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

Top 10 Weddell Sea Cruises for 2023-2024

Weddell Sea - In search of the Emperor Penguin

Port of Ushuaia to Port of Ushuaia
11 Days from $11,750

The 11-day Weddell Sea Emperor Penguin cruise 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 Adélies and gentoos. Visit Deception Island and Half Moon Island where even more penguins can be viewed.

Guests on the deck of the Ushuaia viewing the arctic landscape.

Weddell Sea Quest

11 Days from $7,990

Embark on a 11-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.

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.

Antarctica - Elephant Island - Weddell Sea - Polar Circle

Port of Ushuaia to Puerto Madryn
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

Explorers Cruise: Antarctic Peninsula and the Extreme Weddell Sea

Port of Ushuaia to Port of Ushuaia
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.

Wild Antarctica - Fly/Sail

Punta Arenas to Ushuaia
12 Days from $14,295

Have a truly fantastic experience on this 12-day adventure cruise in Antarctica and marvel at the wildlife and scenic views of the deep south. Fly Punta Arenas to King George Island, discover the Weddell Sea & Antarctic Peninsula, and cross the legendary Drake Passage.

Christmas in Antarctica

Port of Ushuaia to Port of Ushuaia
13 Days from $12,315

Celebrate the Christmas season and explore the majestic white continent, enjoying abundant wildlife encounters and the striking panoramic landscape of the Antarctic Sound, Weddell Sea and Antarctic Peninsula aboard the MS Seaventure on this 13-day cruise.

Deep Weddell Following Nordenskjöld

Ushuaia - Ushuaia
14 Days from $15,295

This 2-week voyage onboard the Sylvia Earle follows in the footsteps of Swedish explorer Nordenskjold to explore the Weddell Sea region's immense quantities of sea ice, pack ice, and gigantic cebergs.

Antarctica and the Weddell Sea

Buenos Aires Roundtrip
16 Days from $18,301

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.

7 Best Luxury Weddell Ship Cruises & Tours for 2023-2024

Trip Name	From	Days	Next Departure	Summary
Wild Antarctica - Fly/Sail	$14295	12	Feb 4, 2023	Have a truly fantastic experience on this 12-day adventure cruise in Antarctica and marvel at the wildlife and scenic views of the deep south. Fly … 0
Wild Antarctica - Fly/Sail	$16195	14	Mar 1, 2024	During this 14-day voyage aboard the Greg Mortimer, discover the Weddell Sea, famed for its massive tabular icebergs, year-round sea ice, interesting … 0
The Emperor Penguins of Weddell Sea	$29230	16	Nov 2, 2023	Discover an all-new expedition into the almost inaccessible Weddell Sea in search of majestic emperor penguins amidst immaculate and dreamlike … 0
Christmas in Antarctica	$12315	13	Dec 19, 2023	Celebrate the Christmas season and explore the majestic white continent, enjoying abundant wildlife encounters and the striking panoramic landscape … 0
The Weddell Sea & the South Sandwich Islands	$25410	18	Mar 11, 2023	From Patagonia, to the Antarctic peninsula, via South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, this all-new itinerary will take you into the heart of … 0
Explorers Cruise: Antarctic Peninsula and the Extreme Weddell Sea	$9690	11	Dec 16, 2023	Explore the Great White Continent on this 11-day voyage aboard Ocean Victory. Experience the incredible wildlife, stunning mountain scenery and … 0
The Weddell Sea & Larsen Ice Shelf	$23220	14	Dec 26, 2023	Le Commandant Charcot's 14-day voyage takes you to the land of infinite mysteries and possibilities and plunges you into the heart of an … 0