Whilst at sea, get to know the ship and make the most of the many services and activities on board. Relax at the spa, take a dip in the swimming pool or enjoy some sunshine on deck. You might like to attend one of the engaging conferences or entertaining shows, shop in the boutique, or meet the photographers. For those who love the sea, the ship’s upper deck provides beautiful views and the opportunity to spot marine life. Enjoy a perfect blend of comfort, rest, and entertainment.

Campbell Island, the southernmost of New Zealand’s five subantarctic groups, is known for its floral display, unrivalled outside the tropics. The island is renowned for its megaherbs—herbaceous perennial wildflowers with enormous leaves and vibrant flowers—adapted to the harsh southern weather. Campbell Island is also a sanctuary for six species of albatross and several critically endangered endemic birds, including the Campbell Island teal and snipe. Guests will have the opportunity to embark on a guided walk along the Col Lyell Saddle boardwalk and enjoy a zodiac tour around the coastline of Perseverance Harbour.

Journey south towards the Ross Sea. Deepen your knowledge of this remote region with presentations by the Expedition leader, speak to the photographers onboard and prepare for your next destination, Antarctica!

The Ross Sea, the southernmost sea in the world, is named after Sir James Clark Ross, a naturalist and Royal Navy officer who first explored the area in 1841 with HMS Erebus and HMS Terror. To the east is Roosevelt Island and the Edward VII Peninsula in Mary Byrd Land, to the west, Ross Island and the coastal mountains of Victoria Land, and on the south by the Ross Ice Shelf, the largest ice shelf in Antarctica, located some 320 km from the geographic South Pole. The history and wildlife of this incredible marine sanctuary will leave you in awe.

Weather and ice conditions permitting, you have the opportunity to discover several iconic sites in the region. Possible landings include Cape Adare at the northern end of the Borchgrevink Coast, home to the world’s largest colony of Adélie penguins. We will attempt to reach Terra Nova Bay, where the Italian and South Korean scientific stations are located to the north, and the Drygalski Ice Tongue to the south. Dating back at least 4000 years, it extends 70 km offshore from the David Glacier and is 24 km at its widest point. On Inexpressible Island, learn of the exceptional survival of a group of six men from the Terra Nova expedition, led by Robert Falcon Scott (1910-1913), who were forced to winter in a cave dug in the ice, now classified as an Antarctic historical monument.

On Ross Island, follow in the footsteps of polar explorers Sir James Clark Ross and discover Sir Ernest Shackleton’s hut, also deemed an Antarctic historical monument. Built at Cape Royds during the British Nimrod expedition (1907-1909), it stands at the foot of Mount Erebus. Sixty years earlier, while Captain James Ross was trying to reach the South Magnetic Pole, he discovered Franklin Island, located 130 km east of Cape Hickey in Victoria Land. He named it after Sir John Franklin, an Arctic explorer and governor of present-day Tasmania. Here, you will find Adélie penguins in their daily ballet, as well as Weddell seals lolling on the shore.

After the visit to the Ross Sea, journey north in search of the wonderful Macquarie Island.

Long celebrated as one of the world’s natural wonders, Macquarie Island is a place of immense beauty and natural diversity. This remote island serves as a breeding haven for over 3.5 million seabirds, predominantly penguins. Among them, four species thrive on Macquarie Island: Royals, Kings, Gentoos, and Rock Hoppers. Additionally, three types of fur seals and an impressive one-seventh of the world’s elephant seal population call this island home. In 1948, The Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) established its expedition headquarters on Macquarie Island. Should time and weather allow, guests will have the opportunity to disembark and witness the abundant wildlife that inhabits this pristine sanctuary.

Continue north to The Snares.

Among the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand, the Snares have the distinction of being the only forested group free from introduced mammals, not even mice. This pristine environment is a haven for wildlife. The island hosts more nesting seabirds than the entire British Isles, with over 2 million Sooty Shearwaters breeding during the summer months. Four species of Albatross breed on the Snares, along with 35,000 endemic Snares crested penguins. The island is also home to approximately 1,000 New Zealand fur seals and 500 New Zealand sea lions. Landing on the Snares is prohibited, but if time and weather permit, you will have the opportunity to explore the coastal environments and observe the prolific wildlife from zodiacs.

Our last leg at sea before disembarking, relax and enjoy some time to reflect on your journey with likeminded travellers and enjoy the sea views before arriving into port.

Disembark after breakfast this morning and continue your onward journey.