Antarctica cruises & Arctic cruises
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Elephant Island - Antarctica - Polar Circle
20 Feb - 14 Mar, 2025
•Tripcode: HDS29-25
This Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctic Peninsula cruise is an animal-lover’s dream come true. The expedition explores one of the last untamed areas on Earth – a land of ruggedly beautiful landscapes and amazingly varied wildlife.
from: 10000 USD
Antarctica - Elephant Island - Weddell Sea - Polar Circle
9 Mar - 23 Mar, 2025
•Tripcode: PLA31-25
This expansive expedition takes you into the Antarctic Circle, combining the rich animal life of the Weddell Sea with the surreal shores and islands of the Antarctic Peninsula. Such key landing sites as the legendary Elephant Island and Crystal Sound...
from: 6300 USD
Antarctica - Polar Circle - Deep South Discovery voyage
10 Mar - 21 Mar, 2025
•Tripcode: OTL31-25
This Polar Circle and Antarctic Peninsula cruise passes through waters travelled by Humpback, Minke and Fin whales. Anchoring in various spots around the region, the expedition offers the chance to hike and dive in the iceberg-heavy waters.
from: 4600 USD
Antarctica - Whale watching discovery and learning voyage
14 Mar - 23 Mar, 2025
•Tripcode: HDS30-25
This Antarctic Peninsula cruise delivers you into a landscape of rugged rock, pure white snow, and a fantastic variety of wildlife. Come say hello to whales, seals, and penguins.
from: 4300 USD
Atlantic Odyssey incl. Antarctic Peninsula to St. Helena
14 Mar - 15 Apr, 2025
•Tripcode: HDS30C25
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.
from: 8010 USD
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Latest blog and customer story

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.

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.
Customer photos
Antarctica & Arctic cruise reviews
Amazing trip . Above expecta. Great food. Just frustrated, as everyone, since we never got to touch or see the main land or antartic peninsula as the program promised.
We had a fabulous time on board. The facilities were excellent, the food was delicious, the service was impeccable and the expedition guides and staff were delightful and friendly. We do have one or possibly two regrets. We got to spend less than 24 hours around the peninsula amidst icebergs (compared to 3+ days around S Georgia), so it definitely wasn't enough time in Antartica to enjoy the landscapes and the mesmerising beauty of the icebergs and perhaps enjoy more of the wildlife. It would have also been nice to do a landing on the continent. Considering that Antartica is the main goal of most, if not all visitors, this should be what every trip should be focussed around. We (and many other passengers) felt similarly and were disappointed by this one aspect of the trip. I understand that the itinerary is subject to weather conditions, but it also sounded like we were unable to go to the western side of the peninsula due to 'traffic'. I do not wish to sound ungrateful for the experience but I felt it was important that this sentiment is honestly relayed. I hope that this feedback is taken in the spirit that it is intended.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an ice-strengthened ship and an icebreaker ship?
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.
What kind of clothing should I take during my expedition cruise?
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.
How do I prepare for my expedition trip?
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.
Are life jackets provided during the cruises?
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.
Are the Arctic and Antarctica cruise programs final?
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.
What is your protocol regarding avian flu?
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.