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Arctic & Antarctic Expeditions by Forward Travel
With first-hand experience in both the Arctic and Antarctic, Forward Travel curates polar travel experiences that prioritise meaningful engagement, expert-led interpretation, and small-ship expedition cruising. We work only with vetted operators who are members of IAATO and AECO and are leaders in safety, science, and sustainable travel.
Why Forward Travel Are Polar Specialists
At Forward Travel, we don't just book polar cruises; we've been there. Our team has travelled to Antarctica and the Arctic on true expedition voyages, walking alongside researchers, naturalists, and polar historians. We work exclusively with the most respected names in the field. As a result, every trip includes expert-led landings, flexible itineraries, and genuine wilderness immersion.
We only offer small-ship polar tours, typically with . This allows for frequent Zodiac landings, responsive routes based on ice and wildlife conditions, and deep engagement with each destination — whether it's the penguin-thronged beaches of South Georgia or the ice-choked fjords of Svalbard.
Each voyage is built with sustainability and scientific integrity at its core. You'll learn from glaciologists, marine biologists, and polar photographers — not cruise entertainers. With us, the focus isn't luxury for its own sake, but meaning, knowledge, and wonder.
Speak to a polar specialist today.
Why Book Your Polar Tour with Forward Travel?
- We design elite polar expeditions on small-ship voyages created for seasoned travellers — not cookie-cutter Antarctica tours or generic Arctic cruise packages.
- We partner with top-tier expedition lines (Poseidon, Aurora, Oceanwide, Terra Nova), bringing their best ships and guides directly to you without you needing to book through multiple sites.
- We bring actual polar expertise to the table because our team has personally navigated polar waters, stepped on both poles, and seen firsthand what guarantees a meaningful expedition.
- We craft personalised polar travel packages around your interests (wildlife, photography, science, history) and support each client from planning and gear to pre-departure advice and on-ice orientation.
- We uphold rigorous safety, environmental, and ethical standards by working only with leaders in sustainable polar travel, committed to responsible operations under IAATO and AECO guidelines.
Ready to plan your Antarctic or Arctic adventure?
Who Are Our Polar Expedition Partners?
Explore the polar regions with Forward Travel. We partner exclusively with top polar expedition leaders who curate small-ship voyages that prioritise expert guidance, environmental stewardship, and immersive exploration, designed for seasoned travellers seeking purposeful journeys.
Poseidon Expeditions
Poseidon is all about big polar moments on a small ship. With just over 100 guests on the M/V Sea Spirit, you get the feeling of a private expedition rather than a cruise, plus plenty of time off the ship each day.
Their team reads like the credits of a polar documentary – marine biologists, glaciologists, historians (including Falcon Scott, grandson of Robert Falcon Scott) and expedition leaders who live and breathe ice and wildlife.
Antarctic voyages sweep from classic Peninsula sailings to South Georgia and the Falklands, while Arctic journeys chase polar bears in Svalbard, icebergs in Greenland and late-season auroras in East Greenland.
- Award-winning polar operator with 25+ years of ice-time
- All-suite Sea Spirit with just 114 guests and heaps of time ashore
- Encounters with penguins, whales, seals and birdlife in both hemispheres
- Zodiac cruises, hiking, photography outings, and the legendary Polar Plunge
- Optional sea kayaking and camping on the ice for extra-adventurous travellers
- Strong eco-credentials with IAATO & AECO membership and no-waste policies
- Citizen science projects and naturalists on board to help you read the landscape
Think of Poseidon as a floating base camp with comfortable suites, a friendly bar and lounge, and then as much time as possible out among the ice, wildlife, and wide-open polar silence.
Antarpply Expeditions
Antarpply is for travellers who want to sail straight out of Ushuaia and into the heart of Antarctica with a tight, focused team. Based at the southern tip of Argentina, they know these waters like locals know their own backstreets.
Their ship, the M/V Ushuaia, is a hardworking classic. Sturdy, comfortable, and purpose-built for the White Continent. On board it feels more like an expedition with friends than a floating resort, with crew and guides who quickly feel familiar.
Itineraries are all about Antarctica’s greatest hits. Penguin colonies, glittering icebergs, remote bays, and the sort of storied locations early explorers wrote about in their journals.
- Small expedition ship with a friendly, informal atmosphere
- Classic Antarctica plus South Georgia, Polar Circle Quest, and Weddell Sea routes
- Abundant whales, seals, seabirds, and multiple penguin species on a single voyage
- Daily Zodiac landings and cruising for close-up ice and shoreline time
- Strong safety and environmental record as active IAATO members
- Itineraries that push a little further south of the Polar Circle or into the Weddell Sea when conditions allow
Choosing Antarpply feels a bit like signing onto a modern research voyage because of the focused regions, serious attention to ice and weather, and a crew who are just as excited as you are each time the Zodiacs go in.
Oceanwide Expeditions
Oceanwide is a long-running polar specialist with a big reputation among expedition fans. With around 30 years of experience and sky-high guest reviews, they know how to build voyages that feel adventurous and unhurried.
They own and run their fleet, including Hondius, Ortelius, Plancius, and the sailing schooner Rembrandt van Rijn, which means more freedom to shape creative routes in both Antarctica and the Arctic.
Oceanwide's signature Basecamp voyages turn the ship into a hub for activity days. Kayaking at the foot of ice cliffs, snowshoe hikes, camping on the continent and even polar diving on select trips.
- Small, ice-strengthened ships built for serious expedition cruising
- Classic Peninsula, Falklands and South Georgia sailings, plus Weddell Sea and Ross Sea expeditions
- Basecamp trips with hiking, camping, kayaking, mountaineering, and photo workshops
- Regular landings and Zodiac outings, often twice a day when conditions allow
- IAATO and AECO members with strong biosecurity and clean-up initiatives in places like Svalbard
If you like the idea of an active trip where you're off the ship as much as possible, Oceanwide's style is a great fit with its packed days, wild shorelines, and guides who love getting people right into the ice and wildlife action.
Aurora Expeditions
Born from Australian mountaineers Greg and Margaret Mortimer, Aurora feels like it was built for travellers who want their polar trips to have heart, science, and plenty of play.
Their ships – Greg Mortimer, Sylvia Earle, and Douglas Mawson – carry around 130 guests on full expeditions, with the distinctive X-BOW® design for a smoother ride through Southern Ocean swells.
Aurora runs busy days in both poles, from classic Peninsula voyages to long Ross Sea journeys, Svalbard and Greenland in the Arctic, and even warmer-water discovery cruises in Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific.
- Small, purpose-built expedition ships with plenty of balcony cabins and big windows
- Rich Antarctic programme including South Georgia, Subantarctic islands, and the Ross Sea
- Arctic voyages to Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and the Northwest Passage
- Packed activity line-up, including kayaking, camping, snowshoeing, ski and snowboard touring, snorkelling, and diving
- Citizen science centres on board and partnerships with projects like HappyWhale and NASA GLOBE Cloud
- Certified B Corp with strong conservation and community programmes, including Ocean Regeneration and Arctic community ambassadors
Aurora trips feel lively and hands-on, the kind of voyage where you come home not just with photos, but with stories about scientists, local communities, and conservation projects you've personally contributed to.
Antarctica21
If sailing the Drake Passage doesn't appeal, Antarctica21 is the smart shortcut. Based in Punta Arenas, they pioneered the air-cruise model: a two-hour flight straight to King George Island, where your expedition ship is waiting.
Their small ships – Magellan Explorer, Ocean Nova, and soon Magellan Discoverer – feel more like boutique yachts than cruise liners, with typically fewer than 80 guests. That means fast disembarkations and more time ashore each day.
Antarctica21 runs focused Peninsula itineraries as well as longer journeys pairing Antarctica with South Georgia or the Falklands, plus sea voyages through Patagonia and the Chilean fjords.
- Skip two long sea days each way by flying over the Drake Passage
- Modern, Polar Code-built Magellan Explorer with glass-walled observation lounge and sauna
- Intimate guest numbers so the whole ship can land at once on most outings
- Classic Antarctica, Polar Circle, Antarctica Express, and Antarctica & South Georgia options
- Warm-up hub at Explorers House in Punta Arenas for briefings and gear checks before you fly
- CarbonNeutral® certified company with its own foundation supporting science, art, and conservation projects in the region
- Clear contingency and refund policy if weather disrupts the flight schedule
Antarctica21 is ideal for travellers short on time or not keen on rough seas, but who still want genuine expedition landings and wildlife encounters on the White Continent.
Terra Nova Expeditions
Terra Nova is the new kid with old-school polar DNA, founded in 2024 by a team with close to a century of shared Antarctic experience.
Their flagship, RMS St Helena, is a former Royal Mail Ship refitted into a expedition vessel full of character, usually sailing with around 98 guests. Alongside it sits Icebird, a 61-foot Australian-owned expedition yacht for tiny-group adventures.
Terra Nova focuses solely on Antarctica and treats the ship as a base for serious time on the ice. Activities are included in the fare, so you're saying yes to kayaking, camping, and longer hikes without worrying about add-ons.
- Antarctica-only operator with strong focus on the Peninsula and Subantarctic region
- Repurposed vessel RMS St Helena plus tiny-group Icebird sailing yacht
- Itineraries from Classic Antarctica to Polar Circle, Kingdom of Kings (South Georgia & Falklands), and Heroic South historic routes
- World-first "Ultimate Antarctic Adventure" combining St Helena with a six-night Icebird mini-expedition
- All-inclusive adventure activities like kayaking, camping, trekking, photography workshops, and more
- EARTH Sustainability Programme and small-ship guest capacity to reduce impact
- Expert team including scientists, historians, and award-winning cinematographers, plus active onboard science lab
Terra Nova feels like joining an Antarctic co-op. Lots of time ashore, a crew obsessed with the history of the place, and a price that already includes the kind of activities others treat as extras.
Let Forward Travel tailor your polar expedition with the ideal blend of comfort, discovery, and purpose.
What are the Types of Polar Tourism?
Choose the polar tourism experience that matches your spirit of exploration. Whether you're a photographer chasing rare light, a luxury traveller seeking efficiency, or a learner driven by naturalist insight, there's a polar cruise style for you.
- Zodiac & Shore Learning: Disembark daily with polar naturalists via Zodiac boats for up-close landings and guided walks. These excursions offer hands-on insight into Arctic and Antarctic ecosystems, wildlife habitats, and glaciology.
- Fly–Cruise Luxury: Skip the Drake Passage and fly straight into the heart of Antarctica. Enjoy small-boutique ship comfort, fast access to landing zones, and less time at sea, ideal for travellers with limited time or motion sensitivity.
- Photography-Focused Voyages: Join departures designed around light, landscape, and wildlife. Led by polar photography experts, these cruises offer on-board instruction, curated shooting locations, and dedicated Zodiac outings for photographers.
- Custom Charter & Group Travel: Planning a multi-generational trip, educational group, or private charter? Forward Travel curates bespoke polar expeditions that balance adventure, logistics, and learning, backed by direct experience and expert partners.
Talk to us today to find your perfect expedition.
About the Polar Regions
The polar regions, Antarctica in the south and the Arctic in the north — are Earth's last untouched frontiers. Both offer radically different experiences, united by remoteness and extraordinary ecological value.
Antarctica: The White Continent
Antarctica is a landmass surrounded by ocean. There are no towns or native populations, only ice, wildlife, and researchers. Most expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula depart from Ushuaia, while voyages to East Antarctica launch from Hobart, Australia, and Invercargill/Lyttelton, New Zealand. Expect encounters with chinstrap and gentoo penguins, leopard seals, orcas, humpback whales, and landscapes sculpted by glaciers and tabular icebergs.
While landing sites vary by weather and ice, typical stops include Deception Island, Paradise Bay, and the Lemaire Channel. Longer itineraries may reach South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, where king penguins and elephant seals dominate.
The Arctic: A Circumpolar Wilderness
Unlike Antarctica, the Arctic is an ocean surrounded by land. Here, Indigenous communities, remote settlements, and diverse wildlife coexist. Arctic expeditions may visit Greenland, Svalbard, northern Canada, or the Russian Far East, depending on your chosen operator and vessel.
Expect sightings of polar bears, walruses, reindeer, musk oxen, and Arctic foxes as well as migratory bird colonies and stunning fjords. Ice conditions, rather than distance, often dictate route flexibility
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