Antarctica Cruise Deals

Enjoy an additional 10% discount on a selection of cruises.

Pay in full at time of booking & Save up to 10%

Guests will receive up to 10% additional savings on select departures if full payment is received at the time of booking. The full payment includes the voyage fare and any outstanding balances on the booking (air, hotels, transfers, Adventure Options, pre/post tours and insurance).

Enjoy up to $7000 discount on selected voyages aboard Seaventure

Enjoy 50% off on remaining cabins aboard Seaventure in Antarctica Untouched voyage.

Enjoy a special discount in Classic Antarctica and Classic South Georgia voyages aboad the USHUAIA.

Enjoy special rates on selected itineraries and cabins – 40% off

Explore the untamed beauty of this world’s most captivating regions, and save up to 45% on select voyages to Antarctic. Experience adventure-filled expeditions which immerse you in one-of-a-kind experiences in remote destinations such as the Falkland Islands, and more. Witness epic wildlife, fascinating cultures, and breathtaking landscapes with the best expedition team in the Polar Regions.

Treat yourself to an exclusive travel experience on a state-of-the-art expedition ship.

Enjoy a daily turn-down service, complimentary laundry, and welcome champagne.

Book a suite before June 30, 2024 to save 5% on selected departures. T&Cs apply.

Save up to 45% on must-see destinations in Antarctica.

Enjoy special rates on selected cabins – 30% off

This enchanting expedition takes you through waters inhabited by humpback, minke, and fin whales, not to mention all the seals and penguins you might encounter closer to shore.

A $1,500 USD per person price reduction on Patagonia & Chilean Fjords and Antarctic Small Ship Expedition sea voyages for the 2025-26 season. Available on new individual reservations confirmed by June 30, 2024.

Enjoy discounted rates off on select voyages

Get a jump start on an all-inclusive adventure with the comfort of our special prices

A child (under 16 years) accompanied by two adults can travel free of charge in a triple Superior cabin or triple Suite.

No Single Supplement on Selected Cabins

The supplement for single usage of a double cabin is waived, according to availability and staterooms categories.

You can explore some of the most remote, unrivaled wonders of the world without paying any single supplement charges. Enjoy instant savings on your solo voyage, allowing peace of mind as you embark on your life-changing journey in the Antarctic.

No single supplement on twin & double window cabin solo use

Mikaa Mered is a geopolitologist, award-winning author, university lecturer and seasoned public speaker specialized in the Polar-Climate-Hydrogen nexus, at the intersection of space, place, security, and trade flows, with a neo-institutionalist approach.

With 15 years of experience on Arctic and Antarctic affairs, Mikaa lectures on Polar geopolitics at the French War College and Sciences Po. Formerly a consultant on Polar political risks (2012-2015), advisor to the French Senator for sub-Arctic territory Saint-Pierre-and-Miquelon (2015-2017), expert-evaluator on Polar affairs to the European Commission (2016-2021), and secretary-general of Sciences Po’s Chair on Overseas Territories (2021-2022), he notably created the French Polar Cluster (2014), the Paris Arctic Breakfasts (2018) and the Victor Awards for Polar Commitment (2021).

In 2019, Mikaa wrote the first-ever double-dictionary dedicated to Polar geopolitics, Les Mondes polaires (“The Polar worlds”, French University Press), recipient of two awards, and has since been scientific advisor to several internationally-broadcast documentaries on Polar geopolitics. Altogether, he has delivered more than 250 presentations on Polar affairs in 20 countries.

A member of the Standing Committee on the Humanities and Social Sciences of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (HASS-SCAR), Mikaa contributes in 2023 to an international research effort questioning the concept of “Antarctic ambassadorship” related to tourism.

Join Photo Ambassador and full-time professional travel and wildlife photographer with 25 years’ experience and over six thousand publications to her credit Cindy Miller Hopkins aboard L’Austral.

Her images can be seen on the pages of thousands of textbooks, travel brochures, calendars, fine art prints, consumer products, U.S. and international magazines, and newspapers. Her freelance, assignment and workshop career has taken her to all seven continents and to over 150 countries. Her 2018 shot of 5-species of penguins in one frame is thought to be the only one like it in the world and is currently the lead image in a campaign to fully protect South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

Along with her stock photography business, Cindy teaches digital photography classes, works as a professional photographer & guest lecturer on expedition ships and leads photo safaris around the world. She is past president of the NANPA (North American Photography Association) Foundation Board and is an active Foundation Board member for over 20 years.

On average, Cindy is out of the country over 200 days a year. When not traveling, she lives at home with her husband in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.

Join writer and President of the Icelandic Association of Tourist Guides Fridrik Rafnsson aborad Le Commandant Charcot. He was President of the Alliance Française from 2007 to 2012 and is one of the founders of the Charcot Museum in Sandgerdi, founded in 2007. He was awarded the Chevaler des Arts et des Lettres in 2009, and has translated some fourty five literary works from French into Icelandic.

Join entrepreneur, author, and “Climate Solver” Don Maruska on a select Spirit of Antarctica sailing.

Don encourages people around world to take climate action and to have fun while doing it. Since 2003, he has brought together people from scientific, environmental, business, government and community organisations to boost awareness, actions, and advocacy for stewardship of natural resources.

A Master Certified Coach who helps others succeed, he has appeared on over 30 radio and TV stations and authored many books including “How Great Decisions Get Made” and “Solve Climate Change Now: Do What You Love for a Healthy Planet”, which shares practical and fun ways to take action for a healthy climate.

Join the Founder of the very expedition cruise company—and who your ship is named after no less—aboard the Greg Mortimer’s Antarctica Complete itinerary this December. Greg will be joining this classic expedition as your Expedition Leader.

Since scaling some of the world’s highest mountains, Greg has been awarded with an Order of Australia (OAM) for his services to mountaineering, along with three Australian Geographic Society Medals. He was also recently named as one of Australia’s 50 Greatest Explorers and hosted a sold out night at the Australian Museum where he spoke about his defining moments as a mountaineer.

Greg’s passion for adventure didn’t stop at mountain-climbing. In fact, it was after he set sail to Antarctica, that his love for expedition cruising was ignited. Wanting to share his incredible experiences with like-minded wanderers of the world, Greg and his wife, Margaret decided to set up their very own expedition cruise company.

In 1992, Greg and his team embarked on their first voyage to Antarctica together as this new company. The voyagers were able to adapt quickly to changing weather conditions thanks to the flexibility of being in such an intimate and dynamic-sized group, allowing them to make landings in places that many others could not.

Now, over 30 years on, the company still leads smaller groups to remote & breathtaking destinations all over the world, including the ice-laden Antarctic Peninsula and awe-inspiring Arctic.

Joing writer and journalist, Dominique Le Brun, who has devoted numerous books and articles to the maritime world in all its aspects. He himself has been sailing since his childhood, and that is why, after studying law, he turned away from the professional way that was open to him to become a skipper and yacht deliverer.

The experiences and adventures he lived through during this type of sailing inspired his first reports in the nautical press: he thus became a freelance journalist and author of cruising guides. These first publications led Dominique Le Brun to realize that beyond sailing, his true passion was for maritime culture.

From then on, enriching his reports with research work, themselves reinforced by his experience as a sailor, he conducted a systematic study of all the major themes inspired by the oceans. His essays, biographies, anthologies, stories and reports deal with the exploration of the planet sea, marine literature and painting, the trades and traditions of the sea… Today’s pressing current events direct his centers of interest towards the evolution of climates and geostrategic questions. It is therefore not surprising that he is particularly interested in the poles, to which he has already devoted five books.

Dominique Le Brun is a member of the group of Marine Writers, a permanent guest of the Académie de Marine and a Knight of the Order of Maritime Merit.

Dominique Le Brun will give several lectures including:

– Jean-Baptiste Charcot, a whole life guided by a passion for the poles.

– The first expedition to Antarctica: Le Français.

– The second Antarctic expedition : the Pourquoi-Pas ?

Join internationally renowned, Australian photographer Peter Eastway on upcoming Antarctic voyages.

An AIPP Grand Master of Photography, a Fellow and an Honorary Fellow of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography, and a Fellow and Honorary Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography, Peter has been involved in photographic magazine publishing for over 30 years. He establishing his own title, Australia’s Better Photography Magazine, in 1995 and subsequently won the 1996 and 1998 AIPP Australian Professional Photographer of the Year awards.

He was the author of the Lonely Planet’s Guide to Landscape Photography and his photography has recently featured on the cover of the Lonely Planet’s guide to Australia, in articles in the Qantas in flight magazine, and in an Apple television commercial. His work has been published and exhibited internationally (USA, UK, Japan, Germany, Greece, India, New Zealand and Australia) so you are sure to pick up some expert tips!

Join Photo Ambassador, award-winning photographer, film maker and guide with a passion for the remote regions of our planet, Ian Dawson aboard Le Commandant Charcot.

A fine art graduate, he has spent his career in the national media, both as a photojournalist and picture editor. He has covered everything from conflict, travel, the Royal Family and celebrities of stage and screen and many other commissions.

He has been active within Scottish Mountain Rescue for over 20 years as a medic with responsibility for training. He was recognized for his work in this field having been awarded both The Queen’s Diamond & Platinum Jubilee Medals.

Ian is a member of the Guild of Picture Editors, the British Association of Ski Patrollers, the Royal Photographic Society and the UK Mountain Leader Board. His photographic work is represented by Getty Images.

When not sharing his love of wild places, Ian lives with his family in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Scotland.

Join Travel Photographer Richard I’Anson on Across the Antarctic Circle.

Richard is a freelance travel photographer & Canon Master who has captured incredible images of people and places around the world for more than 35 years. His work has been published worldwide in books, magazines, newspapers, brochures, calendars, posters, cards and websites; from the size of a stamp right up to a tarpaulin covering a 53-foot truck trailer!

He has also published 12 books including five editions of Lonely Planet’s Guide to Travel Photography, was featured in the television documentary Tales By Light (available on Netflix) and is a Travel Photography Scholarship Mentor for World Nomads. Richard has won numerous awards over the course of his career but is most proud of gaining a Master of Photography and one gold bar from the Australian Institute of Professional Photography.

Join photographers, writers and scuba divers Jett and Kathryn Britnell on Circle and Weddell.

Jett and Kathryn Britnell are professional underwater, wildlife and expedition photographers, scuba divers, internationally published writers, speakers, shark advocates, marine conservationists and intrepid explorers.

Their publishing credits include, The Globe & Mail, British Columbia Magazine, Canadian Geographic, Matador Network, Photo Comment, Alert Diver, Diver Magazine, Scuba & H2O Adventure, Sport Diver, Travel Thru History and numerous other outlets. Jett’s photography has graced more than 50 magazine covers and counting.

Both Jett and Kathryn are Fellows of the prestigious Royal Canadian Geographical Society, Fellows of the famed Royal Geographical Society in London and Fellows of the Explorers Club – Jett is also Canadian Chapter Chair of this exclusive club.

Join Creative Producer, Presenter and Sustainability Consultant Saunders Carmichael-Brown on Deep Weddell following Nordenskjöld. Saunders was an integral part of the small media team on the expedition that found Sir Ernest Shackleton’s famous shipwreck, the Endurance, as well as directing, producing and shooting a three-part history documentary fronted by Dan Snow on Shackleton and the Endurance from the locations of the original story.

Expeditioners joining Saunders on Deep Weddell following Nordenskjöld interested in polar history will enjoy learning about Shackleton, the Endurance and the historic expedition that found the ship. Through Saunders’ stories the epic survival story will be brought to life for expeditioners. He will also be on hand to help expeditioners capture their most memorable moments on camera and video in the challenging environments we visit.

Donna is an Australian ultra-marathon runner, pain scientist and physiotherapist.

In 2024, she set a World Record for the longest run in a polar region – running 1402km (871 miles) in Antarctica, the coldest, windiest and driest desert on earth.

Donna ran 50 kms (31 miles) per day for 28 days, enduring temperatures of -20°C (-4° F), winds of up to 80 km/hr (50 miles/hr) and poor visibility. To prepare for the attempt, she ran in a refrigerated shipping container, industrial wind tunnel and along sandy beaches for up to 6 hours at a time.

Donna and the Run Antarctica team used the World Record run to raise awareness about the important and ongoing need to educate and empower females to be active and involved in sport. The campaign reached 950 million people worldwide with over 1000 media publications and has led to the establishment of a not-for-profit organization, EmpowerHer Sport.

Donna is currently based at Monash University in her position as an Associate Professor and pain scientist. Donna has worked in the field of pain for over 25 years, publishing 150 publications, securing national competitive funding across 2 decades and serving on international editorial and grant committees.

Donna is fascinated with understanding pain – how it works and how we can effectively treat it. She has a particular interest in investigating a holistic approach, including harnessing mental strategies, to manage pain and optimize wellbeing.

Donna lives with her family in Melbourne, Australia and they love spending time together playing, coaching and watching sport.

Utah-based Nate Luebbe is a self-taught photographer and lifelong explorer of the outdoors, an avid environmentalist, conservationist, and raconteur of experiences. His passion for photography started as a way to catalog all his outdoor experiences and to live in the moment. He describes standing on a summit watching the sun fade beyond the horizon, and the stars slowly emerge from the inky blackness as an event that consumes one on a level that’s nearly indescribable. Taking those feelings and attempting to freeze them into a single still frame is an incredible challenge, something that truly motivates him to get out and experience the world.

During his childhood, Piet developed a fascination for nature and wildlife, which intensified when he got his first camera at 16. His visit to the Arctic at 17 stole his heart with its diverse wildlife, landscapes, and culture. With an ecology background, he soon realized the rapid changes and threats these places face. After working as a whale watching guide, he decided to live in the North. Inspired by the oceans’ beauty and freedom and the North’s pure wilderness, he aims to create awareness through photography and secure the future of these “untouched” places. With a camera in hand and a lot of motivation, he wants to share his passion with everyone.

On this special Antarctic adventure, you’ll be joined by two very special guests, two of Australia’s sporting legends—Dawn Fraser and John Eales. Having spent a large part of their lives achieving incredible sporting feats, Dawn and John will be sharing tales of their achievements as, collectively, we explore the world’s last frontier together.

John Eales is one of Australia’s all-time rugby greats. He took part in two successful World Cup campaigns; captained the Wallabies in memorable victories including the 1999 World Cup; led Australia through three Bledisloe Cup series wins and two successful seasons of Tri-Nations fixtures. He also led the Wallabies to the first-ever defeat of the British and Irish Lions. In his career, John played 20 tests against the All Blacks winning 11 of them. In that time, he was captain for 11 of those tests against the All Blacks, winning six, including six of his last seven tests against them.

Dawn Fraser is Australia’s greatest Olympian. In November 1999, she was awarded World Athlete of the Century at the World Sport Awards in Vienna. The same year she was awarded Athlete of the Century by the Australian Sports Hall of Fame. Dawn is an international phenomenon: a multi-Olympic and Commonwealth Games Gold Medal winner whose success stretched over fifteen years, during which she broke and held 41 World records. Her sporting accomplishments are unlikely to be repeated – in swimming or any other sport.

Neil is a Polar Specialist having spent nearly 40 years working on Arctic and Antarctic issues. He has visited the Arctic and Antarctic many times.

In 1985 Neil joined the British Antarctic Survey and spent two and half years living and working in Antarctica undertaking field studies for his PhD on near-shore marine ecology, which included a year-round diving programe.

Between 1991 and 1994 Neil continued his association with Antarctica in the role of permanent Base Commander for one of the UK’s Antarctic research stations.

Neil joined the Polar Regions Section of the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in 1997. In that capacity Neil worked on a wide range of Polar policy issues and represented the UK at meetings of the Antarctic Treaty and its Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) as well as meetings of the Scientific Committee and Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). He also represented the UK at numerous Arctic Council Senior Arctic Official and Ministerial meetings.

In 2003 Neil joined Antarctica New Zealand as GM: Health, Safety and Environment and continued to attend meetings of the CEP as New Zealand’s representative. Between 2006 and 2010 Neil was elected as the Chair of the (then) 35-country Committee.

In 2014 Neil established his own consultancy and has worked on a raft of Antarctic initiatives for a number of governments, National and Antarctic Programes and private organizations.

In 2022, in a career highlight, Neil provided support to the Endurance22 Expedition that searched for and located the wreck of Shackleton’s ship Endurance.

Rick started his professional photography career as an underwater photographer. He easily transitioned into travel, landscape, wildlife, cultural and nature photography. Ricks images, from his travels to more than 100 countries, have been published in numerous newspapers and magazines, and have been featured in his 39 books. Rick will provide a photo workshop and be available for tips and advice all with the objective of helping you capture the mood and feeling of the expedition. His wife Susan will also offer instructions on better smart phone photography.

Rick also teaches image processing on the ship, helping transform snapshots into great, memorable shots. In recognition of his talent and influence, rick has been named a canon explorer of light. Rick is also a westcott top pro elite. You might also catch rick at the piano or with his guitar in the lounge!

Our special onboard guest for our November 24, 2023, departure of Emperor Penguin Quest: Expedition to Snow Hill is none other than astronaut and explorer Dr. Sian Proctor—who is the godmother of our game-changing ship Ultramarine!

Guests will have opportunities to interact throughout the voyage with Dr. Proctor, who is also a highly-respected geoscientist, educator and space artist, as she shares her experiences as the first Black woman to pilot a spacecraft—and what she’s learned exploring the Polar Regions.

Guests can expect:

Unique onboard learning activities and creative exercises led by the lifelong educator.
Informal evening bar talks on art, science, space, and other fascinating topics.
Presentations detailing Dr. Proctor’s unique experiences exploring space and the Polar Regions.
Plenty of inspirational moments as Ultramarine navigates toward the rarely-visited colony of 8,000 breeding Emperor penguins at remote Snow Hill.

Stéphane Peyron dreamed of traveling from a very young age. While his brothers took to the high seas and became famous sailors, he decided to travel the world and become a renowned traveler. After a series of extreme windsurfing challenges, he did just that as part of a documentary series broadcast on Canal +.

From the Mongolian steppes to the foothills of the Himalayas, the Amazon jungle to the Great Barrier Reef, he has undertaken numerous expeditions and filmed nature from a human level. Stéphane Peyron continues to travel the world meeting what he refers to as the “last free humans”.

Anja Blacha is the youngest German to have climbed the Seven Summits. Moreover, she wrote history as the first woman ever to ski solo and unsupported from the Antarctic coast to the South Pole. Accelerated by her love to travel, she climbed the highest mountain on each continent within less than three years since her very first mountain expedition.

Languages spoken: German and English

Natalie Hewit is an award-winning director and producer based in the UK. She has been making prime-time documentaries for major terrestrial and international broadcasters -including the BBC and National Geographic – for more than a decade. Her work has received widespread industry recognition and critical acclaim including a Royal Television Society Award for the BBC series Forensics: The Real CSI, and nominations for a Grierson Award and a BAFTA for the Channel 4 documentary Surviving Covid. With human narratives at their core, her projects have taken her to numerous remote and highly challenging locations including an expedition into the Canadian Yukon for the BBC series Operation Goldrush with Dan Snow.

Her directorial debut saw her spend 3 months filming Antarctica: Ice Station Rescue at the Halley VI Research Station on the Brunt Ice Shelf for the BBC’s prestigious Horizon science series, which earned her a nomination for “Best Documentary” at the Broadcast Awards. Her most recent project, Endurance, marked her second visit to Antarctica, where she documented the expedition to find the wreck of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance in the toughest conditions on the planet.

In March 2023, Oscar-winning co-directors Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi joined Natalie on the team to bring Endurance to audiences for National Geographic Documentary Films. Natalie’s work has gained multiple 5-star reviews and been deemed “Essential” by the Financial Times and “haunting and powerful” by The Guardian. She is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and has sat on awards juries for the Director’s Guild of America and grant panels for the Explorer’s Club.

Award-winning photographer, filmmaker and public speaker Sue Flood aboard L’Austral. Her work takes her all over the world but she has a special passion for the wildlife and icy beauty of the Polar regions and is one of the very few women who chooses to return again and again to Earth’s harshest and most demanding environments.

A zoology graduate, Sue spent 11 years with the BBC Natural History Unit, working on series including The Blue Planet and Planet Earth as well as the Disneynature movie Earth with Sir David Attenborough, before turning her focus to photography. Her images have appeared in National Geographic, BBC Wildlife, Geo and other distinguished publications. Her most recent book is Emperor, The Perfect Penguin with a foreword by Sir Michael Palin.

Sue’s work has won multiple awards and in recognition of her photographic achievements, Sue was invited to meet Her Majesty The Queen at Buckingham Palace. In May 2022 Sue received an Honorary Master of Science degree from The University of Chester.

Sue is a member of the Explorers Club, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Royal Photographic Society and of the North American Nature Photography Association.

When she is not in some far-flung location, Sue lives on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park in North Wales.

Dr. Natalie Schmitt is an ecologist, conservation geneticist and documentary film maker with a long history of deep passion and dedication to finding new and innovative ways to address the underlying causes of our massive biodiversity crisis. As both the causes and the solutions involve people, Natalie’s focus has been multi-faceted, going beyond science to explore ways that we can connect with, inspire, understand, and empower people. Taking her inspiration from the Indigenous notion of two-eyed seeing, she is motivated to combine the scientific way of seeing the world with Indigenous knowledge, as well as the use of art and film to foster deep collaboration and inspiration for conservation.

Smithsonian Journeys is the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum, education and research complex, consisting of 21 museums, the National Zoological Park, education centers, research facilities, cultural centers, and libraries. Drawing on Smithsonian’s resources dating back 175 years, these sailings will feature notable experts and experiences that embrace local cultures and dive deeper into a destination’s history, cuisine, language, environment, and wildlife. For more than 50 years, Smithsonian Journeys has been rooted in and focused on cultural immersion and discovery – with a goal of inspiring guests to become global citizens through travel.

Guests

Ben Saunders – Polar expert

Dyan deNapoli – Penguin expert

Jim Preston – Photographer

On board this dedicated Photography expedition, you’ll have the privilege of learning from our accomplished Photography Guides and renowned Special Guest Photographers, who will provide captivating lectures, insightful presentations and invaluable tips to help you capture unforgettable moments in Antarctica like a professional.

Gain insights into camera setup, composition enhancement and craft refinement, regardless of your camera gear or smartphone, through personalized guidance both onboard and during onshore adventures.

Photographer onboard: Nigel Danson, Scott Portelli, Rachel Bigsby, James Popsys, Mads Peter Iversen, Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove and Jack Lodge

Jonathan Shackleton lives in Mullagh in County Cavan, Ireland, where his family runs an organic farm and a forest. A cousin of the famous Antarctic explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton, Jonathan is the historian for the family which traces its ancestry back to Abraham Shackleton, founder of a famous Quaker school in Baltimore, County Kildare, established in 1726.

Jonathan is passionate about Antarctica and its exploration and has taken part in numerous expeditions over the last 25 years. As a historian, guide, photographer and Zodiac driver he has accompanied 44 groups in the Antarctic, including a memorable private voyage in 2016 with famous guests including Tom Hanks, Michael Palin and Jools Holland.

As well as the expeditions, Jonathan has been actively involved in a range of activities related to Shackleton and Antarctica, contributing to films, TV documentaries, interviews, exhibitions and global conferences.

He is also an accomplished author and academic. He is co-author of Shackleton – An Irishman in Antarctica with John MacKenna, highlighting Ernest Shackleton’s legacy and family history. His academic contributions range from publications like Nimrod – The Journal of the Ernest Shackleton Autumn School to The Antarctic Crossing.

Owing to his indepth knowledge, experience and unwavering dedication, Jonathan Shackleton continues to inspire exploration and conservation efforts, creating an enduring legacy for the world of Antarctic exploration.

Language spoken: English

Moroccan mountaineer Bouchra Baibanou is the first North African woman to have climbed Everest in 2017, and the first Moroccan to have climbed all seven of the world’s peaks. She has also climbed Mount Vinson, the highest peak on the Antarctic continent. Today, she is dedicated to the empowerment and development of young girls.

Spoken language: French

Dr. Tyler Nordgren will lead our night sky viewing activity on deck when the weather and auroras are favorable, speaking about the southern sky and its auroras. Nordgren is a professor of astronomy and physics at the University of Redlands as well as a former member of the Board for the International Dark Sky Association.

Dr. Julie Rathbun will continue this trip’s theme of polar and astronomical exploration, leading discussions about how Antarctica is used as a site to study Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons. A senior scientist with the Planetary Science Institute, she is part of NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft mission, which launches in October 2024 to investigate the liquid ocean beneath Europa’s icy surface.

Laurent Mayet is the co-founder of the think tank Le Cercle Polaire which focuses on developing a greater knowledge and better governance of the polar regions (political lobbying and cultural and educational actions). He is the co-director of the revue North and South Poles with Stéphane Hergueta and returns regularly to both the Arctic and the Antarctic, including the geographical Poles.

He held the positions of Special Advisor and the assistant to the former Prime Minister Michel Rocard, Ambassador for Polar Affairs, and Interministerial Coordinator of the National Roadmap for the Arctic from 2009 to 2016, Special Representative on Polar Affairs (2016-2017) and Deputy Ambassador in charge of Ocean Affairs (2018) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is currently in charge of Polar Issues at the Ministry of Education and Youth.

An engineer and oceanographer, he holds the superior teaching degree in physical sciences in France and a postgraduate degree in the philosophy of science.

Languages spoken : french, english and spanish

Santiago Ramírez Said is a Colombian/Lebanese biologist,  educator, and National Geographic Explorer working on interdisciplinary initiatives to address socio-environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, Sargassum accumulation, deforestation, gender/sexual identity discrimination, and the refugee crisis.

Santiago has worked as an Expedition Expert for National Geographic Expeditions since 2022, participating in Expeditions between Central and South America. He is particularly fond of macrophotography, ultraviolet light photography, and drone flying but also enjoys photographing birds and monkeys. Ramirez loves teaching about ecology, nature conservation, climate change, and botany through storytelling and enjoys sharing about his work with Indigenous Peoples and Refugees, highlighting the importance of their knowledge and support for a better future.

Spoken languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese (fluent)

Nicolas Vincent is an underwater engineer and specialist in underwater robotics. With 30 years experience, he is now the Operations Director of Deep Ocean Search Ltd and leads all the unusual special underwater projects in ultra deep waters. Nicolas and his team have been involved in many famous projects from the discovery of Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s plane to the ship Endurance.

They have also covered since 2001 all the aerial incidents in deep water, but also, located famous wrecks like the AJA San Juan and Minerve submarines. They also hold some world records, such as the world’s deepest rescue at 5,200m of the SS City of Cairo, where 100T of silver coins belonging to the British government were recovered, and the discovery of the USS Samuel B Roberts at a depth of 6,800m on board the submarine Victor Vescovo, Limiting Factor.

For Endurance22, he is the Subsea Project Manager for the expedition. It took him three years of preparation to invent and deploy the technological and operational solutions to reach the iconic Endurance wreck.

After graduating from art school in Brussels and completing his military service as a reserve officer with the search-and-rescue helicopters, Mike decided to become a freelance marine photographer.

His talent has earned him an enviable reputation among cruise lines, ferries and North Sea ports. For almost a decade, he was editor-in-chief of a professional maritime magazine. This enabled him to travel the oceans on board hundreds of passenger vessels.

His specialisation in expedition cruises led him to explore Antarctica in 2007, reconnecting with his true passion for the sea. Since then, he has made numerous voyages to the polar regions, with a preference for the ship Le Commandant Charcot.

The weeks-long expeditions will whisk travelers to the world’s most remote parts, these journeys are enriched by the participation of expert members of The Explorers Club. They will share their experiences with you during on-board conferences and will invite you to participate in their research by offering activities on board, at sea or out of the ship. These new explorers will fascinate you with their tales.

Cassandra’s drive to protect the ocean has taken her to all seven continents, though Antarctica holds her heart. She holds advanced degrees in Marine Science, Science Communication, and Environment and Resources, having completed her PhD at Stanford University. She’s worked in the lab, underwater, and at sea – including five research expeditions to Antarctica.

Cassandra was a core member of The Last Ocean, a grand-scale media project focused on protecting the Ross Sea. Her work helped drive the adoption of the world’s largest marine protected area in the Ross Sea, Antarctica, one of the healthiest marine ecosystems left on Earth. Currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, she continues her engaged scholarship and seeks to empower the next generations of environmental leaders.

Paul Kelly – a musician whose songs dig deep into Australia: how it feels, looks, tastes, sounds. In the 40 years since releasing his first album, the human condition has been his special subject. Kelly’s Order of Australia in 2017 acknowledged distinguished service to the performing arts and the promotion of the national identity through his contributions as singer, songwriter and musician. Paul will be performing exclusively to travelers onboard whilst in Antarctica.

Paul will also be joined by some other exciting special guests:

Ben Quilty – an artist who explores the problematic relationship between the personal and the cultural. He will be running a 2 part workshop for budding or accomplished artists who wish to capture Antarctica guided by his artistic prowess.

Andrew Denton – an award-winning writer, performer and producer whose TV programs include The Money or the Gun, Enough Rope, CNNNN (The Chaser), Hungry Beast, and The Gruen Transfer;

Jennifer Byrne – an Australian journalist and award-winning broadcaster who has worked in all forms of publication, including radio, print, and television as a Foreign Correspondent, and has also appeared on Celebrity Mastermind.

Andrew and Jennifer will light up your Antarctic entertainment with interviews and Antarctica reveals.

Join Otahuna Lodge’s Executive Chef  Jimmy McIntyre aboard Le Lapérouse. Having joined the property in 2004, he is the longest-serving lodge chef in New Zealand and is credited with developing one of the country’s most unique food and wine programs.

Profiled previously in Bon Appetit, Conde Nast Traveller, The Financial Times and Time, Jimmy overseas Otahuna’s celebrated “potager-to-plate” philosophy which makes use of some 140 different varieties of organic fruits, mushrooms, nuts and vegetables grown annually in the Lodge’s own century-old gardens. A proud New Zealander, Jimmy is passionate about New Zealand food and wine and, in particular, showcasing the wonders of local artisanal suppliers and sharing his skills with guests traveling from around the world to visit the Lodge.

Originally built in 1895, Otahuna Lodge is one of New Zealand’s premier luxury properties housed in the nation’s largest private historic residence. The property holds a Category 1 Listing from New Zealand’s National Historic Places Trust, is acclaimed as the best example of Queen Anne architecture in Australasia and its 30-acre grounds are recognized as a “New Zealand Garden of National Significance.”

The Lodge is a Relais & Châteaux, Virtuoso and American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts member property.