Scott & Shackleton’s Antarctic - Ross Sea Expedition

From $30,010 per person

22 days

Ship: Le Soléal

Scott & Shackleton’s Antarctic - Ross Sea Expedition
Ponant

Embark on an extraordinary adventure to the seldom visited Ross Sea from New Zealand and walk in the footsteps of legendary polar explorers on this exciting expedition. Sailing from Dunedin in New Zealand on board Le Soléal, start in Campbell Island, part of New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands, and discover the island’s spectacular endemic flora and fauna, including six species of albatross. While you enjoy some time at sea and take advantage of talks and lectures on board by your team of expedition guides, be prepared to reach the Ross Sea, the Southernmost sea on Earth. Alongside your expedition team, you will have the privilege of exploring this fascinating region and learn all about its history and natural environment, all in one of the most pristine, spectacular settings. Observe the largest Adelie penguin rookeries in the world, sail pass gigantic icebergs and thundering glaciers during a zodiac excursion, or spot Weddell Seals as they relax or hunt on icefloes. Depending on weather conditions, you may have the opportunity to visit historic buildings including Sir Ernest Shackleton’s hut at Cape Royds, and reflect on the heroic polar journeys of some of the world’s most intrepid polar explorers. On your way back to New Zealand, enjoy some time on Australia’s Macquarie Island, and its impressive colony of king penguins, as well as the Snares islands and their unique wildlife sanctuary, before disembarking in Dunedin. A truly memorable adventure not many have the chance to experience! We are privileged guests in these remote lands where we are at the mercy of weather, ice, tidal and current conditions. Landings on certain sites and the observation of certain wildlife cannot be guaranteed. They vary from day to day, making each PONANT cruise a unique experience. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while complying with the safety rules and instructions imposed by the IAATO. Any disembarkation on the Subantarctic Islands is subject to weather conditions and on obtaining the authorisation of the local authorities. To preserve the wild environment of these islands, the number of visitors is in fact strictly controlled. Wherever possible, we will run Zodiac excursions around their shorelines in order to guarantee the best possible experience for all guests if it is not possible to disembark.

Journey Summary

  • Day 1 - Jan. 25, 2027, Mon. - Dunedin
  • Day 2 - Jan. 26, 2027, Tue. - At Sea
  • Day 3 - Jan. 27, 2027, Wed. - Enderby Island
  • Day 4 - Jan. 28, 2027, Thu. - At Sea
  • Day 5 - Jan. 29, 2027, Fri. - At Sea
  • Day 6 - Jan. 30, 2027, Sat. - At Sea
  • Day 7 - Jan. 31, 2027, Sun. - Cruising the Ross Sea
  • Day 8 - Feb. 1, 2027, Mon. - Cruising the Ross Sea
  • Day 9 - Feb. 2, 2027, Tue. - Cruising the Ross Sea
  • Day 10 - Feb. 3, 2027, Wed. - Cruising the Ross Sea
  • Day 11 - Feb. 4, 2027, Thu. - Cruising the Ross Sea
  • Day 12 - Feb. 5, 2027, Fri. - Cruising the Ross Sea
  • Day 13 - Feb. 6, 2027, Sat. - Cruising the Ross Sea
  • Day 14 - Feb. 7, 2027, Sun. - Cruising the Ross Sea
  • Day 15 - Feb. 8, 2027, Mon. - At Sea
  • Day 16 - Feb. 9, 2027, Tue. - At Sea
  • Day 17 - Feb. 10, 2027, Wed. - At Sea
  • Day 18 - Feb. 11, 2027, Thu. - Macquarie Island, Tasmania
  • Day 19 - Feb. 12, 2027, Fri. - At Sea
  • Day 20 - Feb. 13, 2027, Sat. - Snares Islands
  • Day 21 - Feb. 14, 2027, Sun. - At Sea
  • Day 22 - Feb. 15, 2027, Mon. - Dunedin

Detailed Itinerary

Day-by-day description of your cruise and cruise activities.

Day 1 - January 25, 2027

Dunedin

Clinging to the walls of the natural amphitheater at the west end of Otago Harbour, the South Island's second-largest city is enriched with inspiring nearby seascapes and wildlife. Because Dunedin is a university town, floods of students give the city a vitality far greater than its population of 122,000 might suggest. Its manageable size makes it easy to explore on foot—with the possible exception of Baldwin Street, the world's steepest residential street and home to the annual "gutbuster" race, in which people run up it, and the "Jaffa" race, in which people roll the namesake spherical chocolate candy down it.Dunedin, the Gaelic name for Edinburgh, was founded in 1848 by settlers of the Free Church of Scotland, a breakaway group from the Presbyterian Church. The city's Scottish roots are still visible; you'll find New Zealand's first and only (legal) whisky distillery, a statue of Scottish poet Robert Burns, and more kilts, sporrans, and gillies than you can shake a stick at! The Scottish settlers and local Māori came together in relative peace, but this wasn't true of the European whalers who were here three decades before, as places with names such as Murdering Beach illustrate.Dunedin has always had a reputation for the eccentric. Wearing no shoes and a big beard here marks a man as bohemian rather than destitute, and the residents wouldn't have it any other way. The University of Otago was the country's first university and has been drawing writers ever since its founding in 1871, most notably Janet Frame and the poet James K. Baxter. Dunedin also has a musical heritage, which blossomed into the "Dunedin Sound" of the 1970s and '80s.

Day 2 - January 26, 2027

At Sea

Day 3 - January 27, 2027

Enderby Island

Enderby Island is the second largest island in the archipelago which is brimming with a magnificent flora and fauna environment. The island has become well known for being home to the rare yellow-eyed penguin and it is further the primary breeding location for the New Zealand Sra Lion. Enjoy a guided tour of the Northern Cliffs track and if you’re lucky, spend some time observing the sea lion colony.

Day 4 - January 28, 2027

At Sea

Day 5 - January 29, 2027

At Sea

Day 6 - January 30, 2027

At Sea

Day 7 - January 31, 2027

Cruising the Ross Sea

Day 8 - February 01, 2027

Cruising the Ross Sea

Day 9 - February 02, 2027

Cruising the Ross Sea

Day 10 - February 03, 2027

Cruising the Ross Sea

Day 11 - February 04, 2027

Cruising the Ross Sea

Day 12 - February 05, 2027

Cruising the Ross Sea

Day 13 - February 06, 2027

Cruising the Ross Sea

Day 14 - February 07, 2027

Cruising the Ross Sea

Day 15 - February 08, 2027

At Sea

Day 16 - February 09, 2027

At Sea

Day 17 - February 10, 2027

At Sea

Day 18 - February 11, 2027

Macquarie Island, Tasmania

Macquarie Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its major geoconservation significance. It is the only island in the world that is entirely composed of oceanic crust and rocks from the mantel. The unique diversity of the island makes it a truly remarkable place to visit. Sand Bay is located on the east coast where you will find Royal and King Penguin rookeries as well as Southern Elephant Seals, and if the weather permits, you will have the opportunity to get closer on a Zodiac®.

Day 19 - February 12, 2027

At Sea

Day 20 - February 13, 2027

Snares Islands

The Snares Islands, also known as ‘The Snares’ are the northernmost of New Zealand's subantarctic islands. The islands are totally uninhabited and land mammals were never introduced on the islands, so it is only inhabited by sea mammals, birds and flora. The area is among one of five subantarctic island groups forming the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands, designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Day 21 - February 14, 2027

At Sea

Day 22 - February 15, 2027

Dunedin

Clinging to the walls of the natural amphitheater at the west end of Otago Harbour, the South Island's second-largest city is enriched with inspiring nearby seascapes and wildlife. Because Dunedin is a university town, floods of students give the city a vitality far greater than its population of 122,000 might suggest. Its manageable size makes it easy to explore on foot—with the possible exception of Baldwin Street, the world's steepest residential street and home to the annual "gutbuster" race, in which people run up it, and the "Jaffa" race, in which people roll the namesake spherical chocolate candy down it.Dunedin, the Gaelic name for Edinburgh, was founded in 1848 by settlers of the Free Church of Scotland, a breakaway group from the Presbyterian Church. The city's Scottish roots are still visible; you'll find New Zealand's first and only (legal) whisky distillery, a statue of Scottish poet Robert Burns, and more kilts, sporrans, and gillies than you can shake a stick at! The Scottish settlers and local Māori came together in relative peace, but this wasn't true of the European whalers who were here three decades before, as places with names such as Murdering Beach illustrate.Dunedin has always had a reputation for the eccentric. Wearing no shoes and a big beard here marks a man as bohemian rather than destitute, and the residents wouldn't have it any other way. The University of Otago was the country's first university and has been drawing writers ever since its founding in 1871, most notably Janet Frame and the poet James K. Baxter. Dunedin also has a musical heritage, which blossomed into the "Dunedin Sound" of the 1970s and '80s.

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Jan 25, 2027

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