The Expedition Cruise Podcast

#20 Sailing on MS Spitsbergen gives you a very different sense of scale and atmosphere than the deck plans ever suggest. In this episode, host Rona Wheeldon takes you on a deck‑by‑deck tour of HX Expeditions’ 150‑guest ship, sharing what each space actually feels like. You’ll learn: How the ship is laid out - a walkthrough from the Expedition Launch to the top observation deck How dining works on...

#19 There’s a moment on every expedition cruise when the journey truly begins. It's not at the first landing, but the instant you catch sight of your ship waiting at the pier. In this episode, host Rona Wheeldon captures the feeling of embarkation day: the anticipation, the rituals, the excitement of stepping aboard your home for the next week or two. You’ll discover: How check‑in, cabin orientati...

#18 Most travellers arrive in Antarctica expecting penguins, icebergs and breathtaking landscapes. Far fewer realise that every penguin colony is also a data point - a living indicator of how fast the Antarctic Peninsula is changing. In this episode, podcast host Rona Wheeldon explores the surprising partnership powering much of what we know about Antarctic wildlife today: the collaboration betwee...

#17 Before her first expedition cruise to Antarctica, host Rona Wheeldon thought she knew what to expect - until the Drake Passage, the first iceberg, the landings and the sheer scale of Antarctica revealed how many things no one really talks about. In this episode, Rona shares the key insights she wishes she’d known before stepping onto the White Continent for the first time - the emotional momen...

#16 Expedition Update | April 2026 | In this first monthly roundup, host Rona Wheeldon explores the latest ships, routes and guest experiences redefining expedition cruising. You’ll learn: Which lines are investing in new ships and why it matters How operators are reshaping the journey to Antarctica What’s next for Greenland experiences and cultural immersion Where luxury, small‑ship and eco‑focus...

#15 Choosing your first expedition cruise can feel overwhelming. There are so many destinations, ships, seasons and styles to consider. And it’s not always obvious where to begin. In this episode, host Rona Wheeldon breaks the process down into a simple, logical 10‑step framework called the EXPEDITION Method . You’ll hear how your purpose shapes your destination, why timing matters more than most...

#14 What is Antarctica really like and what does an expedition cruise there actually involve? Most travellers only ever see one small corner of the continent, and there’s a very good reason why. In this episode, host Rona Wheeldon takes you deeper into Antarctica itself - the scale, the science, the wildlife and the realities of travelling to the most remote continent on Earth. You’ll hear how Ant...

#13 How did expedition cruising begin and why did it emerge in the first place? The answer goes back to one extraordinary moment in 1966, when fifty‑seven travellers stepped onto the ice in Antarctica and unknowingly sparked an entirely new way of exploring the world. In this episode, host Rona Wheeldon traces the evolution of expedition cruising from that first pioneering landing to the modern, p...

#12 Are Antarctica and the Arctic similar - two icy, remote worlds at opposite ends of the Earth? Or do they offer completely different expedition cruise experiences once you’re actually there? In this episode, host Rona Wheeldon breaks down the differences between the polar regions, drawing on her own journeys to the Antarctic Peninsula and the Arctic in Norway. From landscapes and wildlife to cu...

#11 What is the Drake Passage really like to cross? And how does it feel when you’re sailing it for the very first time? In this episode, host Rona Wheeldon takes you through one of the most talked‑about parts of any Antarctica expedition: the Drake Passage. From what it is and why it’s so unique, to what the crossing actually feels like day‑to‑day, you’ll get a clear, honest and reassuring look a...

#10 Expedition cruising is evolving faster than ever, and in this episode, host Rona Wheeldon explores the major trends shaping what expedition travel will look like in 2026 and beyond. From rising demand and new types of travellers, to the growing visibility of the polar regions, to the shift towards sustainability, science and more refined experiences, you’ll discover how expedition cruising is...

#9 The Expedition Team is what makes an Expedition Cruise truly different. And in this episode, host Rona Wheeldon takes you behind the scenes to meet the people who shape every moment of your journey. From the leaders who plan each day, to the guides who take you into the wild, to the specialists who bring the science and stories to life, you’ll discover exactly who’s onboard, what they do and wh...

#8 Zodiacs are one of the most iconic parts of an Antarctic expedition. But if you’ve never stepped into one before, it’s completely normal to feel a little unsure about what to expect. In this episode, host Rona Wheeldon walks you through exactly how zodiac cruising and landings work, from boarding the boat for the very first time to what it actually feels like to explore Antarctica at water leve...

#7 Packing for Antarctica isn’t like packing for any other holiday, and that’s exactly why so many travellers feel overwhelmed before their expedition even begins. In this episode, host Rona Wheeldon guides you through everything you actually need for an expedition cruise to the White Continent, from the layering system that keeps you warm and dry to the tech and photography gear that makes captur...

#6 Antarctica wildlife encounters are some of the most magical on Earth. In this episode, host Rona Wheeldon takes you to the Antarctic Peninsula to explore the behaviours, species and moments that make this part of the world so extraordinary. From penguin rookeries bursting with life, to whales feeding in calm bays, to seals hauled out on the ice, you’ll discover what wildlife encounters are real...

#5 Life onboard an expedition ship is unlike any other style of travel, and in this episode, host Rona Wheeldon takes you through a full, real‑time day aboard Viking’s expedition ship Octantis, a day she experienced in Antarctica on 17th January 2025. From the moment you lift the stateroom blind and see what the weather is doing, to the rhythm of layering up, heading out on Zodiacs, sharing storie...

#4 Imagine standing on the deck of a small expedition ship as icebergs drift past… and realising this feels nothing like a traditional ocean cruise. Why? Because expedition ships are built for exploration, not entertainment. In this episode of The Expedition Cruise Podcast, host Rona Wheeldon breaks down what truly sets these expedition vessels apart - from their small size and ice‑strengthened hu...

#3 Expedition cruising opens up far more of the world than most people realise and in this episode host Rona Wheeldon takes you on a guided tour of the extraordinary places you can reach when you travel on a small ship, from the icy extremes of the poles to the warm‑water wonders of the tropics. You’ll discover why Antarctica remains the crown jewel of expedition travel, how the Arctic offers an e...

#2 Expedition cruising attracts a far wider mix of travellers than most people imagine and in this episode, host Rona Wheeldon explores the real question so many people have but rarely ask out loud: “Is an expedition cruise actually for someone like me?” Drawing on her own experience as a self‑confessed risk‑averse traveller who once said she’d “never go on a cruise,” Rona breaks down the myths, t...

#1 Expedition cruising is one of the most misunderstood corners of the travel world and in this debut episode, host Rona Wheeldon breaks down what an expedition cruise really is and why it’s nothing like the traditional mega‑ship experience many people imagine. Through vivid storytelling and first‑hand insight from her own voyage to Antarctica, Rona demystifies the fundamentals of expedition trave...

Small Ships. Extraordinary Adventures. Welcome to The Expedition Cruise Podcast. Think cruising isn’t for you? Host Rona Wheeldon once felt the same - until she discovered Expedition Cruising. Forget mega‑ships, crowds and pool parties. This is a different world: small, beautifully designed ships, where exploration, education and science come first. Since becoming a convert, Rona has travelled to...