All Aboard

The only real way to discover the polar regions is by expedition ship, much as did the great explorers of the past. Nowadays the ships combine state of the art design and technical skill with on-board experts and a few creature comforts.

Once you’ve spent the day skimming the top of the icy waters aboard a Zodiac, scanning the waves for the mist from a whale surfacing or wandering along a frozen track in search of penguins, the warmth of your ship cabin feels well-earned and comforting. But, as Ocean Endeavour’s on-board expert Dr Alex Cowan explains on page 17–19, you might retire to the vessel that is your home for the duration of your expedition, but you remain ever in the heart of the action, with extraordinary moments taking place all around you, all the time, if only you stop and look. From a comfortable seat on the Greg Mortimer, you can sip a cocktail and watch migrating seabirds fly by, while on the panoramic viewing deck aboard Ocean Endeavour, you may find you’re the only one who encounters orca as they travel in their family pods. A chance occurrence can turn an already extraordinary adventure into something words simply cannot describe, a precious personal moment between you and nature.

You sail with expert naturalist guides who have dedicated their lives to researching and exploring the Arctic and Antarctic. Imparting insight into the way ice calves from glaciers to the feeding habits of blue whales and the blooms of wild flowers, they’re happy to share all they know. Moreover, you don’t just hear about their research and conservation efforts in the lecture programmes and talks they host, you’re invited to join in with their important work, playing your part in engaging with the natural world around you in a meaningful way; whether it’s tracking the speed of a whale or assessing beach litter to identify its origin, combating ocean pollution, hands-on.

There are the other creature comforts that polar ships allow; warming your toes on heated floors, sumptuous meals while reflecting on the day with other adventurers, unwinding in a spa or spending time learning in the library. But it’s the immersion into your surroundings that makes life aboard so unique, even if that does mean a choppy journey through frozen channels like the intrepid sailors of the past!