#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 board - what to expect in Aune and Brygga Bistro
• How MS Spitsbergen blends comfort and expedition focus - including the Science Centre and briefing spaces
• What an Arctic Superior cabin is really like - layout, storage, bathroom details and thoughtful touches
• Where to find quiet moments and wellness spaces - the gym, sauna, hot tubs and the best spot for Northern Lights watching

Whether you’re already booked on MS Spitsbergen or are exploring your options, this episode offers an in-depth walkthrough to help you picture yourself on board and feel at ease before you sail.

• Watch the video version on YouTube
• Visit the Expedition Cruise Journal Website
• Follow Rona on Instagram
• Connect with Rona on LinkedIn

#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 orientation and gear collection typically work
• Why the first evening onboard feels both relaxed and full of anticipation
• What embarkation day looked like on Rona’s recent voyage aboard MS Spitsbergen in Northern Norway

Perfect for anyone dreaming of an expedition cruise or counting down the days until departure, this episode offers a detailed look at the start of an unforgettable journey.

• Watch the video version on YouTube
• Visit the Expedition Cruise Journal Website
• Follow Rona on Instagram
• Connect with Rona on LinkedIn

#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 between expedition cruise ships and Oceanites, the organisation behind the world’s only long‑term, open‑source penguin database.

You’ll discover:

• Why penguin colonies are one of the clearest early warning systems for climate change
• How expedition ships become 'ships of opportunity' for frontline science
• What Oceanites’ researchers actually do during a season, from nest counts to drone surveys
• The story behind the Antarctic Site Inventory and its 30‑year record of more than 3.5 million penguins
• Which species are adapting, which are struggling and what those trends reveal about the Southern Ocean
• How travellers can support Antarctic science long after their voyage ends

Whether you’re preparing for your first expedition cruise or simply curious about how tourism and science intersect at the bottom of the world, this episode offers a behind‑the‑scenes look at the work shaping our understanding of a rapidly changing continent.

• Watch the video version on YouTube
• Visit the Expedition Cruise Journal Website
• Follow Rona on Instagram
• Connect with Rona on LinkedIn