Which expedition cruise company do you work for?
AE Expeditions.
What do you think sets your company apart from other expedition cruise operators?
Photo credit @Katie Harber
AE Expeditions, part of Aurora Expeditions, was founded by an expeditioner himself, Greg Mortimer, and our passion for adventure and exploring remote and life changing destinations is still burning as bright today as it was back in 1991.
We are the only expedition line to operate a fleet of three purpose-built small ships featuring the revolutionary Ulstein X-Bow®. Our ships carry a maximum 130 passengers when sailing in the polar regions, meaning unlike larger ships, every guest can join every excursion, getting out into the environment and exploring as much as possible.
Another area that sets us apart is our commitment to sustainability. We have been dedicated to sustainability since our inception and are now honoured to be a Certified B Corporation alongside being 100% carbon neutral, offsetting our carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. We are continuously looking at ways to advance and improve our business operations in this ever-evolving space.
Do you have a favourite destination that you always recommend to first-time expedition cruisers and if so, which destination is it?
I would suggest Svalbard for first-time expedition cruisers. Svalbard offers everything you would want to tick off on an expedition; scenery, adventure, wildlife and history, it’s the perfect place to start.
Whilst no wildlife sightings are guaranteed, the thrill of seeing Arctic wildlife and hopefully the elusive polar bear in their natural habitats will set your customers hearts racing and get them hooked. Nine times out of ten these first-time expeditioners will want to explore even further.
The scenery in Svalbard is second to none; from incredible glaciers and icebergs to tundra forests, it has something for everyone and is a photographer’s dream.
The voyages here tend to be shorter in duration, meaning it’s a lot less daunting than an Antarctic trip for a first-timer. Plus, it’s only a short distance from the UK and with all of our voyages including a charter flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen, it’s never been easier to fly from the UK to explore this amazing destination.
If you could design your dream expedition cruise itinerary, what would it include?
My dream expedition cruise itinerary would have to be our Epic Antarctica voyage. The expedition starts in Australia, sailing to Antarctica via the Australian and New Zealand sub-Antarctic islands, including Campbell Island and Macquarie Island. These islands are a haven for rare species, including the elusive yellow-eyed penguins—a true highlight for wildlife enthusiasts.
Next, we head south to East Antarctica, in search of the world’s largest Adelie penguin colony and the second-largest emperor penguin colony, with the chance to zodiac cruise through the pristine and abundant sea ice of the Ross Sea, a truly unique experience.
From there, we sail the coastline of Antarctica through the Amundsen Sea and Belinghausen Sea before arrive at the iconic Antarctic Peninsula. Making a stop at Port Lockroy’s penguin post office to send a postcard before continuing to Ushuaia, the final stop on this epic adventure.
What are your top three travel hacks for making the most out of an expedition cruise?
1 – Say yes to everything, whether it’s getting involved in a citizen science project, a ‘zen zodiac’ or the polar plunge. Going out of your comfort zone is often when the most surprising and amazing things happen.
2 – Bring binoculars – especially in the Arctic, the wildlife viewings can often be from far away so having a good pair of binoculars is important. They are also a great tool for polar bear spotting, you could be the hero on the ship for being the first to spot a polar bear!
3 – Wear layers – there’s nothing worse than feeling the cold when out on a zodiac cruise. Dressing in layers will keep you cosy on the water, and you can easily shed a layer or two if you warm up ashore.
Which lesser-known destination do you think deserves more attention from travellers?
I think a destination that often gets overlooked is the Northwest Passage, sailing through the Canadian High Arctic in the Northern Atlantic between Greenland and Canada. This region is rich in history, shaped by the daring journeys of early explorers like Amundsen and Franklin. Passengers onboard will get to visit key historical areas within the Northwest Passage including Beechey Island, the first landing site of the first successful full transit of the Northwest passage and the resting place of brave explorers from failed attempts.
The magnificent waterways between these islands and deep fjords make it a one-of-a-kind place to cruise amongst steep cliffs and mountains stretching to the horizon, with green lowlands and scenic bays adding some variety.
The Canadian Arctic region has unique wildlife scattered throughout its majestic landscapes. Being a place of extremes, the Northwest Passage is an environment that only few can survive in, which means the rare wildlife found here often is only seen in the High Arctic. Although wildlife can be hard to spot here, Bowhead whales, Beluga whales, Arctic fox and musk ox call this place home.
If you could only visit one destination for the rest of your life, which would it be?
It would have to be Indonesia, there are so many islands to explore that you would never do the same thing twice. It’s also a great destination for water sports, Indonesia’s snorkelling is unparalleled, offering the rare opportunity to swim alongside whale sharks—a highlight of our Idyllic Raja Ampat & Cenderawasih Bay voyage! Indonesian food is one of my favourites with so much variety, I would definitely not go hungry!!
The one thing you take with you wherever you travel:
SPF 50! I never travel anywhere without SPF, whether I am visiting warmer destinations or the polar regions. The sun in both the Arctic and Antarctic is surprisingly strong so I always carry sunscreen in my backpack no matter where I am in the world.
Photos and videos from Katie's personal album:
コメント