When most people dream of a cruise travel adventure, they think of an island cruise in some far-off tropical locale. Others, however, have an South America and Antarctica cruises on their minds.

Sailing to Antarctica is perhaps one of the most offbeat travel imaginable. Earth’s southernmost continent is also one of the most inhospitable. In fact no one actually lives on Antarctica, although several thousand scientists visit each year and temporarily reside at various Antarctica research stations.

Instead, it’s the sheer beauty of  exclusive Antarctica and the amazing animals – penguins, seals, whales, and sea birds – that live here that lure so many tourists.

When planning an Antarctica cruise, it’s imperative that travelers remember that the seasons are opposite in the southern hemisphere so the summer cruise season is actually from November through March.