When KE asked me if I was free to travel in March 2024 to Antarctica, I jumped at the chance - how could I turn down the trip of a lifetime?! I was lucky enough to embark on our newest adventure "Antarctica - Weddell Sea and Polar Circle Expedition" and it truly was everything I could have hoped for - and much more! I can't wait to share more about this unforgettable experience but here's a taster for now...

The ship soon becomes your home away from home, so here's a quick insight into a day on board the Plancius.

We were awoken everyday at around 7am by our Expedition Leader talking over the PA system, welcoming us to another beautiful day in Antarctica. I would certainly recommend getting up before 7am however, as sunrise in Antarctica is not to be missed! Standing on deck in one of the last greatest wildernesses on Earth was a special moment, one that I do not think I will ever forget. As long as the weather is good, the decks are open 24/7, which means you are able to go outside whenever you like, which will be a lot as there is a lot to see!

A hearty breakfast is served everyday from 7:30 – 8:30am or slightly later on days when you are crossing the Drake Passage. Lunch is always served between 12:30pm and 1:30pm and dinner at 7:30pm but it’s what goes on between those timings that you should be most interested in.

On days when you are crossing the Drake or sailing to your next destinations, the expedition crew give lectures on lots of different topics. We learned about the history of Antarctica, glaciers, the great Antarctic explorers, the history of whaling and even if penguins have knees (an age old question!) and much much more. The staff on board go out of their way to ensure boredom doesn’t seep in to the ship. They are not just your zodiac drivers and lecturers, they become friends and ensure when you go home you have learned lots of new things to impress your friends and family with.

Some mornings are spent collecting boots from the mud room and doing biodiversity checks on all your gear you’ve taken with you, essential to the holiday.

So, you’ve crossed the Drake and now the real fun begins!
When you reach Antarctica, you have to be extremely flexible due to the weather conditions. The staff on board always try to operate plan A but there are always plans B, C and D bubbling in the background….. just in case! All plans are just as good as A!

Days consist of landings and zodiac cruises, each as interesting as the other. Walks on the Antarctic Peninsula and islands in the Weddell Sea are remote and exciting, you may be standing on land which has never been stood on before! You might even get the chance to do a continental landing.

Cruises on the zodiacs can be up to 3 hours long, so you need to be sure you are wrapped up warm. Up close and personal encounters with the wildlife, glaciers & icebergs are moments to astound you. A highlight for me was when the engine was turned off and I could just take in the peace and remoteness that surrounded us.

Back on board, there is an unlimited supply of hot drinks and then ‘dessert of the day’ served at 4pm; a welcome treat after a day of fresh air and new experiences.

There’s always a member of staff on the bridge keeping an eye on the wildlife around you, so be sure to keep an ear out for the PA system; there could be wildlife encounters at any time of the day!

At 18:15 every day is the daily recap in the lounge. Here the Expedition Leader reminds you of the day you’ve had, the wildlife encounters you experienced and what’s ahead for the next day. Some things are new for them too which gives the cruise the real expedition feel. You can feel excitement in the room, it pours on to you from the staff and makes you excited for the days ahead.
There are also many surprises along the way but I don’t want to give it all away!

Would you like to embark on the trip of a lifetime? Check out Sarah's trip here: Antarctica - Weddell Sea and Polar Circle Expedition

If you would like to know more about Sarah's adventure or any other polar experience, speak to our friendly sales team on +44 (0) 17687 73966 or USA/Canada toll-free 1888 630 4415 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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