My Antarctic stats
- Ships inspected: Sylvia Earle, MS Adventurer, Seaventure and World Explorer
- Polar plunges braved: 2
- Began working in travel: 2005
My No. 1 Antarctic travel tip? You need to pack less than you think! Your ship will have a laundry, so you can easily wash your clothes instead of hauling too many across the world with you.
Julie Ruston Antarctica Specialist
My top Antarctic experiences
- Weaving through the thick sea ice on a late-season trip to the lesser visited Weddell Sea region of Antarctica
- Witnessing the bumbling antics of chinstrap penguins. They’re so comical to watch!
- Being mesmerised by the number of whales popping up in the astoundingly beautiful Lemaire Channel – we must have seen 40 spouting next to us
- Gazing in awe at the enormous, and numerous, elephant seals at Hannah Point in the South Shetland Islands
- Enjoying the pristine – and plentiful – snow during an early-season trip. It was exactly the fluffy kind of white stuff I always think about when I picture Antarctica
Snowy scenes on deck during an early-season Antarctic voyage
My photos of Antarctica
Penguins were everywhere during my early-season Antarctic trip
Zodiac cruising in Mikkelsen Harbor
Taking part in citizen science on an Antarctic recce
Watching kayakers in Antarctica
An old building at the former whaling station at Whalers Bay
I loved seeing all the incredible icebergs in Antarctica
A view from my cabin
More about me
- Located in Toronto, Canada, I’m no stranger to chilly weather
- I love travel and have been to the Canadian Arctic and Greenland as well as Antarctica
- I’m a true foodie and enjoy learning about different cuisines. In fact, I always try to take a hands-on cooking class when visiting a new country
- I have been vegan for over a decade, which sometimes presents difficulties in more remote destinations – but I’m always up to the challenge of sourcing fresh produce
- Having sailed in Turkey, yachted in the Galapagos and taken two reggae cruises in the Caribbean, I have plenty of experience of travelling by ship
An icy selfie at Foyn Harbour
Talking to fellow polar enthusiasts about different ways they can experience Antarctica is the best part of my day. Helping make that dream a reality is rewarding and joyful!
Julie Ruston
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With over 100 years of Antarctic experience between us, we can help guide you to exactly the right trip for you.
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