coast, the weather started to turn. To avoid rough seas, the captain navigated us into the Chilean fjords, which was an unexpected bonus. The dramatic scenery and calm waters made for a beautiful journey. As we traveled north, we could feel the temperature increase significantly. We went from bundling up in our warmest winter gear to enjoying the sun in bikinis. We also noticed an influx of younger travelers who seemed to appear out of nowhere, likely preferring to stay indoors during the colder southern part of the journey!

Onboard Entertainment and Farewell

Throughout the cruise, the ship offered various entertainment options, including American football games, which delighted my dad. He would sit up on a sunlounger on deck in the evening, covered in blankets to keep warm, eating popcorn and watching sports. He was very happy!

As our cruise neared its end, we learned that our port of disembarkation had changed due to high winds. We were rerouted to Valparaiso, which was conveniently our next planned destination. This change saved us several hours of travel and allowed us to start exploring Valparaiso immediately.

On our last day onboard, we decided to splurge on the most decadent ice creams. It was a delightful treat and a perfect way to end our magical journey.

This cruise was magical from start to finish. We were incredibly lucky with the weather and the smooth seas, which allowed us to make the most of every moment. The combination of stunning landscapes, fascinating wildlife, and shared family experiences made this journey truly unforgettable. We feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to explore such a remote and beautiful part of the world together.