Scott & Shackleton’s Antarctic - Ross Sea Expedition

No Single Supplement

New Zealand, Ross Sea
January - February
21 Nights

Choose Your Departure Date

Le Soleal Antarctica cruise ship
Dunedin - Dunedin
Jan 26 2025 - Feb 16 2025
21 Nights

Price from per person

£19,720
Dunedin - Dunedin
Feb 16 2025 - Mar 09 2025
21 Nights

Price from per person

£17,350

Cruise Overview

Embark on a unique expedition to the rarely visited Ross Sea, departing from New Zealand to follow the paths of historic polar explorers. This adventure is made even more special with Jonathan Shackleton, a descendant of the renowned Sir Ernest Shackleton and an expert family historian, as your lecturer and guide.

Your journey begins in Dunedin, New Zealand, as you board Le Soléal and set sail for Campbell Island, part of the Subantarctic Islands. Here, you'll marvel at the island's unique flora and fauna, including six distinct species of albatross.

From Campbell Island, you will navigate toward the Ross Sea, one of Antarctica's most pristine and challenging environments. 

On your return voyage to New Zealand, you'll make a stop at Australia’s Macquarie Island, known for its vast colony of king penguins, and explore the unique ecosystems of the Snares Islands before finally disembarking in Dunedin. This exceptional adventure offers a rare glimpse into some of the most remote and beautiful parts of the world, creating memories to last a lifetime.

scott and shackletons ross sea expedition map

Cruise Highlights

Cruise Highlights

  • Join Jonathan Shackleton, a descendant of Sir Ernest Shackleton and esteemed family historian, as your on-board lecturer and guide.
  • Embark on a winter voyage tracing the routes of iconic Antarctic explorers: Scott, Shackleton, Ross, and Borchgrevink.
  • Experience the mesmerizing display of the Southern Lights.
  • Explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Macquarie Island* and New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands (Campbell and the Snares Islands).
  • Marvel at the Snares Islands, home to more nesting seabirds than the entire British Isles.
  • Encounter diverse wildlife, including fur seals, Southern Elephant seals, Weddell seals, crabeater seals, New Zealand Sea Lions, numerous seabird species, and various penguin species such as African, AdĂ©lie, Royal, Gentoo, chinstrap, Southern rockhopper, and macaroni penguins, as well as orcas.
  • *Note: Visit to Macquarie Island is contingent on obtaining permission from Australian authorities.

Itinerary

Itinerary

Explore the pristine Fiordlands and Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand.

Dunedin
Day 1  

Dunedin

Dunedin, nestled on the southeast coast of New Zealand's South Island, combines a rich Scottish heritage with striking natural surroundings. Established in the 1840s by Scottish immigrants, its name is inspired by Edinburgh, Scotland.

The city is celebrated for its Victorian and Edwardian buildings, with the Dunedin Railway Station known for its intricate mosaics and the historic University of Otago, the oldest in New Zealand, serving as key landmarks.

Embarkation from 16:00 to 17:00

Departure at 18:00

Le Soleal luxury expedition cruise ship
Day 2

At Sea

Take full advantage of the various amenities and activities available on the ship. Indulge in some downtime at the spa, or keep up with your fitness routine at the gym. Depending on the weather, you might enjoy a dip in the swimming pool or some sunbathing. This cruise, free from port stops, also provides a chance to attend onboard lectures or shows, depending on what's scheduled. You can also shop at the onboard boutique or connect with photographers in their exclusive area.

For those who love the sea, a visit to the ship’s upper deck offers a breathtaking view of the ocean, where you might even spot some marine wildlife. This voyage promises a perfect blend of relaxation, leisure, and entertainment.

Campbell Island
Day 3

Campbell Island 

Campbell Island is celebrated for its successful eradication of invasive species, leading to a dramatic recovery of native flora and fauna. This has allowed the island’s ecosystem to regenerate, helping to restore its original biodiversity.

Characterized by steep cliffs, rolling hills, and peat bogs, the island’s terrain is covered with dense mega-herb communities. These large, colorful plants are adapted to the harsh Subantarctic climate, and they flourish here, creating a unique and visually striking landscape.

Ponant Le Soleal Pool
Day 4-6

At Sea

Take full advantage of the various amenities and activities available on the ship. Indulge in some downtime at the spa, or keep up with your fitness routine at the gym. Depending on the weather, you might enjoy a dip in the swimming pool or some sunbathing. This cruise, free from port stops, also provides a chance to attend onboard lectures or shows, depending on what's scheduled. You can also shop at the onboard boutique or connect with photographers in their exclusive area.

For those who love the sea, a visit to the ship’s upper deck offers a breathtaking view of the ocean, where you might even spot some marine wildlife. This voyage promises a perfect blend of relaxation, leisure, and entertainment.

Days 7 - 14

Ross Sea

The Ross Sea, often referred to as the "Last Ocean," is one of the most pristine and ecologically significant marine environments in the world. Situated in Antarctica, it is the southernmost sea on the planet, extending southward from the coast of Victoria Land to the edge of the vast Ross Ice Shelf. The sea is named after Sir James Clark Ross, a British naval officer and explorer who charted its waters in 1841 during an expedition aboard the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror.

Depending on weather and ice conditions, you may have the chance to visit several iconic sites in the Ross Sea region. One such site is Cape Adare, located at the northern end of the Borchgrevink Coast, which boasts the world's largest colony of Adélie penguins. Another potential stop is Terra Nova Bay, where the Italian and South Korean scientific stations are situated. Nearby, you'll find the Drygalski Ice Tongue, a 70 km long extension from the David Glacier, which spans 24 km at its widest point and has existed for at least 4000 years.

On Inexpressible Island, discover the remarkable survival story of six men from Robert Falcon Scott's Terra Nova expedition (1910-1913), who endured the winter in an ice cave now designated as an Antarctic historical monument. Ross Island offers a chance to follow in the footsteps of Sir James Clark Ross and visit Sir Ernest Shackleton's hut at Cape Royds, a historical monument fro

Spa Le Lyrial
Days 15 -18

At Sea

Take full advantage of the various amenities and activities available on the ship. Indulge in some downtime at the spa, or keep up with your fitness routine at the gym. Depending on the weather, you might enjoy a dip in the swimming pool or some sunbathing. This cruise, free from port stops, also provides a chance to attend onboard lectures or shows, depending on what's scheduled. You can also shop at the onboard boutique or connect with photographers in their exclusive area.

For those who love the sea, a visit to the ship’s upper deck offers a breathtaking view of the ocean, where you might even spot some marine wildlife. This voyage promises a perfect blend of relaxation, leisure, and entertainment.

Macquarie Island - Ponant
Day 19

Macquarie Island 

Macquarie Island is the exposed crest of the underwater Macquarie Ridge, formed by tectonic activity between the Pacific and Indo-Australian plates. This island is one of the few places on Earth where the oceanic crust and rocks from the Earth's mantle, normally found deep below the ocean floor, are exposed above sea level.

The island serves as a vital breeding ground for a vast array of subantarctic wildlife, including four species of penguins—king, royal, gentoo, and rockhopper—as well as large colonies of elephant seals and fur seals. The waters surrounding the island are a habitat for whales and numerous seabird species.

Day 20

At Sea

Take full advantage of the various amenities and activities available on the ship. Indulge in some downtime at the spa, or keep up with your fitness routine at the gym. Depending on the weather, you might enjoy a dip in the swimming pool or some sunbathing. This cruise, free from port stops, also provides a chance to attend onboard lectures or shows, depending on what's scheduled. You can also shop at the onboard boutique or connect with photographers in their exclusive area.

For those who love the sea, a visit to the ship’s upper deck offers a breathtaking view of the ocean, where you might even spot some marine wildlife. This voyage promises a perfect blend of relaxation, leisure, and entertainment.

The Snares
Day 21

The Snares

The Snares, also known as Snares Islands, are a small group of islands situated about 200 kilometers south of New Zealand's South Island. They form one of the country's primary Subantarctic island groups, renowned for their untouched wilderness and critical ecological status.

The Snares are completely free from human habitation and invasive species, making them one of the most pristine areas in the Southern Ocean. Access to the islands is heavily restricted, with landings not allowed, to preserve their delicate ecosystem.

Dunedin
Day 22

Dunedin

Dunedin, nestled on the southeast coast of New Zealand's South Island, combines a rich Scottish heritage with striking natural surroundings. Established in the 1840s by Scottish immigrants, its name is inspired by Edinburgh, Scotland.

The city is celebrated for its Victorian and Edwardian buildings, with the Dunedin Railway Station known for its intricate mosaics and the historic University of Otago, the oldest in New Zealand, serving as key landmarks.

Disembarkation 8am

Activities

Activities

Zodiac Cruising

Zodiac New Zealand Ponant

Zodiac outings are included.

Your Ship

Your Ship

Le Soleal

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