Cruising South America and Antarctica

We have done two cruises involving South America and loved our Around the Horn cruise. You may have do this already.
I have read that Antarctic cruises are expensive and that half the time the weather doesn't allow you to see land.

To answer your question of: What do you really experience in Antarctica?

1) I can only speak from experience of going to Antarctica on the National Geographic Explorer, a much smaller, ice-breaker expedition (although extremely nice) ship

2) It was, perhaps, the most incredible trip we have EVER taken, and we have visited all 7 continents and some multiple times.

3) I will post below the review I posted after that expedition:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/antarctica-with-national-geographic-expeditions

4) While we were never "cold" on the trip, because we were dressed accordingly, if seeing the polar beauty in cold weather is not your thing (and it is not for everyone) then I would suggest sticking with a trip that does not include Antarctica.

5) There are limits on the number of people who can be on land at any time in Antarctica, so that may have something to do with what you have heard re: ships with over 500 people. But, with National Geographic, of around 100 passengers, one group may be exploring in sea kayaks, one group in zodiacs, while on group is on land...then everyone switches out, so there is a chance for everyone to go ashore. I would NOT suggest going on a large ship...this is an environment where you want a specialized crew, an extremely safe ship, and good, personal interface with naturalists, photographers, and researchers, so you can experience the very best of what the trip has to offer.

Maggie,
What was the cost of your cruise?

Geo,
Answering your question re: cost:

It was about six years ago that we went, so going solely by memory without digging up actual costs, it seems it was about $12000-$12500 per person, and we booked the middle of the main deck. We were on a wait list, so we did not really have a choice of cabins with about a two-week notice (once we cleared the wait list). I had put us on the wait list about a month and a half earlier. But, it turned out we had the most wonderful location in the ship (National Geographic Explorer) .....because in rough waters, one wants center of ship and not too high. Low and center of a ship is best for rough seas.

I really cannot remember if we had any air specials with our booking. Some of our trips (other journeys we have taken) did have air included, but I think we paid for the trip to Buenos Aires. But, the hotel in Buenos Aires and the private charter flight (with others on the cruise) going from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia was included, and ditto for travel back to Buenos Aires for on-ward home. There were options available to stay on land in South America for a few extra days to see the falls, etc., but it was already an expensive trip for us, so we did not sign on for those extras, although several people did. Once in the hands of National Geographic, for us it was all included from that point forward.

Check the site for National Geographic Expeditions, if you are interested, as I think they now offer some air specials from Miami, etc.

We had considered a trip to Antarctica for a long time, and I kept chickening out......Drake's Passage and the cost. But, realizing life is short and we really wanted to go, I got brave and ponied up. It was the most spectacular trip we have EVER taken, and we have traveled significantly. We have absolutely no regrets whatsoever, and encourage others who are interested to do so. We took the shorter trip that did not include South Georgia

But, do make sure you are okay with rough seas. I think I recall the worst we had were 12-14 foot waves, which really is not bad. But, Google "rough seas Drake's Passage" and watch a few YouTube videos, just to make sure you have a realistic idea of what COULD happen. What is so funny is that we did a different trip to NZ and Australia with Seabourn, which was fabulous a year or so later. It was also a last-minute wait list thing, and I really did not do much research at all in advance. I was shocked to learn that the seas can be quite rough at the tip of New Zealand, and we had very, very high waves.....I think 40+ feet high, if I am remembering correctly. My clue should have been when a young British hospitality worker was printing something for me, and he commented when the printer was acting up, that they had to pretty much replace printers with each trip...when I asked why, he said "they rattle to death." I then LATER understood. That was a real experience, and we missed seeing Milford Sound, which was going to be the highlight of the trip for me, because the gale force winds could not allow the ship to go into the narrow passage. BUT, those kinds of waves are what we COULD have experienced both ways to Antarctica (but we did not).

Prices have eased upward a bit over the years...we still get all the travel catalogs, even though we have slowed our travels for a couple of years, since we have a puppy that has joined our household. I refer to him as a puppy in a dog suit, now that he is a year old, but still very much a puppy :)

Oh and there are some great videos on the National Geographic Expeditions web site, that you can watch to give you a feel for what the trip is like . It is a totally awesome trip!!

Middle of January was the ideal time to go. Penguin babies were hatching, and some penguins still shoring up their nests. It is hilarious to watch them steal rock from each other's nests. And, those baby penguins are adorable...you can watch mom and dad feeding them, too. While you can only get so close to the penguins (your approaching them), they are not shy about walking right up to humans. GREAT PHOTOS. One guy on our journey had a go-pro camera, and we all enjoyed watching his really close-ups on later. But, there will be no shortage of penguins..we saw three different types.

Ship keeps a list (specific to each expedition) of wildlife spotted, and the naturalists do an incredible job of helping you to see it all.

We have since seen photos of some of the locations we visited, and we can definitely see the ice melt impact in just a few years.

If you want to go, I encourage doing it sooner rather than later.

I have considered your question carefully for several years as I slowly work through my wish list before I am incapable of travel.
You are correct on the maximum vessel size for landing passengers. Because of climate and conditions, this means they are "expedition" ships, the trip can be strenuous. The cost is approximately five-ten times the cost of the BA-Cape-Santiago cruises.
The expedition ships that depart from Ushuia cost over $1000 per day, some are over $3000 per day. Sometimes plus air from BA. It can become expensive.
A few cruise ships, such as Holland America, do 22 day cruises BA-Cape-Antarctic-Santiago [or reverse] are in the over $300 per day price.
You see the land, hopefully, but you do not land.
The typical BA-Cape-Santiago trip is 14 days and in the over $200 per day price. You will see penguins, walruses, seals, and other wildlife. You will see Fjords, glaciers, mountains. It will be a different experience. If it is the best experience for you, only you can decide. Fortunately, there is now large amounts of video available through sites such as Youtube which can provide the knowledge to make an informed decision.
Prices vary greatly according to ship, time of year, length of trip, when you book it, plus other factors.
At my time in life I will probably do the 14 day trip. If it thrills me enough I would then consider an Antarctic trip.

Have a wonderful trip, whichever one you decide upon.
Harvey

WOW $12000 per person would pay for three or four cruises that we would take elsewhere.

You get what you paid for.

National Geogtaphic / Lindblad cruises are exceptional experiences and should not be compared to a regular cruise as they are so much more as far as expertise of the crew, naturalists on board and .more

Haven't yet been on a South America cruise but have been researching them for future "bucket list" trip ...
Have you looked into Hurtigruten from Norway? (not your typical cruise ships)

https://www.hurtigruten.com/destinations/south-america/#Cruises-from-South-America-to-Antarctica

Some family members are currently on an Antarctic cruise with Quark Expeditions. Their email updates report that the ship is well supplied with scientific staff and personnel who are specialized in things such as driving zodiacs and safe encounters with wild life. I believe the ship holds around 200 passengers. The ship provided them with coats that they get to keep, and other cold weather supplies (waterproof pants, boots, etc.) that they don't keep. They have been to South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, and the Antarctic peninsula. It sounds like a really amazing trip.