Category: Planning & Tips

When it comes to mind-blowing destinations, the Antarctic and Arctic regions undoubtedly top many travellers’ bucket lists. With landscapes built of towering glaciers and sweeping ice sheets filled with spectacular wildlife, both of these polar destinations will leave you in awe at their sheer beauty. Whilst many people group the Arctic and Antarctic regions together […]

Since its launch in 2021, the expedition cruise ship Ultramarine has rapidly become a popular choice for Swoop Antarctica passengers. Its modern design, 1A+ ice class rating (putting it just shy of being an actual icebreaker) , 199 berths and broad suite of adventure activities have all helped establish its place in the polar fleet. […]

It’s a question that we get asked all the time at Swoop: when exactly is the best time to visit Antarctica? The answer of course is that it depends entirely on what it exactly is that you want to get out of your trip: Antarctica is an amazing destination for expedition cruising whether you sail […]

If there is another place in the world whose mere mention conjures up such intrigue and inspiration as Antarctica, I am yet to find out about it. For me, Antarctica is a story rendered up by torch light on a dark winter’s evening, a glimpse into another planet uninhabited by human beings and the living […]

There are plenty of ways to explore Antarctica by cruise ship. Taking a zodiac cruise through its bays to pull up at a landing site to step foot on the continent – maybe taking in a penguin colony or two – will always remain the essential experience. But today’s expedition cruise ships offer plenty of […]

Antarctica is one of the world’s great wildlife watching destinations, and even more so if you add the island of South Georgia into the mix. But for the first time visitor it’s not always easy to work out what you’re seeing. The different types of penguin sort themselves out pretty quickly, but there are times […]

I’ve been lucky enough to travel as a professional photographer to some of the most far flung destinations on our planet. From Patagonia and the Galapagos Islands to the Canadian Arctic and Greenland, the list goes on – and yet it’s Antarctica that captures my heart most. Antarctica draws you in like nowhere else. It […]

It’s always an exciting moment when a new vessel joins the polar fleet. Autumn 2022 brought another arrival in the shape of the Sylvia Earle. Named for the celebrated marine biologist, its striking X-Bow hull cuts a neat dash through the waves. The Sylvia Earle carries an average of just 132 passengers, promising an intimate […]