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Incredible ice in the Weddell Sea

Weddell Sea Cruises & Tours

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As you round the Antarctic Sound in the northeastern corner of the Antarctic Peninsula, huge tabular icebergs announce your arrival to the Weddell Sea, where Shackleton’s ship Endurance was famously trapped and crushed. Late summer cruises have the best chance of charting a safe course through the ice-clogged Weddell Sea, and if the ice flow is too thick, cruises may be diverted to clearer waters around the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula. In the Weddell Sea, you'll spot Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals as you hike and kayak along the icy coastline. Camping is available on some cruises and sites are decided based on prevailing ice and weather conditions. Explore the islands of Dundee, James Clark, and Ross. On Devil Island, you will see a large Adélie penguin rookery and, if you are lucky, a view of Mount Erebus.

Top 10 Weddell Sea Cruises for 2025-2026

Beautiful King Penguins

Weddell Sea - In search of the Emperor Penguin

Roundtrip Ushuaia
11 Days from $12,900
The 11-day Weddell Sea Emperor Penguin cruise aboard Ortelius permits an amazing rendezvous with the magnificent Emperor Penguins near Snow Hill Island. Explore the area via helicopter and see a variety of other birds and penguins including Adelies and gentoos. Visit Deception Island and Half Moon Island where even more penguins can be viewed.
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Guests on the deck of the Ushuaia viewing the arctic landscape.

Weddell Sea Quest

12 Days from $8,990
Embark on a 12-day expedition cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Shetland Islands, and the Weddell Sea aboard the MV Ushuaia. The Weddell Sea will always be remembered as the polar region that still echoes the ill-fated expedition of the great British polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.
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Penguin and landscape

Antarctica - Weddell Sea Explorer

12 Days from $8,400
Cruise along ice covered shorelines, take long glacier hikes, admire icy landscapes, and more on this adventurous 12-day Antarctic cruise aboard the Plancius. Let the expedition ship become your floating hotel for fun and thrilling adventures in the Weddell Sea and South Shetland Islands.
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Albatross in the arctic.

Antarctica - Elephant Island - Weddell Sea - Polar Circle

14 Days from $8,850
Voyage to these remote polar shores and view amazing landscapes and wildlife on this 14-day Antarctic expedition cruise aboard the MV Hondius
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A whale plays near the surface at dusk.

Explorers Cruise: Antarctic Peninsula and the Extreme Weddell Sea

11 Days from $9,690
Explore the Great White Continent on this 11-day voyage aboard Ocean Victory. Experience the incredible wildlife, stunning mountain scenery and gigantic icebergs of the Antarctic Peninsula, its surrounding islands, and the Weddell Sea.
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A colony of king penguins on South Georgia

Epic Adventure: Antarctica and the Circle, Weddell Sea, South Georgia & Falklands

22 Days from $10,490
On this extraordinary 22-day voyage, follow in the wake of courageous explorers as we cross the Antarctic Circle, visit the Peninsula and explore the South Shetlands before heading via the Antarctic Sound and the Weddell Sea to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.
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Wild Antarctica - Fly/Sail

Punta Arenas to Ushuaia
13 Days from $20,095
Join a 13-day expedition cruise on the Sylvia Earle to explore the Weddell Sea in Antarctica, famous for its icebergs and historical significance. Experience the breathtaking wilderness as you navigate pack ice and encounter stunning tabular icebergs.
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Christmas in Antarctica

13 Days from $12,965
Celebrate the Christmas season and explore the majestic White Continent, enjoying abundant wildlife encounters and the striking panoramic landscapes of the Antarctic Sound, Weddell Sea, and Antarctic Peninsula aboard the MS Seaventure on this 13-day cruise.
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Deep Weddell Following Nordenskjöld

Ushuaia - Ushuaia
14 Days from $15,295
This 2-week Weddell Sea cruise roundtrip from Ushuaia aboard the Sylvia Earle follows in the footsteps of Swedish explorer Nordenskjold to explore the region's immense quantities of sea ice, pack ice, and gigantic icebergs.
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Stunning landscapes

Antarctica and the Weddell Sea

Buenos Aires Roundtrip
16 Days from $41,690
Embark on a life-changing 16-day roundtrip Buenos Aires expedition to Antarctica, the southernmost continent and the world’s final frontier. The Scenic Eclipse takes you into the Weddell Sea to see gigantic tabular icebergs and massive colonies of Adélie penguins.
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5 Best Luxury Weddell Sea Cruises & Tours for 2025-2026

Trip Name From Days Next Departure Summary
Wild Antarctica featuring the Weddell Sea: In Partnership with New Scientist Discovery - Fly/Sail $20,395 13 Mar 02, 2027 Join a 13-day Weddell Sea Fly/Sail expedition on Sylvia Earle with New Scientist Discovery Tours, exploring Antarctica's remote regions rich in ice, wildlife, and history tied to Shackleton's Endurance expedition. Encounter seals, discover ancient fossils, and observe migrating whales while delving into polar science and the unique ecosystem.
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The Emperor Penguins of Weddell Sea $30,850 14 Oct 30, 2025 Embark on a 14-day expedition to the Weddell Sea aboard Le Commandant Charcot and explore its pristine beauty and wildlife. Encounter glaciers, icebergs, and diverse wildlife while enjoying activities like kayaking, hiking, and snowshoeing. Expert guides lead you through this adventure.
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Antarctica by Helicopter: Icebergs, Mountains and Remote Lands $14,195 12 Nov 27, 2025 Join a 12-day expedition to the remote east coast of the Antarctic Peninsula aboard the Ultramarine. This helicopter-focused adventure offers rare views of icebergs, mountains, and remote landscapes, with two heli-flightseeing excursions, a heli-landing, and Zodiac trips through the Weddell Sea and Antarctic Sound.
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Christmas in Antarctica $12,965 12 Dec 18, 2025 Celebrate the Christmas season and explore the majestic white continent. Enjoy abundant wildlife encounters and the striking panoramic landscape of the Antarctic Sound, Weddell Sea, and Antarctic Peninsula aboard the MS Seaventure on this 12-day cruise.
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Journey to Austral Lands and Valdes Peninsula $18,610 20 Feb 27, 2026 Embark on a 20-day cruise from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires aboard L'Austral. Explore Antarctica’s icebergs, glaciers, and wildlife, from penguins to whales. Visit South Georgia, home to king penguins and elephant seals, then the Falkland Islands with rugged shores and seabirds. End at Valdes Peninsula, where orcas hunt and guanacos roam.
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Weddell Sea Cruise Guide

Midnight sun over the flat-topped icebergs of the Weddell Sea

Expeditions into the Icy Weddell Sea

The Weddell Sea is named after James Weddell, a British explorer who sailed to the sea in 1823. The sea touches Antarctica at Coats Land and the Antarctic Peninsula. A large portion of the sea is permanently covered by the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf.
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