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Antarctica cruises & Arctic cruises

Antarctica - Beyond the Polar Circle - Wilkins Ice Shelf - Aurora Australis
Up to $5100 OFF

Antarctica - Beyond the Polar Circle - Wilkins Ice Shelf - Aurora Australis

21 Mar - 5 Apr, 2025

Tripcode: OTL32-25

This voyage explores a number of historically significant Antarctic areas, such as the very rarely visited Bellingshausen Sea, Marguerite Bay, and Alexander Island. We focus on places discovered by Adrien De Gerlache on his Belgian Antarctic Expedition...

Atlantic Odyssey
Up to $6200 OFF

Atlantic Odyssey

23 Mar - 15 Apr, 2025

Tripcode: HDS31-25

The Atlantic Odyssey cruise visits some of the remotest islands in the world, crossing the migratory paths of Arctic Terns, Long-tailed Skuas, other birds, and a variety of whales as they make their annual expeditions north for the breeding season.

Atlantic Odyssey to Cape Verde
Up to $1380 OFF

Atlantic Odyssey to Cape Verde

23 Mar - 25 Apr, 2025

Tripcode: HDS31C25

  • EN

During the days at sea the chances of meeting whales are high. Witness the northbound spring migration of northern birds like Arctic Terns and Long-tailed Skuas who join us in crossing the Equator (“the Line”).

St. Helena to Cape Verde

15 Apr - 25 Apr, 2025

Tripcode: HDS32-25

Can be booked in combination only Cape Verde Ascension Island St. Helena
  • EN

During the days at sea the chances of meeting whales are high. Witness the northbound spring migration of northern birds like Arctic Terns and Long-tailed Skuas who join us in crossing the Equator (“the Line”).

Alpine Peaks of Spitsbergen, Ski & Sail

8 May - 15 May, 2025

Tripcode: RVR02-25

Last berths Svalbard

This program is designed for experienced ski mountaineers who have mastered ski techniques both for ascent and descent in challenging snow-covered alpine terrain. A typical day involves ski climbs on mountaintops averaging heights of 700—850 meters (2,300—2,800...

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Historic building at Whalers Bay successfully restored after graffiti incident

In partnership with the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT), Oceanwide Expeditions has successfully restored a historic aircraft hangar at Whalers Bay on Deception Island - just one month after an incident of graffiti.

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Customer story

Around Spitsbergen, in the Realm of the Polar Bear & Ice

There are journeys and there are journeys. This trip is one that falls in the latter category. I look back on a fantastic experience, during which the awareness of human behavior on this vulnerable planet (and especially the Arctic) became very clear to me.

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Antarctica & Arctic cruise reviews

by Roberto Borelli
The ship , crew staff, food, attractions, lectures and organization where way above my expectation.
by Laurent Stampfli
Overall an incredible voyage with an incredible crew. A true journey to the southern unknown with passionate and experienced guides and crew. A true adventure of a lifetime!
by Margit Schmid
It was the most amazing trip to the wonderworld of Antarctica. Every day of our Basecamp expedition was filled with incredible and magical experiences. 7 days each with 2 landings or zodiac cruises, led by a great team of highly qualified guides. I was fascinated by the enthusiasm of the guides and the dedication with which they showed us the wonders of Antarctica – and they always seemed to be relaxed and in a good mood. The team on board was equally excellent – always in a good mood and they delivered the best service. The food was outstanding! The rooms and community rooms were very clean and tidy. The cabin (level 4, double with window) was larger than expected, with very comfortable beds and plenty of storage space. I also loved the energy within the passengers on board, people from 23 countries of every age. The activities offered were perfectly tailored to the passengers. The expedition leaders reacted very flexibly to weather conditions and the wishes of the passengers. There was always enough time for animal observation and plenty of opportunities to move freely on land (within the given limits). And it was all conveyed with such apparent ease and great humor. You had the feeling that the guides had in mind the enthusiasm with which they experienced their own first trip to Antarctica and wanted to make the same intensive experience possible for us too. My personal highlights were the kayaking, the two afternoons with very close-up humpback whale sightings and all the cute penguins. The trip far exceeded all of my expectations in every way – I'm so glad I chose this particular tour. I always thought reviews like this one were fake ... but at least when it comes to the reviews here, I know they must all be real. If you don't believe it, just find out yourself. ;)
by Yan Zhuo
The staff on our expedition cruise went above and beyond to make our journey unforgettable.i love them all. Special expedition leader Pippa, and Matt, George. Lucia !!!it is my best trip ever.
by Mercedes Aragon
Worth every cent!
by Ahmet Erkun
A fantastic voyage that included South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands and Weddell Sea. For the first time as non government passenger ship made it to 78.3 degrees parallel. Highly recommended this trip to all looking for wildlife, beauty and experience.
by Ruby Johnson
Had a fabulous time at Antarctica. Oceanside took very good care of us. We were able to do all activities. They kept us busy and well informed. The food was outstanding and you got plenty to eat. Highly recommend them.
by Fred Meijer

Een reis van mijn "to do list" om nooit te vergeten. Wat een super mooie bijzondere natuur tref je daar aan. Ook het aanschouwen van de grote hoeveelheid dieren die daar leven zonder achter een hekje te staan. Adembenemend. Wij hebben aan alle activiteiten deelgenomen om zijn elke dag twee keer aan land geweest om te genieten van de pinguïns en de mooie omgeven en ijsbergen c.q. schotsen. Een pluim voor de enthousiaste crew en staff. Er werd veel kennis gedeeld met de passagiers om nog meer te genieten van wat je ziet en beleefd. Ook alle medewerkers van het hotel, keuken en bediening was onwijs vriendelijk en behulpzaam. Kortom top!

by Barbara Riddick
Excellent trip. The expedition team, and all the crew including the catering and housekeeping team were outstanding. Very lucky to have Pippa as our expedition leader, heard informally from several of the expedition team that she was the best leader they'd worked with. Landings and zodiac cruises very well managed. Interesting breadth and depth of lectures and activites. Very lucky to also have obliging weather for most of the trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

An ice-strengthened ship is a ship made of steel. These ships are built to navigate the Antarctic and Arctic ice. Today, most ships that cruise to Antarctica and the Arctic are ice-strengthened vessels. Hondius, Ortelius, and Plancius are all ice-strengthened ships. Both Ortelius and Hondius have the highest ice-class notation (UL1, equivalent to 1A-Super for Ortelius, and Polar Class 6, equivalent to 1A-Super for Hondius), making them suitable for navigation in medium first-year ice, which may include old ice inclusions. Plancius has an ice-class notation of 1D.

Icebreakers are needed if there is a trade route to keep ice-free, if there are military reasons for patrolling in areas with heavy sea ice, or if you need to work in heavy ice conditions, particularly in winter. Icebreakers are expensive to build and fuel-intensive to run (sometimes powered by gas turbines or a nuclear generator). These ships, constructed for function, are uncomfortable to travel in on the open sea.

All guests are required to wear a waterproof jacket and trousers (the clothing must be fully waterproof – water resistant or repellant is not suitable sufficient) while in our Zodiacs. This is for safety reasons owing to the increased risk of exposure related illness if you get wet. In Norwegian waters this is also a legal requirement – any person not properly dressed will not be permitted to leave the vessel.

Apart from that, our advice is to take warm, windproof clothes that you can easily add or remove in layers. Multiple layers of medium-warmth clothing provide more insulation than single heavier articles. This is due to warm air getting trapped between the layers and acting as further insulation. Look for clothing made of wool, silk, and new synthetic fibers, all of which retain heat better than other materials.

Layers give you the flexibility to control your temperature. The most important layer is the outer waterproof and windproof shell. More information about this can be found in our expedition manual, which you will receive at time of booking.

Our trips can best be described as expedition-style cruises. The emphasis is on viewing wildlife, visiting interesting locations, and participating in activities. For example, we may go to places where there is a good chance of seeing penguins or polar bears, or we may visit culturally significant sites or research stations, or we might embark on a kayaking trip or shoreline snowshoeing hike.

The aim is always to give you the utmost firsthand contact with the polar world. This is why we keep our program flexible, so that we can take the best possible advantage of local ice, weather, and wildlife conditions as they occur. No two voyages are the same. There is always an element of the unexpected in our trips.

When packing for an expedition cruise, avoid weighing yourself down with too much gear. Select informal, practical attire that can be worn in layers. Please ask for our expedition manual with detailed information on clothing lists, what to pack, and what to expect on our voyages.

Yes, we provide all passengers lightweight life jackets that inflate automatically on contact with the water. It is mandatory to wear these life jackets at all times while cruising in the Zodiac boats.

All promoted Arctic and Antarctica cruise itineraries are for general guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. The expedition leader and captain make these decisions in order to provide you the safest and most exploratory experience. Landings may also change due to site availabilities and environmental regulations per IAATO or AECO.

We follow the protocol advised by IAATO. Before leaving for your voyage, please make sure anything you bring that may come into contact with the environment (clothes, equipment, etc.) is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. We ask that you do not sit, kneel, or lay down during our landings. Please also do not place anything on the ground. You will receive a document with further information after booking.

On this page you find all information you need to know about the avian influenza outbreaks, including biosecurity protocols.

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About Oceanwide Expeditions

Passionate

Taking you closer to the heart of the polar regions has been our driving passion at Oceanwide Expeditions for over twenty years. Our knowledgeable cruise leaders, committed staff, and thoroughly outfitted vessels are our way of expressing what we care about most: making your cruise to the Arctic and Antarctic truly unforgettable. When you sail with us, you experience a part of the world that is unlike any other. Mountainous glaciers, snow-swept shores, whales and polar bears and vast colonies of penguins make up this world, and they are all part of the surreal ecosystem you can watch unfold before you on your future Oceanwide expedition.

Adventurous

Providing you a travel experience that inspires (and is inspired by) you, that’s what taking you closer to the heart of the polar regions means to us. We get you away from the vessel and into the action as fast as possible: up to two landings per day in the morning and afternoon, with a fleet of inflatable Zodiacs ready to shuttle you past the ice floes and onto the shore. We keep our programs flexible so that you get the most out of whatever surprises nature has in mind. When you sail with us, the cruise is just the tip of the iceberg. 

Pioneering

So what exactly is beneath the tip of that iceberg? The pioneering spirit, which all travelers to the polar regions (regardless of age and background) have in common. Guiding our expeditions with passion, tapping into the desire for inspiration and beauty, and always taking you closer to the heart of the Arctic and Antarctic – at Oceanwide Expeditions, that is our promise to you.

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