Aurora extends Antarctica cruise sale to September 30

Published on Aug 19, 2025, 10:42 am CDT

6 min read

Polar specialist Aurora Expeditions has extended its Big Adventures, Bigger Savings promotion through September 30, 2025, keeping up to 40 percent off select 2025 to 2026 Antarctica voyages in market. The Certified B Corporation and carbon neutral line lists 14 eligible itineraries, with fares from $12,599.00 per person in Category B staterooms and higher. Early planners can also take up to 25 percent off select 2026 to 2027 departures, while a separate solo offer removes the single supplement on a wide set of 2025 to 2026 trips. Capacity controls apply, and select cabin types are excluded.

Key Points

Why it matters: Rare, stackable value on high demand expedition cruises to Antarctica.
Travel impact: Savings up to 40 percent, plus a broad no single supplement window for solo travelers.
What's next: Book and deposit by September 30, 2025, to lock prices and inventory.
Good to know: Eligible cabin types start at Category B, with higher suites included on some sailings.
Also notable: 2026 to 2027 voyages carry up to 25 percent off for early bookings.

Snapshot

The extended sale covers 14 distinct Antarctica itineraries across the 2025 to 2026 season, including Antarctic Peninsula programs, South Georgia combinations, and polar circle routes. Highlights span the South Georgia and Antarctic Odyssey, plus Across the Antarctic Circle, Fly the Drake for travelers who prefer to skip the famously rough Drake Passage. From prices start at $12,599.00 per person, based on a Balcony Stateroom Category B on a named 2026 departure. Bookings must be made and deposited by September 30, 2025, with a standard $2,500.00 per person deposit due within seven days. Gratuities run $15.00 per person per day, with an option to opt out at voyage end. Inventory is capacity controlled, and the promotion can be withdrawn without notice.

Background

Expedition cruising to Antarctica continues to outpace broader cruise demand, helped by new purpose built ships, flexible fly sail options, and a pivot to more inclusive, small group operations. Operators coordinate under IAATO guidelines to manage landing sites and protect fragile ecosystems, while marketing increasingly emphasizes science, photography, and soft adventure. Aurora Expeditions positions itself with small ship capacity, advanced hull designs, and a sustainability platform that includes Certified B Corporation status and a carbon neutral program begun in 2021. Embarkations typically run October through March, when sea ice retreats, wildlife activity is high, and daylight stretches long. For travelers choosing between crossing or flying the Drake Passage, a fly component cuts transit time, while a full sea crossing adds the classic Southern Ocean experience. For more context, see our prior explainer, Antarctica Level 2 Travel Advisory.

Latest Developments

What is on offer in the Antarctica cruise sale

Aurora's terms and conditions outline 14 eligible itineraries across three discount tiers, with savings up to 40 percent on select 2025 to 2026 voyages. The offer applies to balcony categories and suites beginning at Category B, including Category A, Balcony Stateroom Superior, Junior Suite, and Captain's Suite on designated sailings. The headline from price of $12,599.00 per person is tied to a specified departure and cabin type, and reflects the discount already applied. Bookings must be made and deposited by September 30, 2025. Deposits are $2,500.00 per person, and gratuities are discretionary at $15.00 per person per day. The promotion is capacity controlled, not redeemable for cash, and generally not combinable with other offers except for loyalty benefits. For a primer on expedition style travel, review our evergreen guide, Expedition Cruise.

Solo travelers, no single supplement

A parallel solo travel offer removes the single supplement on a wide selection of 2025 to 2026 Antarctica voyages, which is a meaningful savings given typical 50 percent surcharges for single occupancy. Availability is limited, not valid on Captain's Suite, Junior Suite, dedicated solo staterooms, or triples, and is subject to capacity controls. The solo promotion also carries a September 30, 2025, book by and deposit by requirement, and it is not combinable with other discounts except for loyalty. For travelers who want to maximize time on ice while reducing transit time, fly sail products such as Across the Antarctic Circle, Fly the Drake allow you to overfly the Drake Passage in one or both directions, then board the ship in Antarctica.

Plan ahead, 2026 to 2027 savings

Early planners can take up to 25 percent off select 2026 to 2027 Antarctica voyages when booked and deposited by September 30, 2025. These departures include a broader mix of classic peninsula routes and longer expeditions that aim for the Antarctic Circle, East Antarctica, or combination voyages that include subantarctic islands. As with the current season, discounts are capacity controlled, and specific cabin categories are named in the fine print. If you are date flexible, you will generally find more inventory in shoulder months, while peak season commands higher fares and sells out faster. For reference on past pricing and structure, see our prior coverage, Aurora Expeditions Offers 40 Percent Savings on 2025 to 2026 Antarctica Cruises.

Analysis

For travelers who have been watching expedition prices climb, this sale is notable because it targets balcony categories and suites, not just entry level cabins. That matters in Antarctica, where outside space and forward views increase comfort on long sailing days. The from price of $12,599.00 per person is competitive for a balcony stateroom when compared with recent season norms, although true value depends on the itinerary length, the number of permitted shore operations, and whether a flight replaces the Drake Passage. Consider timing as well. Early season travel shows dramatic snow cover and penguin courtship, midseason offers peak wildlife density, and late season yields more whales, soft light, and less congested landing sites as ships redeploy. Logistics also deserve attention. Most peninsula voyages stage from Ushuaia, Argentina, about a three and a half hour flight from Buenos Aires, and weather can disrupt connections. Build a buffer night pre cruise, verify inclusions, and confirm your operator's flexibility on missed embarkations. Finally, review sustainability claims and certifications, and favor operators with transparent impact reporting and active science programs.

Final Thoughts

This extension gives travelers more runway to lock scarce inventory at aggressive pricing, especially for balcony and suite categories that usually sell first. If you are solo, the no single supplement window meaningfully lowers the barrier to entry, which is unusual on premium expedition tonnage. Deposits are due within seven days of booking, so have your preferred dates, cabin categories, and air plan ready. Check the specific itinerary code, eligibility by cabin type, and the fly sail versus full crossing trade. If Antarctica is on your list for 2025 to 2027, this Antarctica cruise sale is a timely opportunity.