DESTINATIONS CRUISE |ANTARCTICA


TRIED & TESTED World Navigator


From the moment we board World Navigator, welcomed by its attentive crew and expedition experts, the atmosphere is relaxed and


convivial. Its 98 cabins range from Adventure Oceanview staterooms to Veranda and Horizon categories, with


three suite types covering up to 465sq ft. My cabin had one of the comfiest beds I’ve ever slept in, plus L’Occitane toiletries, a walk-in shower,


stocked mini-fridge, kettle and Nespresso machine.


Exceptional service in the main restaurant, Porto,


combined with fine dining and friendly fellow passengers, meant we often spent a


very chatty three or more hours over dinner. More


first-rate food and drinks were available from Paula’s Pantry, the Dome, Atlas Lounge and room service.


Hot tubs, a pool, spa and gym added to the onboard offering. Come evening, the entertainment


programme featured musical performances by cruise director Daniel and duo


Casablanca, plus, one night, the homespun fun of a crew talent show.


would take us out exploring twice a day, plus scrupulous biosecurity systems to ensure we don’t spread litter, seeds or disease-causing pathogens. The onboard team includes historians and scientists specialising in climate change, marine biology, oceanography and the cryosphere (the ice-covered parts of our planet). Their passion and expertise during excursions and daily recaps fosters a deep understanding of its ecosystems and landscapes. British marine biologist and guide Holly Selman says:


“Every day is different, but we can [always] expect abundant wildlife. I can guarantee whales. We’re very flexible thanks to working with Jonathan, who is a master of Antarctica and has encyclopaedic knowledge.” She tells me that passengers are surprised by the


variety of landscapes, from the rocky South Shetland Islands to the shimmering white glaciers in Paradise Bay. “People are changed by Antarctica and feel connected to its magic,” she adds. Selman’s lectures chart the history of whaling,


conservation, campaign groups and citizen science initiatives. We discover the importance of whales in global ecosystems and learn about their behaviour, from songs and patterns of grief to a curious trend of whales wearing salmon as ‘hats’, which scientists still can’t explain.


VIEW TO A KRILL


Adventure Ocean Stateroom


Expedition guide Fiona Johnson is an expert in krill – small, shrimp-like crustaceans – having changed tack from her management career in Australia after travelling


36 16 APRIL 2026


on an expedition cruise. “As a guest, I was inspired by the vastness and landscapes. I felt insignificant with nature at its wildest and most breathtaking,” she says. “Expedition cruising to Antarctica is life-changing – it certainly changed my life.”


She explains how Jonathan and the captain study the conditions and design the itinerary to see all the wildlife we can. Thus we see three types of brush-tailed penguins – Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo – and four types of seal. With up to 180 passengers on Atlas Ocean Voyages ships in the Antarctic, I ask how guests deal with the dilemma of tourism’s carbon footprint amid such a pristine environment. “We hope that those clients who come to Antarctica are inspired to protect it and make changes back home: lobby government, get involved with organisations. People don’t care about what they don’t understand. Being preachy won’t work – but if people talk when they get home, that gets the message out,” Johnson says. She urges passengers to boycott products containing krill, such as supplements, and has joined other expedition guides in campaigning to protect this vital marine species.


SPECIAL DELIVERY With a focus on getting guests off the ship to experience this unique environment, Atlas Ocean Voyages offers two Zodiac wildlife-spotting excursions per day, and for an extra fee, kayaking and even a chance to camp overnight in Antarctica. “We can tailor-make [trips] to make the most


CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Writer Samantha Mayling experiences a polar plunge; expedition leader Jonathan Zaccaria; sea lion; up close with a


leopard seal PICTURES: Melanie Magnan; Keith Nyberg


² travelweekly.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52