How to find the best last-minute deal to Antarctica!
Five reasons why you shouldn’t wait until you get to Ushuaia to book a last-minute deal.
As the 2023/24 Season approaches, the hunt for last-minute Antarctica deals begins for those budget-conscious travelers who have more flexibility in their travel plans. Last-minute deals have been around for as long as tourism to Antarctica itself. However, the demand for Antarctica has drastically increased, which makes last-minute deals much harder to come by. While you may have read that to get the best deal “You should just show up to Ushuaia and hop on a ship”, this is no longer the best method. Here are a few reasons why you should consider booking your last-minute trip to Antarctica in advance.
1) Ships typically release their last-minute pricing 60-90 days before departure.
Things aren’t the same as they were. Last-minute deals aren’t so “last minute” anymore. There are 300% more ships operating in Antarctica than there were ten years ago. Which means there is a lot more competition for your business. Ships that will knowingly have free space on a given departure will typically release their discounts two to three months in advance to be ahead of their competition. They would prefer to fill their trips as early as they can, instead of relying on buzzer-beater bookings and risk sailing with empty beds. We’ve seen as crazy as 50% off deals even further than three months out for some of the newer companies entering the industry. There’s a good chance that the deal you see three months before departure will be the same deal you see when you arrive in Ushuaia (if there is even space left).
2) You’re not the only one who knows about last-minute deals.
Last-minute deals used to be an insider secret. However, now, with social media campaigns, travel bloggers, and word of mouth…they’re not so secret anymore. There are likely 10,000 other travelers on the hunt for last-minute deals and they have likely strategically placed themselves on mailing lists with the top discount cruise agencies out there. This means they will likely see the best deals before you do… and when you get to Ushuaia, you’ll be shopping for whatever is left over. All the best deals will have been scooped up long before you get there.
3) The cheapest cabins sell the fastest.
If your main goal is to find the absolute cheapest cabin …you can expect that by the time you get to Ushuaia, the cheapest cabins will have been long gone weeks before you got there by other bargain hunters who took advantage of an email offer. There’s a good chance that only higher-category cabins will be left, and they come with a higher price tag.
4) Ushuaia isn’t the cheapest place to “Hang around” waiting for a deal.
With the dramatic increase in Antarctica tourism departing Ushuaia…the cost to be in Ushuaia has gone up significantly as well. The days of $10 cheap hostels and $30 hotel rooms are no more. Just like the cheapest cabins on the ships fill up fast, as do the more affordable accommodations in Ushuaia. Hostels are booked up months in advance at a premium price. You could very easily show up to Ushuaia and spend $1000 in accommodation over the course of a week or two just waiting for a ship with discounted space to Antarctica. Booking your trip in advance allows you to plan for your time to Ushuaia as well as your flights or busses into town.
5) You have a better chance of getting the trip of your dreams.
There are only around 3-6 ships departing Ushuaia each day for Antarctica while the rest are down South on their Expeditions. There’s a steady rotation at the pier. Not all the ships in port during your time there will offer discounted rates. Some ships may be more luxurious than adventurous and even with a discount, be well out of your price range. There are several different itineraries that each ship conducts and perhaps a few of those ships are going on longer, more expensive cruises…. or you may not have that much time. Some of those trips might be private, full charters, or there may be a private foreign language charter on board selling leftover space. My first trip to Antarctica was a last-minute deal on a Chinese charter where I was 1 of 7 English speakers onboard. It was the only discounted trip available while I was in Ushuaia. While I absolutely loved that trip, that might not be for everyone. Starting your search for a last-minute deal weeks or even months in advance will allow you to sort through a number of different options and make sure you book a ship and itinerary that best suits you.
Last Minute Deal Etiquette.
It’s important not to discuss your last-minute deal pricing with other guests on board. You may be talking to someone who spent upward of twice as much as you and may have even booked just a few weeks before you did. Nothing can ruin someone else’s vibe more than knowing they could have saved literally thousands of dollars. It may be hard not to share how flexible your travel plans were and how you waited until the deals came out…but it’s important to consider how someone else may feel knowing you got the same trip for significantly less than them While everyone knows that last minute deals exist, and some may not have that sort of flexibility…it’s not polite to brag about your savings.
Contact Us to find the best last minute deals!
If you’re interested in searching for a last-minute deal for the 2023/24 season, do not hesitate to reach out the ATG team. We will work with out partner last-minute agencies to help find you the absolute best deal!
Feel free to email us at info@antarcticatravelgroup.com
or fill out our trip request form!
