How We Rate Antarctica Falklands South Georgia Cruise Operators
Six criteria weighted by their impact on the actual expedition experience. Updated annually.
Our ratings are based on six criteria weighted by their impact on the actual expedition experience — specifically for the Falklands + South Georgia + Antarctica route. We do not accept payment from operators. No operator has reviewed or influenced this methodology.
Rating Criteria
| Criterion | Weight | What We Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Shore Time & Landing Frequency | 30% | Average landings per day; average minutes ashore per landing; whether all passengers land simultaneously or in rotation groups; access to sites inaccessible to larger vessels. |
| Ship Capacity & IAATO Compliance | 25% | Maximum passenger count relative to IAATO's 100-passenger simultaneous landing limit; IAATO membership status; compliance record. |
| Expedition Team Expertise | 20% | Qualification mix of expedition staff (naturalists, biologists, geologists, historians); staff-to-guest ratio; guest ratings of guide quality across verified review sources. |
| Optional Activities | 10% | Availability of sea kayaking, overnight camping, snowshoeing, helicopter access; inclusion vs. additional cost; spot availability. |
| Price / Value Ratio | 10% | Per-day cost at base cabin tier relative to included shore time and activities; transparency of pricing. |
| Guest Reviews | 5% | Aggregated ratings from verified post-voyage review platforms. Weighted as a secondary signal; direct expedition criteria take precedence. |
Data Sources
We consult operator websites, IAATO membership records, Antarctic Treaty System publications, post-voyage review aggregators, and publicly available expedition program documents. Where operator-provided data conflicts with independently verifiable sources, we note the discrepancy and use the independently verified figure.
What We Don't Measure
We do not rate onboard luxury, cuisine quality, or entertainment programming — these are secondary to the expedition experience and well-covered by general travel review platforms. We do not rate operators on marketing claims; only on verifiable, publicly documented expedition specifications.
Operator Eligibility
We include operators who: (1) hold current IAATO membership; (2) offer itineraries that explicitly include all three destinations — Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the Antarctic Peninsula — in a single voyage; and (3) have operated this route for at least two consecutive seasons.
Independence
We are not a travel agency. We do not book cruises, earn commission, or accept advertising from operators reviewed on this site. No operator has paid for placement or reviewed our ratings before publication.