Antarctica
Snow Hill to the Peninsula: Shackleton’s Emperors
One of the few voyages that reaches the emperor penguin colony at Snow Hill Island, flying in by helicopter from the ship. You’ll spend five days on the quieter eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula, following the route Shackleton’s Endurance crew tried to reach. 18 days · Ultramarine, max 150 guests · Round trip from Buenos Aires · October–November 2028 Good fit for: steady, active travelers who want Antarctica at its most remote. Expect Zodiac landings and hikes on uneven ground.
Svalbard & Arctic
Svalbard in Spring
In spring, Svalbard is still white, the sea ice is close, and the Midnight Sun keeps the light going. It’s a wonderful time to look for polar bears, walrus, Arctic foxes and reindeer, and to watch migrating seabirds arrive. I sailed Svalbard in May 2026, and spring there is something special. 11–12 days · Ultramarine or Ocean Explorer · Round trip from Helsinki via Longyearbyen · Departures April 2027–June 2028 Good fit for: wildlife lovers and photographers who want snowy Arctic landscapes.
Alaska
Alaska’s Inside Passage and Tracy Arm
For explorers who love science and want to get off the ship in a meaningful way. On a small expedition ship, you’ll kayak, hike forest trails and take Zodiacs among the icebergs of Tracy Arm and into Glacier Bay. Naturalists and a National Geographic photographer guide you through wild corners of Alaska, away from the busy cruise ports. 8 days · National Geographic expedition ship, about 100 guests · Juneau to Sitka Good fit for: curious, active travelers who want to learn as they explore.
Polar Expeditions
Expedition Partners
Quark Expeditions — Polar is all Quark does: they’ve explored only the Arctic and Antarctica since 1991, and I sailed Svalbard with them myself in May 2026.
Exodus Adventure Travels — Leading adventure trips since 1974, Exodus runs small-ship Arctic and Antarctic expeditions with sister company Quark Expeditions, plus small-group walking and activity trips worldwide.
Aurora Expeditions — Founded in 1991 by explorers Greg and Margaret Mortimer, Aurora sails small, purpose-built ships to Antarctica and the Arctic, with activities like sea kayaking, snowshoeing and camping.
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions — Lars-Eric Lindblad brought the first travelers to Antarctica in 1966; today, in collaboration with National Geographic, Lindblad offers immersive, expert-led voyages to Antarctica, the Arctic and Alaska.
Ask me about National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions trips →
Intrepid Travel — A certified B Corp running small-group trips with local leaders since 1989, Intrepid sails to Antarctica on purpose-built ships like the 184-passenger Ocean Victory.
G Adventures — A small-group travel company and social enterprise since 1990, G Adventures runs Antarctic expedition cruises on a 128-passenger ship, aiming to get everyone ashore daily, conditions permitting.
Natural Habitat Adventures — My pick for wildlife lovers: Nat Hab has led small-group nature trips since 1985, partners with World Wildlife Fund, and runs polar bear tours in Churchill, Canada.
50 Degrees North — Founded in Norway and run by Nordic natives, this Certified B Corp specializes in Scandinavia, Iceland, Greenland and Svalbard, and books Arctic and Antarctic expedition cruises too.
Other Partners
Celebrity Cruises — Elevating cruise vacations since 1988, Celebrity’s premium ships sail Alaska, Europe, the Caribbean and beyond, and its Celebrity Flora is based in the Galápagos.
Princess Cruises — Princess calls itself the #1 cruise line in Alaska, pairing Glacier Bay cruising with lodges and cruisetours that reach Denali and four other national parks.
Knightly Tours — Family-owned since 1969, Knightly designs custom Alaska, Yukon and Western Canada vacations, from rail journeys to wilderness lodges, perfect for land time before or after a cruise.