• Home
  • Blog
  • Why spending Christmas in Antarctica is a no-brainer

Why spending Christmas in Antarctica is a no-brainer

by Oceanwide Expeditions Blog

Imagine waking up on Christmas morning, glancing out of your porthole, and seeing penguins frolicking on shore or a whale breaching.

Regions: Antarctica

For many, Christmas is a time for relaxing on the couch, eating too much food, and overindulging in festive treats. And, while there's certainly a charm to celebrating the holidays in front of the fire and visiting family and friends, by doing so, you're missing out on experiencing Antarctica at one of the most wonderful times of the year. There are many reasons to spend Christmas in Antarctica, either with your loved ones or solo - there's always a fantastic festive spirit aboard.

Plenty of snow and (maybe) some mistletoe

As Bing Crosby sang, many of us dream of a white Christmas, with fresh snow outside and long days of excitement ahead. Well, spending the Christmas period in Antarctica is a surefire way to guarantee a cold, snowy Christmas morning. Even during the height of summer, Antarctica stays snowy, icy, and brisk, giving a year-round wintery polar feeling that, once experienced, is never forgotten.

The landscapes of Antarctica are among the most beautiful in the world, with the mountains and coastline of the Antarctic Peninsula being especially beautiful during the more stable days of December. Better weather can be expected during the height of the Antarctic summer, which runs throughout the last months of the year, meaning you are more likely to encounter clear, cold days and experience expansive vistas, complete with icebergs, soaring peaks, and beaches, and seas full of exciting wildlife.

Who knows, perhaps you'll find your time aboard more festive than you first thought, so no need to bring your own decorations or mistletoe to hang above your door.

0 photo

Picture by Sara Jenner

The perfect time with that special someone, or meet someone new

For the adventurous, the Christmas period can be like any other time of year, full of exciting travel, exotic destinations, and unforgettable memories and experiences. If you're traveling with a loved one, you'll both spend the most magical time of year together in one of the most magical places on Earth. What could be more special than that?

Imagine waking up on Christmas morning, glancing out of your porthole, and seeing penguins frolicking on shore or a whale breaching within a sea of icebergs. If you have long wished to travel to the wild shores of South Georgia, see the impressive bird life of the Falkland Islands, or walk in the footsteps of polar greats deep in the heart of Antarctica, spending the holidays on an expedition cruise will leave you with festive memories and stories not likely to be beaten by your friends and family back home.

1 photo

Picture by unknown photographer

For solo travelers, voyaging to the far side of the world and venturing into the icy, beautiful reaches of the frozen continent doesn't have to be a solitary experience. Our expedition cruises are built on a great onboard community and spirit, and often, people create friendships on board that last a lifetime.

You may join an expedition cruise during the Christmas period expecting nothing more than fantastic memories and unforgettable experiences, but soon, you'll find yourself bonding with fellow travelers over mugs of warm coffee or hot chocolate in the bar after a day spent kayaking or hiking in the snowy world beyond the window. During breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you'll share stories, compare photographs, offer festive wishes, and bask in the excitement of the days ahead.

Our expedition cruises aren't just about the beautiful destinations; they are also about the people you meet, the stories you hear, and the joint experience you will have with your fellow guests.

2 photo

Picture by unknown photographer

Try something different next holiday season

With various expedition cruise itineraries running throughout December and over the Christmas period, there's plenty of opportunity for you to venture south and experience something truly special. Besides, with most of us opting to spend Christmas inside, overindulging and relaxing, what better way to make your family and friends ever so slightly jealous than by sharing a Christmas morning photograph from the very edges of the map, surrounded by natural beauty almost beyond description?

Wildlife encounters during December are exciting and dynamic, with various penguin species, including chinstrap, gentoo, and king penguins being a notable feature of our trips throughout the Antarctic season. Chicks will be being fattened in the run-up to winter, and you'll witness vast colonies of penguins in locations such as South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula, full of life both on land and at sea.

Along with penguins, you'll see a great deal of other bird life in the southern seas, from the shores of the Falkland Islands to the deepest reaches of the Wilkins Ice Shelf. In the seas, get ready to encounter whales as they feed in the krill-rich seas of Antarctica and seals as they breed and rest among the icebergs, sea ice, and shorelines of this stunning part of the world.

You may be far from the North Pole and Santa's workshop, but the magic of Christmas is never too far away in Antarctica. With spectacular wildlife and the excitement of polar adventure, spending the holidays in the far south of our world is an experience you won't regret.

3 photo

Picture by Beth Hitchcock

Book an expedition cruise over the holidays

If you're looking to get away for the holidays and experience something truly unforgettable, check out our available itineraries running over the Christmas period through December. With different departure dates and various trip itineraries, you'll soon be toasting jolly Saint Nick with the help of a penguin in no time at all.

Main image by unknown photographer

Related cruises

Antarctica - Beyond the Polar Circle - Wilkins Ice Shelf - Aurora Australis
Up to $5100 OFF

Antarctica - Beyond the Polar Circle - Wilkins Ice Shelf - Aurora Australis

21 Mar - 5 Apr, 2025

Tripcode: OTL32-25

This voyage explores a number of historically significant Antarctic areas, such as the very rarely visited Bellingshausen Sea, Marguerite Bay, and Alexander Island. We focus on places discovered by Adrien De Gerlache on his Belgian Antarctic Expedition...

Antarctica - Polar Circle - Whale watching
Up to $4250 OFF

Antarctica - Polar Circle - Whale watching

23 Mar - 3 Apr, 2025

Tripcode: PLA32-25

This Polar Circle and Antarctic Peninsula cruise passes through waters travelled by Humpback, Minke and Fin whales. Anchoring in various spots around the region, the expedition offers the chance to dive in the iceberg-heavy waters.

Atlantic Odyssey
Up to $6200 OFF

Atlantic Odyssey

23 Mar - 15 Apr, 2025

Tripcode: HDS31-25

The Atlantic Odyssey cruise visits some of the remotest islands in the world, crossing the migratory paths of Arctic Terns, Long-tailed Skuas, other birds, and a variety of whales as they make their annual expeditions north for the breeding season.

Atlantic Odyssey to Cape Verde
Up to $1380 OFF

Atlantic Odyssey to Cape Verde

23 Mar - 25 Apr, 2025

Tripcode: HDS31C25

  • EN

During the days at sea the chances of meeting whales are high. Witness the northbound spring migration of northern birds like Arctic Terns and Long-tailed Skuas who join us in crossing the Equator (“the Line”).

St. Helena to Cape Verde

15 Apr - 25 Apr, 2025

Tripcode: HDS32-25

Can be booked in combination only Cape Verde Ascension Island St. Helena
  • EN

During the days at sea the chances of meeting whales are high. Witness the northbound spring migration of northern birds like Arctic Terns and Long-tailed Skuas who join us in crossing the Equator (“the Line”).

Loading