The back story
Antarctic landing rules: One ship at a site at a time; no landings from ships with more than 500 passengers; maximum 100 passengers ashore, one guide per 20; keep at least 5 m from wildlife (Antarctic Treaty, General Guidelines for Visitors, Resolution 4 (2021), ats.aq) · Antarctic season: Late spring to early autumn, October to March (quarkexpeditions.com, Oct 2026) · Arctic season: Expedition voyages most often May to September (quarkexpeditions.com, Oct 2026) · Main ports: Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, Grytviken (South Georgia), Reykjavík, Akureyri, Ísafjörður, Nuuk, Ilulissat · Gateway airports: Ushuaia; Punta Arenas; Keflavík (Reykjavík); Nuuk (opened 28 Nov 2024); Ilulissat new international airport from 29 Oct 2026 (airports.gl) · Svalbard: Longyearbyen and Svalbard are in our Northern Europe guide
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The back story
Antarctica & the Arctic·In depth
Ice, whaling history and the most carefully managed coastline on earth: the polar regions, reached by expedition ship from Ushuaia, Punta Arenas and Reykjavík.
The ports
Who it suits. On a budget: An Arctic voyage that starts in Reykjavík, a night at Fosshotel Reykjavík and a day at Þingvellir; or the shortest Antarctic Peninsula itineraries from Ushuaia, in a lower cabin grade. Mid-range: A small expedition ship to the Antarctic Peninsula, with the night before in Ushuaia at Los Cauquenes and a morning in Tierra del Fuego National Park; or Greenland’s west coast via Nuuk and Ilulissat. Luxury: Antarctica and South Georgia on a luxury expedition ship such as Silver Endeavour, Le Commandant Charcot or Scenic Eclipse, with Arakur before you sail; in the north, Hotel Arctic on the Icefjord.
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Gateway to Antarctica
Antarctica & the Arctic·Home port · Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
The port on the Beagle Channel where most Antarctic expedition voyages begin and end.
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Strait of Magellan
Antarctica & the Arctic·Home port · Magallanes, Chile
A 373-metre pier on the Strait of Magellan, with a passenger hall and Antarctic centre.
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Zodiac landings only
Antarctica & the Arctic·Expedition landings · Antarctica
No piers, no shops: landings are by Zodiac, under the Antarctic Treaty’s visitor guidelines.
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By sea only
Antarctica & the Arctic·Expedition call · South Georgia
The old whaling station in King Edward Cove, with the South Georgia Museum and Shackleton’s grave.
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Vör terminal, opened May 2026
Antarctica & the Arctic·Home port · Iceland
Iceland’s capital and main cruise port, with a new purpose-built terminal and a berth in the Old Harbour.
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Eyjafjörður
Antarctica & the Arctic·Port of call · North Iceland
North Iceland’s port at the head of Eyjafjörður, run by Hafnasamlag Norðurlands.
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A short walk to town
Antarctica & the Arctic·Port of call · Westfjords, Iceland
The largest town in the Westfjords, where cruise ships come alongside a short walk from the centre.
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Colonial Harbour
Antarctica & the Arctic·Port of call · Greenland
Greenland’s capital, ringed by mountains, with the Colonial Harbour and boat trips into the Nuuk Fjord.
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UNESCO Icefjord
Antarctica & the Arctic·Port of call · Disko Bay, Greenland
The town named for its icebergs, beside the Ilulissat Icefjord.
