#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

#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 moments, the practical surprises and the small details that quietly shape the entire experience.

You’ll learn:

• What first‑time travellers are rarely told about the Drake Passage
• Why Antarctica feels completely different from what you’ve seen in photos
• How the rhythm of ship life transforms after the first few days
• What happens during landings, briefings and wildlife encounters
• Why the weather and the plans can change in an instant
• The tiny details that shift how you see the landscape

Whether you’re preparing for your first voyage or simply curious about what an Antarctic expedition really feels like, this episode offers an honest insight to help you feel more ready and more excited for your own adventure.

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

#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‑focused travel are heading
• How these updates could influence your future expedition plans

Whether you’re planning a voyage or simply love staying in the loop, this episode sets the stage for an exciting time ahead in expedition cruising.

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

#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 people realise and how ship styles, operators and itineraries differ in ways that can completely change your experience.

From choosing between penguins or polar bears to understanding ship philosophies, activity options, cabin types, value, logistics and overall fit, this episode gives you a grounded, step‑by‑step way to make confident decisions.

You’ll learn:

• Why your purpose is the foundation of every other choice
• How destination and timing work together to shape your experience
• What operator styles really mean in practice - science‑led, adventure‑led, luxury or a blend
• How ship size, onboard atmosphere and activity options differ
• Why itineraries in the same region can feel completely different
• What to consider when choosing a cabin
• How to compare value once you know what matters to you
• How to bring everything together into a trip that genuinely fits you

Whether you’re planning your very first expedition cruise or simply curious about how to navigate the options, this episode gives you a structured way to choose a voyage that feels right for you - one that becomes a life experience you’ll remember forever.

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

#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 Antarctica’s geography shapes every part of the experience, why almost all voyages focus on the Antarctic Peninsula and what expedition ship categories mean for the landings you can make once you arrive.

From the vast ice sheet and hidden mountain ranges to penguin colonies, Zodiac cruises and the extraordinary silence that greets you on your first landing, this episode gives you a clear, grounded picture of what to expect.

You’ll learn:

• Why visitors explore only a very specific part of Antarctica
• How the continent’s size, climate and ice shape every journey
• The difference between “Antarctic” and “Antarctica” and why it matters
• How expedition ships are categorised and what that means for landings
• Why the Antarctic Peninsula is the heart of most voyages
• What wildlife you’re likely to see, from penguins to whales
• How the Antarctic Treaty protects the continent for peace and science
• What it actually feels like to arrive - the silence, the scale and the sense of remoteness

Whether you’re planning your first expedition cruise or simply curious about what makes Antarctica so unlike anywhere else on Earth, this episode offers an introduction to a place that still belongs entirely to nature.

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

#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, purpose‑built ships of today.

You’ll hear how Swedish‑American explorer Lars‑Eric Lindblad transformed the idea of travel itself and why his belief in exploration as a force for understanding still shapes the industry six decades later.

From early scientific collaborations and rugged research vessels to hybrid‑powered ships and a global community of operators, this is the story of how a niche experiment became one of the most meaningful forms of travel on Earth.

You’ll learn:

• The moment in 1966 that changed who could visit Antarctica and why it mattered
• How Lars‑Eric Lindblad created the blueprint for modern expedition travel
• What early voyages actually looked like, from onboard labs to hands‑on science
• How geopolitical shifts in the 1990s accelerated the industry’s growth
• Why purpose‑built ships like the MS Lindblad Explorer, MS Bremen and MS Fram were turning points
• How today’s operators continue the legacy of exploration, education and environmental stewardship

Whether you’re new to expedition cruising or simply curious about how this remarkable style of travel came to be, this episode gives you a clear look at the origins of an industry built on curiosity, science and a deep respect for the planet.

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