Compagnie du Ponant has opened its 2013-14 Antarctica booking window earlier than it has in past years due to anticipated demand. Plus, the earlier the guest books, the higher the savings -- up to 30 percent off the regular fare.

The 11-day voyages travel roundtrip from Ushuaia through the Drake Passage to several ports on the White Continent -- including Paradise Bay, Port Charcot, Deception Island and the Weddell Sea. The longer 16-day itinerary includes several areas of South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. The 11-day adventure, with seven departures, currently starts at $6,279 per person, double, while the 16-day option, with four sailings, starts at $11,141. One 16-day sailing at the end of the season finishes in Uruguay and has a current starting fare of $7,266, a savings of 23 percent off the regular fare.

Compagnie du Ponant has also moved to a simpler pricing structure for the North American market. Now included in the fares are all meals, open bar, stocked mini bars in staterooms and suites, a welcome-aboard cocktail party, 24-hour room service, all entertainment as indicated within the itinerary, gratuities, port charges, and taxes and fees. The only extras are guests’ personal expenses, air, transfers and optional excursions.