Polar Routes

22/08/2024

Beyond The Poles: Our Top 5️⃣ Warm Weather Expedition Cruises 🏝️ 🛳️

Beyond the Poles is the pinnacle of expedition cruising, taking you to the world’s most extraordinary destinations beyond the polar regions.

🇫🇲 🇵🇫 🇦🇺 Delve into remote and isolated cultures in the South Pacific, Polynesia, Micronesia, Hawaii, Asia, and Australia and immerse yourself in each port of call’s rich history and vibrant life with captivating shore excursions.

🔗 Read our new blog to discover our five favourite expedition cruises across these tropically tantalising regions: https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/blog/2024/08/21/beyond-the-poles-our-top-5-warm-weather-expedition-cruises/

19/08/2024

Happy World Photography Day! 📷

Swipe right for a selection of our favourite shots from our travel specialist's trips across the polar regions! 🌎🏅

World Photography Day encourages people to pick up a camera and capture moments around them. It also serves as a reminder of photography's power to convey emotions, tell stories, and preserve history.

📸 From left to right:

Polar Bear by Lucy, Greenland
Humpback Whale by James, Antarctica
Chinstrap Penguin by Lucy, Antarctica
Gentoo Penguins by Lucy, Antarctica
Gull by by Lucy, Antarctica
Gentoo Penguins by James, Antarctica
King Penguins by James, South Georgia
Elephant Seals by James, South Georgia
Iceberg Shapes by Lucy, Antarctica

12/08/2024

Behold...the true masters of polar plunging! 🐳💦

Visiting Antarctica in the late season - around February to March - provides an excellent opportunity to spot whales fluking and breaching from the ocean depths, as our polar specialist James Townsend's amazing photos prove!

🐋 James visited in February, which is the best time to watch humpbacks, s***m whales, minkes, southern right whales, and orcas.

🗣️ James commented: "It was awesome getting to experience Antarctica in the late season - SO many Whales! One highlight was seeing this 30-tonne humpback explode out of the water!"

09/08/2024

We are delighted to be shortlisted as a finalist in the Silver Travel Awards 2024 in the category of Best Expedition Cruise Line 🥳

👉 Cast your vote and enter the draw here to win one of eight grand prizes: https://silvertraveladvisor.com/silver-travel-awards-2024/

Thank you for your support! 👏

08/08/2024

A Day In The Life Of… a Chief Scientist 👩‍🔬 🔬

We spoke with Dr. Verena Meraldi, the Chief Scientist of HX Hurtigruten Expeditions. She began working with HX in 2007 as a biology lecturer on Antarctica voyages, fuelled by her passion for the polar regions and the incredible species that inhabit them.

In 2019, she took on the amazing challenge of becoming the cruise industry’s first Chief Scientist and designing the Science & Education programme for all HX vessels. Her extensive background working on expedition cruise ships has given her a thorough grasp of operations as well as the possibility to integrate science into the voyages.

🗣️ Dr. Verena says: "The thing I like the most about Antarctica, is the mesmerising natural quiet, which is not truly silent since you hear the ice breaking, penguins going about their days, whales coming up to breathe, glaciers calving… but it is completely deprived from human-made noise. Nevertheless, encountering penguins, seals, whales and discovering the microscopic life in the oceans is amazing."

You can read her blog here: https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/blog/2024/08/08/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-chief-scientist/

31/07/2024

Gorgeous Greenland through the lens of our Senior Polar Specialist Lucy, who spent an incredible morning watching this polar bear wandering across the ice from the comfort of the deck of Le Commandant Charcot ! 🐻‍❄️

Our Lucy wasn’t finished there, capturing the rare sighting of a pod of Northern Bottlenosed Whale, Glaucous Gull (the second-largest gull in the world), before sailing back to Reykjavik, where they encountered a humpback whale and a pod of Orcas! 🐋

We’re sure you’ll agree this was one Arctic voyage to remember 🤩

17/07/2024

Beyond The Bow: MS Fridjtof Nansen ⚓

Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or a curious traveller yearning for an extraordinary adventure on the polar seas, our blog features are designed to be your go-to resource for first-hand expert ship reviews.

🚢 HX Hurtigruten’s sister ship to the MS Roald Amundsen is MS Fridtjof Nansen, and together, they are the first hybrid expedition ships to operate in the polar regions.

♻️The ship’s hybrid technology and other efficiency improvements will reduce fuel consumption by approximately 20% and CO2 emissions from the ships by 20%.

Our polar specialist, Lidia Stranc, shared her experiences after her Antarctic voyage onboard this fantastic vessel. Read all about Lidia's thoughts with her photos and videos of this ship on our new blog here:

https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/blog/2024/07/17/beyond-the-bow-ms-fridjtof-nansen/

Additional ship photography from onboard photographer Kay Fochtmann.

14/07/2024

Our Routes on the Seventh Continent! 🇦🇶

The latest edition of our popular polar travel series takes us to awe-inspiring Antarctica, where our elite polar specialist, Charlie Mason, completed his full continental set on a sun-drenched voyage on the peninsula.

Charlie was treated to a record-quick Drake Passage crossing and some super landing sites for wildlife spotting! 🐧 🐳

🗣️ Charlie says: "We crossed the Drake Passage a whole day early, which really gave us a lot of excitement, and whilst we were in a lecture hearing about our first landing site, we started to get our first glimpses of icebergs and a humpback whale even interrupted the speech. The whole ship was so excited, and the feeling on board was truly magical as the realisation of just where we were arriving began to set in."

Read Charlie's blog here: https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/blog/2024/07/14/our-routes-on-the-seventh-continent/

09/07/2024

Come aboard our exclusive expedition cruise featuring the renowned evolutionary biologist and acclaimed author Richard Dawkins! 📚 Join us on an incredible voyage to Svalbard onboard the cutting-edge Greg Mortimer in June 2025, in partnership with New Scientist Discovery and AE Expeditions (part of Aurora Expeditions). 🚢

Richard Dawkins, recognised for his expertise in science writing, will be presenting a series of lectures, accompanied by speakers Leah Crane and Russell Arnott from New Scientist. Enhance your knowledge of this remote archipelago through engaging discussions on glaciology, botany, marine biology, astronomy, and the captivating history of polar exploration.

🐻‍❄️ Experience the Arctic's breathtaking beauty - spot polar bears on ice floes, witness minke, humpback, and fin whales, and see the tundra and hillsides in full bloom. The towering cliffs and dramatic mountain ranges will be teeming with seabirds in June.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to explore the Arctic with leading scientific minds! Save 10% with our early booking discount. Learn more here: https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/cruises/spitsbergen-svalbard/richard-dawkins-arctic-expedition-with-new-scientist/

05/07/2024

🚨 Missed our Polar Routes Inspiration Series with historian Kate Jamieson last Wednesday? Catch up now! Explore Sir Ernest Shackleton's incredible leadership and resilience during the Endurance voyage. Discover his lasting legacy that inspires adventurers and leaders alike.

🎥 Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ286loLmls

Thank you, Kate, for sharing your knowledge. We look forward to hearing more about Ernest Shackleton during your lectures on our Ultimate Antarctic Expedition in February 2025.
The Adventures of Kate

Join renowned historian Kate Jamieson to discover more about Sir Ernest Shackleton, exploring his leadership and fortitude during the ill-fated Endurance voy...

02/07/2024

📣Exciting news from South Georgia!📣

After some restoration work on the largest remaining historic building in Grytviken, visitors to the island can now walk through the ground floor for an authentic insight into life during the mid-20th century!

South Georgia Heritage Trust

01/07/2024

A small ship, big adventure! Explore the polar regions on the MS Maud with HX Hurtigruten Expeditions. With its optimal size of 480 passengers, this ship offers the perfect balance: spacious enough to provide a range of onboard amenities, yet small enough to get close to shore, allowing you to enjoy amazing panoramic views and access hidden gems that larger ships cannot reach.

Experience cutting-edge technology and interactive learning tools in the Science Centre, take in breathtaking views from the Observation deck, or indulge in traditional Norwegian and international cuisine at one of three onboard restaurants: Aune, Fredheim, and Lindstrøm.

Ready to explore the polar regions onboard MS Maud? Visit our website for more information about the ship's facilities and upcoming sailings. https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/cruises/hurtigruten/ms-maud/

27/06/2024

These special offers are ending soon for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Antarctic and Arctic voyages! 🥂🍾

🐧 Head off happy to the Antarctic with a whopping €300 onboard credit per cabin for beverages!

🐻‍❄️ Or if polar bears in the north are more your thing, dive into the Arctic Special Offer with 20% savings PLUS €500 onboard credit!

Hurry; these offers are only valid on applicable new bookings until 30th June 2024.

Find out more here: https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/cruises/hapag-lloyd/

24/06/2024

Please vote for us in the British Travel Awards! 🗳️👏

We're excited to announce that Polar Routes has been nominated for Best Travel Company for Special Interest Holidays in the prestigious British Travel Awards 🥳

Our clients are at the heart of what we do, and we pride ourselves in delivering excellent service, expert knowledge, and incredible voyages to the polar regions.

✨ Having sent so many happy clients to Antarctica earlier this year alongside those currently enjoying the Arctic season, we would love to celebrate all of our hard work and achievements with a win in our category!

🔗 Please take a few minutes to vote for us in this year's awards with this link here: https://britishtravelawards.com/btaform.php?nomLink=191

Thank you so much for your support! 👏

18/06/2024

Polar Routes Inspiration Series: Shackleton's Legacy @ 7 pm on Wednesday 3rd July ⚓ 🇦🇶

🗓️ We invite you to join us and renowned historian Kate Jamieson to discover more about Sir Ernest Shackleton, exploring his leadership and fortitude during the ill-fated Endurance voyage. Learn about Shackleton's legacy and its inspiration to adventurers and leaders.

🧭 Kate is a renowned naval and maritime historian and regularly delivers talks and lectures on naval and maritime history, exploration, and maritime security.

🗣️ Kate will bring her unrivalled expertise and passion for the great explorers of the Antarctic to our Ultimate Antarctica Expedition cruise through a series of onboard lectures.

Sign up for our live talk here: https://tinyurl.com/2kat58fa

12/06/2024

Our proud partnership with New Scientist 🤝

New Scientist Discovery Tours offer amazing science-inspired experiences across the polar regions, with onboard experts, small group sizes, and the company of fellow travellers who enjoy the discovery of science.

These tours are designed for science enthusiasts interested in exploring various scientific topics, historical sites, and natural wonders of the Arctic and Antarctica.

Our New Scientist clients have enjoyed unique expedition cruises with a highly knowledgeable team of biology, exploration, conservation, and wildlife experts.

With voyages across the Arctic available this year, there's never been a better time to book New Scientist!

https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/cruises/spitsbergen-svalbard/richard-dawkins-arctic-expedition-with-new-scientist/

03/06/2024

Toast Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Antarctic Special Offer with a whopping €300 for onboard credit per cabin for beverages! 🥂💶

🚢 Available on selected sailings for the Grand Expedition Antarctica expedition cruise, which explores the Falkland Islands, South Georgia & the Antarctic Peninsula aboard the HANSEATIC inspiration.

🍻🍾 300 Euros onboard credit per cabin for beverages is valid on applicable new bookings until 30th June 2024.

Find out more in here: https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/cruises/hapag-lloyd/

28/05/2024

Beyond The Bow: HANSEATIC inspiration 🚢

We are excited to launch our new ship review series Beyond The Bow, a blog aimed at taking a closer look through the porthole at the world’s finest expedition cruise ships, as experienced from the perspectives of our polar specialists.

⚓ We’re kicking things off with a thoroughly modern classic in the shape of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises formidable vessel, the HANSEATIC inspiration. Our senior polar specialist, Lucy Yeoman, let us know her thoughts after her Antarctic voyage on this ship.

🗣️ Lucy says: "The Observation Lounge on deck 8 offered fantastic views. It was a place to keep warm, relax, and have a coffee or something stronger from the bar and watch as the ship sails onto its next destination. It also had access to the outside deck if a whale appeared and was really close to the afternoon waffle station!"

Read all about Lucy's thoughts with her photos and videos of this ship on our new blog here: https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/blog/2024/05/28/beyond-the-bow/

21/05/2024

🐧 Our Kasey enjoyed a brilliant trip to Antarctica and ticked off her 7th continent in the process! 🇦🇶 7️⃣ ☑️

📷 She shared some of her snaps with us from a voyage that included transiting through the Lemaire Channel, kayaking around Petermann Island, and an afternoon zodiac trip through the Iceberg graveyard!

16/05/2024

📷 Our Senior Polar Specialist Lucy had a photo-fantastic time in Antarctica with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises - as these wonderful images show! 🐧

Lucy sailed past the 35-mile-long iceberg A76a, snapped Adelie, Gentoo, and Chinstrap penguins along the Antarctic peninsula, spotted fluking whales, and trekked through stunning landscapes on a memorable trip aboard the HANSEATIC inspiration.

13/05/2024

🤩 Special Offers For Our Very Special Expedition Cruise! ⛴️

🇦🇶 🇬🇸 🇫🇰 Over 23 incredible days, explore and experience the very best of Antarctica, including the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands, with the added opportunity to visit Elephant Island.

🐧 🐧 Save up to £1,000 pp on selected twin cabin types or £500 pp on selected other cabin types

‍🐧 Solo cabins for the special price of just £18,999, making this a market leader for solo travelers to Antarctica!

Why Choose Us? 💫

👍 Just 66 passengers significantly increases exploration opportunities
🛥️ 8 Zodiacs for fast disembarkation
🥾 Maximum exploration time with no need for groups
🛳️ Ample deck space for wildlife observation
🇦🇶 4 ½ days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula
🇬🇸 4-days exploring South Georgia
🇫🇰 2-days exploring the Falkland Islands

🗓️ Join us, then, in February 2025 for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and be a part of The Ultimate Antarctic Expedition Cruise!

Read more about this amazing trip here: https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/cruises/antarctica/the-ultimate-antarctic-expedition-by-polar-routes

05/05/2024

Dive into Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Arctic Special Offer with 20% savings PLUS €500 onboard credit! 🐳

⛴️ Available on selected sailings from Longyearbyen to Tromso or Kangerlussuaq, you'll board the amazing HANSEATIC inspiration for a once-in-a-lifetime trip through the stunning Svalbard archipelago.

💶 Enjoy 500 euros of onboard credit per cabin for beverages, spa, laundry, and internet with this limited-time offer!

Find out more here: https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/cruises/hapag-lloyd/the-hanseatic-inspiration/

30/04/2024

🇬🇱 Our Routes in Greenland with Senior Marketing Manager, Felipe 🚁

The latest edition of this polar travel series takes us to gorgeous Greenland, where our senior marketing manager Felipe Francisco had quite a spectacular trip, taking in glaciers, cultural visits, and incredible fjords from the air with Quark Expeditions!

🗣️ Felipe says: "My first panoramic helicopter flight in Greenland was nothing short of extraordinary. I was in the copilot seat and flying over Greenland’s granite peaks didn’t even feel real. It was one of those pinch me moments, I felt so incredibly privileged to have that experience!"

Read his blog here: https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/blog/2024/04/30/our-routes-in-greenland/

26/04/2024

A Day In The Life Of… a HX Expedition Leader ⚓

Torstein Gaustad has a strong bond with the sea, having grown up on the Norwegian coast. In his role, he makes sure the guests get the best experience possible by sharing his knowledge and expertise. It is absolutely his dream job!

🗣️ "We have breathtaking views where we sail. It is amazing to see the majestic landscapes and wildlife, but even better when you learn about them. You start seeing things in a new way, when you also understand what you see. To give this experience to the guests and see and hear from them how they change the way they think about what they see."

Read his blog now live on our website: https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/blog/2024/04/26/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-hx-expedition-leader/

24/04/2024

Discover the secrets of Antarctica through the lens of an award-winning author! Don't miss out on our exciting giveaway. 🐧 Enter to win a captivating 96-page guidebook of The White Continent by Jacquetta Megarry.

Steps to follow 👇

1. Like/Follow our Polar Routes Page and Rucksack Readers
2. Share your favourite highlight of Antarctica in the comments below

The giveaway has been extended until 22 May and four lucky winners will be selected at random. The giveaway is for UK residents only. Good luck!

We are specialists in expedition cruising to the polar regions of the Arctic & Antarctica 🐧🐻‍❄️

21/04/2024

Quark's Polar Price Chopper! 🚁

With not long to go before this amazing offer ends, you can enjoy savings of up to 50% on selected departures PLUS enjoy $250 pp onboard credit on bookings until 30th April!

🚁 Did you know that Quark's game-changing expedition ship Ultramarine is equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, allowing for unique helicopter experiences on board? Scroll right ➡️ to see some of the stunning discoveries waiting for you.

📶🥂 You can also enjoy a complimentary bar and Wi-Fi for all guests on 2024-25 Antarctic season departures!

Find out more here: https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/cruises/quark-expeditions/

11/04/2024

Life In The World's Most Southerly Post Office: An Interview with Lucy Bruzzone 🐳

It was a case of when Lucy met Lucy when, during another big trip to Antarctica, our Senior Polar Specialist Lucy Yeoman sat down to speak with Lucy Bruzzone, the Education Program Director at Cambridge University who spent a season in Antarctica working in the world's most southerly Post Office at the historic Port Lockroy Station.

🇦🇶 Located on the scenic island of Goudier on the Antarctic Peninsula, the site has been open to visitors since 1966 during the Antarctic summer (November to March) and is now managed by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, which runs the site as a ‘living museum’ with a popular gift shop.

Read our blog with Lucy here: https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/blog/2024/04/09/worlds-most-southerly-post-office-an-interview-with-lucy-bruzzone/

10/04/2024

7 days left! 🐋🦭 Join us for a free webinar on 17 April as the renowned marine biologist Dr. Mikolaj Golachowski explores the wonders of polar marine life, from majestic mammals to his own Antarctic adventures. Limited spaces!

Register today: https://latinroutes.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MM6ATgafQzuFE2UfPrfrXQ?j=330561&sfmc_sub=2187208&l=771_HTML&u=12985250&mid=510005381&jb=0&fbclid=IwAR3EPmsGBfH8cnr-ObOIijB78ZmpvA_nxiCUtKJ3Fm7N3bAu23EV6KiCbpA_aem_AUd-hUc2hiUyKHG0a0TMiMwIbBmX0ACbTHuZgVIBGqRf1ZJlezOySL6drsYtgZUL726BoOeF1GWAOSajsAd9vXvo #/registratio

04/04/2024

Ice-cracking offers with Quark Expeditions 🐻‍❄️

💰 Save up to 50% on selected departures PLUS enjoy $250 pp onboard credit on bookings made from now until 30th April 2024!

📶🥂 You can also enjoy a complimentary bar and Wi-Fi for all guests on 2024-25 Antarctic season departures!

🐳 On Quark's Spitsbergen Explorer 'Wildlife Capital of the Arctic' itinerary, you will see how this unforgettable 12-day voyage has been designed to maximise time on the west and northern/southern tips of the island for optimal chances to witness the remarkable array of creatures.

🐻‍❄️ You may well encounter whales, walruses, Svalbard reindeer, seabirds by the thousands, and the most iconic of Arctic residents - the polar bear.

Find out more here: https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/cruises/spitsbergen-svalbard/spitsbergen-explorer-wildlife-capital-of-the-arctic-by-quark/

25/03/2024

Celebrate Snow Hill’s majestic moments on ice, alongside more than 4,000 pairs of breeding Emperor penguins and their chicks! Set sail on a 14-day expedition onboard the luxurious Ultramarine for a genuine polar quest.

In 2004, Quark Expeditions made polar history when it made the first ground visit to the Emperor Penguin colony near Snow Hill Island, Antarctica. Driven by a true expeditionary spirit - and guided by years of polar expertise - you can now relive this exceptional experience by sailing the Weddell Sea.

Enjoy helicopter sightseeing, zodiac landings, hiking, kayaking and one of the most exclusive wildlife encounters on the Emperor Penguin Quest Expedition at Snow Hill by Quark.

Learn more by clicking the following link: https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/cruises/the-weddell-sea/emperor-penguin-quest-expedition-to-snow-hill-by-quark/?from=/cruise-search/?operatorIds%5B%5D%3D2