There are certain moments in life when a series of events combine to create an experience that is both unexpected and unforgettable. These are the times when you are reminded how fortunate you are to be a part of something that few people will ever have the opportunity to experience. This trip to Antarctica was full of these moments for me.
We had been blessed with idyllic weather most of the trip. As the photography guide, I found myself in many euphoric moments as amazing light revealed surreal landscapes and the wildlife encounters ranged from a pod of more than 25 orcas to breaching humpback whales right next to the ship. The excitement of the crew and passengers was contagious and as we set sail into the Drake Passage, many stories, reflections and revelations were shared on the decks and in the bar.
My first Emperor penguin
The next morning we awoke to another surprise, the notoriously rough Drake Passage was calm and the sun was shining. It was decided that because conditions were so favorable we would attempt a Zodiac cruise on “Drake Lake.” At the Antarctic Convergence, in the middle of the Drake, the Zodiacs were lowered and the gangway readied.
Suddenly a very excited message came across the staff radios from Simon “EMPEROR PENGUIN RIGHT NEXT TO MY ZODIAC!” At first we all thought it was a bit of a joke but soon it became clear that it was reality. My heart raced as I am I fairly passionate birdwatcher and the thought of seeing this rarity in such a unique situation kicked on my adrenaline.
I wildly scanned the horizon with my binoculars and found Simons Zodiac already a long way from the ship. The first Zodiac full of passengers arrived and it was confirmed by radio that the Emperor was still there. I knew that I would be in the last boat and was sure that there was no way that I was going to see this incredible bird. Amazingly the Emperor politely waited for all nine zodiacs to arrive, greeting each one with its ethereal call. And as the last Zodiac arrived, with me in it, I was awestruck. There it was… my first Emperor penguin… on a Zodiac cruise in the middle of the Drake Passage. Magic!
Best Deals
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica
21 Dec - 08 Jan 2026$ 15.600
Antarctica - Basecamp - free camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, photo workshop
28 Dec - 09 Jan 2026$ 10.550
Antarctica - Basecamp - free camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, photo workshop
29 Dec - 10 Jan 2026$ 11.100
Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage
08 Jan - 18 Jan 2026$ 9.250
Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage
09 Jan - 19 Jan 2026$ 9.250
Related Trips
Antarctica
Ushuaia
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica
21 Dec 2025 - 08 Jan 2026 
19 Days / 18 Nights
From $ 15.600 per person
Antarctica
Ushuaia
Antarctica - Basecamp - free camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, photo workshop
28 Dec 2025 - 09 Jan 2026 13 Days / 12 Nights
From $ 10.550 per person
Antarctica
Ushuaia
Antarctica - Basecamp - free camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, photo workshop
29 Dec 2025 - 10 Jan 2026 13 Days / 12 Nights
From $ 11.100 per person
Antarctica
Ushuaia
Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage
08 Jan 2026 - 18 Jan 2026 11 Days / 10 Nights
From $ 9.250 per person
% Save up to $ 3.450
Antarctica
Ushuaia
Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage
09 Jan 2026 - 19 Jan 2026 11 Days / 10 Nights
From $ 9.250 per person
Antarctica
Ushuaia
Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage
18 Jan 2026 - 28 Jan 2026 11 Days / 10 Nights
From $ 9.250 per person
Antarctica
Ushuaia
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica
19 Jan 2026 - 06 Feb 2026 19 Days / 18 Nights
From $ 16.600 per person
% Save up to $ 7.350
Antarctica
Ushuaia
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica
28 Jan 2026 - 16 Feb 2026 20 Days / 19 Nights
From $ 12.650 per person
Antarctica
Ushuaia
Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage
06 Feb 2026 - 16 Feb 2026 11 Days / 10 Nights
From $ 9.250 per person
Antarctica
Ushuaia
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Elephant Island - Antarctica - Polar Circle
16 Feb 2026 - 10 Mar 2026 23 Days / 22 Nights
From $ 17.800 per person
Antarctica
Ushuaia
Antarctica – Uncharted islands of the Deep South
18 Feb 2026 - 04 Mar 2026 15 Days / 14 Nights
From $ 12.100 per person
Antarctica
Ushuaia
Deep South Basecamp experience
04 Mar 2026 - 17 Mar 2026 14 Days / 13 Nights
From $ 11.200 per person
Blog
Blog
The Enchanting Islands of Svalbard
Svalbard is an Arctic archipelago situated between the North Pole and the Norwegian mainland, offering visitors some of the most stunning wildlife and landscapes in the world. Here we explore seven of the most visited Svalbard islands, highlighting the many wonders that draw people back year after year.
Blog
What to Pack for Your Expedition Cruise to the Arctic or Antarctica
Itâs easy to get confused about what to pack for a polar cruise. Some items are provided and some are not, and itâs not always clear which is which. This article will make your polar pack list painstakingly clear. Promise.
Blog
The Ultimate Traveler’s Guide to the Arctic and Antarctica
Sunrises or sunsets? Coffee or tea? Polar bears or penguins?
Blog
Deception Island deceptively active
In Antarctica, the South Shetland archipelago is home to Deception Island, a volcanic-rounded island that is 15 km in diameter with a shield volcano. The volcano is mainly basalt-andesite and was one of the first parts of Antarctica to be discovered, probably around 1820 by UK and USA sealers.
Blog
Franz Josef Land Sites, Species, and Experiences
The archipelago of Franz Josef Land is to Russia what Svalbard is to Norway: Both island groups offer excellent Arctic scenery, adventurous outdoor activities, and a good chance of seeing iconic species like polar bears and walruses - alongside a wide range of marine mammals and seabirds.
Blog
First to the North Pole: Five Failed but Brave Expeditions
Being first to reach the North Pole was seen by several nations as economically invaluable due to the open polar sea said to encircle it, but for the explorers themselves it was also a gloriously adventurous grab for immortality.
Blog
Top 10 Tips for Packing Your Polar Photography Equipment
One of the most common questions I get asked before a cruise is, âWhat photography equipment should I bring?â Itâs a broad question, and answers vary based on the individual. There are, however, a few key pointers that apply to almost everyone.
Blog
Eight Engaging Reindeer Facts
When we think about reindeer, we might also think of Saami herders or the holidays or teams of these beloved Arctic animals pulling a bell-covered sleigh across the nighttime sky. Only the first of these options, however, is something you're likely to encounter on an Arctic expedition cruise - and that's only in Northern Norway.
Blog
Antarctica’s first Marine Protected Area
In October of this year, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, which includes 24 countries such as the United States, the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand, reached a consensus on a New Zealand/United States proposal to establish a large-scale Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Ross Sea region.
Blog
How and When Did Greenland Become Covered in Ice?
Although it may be hard to believe, there was a time when Greenland was more green than icy. Today, those who embark on a Greenland expedition are greeted with views of the Greenland ice sheet and the marine life that thrives in this region, including seals and whales. Polar bears are also prominent in the northern and eastern parts of Greenland. These animals have adapted to their environment, but a few million years ago, the massive island would not have been as welcoming to them.
Blog
17 Reasons to Cruise the Falklands
Maybe youâve already marveled at the colossal penguin colonies of South Georgia, sailed among the plunging seals of the Antarctic Peninsula, and watched whales in the Weddell Sea lunge among titanic tabular icebergs.
Blog
10 Common Misconceptions About the Arctic
The Arctic is a vast region. Truly immense.
Blog
Cheapest Antarctica Cruises: How to Save on Your Journey
Antarctica, the world’s most remote and pristine continent, is often seen as a destination reserved for luxury travelers. However, affordable options do exist, making this dream journey accessible to more adventurers. With careful planning and the right provider, like Nexta Expeditions, you can explore the icy wilderness without breaking the bank. This guide will show you how to save on your Antarctic cruise while still enjoying a high-quality experience.
Blog
Arctic on Foot: Hiking and Snowshoeing the Far North
The focus of our voyages is always to get you off the ship and into the action as frequently as possible. While we travel from site to site on ice-strengthened vessels, our expeditions are crafted to provide you with the maximum firsthand experience of the polar regions and their unique wildlife.
Blog
Path of Polar Heroes: Hiking Shackleton’s Historic Route
âWe had seen God in his splendors, heard the text that Nature renders.â ~Ernest Shackleton
Blog
Shackleton’s Push to the South Pole
On the evening of February 11, 1907, Irish-born polar explorer Ernest Shackleton, already among the more famous polar explorers in the world, announced his intention to embark on a momentous Antarctic expedition.
Blog
A Day of Whale Watching in Antarctica
This morning we awoke early to enjoy the first light in Wilhelmina Bay, with the snow and cloud blanketing the surrounding mountains. As dawn broke, we could see the blows of humpback whales scattered throughout the bay. Some of the whales were closer to the ship and we spotted their small dorsal fins and occasionally their white patterned tails. It was a terrific start to our first full day in Antarctica.
Blog
Bouvet Island: The Most Remote Island in the World
On January 1, 1739, French Commander Jean-Baptiste Charles Bouvet de Lozier made an extraordinary discovery: a volcanic island so remote that it lies 2,600 km (1,600 miles) from the nearest inhabited land.
Blog
Penguins, Albatrosses, Petrels: The Winged Wildlife of South Georgia
South Georgiaâs location south of the Antarctic Convergence gives the island a more Antarctic-like climate compared to other regions at the same latitude. The climate here is marked by cold, cloudy, wet, and windy conditions with highly variable weather.
Blog
Birds of the South: 33 Antarctic Birds and Seabirds
Of the many compelling reasons people travel to Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic, bird life is among the most beloved.