Antarctica was our most expensive trip per diem but it was worth EVERY PENNY!
I very briefly considered the sail-by ships with NO landings and dismissed that idea quickly.
If we were going to Antarctica we wanted to actually step on the continent or we would have had REGRETS!
(In addition to the cost the next biggest problem was pronouncing and spelling USHUAIA correctly!)
I guarantee you'll have a GREAT experience - there are things more important than money.