Antarctica – Long or Short Itinerary? Tips, Information & Insights from Peter Shanks

The choice between a longer or shorter Antarctica itinerary is a topic Peter Shanks has often been asked to weigh in on, the previous Managing Director of Silversea Cruises UK & Ireland reflects.

Recently retired, Peter Shanks has just returned from a holiday on one of the longer Antarctica itineraries, allowing him to compare the experience with his previous visit via the shorter Fly-Cruise method. He looks back on the merits of the shorter journey - taking in just the Peninsula - and a longer journey covering South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, as well as highlighting the key differences that are vital to understand when selling the destination.

There are three key options for exploring the White Continent. The shortest is the ‘Fly Cruise’, where guests fly to and from King George Island on the Peninsula, bypassing the four days spent crossing the Drake Passage. The most popular option is the ‘Short with Drake’ option that includes four days crossing the Drake Passage – two in each direction. The ‘Long with Drake’ option also takes in South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.

Some key differences are apparent:

• The overall holiday length takes all aspects of the journey into account, including international and local flights, the minimum number of hotel nights necessary pre and post the cruise, and the cruise itself. For guests who have limited time (such as those who are not yet retired), the longer 22-night journey is less likely to appeal, but it might be the perfect choice for adventurous, time-rich empty nesters.

• Time on the Antarctica Peninsula is generally the same whichever journey guests choose, with five nights or six days on the Peninsula. Guests will typically experience two landings or Zodiac cruises for each of the six days, so even if a day is lost to weather they will still get a full Antarctica experience.

• The number of sea days increases based on the number of destinations. It is impossible to predict how the seas will behave, so guests should be prepared for the possibility of quite a bit of movement on either of the longer itineraries. Sea days are kept busy with lectures and activities – and it’s no bad thing for guests to have time to relax.

• The total time ashore doubles from five days to 10 days with the longer journey, as guests will typically spend three days in South Georgia and two days in the Falklands.

A Look at Pricing:

Describing expeditions as “reassuringly expensive”, Peter notes that prospective guests are likely to be aware of the higher costs from the outset.

With some variation between operators and choice of cabin, the average lead-in price is around £1,000 per day (excluding the international flights). This means that the ‘Antarctica with Drake’ option prices start around £10,000, whilst for the ‘Long with Drake’ they start around £18,000. The ‘Fly-Cruise No Drake’ option, although shorter, comes with additional internal flights and hotel nights, meaning prices start at around £16,000. Most guests book Business Class flights, adding another £3,500 or so per person.

For two guests including flights, options start at around £27,000 per booking for the ‘Short with Drake’ option and £43,000 for the ‘Long with Drake’ option. The majority of booking values will be higher as many guests will book higher category suites.

Choosing the right option:

Peter reflects on his different experiences:

Why consider the longer journey?

“Let me come off the fence – if your guests can afford the time and investment then the longer journey including South Georgia and the Falklands is absolutely the best experience and what I would strongly recommend. Why? Antarctica is at the bottom of the world and a long way away. If guests are going that far – and with most likely to make this trip just once – then best make the most of it and cover as much as they can.

South Georgia is a truly, truly incredible place. The wildlife is some of the most plentiful on earth and to stand in front of 250,000 King Penguins with their chicks and to watch the territorial and sometimes aggressive behaviour of mating Fur and Elephant Seals is a joy to behold.

The scenery in South Georgia is breathtaking, hard to describe but hugely emotional to observe. It is also salutary to visit the ghostlike whaling stations on South Georgia and to wonder how that was ever allowed to happen.

The Falklands is a fascinating and friendly place – and not just for the remarkable wildlife and scenery. Our hike up Mount Tumbledown where the 1982 military conflict was battled was fascinating – not to mention the pint of ‘Iron Lady’ in the pub in Port Stanley.

And then to the most deciding factor between the long and short journeys – Sir Ernest Shackleton. We sailed into the Weddell Sea where his ship Endurance was taken by the ice. We visited Elephant Island to see where he landed with his men and where they stayed until Shackleton returned to rescue them some five months later. We crossed the very same seas for the 800 miles that he sailed in his 22-foot James Caird. We landed in the very same place that Shackleton did on South Georgia, followed in his footsteps from the base of the towering mountains down to Stromness, and we toasted the great leader with a Bushmills Whisky at his grave in Gritviken.

The combination of the magnificence of the Antarctica Peninsula with the experience of South Georgia and the Falklands makes this journey one of the most special expeditions the world has to offer.”

Why consider the Peninsula with the Drake Passage?

“This is how most guests experience Antarctica…and across all expedition operators it is where the majority of sailings and capacity are.

It’s important to stress that whichever option guests take, the experience on the Antarctica Peninsula is fabulous. It will exceed your guest’s expectations in every way – be it the icebergs, the landings, the penguins, the whales or the ever-present scenery and majestic mountains.

The Drake Passage is legendary and a unique part of the Antarctica journey. Whether your guests experience the ‘Shake’ or ‘Lake’…many will say that to do Antarctica properly, you need to experience the Drake Passage - I agree with that.

I have crossed the Drake three times now – and each time has been fine – and these days technology and weather forecasting allow ships to alter course and amend itineraries for the optimal guest experience…It’s the best value option of the three – and at circa 14 nights away from home it suits those who have less time.”

Why consider the shorter Fly Cruise?

“Time is the key demand driver for this shorter option. Although, to mitigate flight weather risks, it does come with an additional pre and post hotel stay, this allows guests to have the full Antarctica Peninsula experience and only be away from home for 12 days in total.

It appeals more to those guests who are still working, do not have as much holiday time in their busy lives, and are not concerned at the higher price.

And – it’s the perfect option to offer those guests who simply do not want to experience the Drake Passage. Antarctica attracts a high percentage of guests who have never taken a cruise and may never take a traditional cruise – and we all know that sea state remains one the of the biggest barriers to cruising.”

Closing remarks from Peter Shanks:

Antarctica is a wonderful destination to experience and a true ‘Bucket-List’ item, with guests guaranteed to come back as “Antarctica Ambassadors’, full of excitement and praise. The choice is always down to the guest, but with this knowledge you will be better placed to find the right option for your guests and to close the sale with confidence.

Without hesitation I would recommend the longer journey. There is another option now being offered by Silversea and some other operators to take the Drake Passage in one direction to the Peninsula and then sail the Drake Passage in the other direction – save two days and also be able to say, ‘We did it!’.

Best wishes for 2026 – and for your generous expedition commission earnings.

Peter Shanks

Former Managing Director, Silversea

Photo credits: Peter Shanks