Polar Routes

30/04/2025

Antarctica, c'est magnifique! ✨

Exclusive to Polar Routes: Join our host with the most onboard Ponant's Emblematic Antarctica expedition – a 14-day adventure with PONANT that takes you to one of the most remote and awe-inspiring places on Earth.

🤗 What's Special?
This hosted departure includes the guidance and support of a Polar Routes representative travelling with the group – ensuring everything runs smoothly from start to finish. Perfect for first-time expeditioners or solo travellers looking for a little extra support and community!

💃 Visit Argentina's fascinating capital, Buenos Aires and experience an exclusive wine tasting and tango show.

🐧 Glide past towering icebergs, spot penguins and whales in their natural habitat, and experience the magic of Antarctica in true luxury aboard L’Austral.

🛥️ Explore the ice by Zodiac and land in sublime locations where great explorers like Jean-Baptiste Charcot and Sir Ernest Shackleton stood long ago.

🛳️ Limited spaces available – don’t miss this chance to explore the ends of the Earth in expert company.

📅 Departs 26th January 2026 - 8th February 2026 aboard L'Austral.

Discover more here: https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/cruises/antarctica/emblematic-antarctica-14-days-by-ponant

25/04/2025

Happy World Penguin Day! 🐧🐧🐧

During our Ultimate Antarctica Expedition, we made a spectacular tour of South Georgia, Elephant Island and the Falklands, witnessing some amazing penguin breeds who call these sub-Antarctic islands home.

Ship photographer Lewis captured an array of moments during these landings on show here, including:

🐧 King penguins in their tens of thousands on St Andrew's bay
🐧 Kings splashing, squabbling and marching on the shores of Salisbury Plain
🐧 Gentoos waddling on green Godthul
🐧 Kings darting in and out of seal pups in Grtiviken
🐧 A mohican-haired solo chinstrap on Elephant Island
🐧 A mix of species enjoying the golden sands of the Falklands

These islands, tucked away just south of the Antarctic Convergence, are home to a range of extraordinary penguins that thrive in these icy, rocky, muddy and rugged environments.

Let’s celebrate and protect these incredible creatures and their habitats! 🌍✨

18/04/2025

Exclusive to Polar Routes: 25% off with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises on their ‘Expedition Antarctica & Chile's Fjords' voyage 🤩 ​

🇦🇶 🇬🇸 🇨🇱 Embark on the ultimate adventure to the ends of the Earth on Hapag-Lloyd cruise’s immersive 22-day expedition, which unveils the raw beauty of Chile’s fjords and the breathtaking wilderness of Antarctica’s most remote regions.

🗻❄️ Sail through the icy realms of the Antarctic Peninsula, witness majestic glaciers, and encounter diverse wildlife. Navigate the stunning Chilean fjords, flanked by towering mountains and rich marine life.

✨The Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the Antarctic Peninsula is the grand route through the southern polar regions.

🧊 Explore Amalia Glacier and meet descendants of the Kaweskar in Puerto Eden, Chile.

🐧🐳 Witness several species of penguins, seals, whales, and seabirds in their natural habitat.

This extraordinary journey combines luxury and exploration, offering an unforgettable experience for the intrepid traveler.​

Find out more here: https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/cruises/antarctica/expedition-antarctica-chiles-fjords-by-hapag-lloyd-cruises/

03/04/2025

We’re celebrating World Aquatic Animal Day with Antarctica’s awesome aquatic icons! 🐳

Our Julia enjoyed some amazing days kayaking and zodiac riding with humpbacks in Orne Harbour and Fournier Bay, on whale-filled voyage with HX Expeditions

As her fantastic clips show, they were often joined on the water by porpoising penguins and seals 🤩

Today’s celebration exists to promote awareness and action toward the protection of all our underwater friends 🦭🦈🐠🦞🐋🦀🦐🦑🐙

28/03/2025

Enjoy this last-minute Arctic deal with Poseidon Expeditions: 40% off all cabins on two stunning Svalbard voyages departing this June and July 🐻‍❄️🚢

🏔️ Their Best of Svalbard by Poseidon is a remarkable 10-day expedition departs from the far northern settlement of Longyearbyen on the Norwegian Arctic island of Spitsbergen in the famed Svalbard archipelago, onboard Sea Spirit. You will explore the island’s northwestern coast, home to dramatic mountain scenery, tidewater glaciers, and some of the Arctic’s best wildlife viewing opportunities.

Find out more here: https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/cruises/spitsbergen-svalbard/best-of-svalbard-by-poseidon

🦭 On their West Spitsbergen & Polar Ice Edge trip you will Travel North and explore the beautiful islands of the Svalbard archipelago, where you will see dramatic mountain scenery, glaciers and the Arctic’s incredible wildlife. This 10-day trip is a rare opportunity to discover the unspoilt wilderness and mesmerising landscapes.

Find out more here: https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/cruises/spitsbergen-svalbard/west-spitsbergen-polar-ice-edge-arctic-wildlife-safari-by-poseidon/

24/03/2025

🎥 Missed the Expedition Cruise Q&A with Gary Bembridge and Martin Johnson?
Don't worry! You can still catch all the insights from yesterday's live session, which has already got over 2,600 views!

Martin tackled some of the most interesting questions from participants, like how fit you need to be for an expedition cruise, the best options for exploring the Northwest Passage, and where to spot majestic emperor penguins. He also shared tips on finding the best solo supplement deals and offered helpful comparisons between various cruise operators and ships.

👉 Watch the recording here:

Join me and my special guest, Martin Johnson founder of Polar Routes (the specialist Arctic and Antarctica travel agent) for a live cruise Q&A all about ever...

23/03/2025

🚨 Only 5 Hours to Go! 🚨
Join us this afternoon at 5pm UK time for an exciting live session with our very own Martin Johnson, hosted by Gary Bembridge from Tips for Travellers.

Together, they'll explore the fascinating world of expedition cruises — don't miss it!

Join the live session here: https://www.youtube.com/live/O1eEnerUjlk

18/03/2025

Set sail aboard HANSEATIC spirit with -Lloyd Cruises and immerse yourself in a world of luxury and adventure. Inspired by nature, the ship's elegant design incorporates elements of water, fire, and earth - a serene reflection of the landscapes waiting to be explored.

Your experience begins with champagne in your cabin, with a mini-bar stocked daily with refreshing non-alcoholic beverages. Savour international gourmet cuisine across three restaurants, with à la carte menus in HANSEATIC and L'Esprit, or Lido for a relaxed buffet experience.

Recharge at the Ocean Spa, featuring a Finnish sauna with ocean views, or stay active with the extensive fitness programme. Take in panoramic views from the Observation Lounge and spacious decks - perfect for capturing wildlife and stunning landscapes.

Engage your curiosity at the stylish HanseAtrium with expert-led presentations, or join interactive workshops at the Ocean Academy to deepen your understanding of the natural world.

Ready to experience HANSEATIC spirit yourself? Join the expedition to Spitsbergen, Iceland & Greenland, departing 11 July 2025. Read more and book your voyage: https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/cruises/spitsbergen-svalbard/expedition-spitsbergen-iceland-and-greenland-by-hapag-lloyd-cruises/?from=/cruise-search/?shipIds%5B%5D%3D81

13/03/2025

Quark Expedition's Solo Passenger Discount & Triple Bonus Event! 🤩

With not long to go before this amazing offer ends, you can enjoy savings of up to 50% on selected Quark Expeditions alongside other amazing bonuses.

🇳🇴 The Solo Passenger Discount offers up to £6,000 in savings, where you can enjoy a private cabin on select Arctic 2025 voyages, including their Svalbard Explorer: Best of High Arctic Norway voyage: https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/cruises/spitsbergen-svalbard/spitsbergen-explorer-wildlife-capital-of-the-arctic-by-quark

✈️ This can be combined with the Triple Bonus Event, which offers a £1,200 Flight Credit, Free Charter Flights and Hotel Package, and free one-year Priority Pass membership.

🗓️ This offer is valid on new bookings only made until 31 March 2025.

Find out more here: https://www.polarroutes.co.uk/cruises/quark-expeditions/

07/03/2025

Peninsula Penguins on the Ultimate Antarctic Expedition, captured by ship photographer Lewis🐧🇦🇶📷

On a voyage that offered a stunning array of wildlife, penguins will always be the iconic symbol of Antarctica. And we certainly saw plenty on land and water!

Showcased here are the Gentoos and their cute fluffy chicks from Mikkelsen Harbour to Port Lockroy, the chinstrap colony of Halfmoon Island and the last of the southward shifting Adelie’s on Petermann Island.

At sea, penguins are in their element, diving off the ice and porpoising for food 🐧💦