Tourism to the seventh continent has expanded in popularity over the years, but the perception that there is little regulation of the industry has persisted. When larger cruise ships started to arrive and, specifically, after the sinking of the GAP Explorer in November 2007 (thankfully, everyone was safely evacuated) some commentators feared catastrophic accidents and the potential for environmental damage. 

Antarctica is governed by an international treaty that came into force in 1961 and which is now signed by more than 50 nations. While the treaty is very good at ensuring the continent is maintained as a natural reserve, and has the intention of preserving the last unspoiled continent

Topics: antarctic, climate change

Imagine using dozens of time-lapse cameras placed in 16 glacial locations around the world, such as in Alaska, Greenland and the Antarctic. All to see if the landscape was changing and if climate change was living up to its reputation as the cause of this.   

Topics: Arctic, antarctic, climate change

Photo Credit: Judy Wells

 You never know what’s going to happen on a polar expedition cruise. Things can change-day by-day due to weather, sea ice, or other unexpected challenges. However, if you have a good expedition team and staff, you’ll rarely be disappointed. 

Topics: expedition, Greenland

“Carter and I saw the world together, which is amazing when you think that only three months ago we were complete strangers. I hope that it doesn't sound selfish of me, but the last months of his life were the best months of mine. He saved my life, and he knew it before I did. “

 

Edward Cole - The Bucket List

 

I’ll admit, I’ve never seen the movie The Bucket List. Let’s just say it’s on my bucket list.

 

A few weeks ago, I returned from the trip of my life. A polar expedition to Western Greenland in the Arctic circle. Typically, my idea of a vacation is a warm climate, lovely turquoise water, and packing as little clothes as possible. This was quite the opposite of the norm.  

Topics: Arctic, expedition, Greenland, baby boomer

expedition |ˌekspəˈdiSH(ə)n|

noun

A journey or voyage undertaken by a group of people with a particular purpose, especially that of exploration or scientific research.

 

That’s the best part about an expedition. The unknown.

 

Now keep in mind, today’s polar expeditions are nothing like the expeditions of yore. We’d never compare ourselves to Sir Walter Herbert, who from 1968 to 1969, led the British Trans-Arctic Expedition, a 3,800-mile surface crossing of the Arctic Ocean, from Alaska to Spitsbergen, which some historians had billed as ‘the last great journey on Earth’. ( I did listen intently Kari!)

 

No. Today’s Polar expeditions, for most of us anyway, start on a comfortable ship.

Topics: Arctic, expedition, Greenland

Although I don’t normally write blogs in the first-person narrative, traveling aboard the Sea Spirit on an Arctic cruise for the first time has become a personal adventure that I wanted to share.

Topics: Arctic, Insider, expedition, Greenland

The birthplace of icebergs... 

An ice sheet covers 80 percent of Greenland's land mass.  

One would think there wouldn't be much else to see, but if you plan wisely, there are tremendous West Greenland offers a world of arctic adventures and a once in a lifetime journey.

Life under the water’s surface

Greenland prides itself on having only free and wild creatures of the sea in its waters and they’re free to swim wherever the oceans take them. Some of the mighty creat

ures favor certain fjords, making Greenland a unique place for whale watching, as whales tend to steal the attention from most other sea life. These enormous creatures are easy to spot and whether it is the killer whales, or extremely fast narwhals you may spot in the sea ice. Watching these amazing creatures is an experience you will never forget. Many a person have been astonished by seeing

Topics: Arctic, expedition, Greenland

Inuit comprise the majority of Greenland

Of Greenland's estimated total population of 58,000, 88% are Inuit. The balance of the population is mostly Danish. Although these indigenous people are collectively known as Inuit, most of these

Topics: Arctic, Greenland

Surf’s up! Hard to believe, but that's the reaction from a thankfully small (and ill-informed) group of people when the the Falkland Islands are mentioned – "some tropical island" in the South Atlantic. But this beautiful group of islands isn't about beach culture, unless you're referring to penguins. There's plenty else to talk about, and we could go back to 1690 when English Captain John Strong made the first recorded visit… but that’s an article for another time.

 

 

Topics: antarctic, expedition, falkland islands

Humpback whales sing for their food. Who knew?

People worldwide have been captivated by the sound of humpback whales singing, and whether members of this species sing as a means of communication with each other or some other purpose. Our Greenland expedition cruise participants often ask this very question. Interestingly, scientists have recently discovered that an important purpose of the humpback whale's song is to help them locate their next meal.

Topics: Arctic, antarctic, whales