Blog
News from the polar expedition world — operator announcements, new ships, seasons and itineraries.
HX Expeditions has introduced a new Artist in Residence programme, an annual initiative inviting artists from different disciplines to join selected sailings. The first participant is novelist Katie Hale, whose earlier novel was inspired…
HX Expeditions has released its 2025 ESG report, its first aligned with the EU's European Sustainability Reporting Standards, alongside a new sustainability strategy with measurable targets through 2030. The report cites a 12% cut in CO2…
Oceanwide Expeditions has confirmed that m/v Hondius has completed deep cleaning and disinfection in Rotterdam following a hantavirus incident linked to the vessel's prior voyage. Dutch health authority GGD inspected the ship on 29 May a…
Aurora Expeditions reports that bookings from the US market grew 37% year over year for its 2025/26 Antarctic season, outpacing the broader North American Antarctic market's 11.5% growth as reported by IAATO. North American travelers now…
Aurora Expeditions has released survey findings from over 700 travellers showing that expedition team expertise is now the top factor in choosing an operator, ahead of itinerary, ship size and landing opportunities. The company also cite…
The National Geographic Society and Lindblad Expeditions have announced six National Geographic Explorer-led research projects for the 2026 Arctic Visiting Scientist Program, spanning 11 voyages aboard National Geographic Endurance and N…
HX Expeditions has opened a special themed cabin, called the 1896 Cabin, aboard its polar expedition ship MS Fridtjof Nansen. The cabin marks the company's 130th anniversary of expedition cruising, referencing its first Arctic voyage fro…
Atlas Ocean Voyages has announced its 2028 Arctic season, comprising 13 itineraries ranging from 7 to 17 nights aboard World Navigator and World Voyager. The voyages will visit Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland and Eastern Canada, including D…
Seabourn has launched a promotion called 'The Exploration Event,' offering up to 15% savings on select ocean and expedition voyages worldwide, ranging from 7 to 82 days and departing between 2026 and 2028. While destinations span Alaska,…
HX's charitable arm, the HX Foundation, has launched a 2026 fundraising campaign marking HX Expeditions' 130th anniversary, aiming to raise over €130,000 per ship through onboard giving, events and 'Green Stays.' Funds will support five…
Atlas Ocean Voyages has revealed the suite collection for Atlas Adventurer, a new expedition sailing yacht designed by Portuguese studio Oitoemponto. The vessel will offer 200 all-suite accommodations across three tiers—Signature, Concie…
HX Expeditions has reported its most successful Antarctica season to date, covering October 2025 to March 2026. The company completed 34 sailings, carrying more guests to Antarctica than any other operator, alongside high guest satisfact…
Seabourn has opened bookings for its 2028–2029 expedition season aboard Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit, offering 49 departures of eight to 96 days across more than 180 destinations in 29 countries. The season, marking Seabourn's 4…
Aurora Expeditions announced that its newest purpose-built expedition ship, Douglas Mawson, has been included in Condé Nast Traveler's 2026 Hot List, an annual selection highlighting notable new hotels, restaurants and cruise ships world…
Aurora Expeditions reports its largest-ever Antarctic season, operating 30 voyages with about 819 landings and a 30% rise in passenger numbers across 56 nationalities. The season included the debut of a third ship, Douglas Mawson, enabli…
Oceanwide Expeditions has announced the completion of a conservation project supporting the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust at two historic British research stations on the Antarctic Peninsula: Base Y on Horseshoe Island and Base E on Stonin…
Oceanwide Expeditions has signed a Letter of Intent to build two new eco-sail expedition vessels, each with a capacity of 146 passengers. The ships will use a hybrid sail propulsion system to cut fuel use and emissions, and are based on…
Aurora Expeditions announced that its newest purpose-built expedition vessel, Douglas Mawson, has been included in TIME's World's Greatest Places 2026 list, which recognises destinations and travel experiences noted for innovation, susta…
Oceanwide Expeditions has announced that its vessel m/v Ortelius reached 78°05.60'S in Vahsel Bay on 5 February 2026, marking a new record for the southernmost position attained by a non-icebreaker ship in the Weddell Sea. This surpasses…
HX Expeditions has partnered with ITV on a new three-part documentary series, 'Julia Bradbury's Wonders of the Frozen South', airing on ITV1 at 12:45pm on February 15, 22 and March 1. The series follows presenter Julia Bradbury on a 23-d…
