I went on a 22-day Holland America cruise around Antarctica and South America. It cost $114 a day, and I'd definitely do it again.

Cruises can be pricey, but many lines offer special deals and discounts.

I took advantage of one of Holland America Line's booking promos last year, which meant I got a discounted fare of over 50% off for a 22-day cruise departing December 20, 2022.

My husband and I did the math, and it'd only cost us $2,500 per person for a balcony room aboard Holland America Line's Oosterdam.

We'd depart from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and eventually arrive in Santiago, Chile, with stops along the way.

It felt like the deal of a lifetime, so we booked it.

The ship was beautiful and seemed to be in tip-top shape — the teak railings outside were polished and the decks always looked clean.

Walking on the promenade at dawn or dusk felt romantic and magical.

Our stateroom, which was under 400 square feet, felt luxurious.

We had a queen-size bed, simple bathroom, and access to a small veranda.

The weather outside changed from summer-like highs to wintery lows, but the views stayed impressive.

The ship's decks were the perfect place to watch the spectacular scenery pass us by. On colder days, the staff made sure we had blankets.

Going to Antarctica with any size ship can feel dangerous, but I felt safe on the Oosterdam.

We experienced high seas and strong winds that had the ship rocking and rolling. Fortunately, I never felt unsafe. I was confident in our captain and crew and the ship's high-tech equipment.

It's pretty impressive considering we crossed the Drake Passage, a body of water between South America and Antarctica that's known for being intense and turbulent.

Still, it was evident that not everyone on the ship had their sea legs, as there were sickness bags available at each stairwell on board.

Fortunately, the spa seemed to have special deals each day. While at sea, we each took advantage of a package that included a massage, facial, and foot treatment for $180.

At the spa, you could also get a higher discount (up to 30%) if you bought more services.

The spa felt like a great way to add a bit of pampering to a long cruise. It was luxurious but not too expensive for us.

The ship's two heated pools and hot tubs felt like a nice getaway as well.

Despite the ship holding just over 1,900 guests, I was often able to find empty chairs around the decks.

The ship's gift shop and jewelry store were well stocked and inventory switched out and moved around during the cruise.

We could buy stuffed animals, mugs, clothes, and more.

The penguins were so cute and I loved how they led to even more special touches.

During one of the three gala nights on board, our housekeepers added a towel penguin for our little family during the turn-down service.

The buffet was located on the lido deck, and we typically went there for breakfast and lunch. I almost always went for a salad first.

I'd often pass long lines for the pizza and pasta stations to find the locally inspired meal station. My favorite was when that station serviced a Chilean-style paella.

In the dining room, a three-course meal was the norm. We'd choose an appetizer, like shrimp cocktail, Caesar salad, or French onion soup. For entrees, we could choose from steak, chicken, seafood, and vegetarian options.

I usually tried to go for the fish, especially when it was locally caught.

Dessert options included ice-cream sundaes, tiramisu, and berry crisps.

We visited two specialty restaurants on the ship — a traditional steak and seafood restaurant and an Italian eatery.

We paid about $50 for the steak restaurant and were able to order surf and turf with filet mignon and lobster. We paid $30 for the Italian restaurant and ate things like spaghetti and meatballs and veal scallopini.

At both restaurants, our meals were cooked to order. The service felt intimate and our surroundings were beautiful. I thought the tasty meals were both well worth the extra charge.

There were free shows on the main stage and in other lounges every night. We got to see professional musicians, singers, comedians, and dancers.

Our Holland America Line cruise felt like a trip of a lifetime. The attention we received from the ship's staff was phenomenal and the onboard amenities were great.

For us, each dollar we spent was definitely worth it. And December was the perfect time to get away from work and enjoy the holiday season while ringing in the new year at sea.

Plus, Holland America regularly has deals and discounts. Currently, this same trip but with an interior room is available to book for as low as about $2,670 per person.