The big advantages of small, luxury ships

Remote lands at the edge of the Earth. Towering fjords, icy glaciers and pristine white snow as far as the eye can see. Penguins if you head south, polar bears if you head north, plus meet the cultures that thrive at the top of the globe.

Ponant’s Sisterships take you into the heart of the action.

The polar regions are home to some of the most awe-inspiring travel experiences possible; the stuff that every devoted globetrotter dreams of. They’re largely unexplored by tourists, meaning those who get to experience their wilderness are a part of a privileged select few. The best (and often the only) way to get to both the Arctic and Antarctica’s most far-flung parts is by sea, as sailing allows you to visit the destinations that air or overland travel simply can’t reach.

And the most enjoyable way to sail to the polar regions is on a smaller ship. A boutique voyage means you won’t have to fight through the crowds for a view of the incredible wildlife and natural wonders, but, perhaps more importantly, it also allows you to navigate through narrow passages and reach the untouched locations that bigger ships miss. Not to mention it’s the far more sustainable travel option, as smaller ships have a lower environmental impact.

So, where can you get to on a smaller ship — and what’s the experience like? Here’s what you need to know.

Go south

There’s so much more of the world’s southern polar regions to discover than you may realise — and Australians don’t have to go far to get started. Dunedin, in New Zealand, is a jumping off point to New Zealand’s Fiordlands and Subantarctic Islands, which are often described as “the Galápagos of the Southern Ocean” and are among the best-preserved wildlife environments on the planet.

With small-ship expert Ponant, you can dock along the way at off-the-beaten-path ports like Snares Island, home to a colony of around a thousand fur seals, and Ulva Island, the site of a nature sanctuary where naturalists will be on hand to personally show you some of the rarest bird species in the world. And you can learn more about the wildlife you’re getting up close with at special talks given by the expert guests Ponant brings on board — academics, filmmakers, artists, scientists and writers among them.

Further afield, Ushuaia in Argentina is the starting port for trips to the faraway lands of the white continent. Sail through the otherworldly surrounds of the Antarctic Peninsula, with each day presenting the chance to get out on small inflatable vessels and explore volcanic beaches, research stations, mountain peaks, icebergs and more.

You could dock at Valdes Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that serves as a sanctuary to large numbers of whales, sea lions and elephant seals, plus the remote subantarctic archipelagos of South Georgia and the Falkland Islands — home to the gobsmacking array of alpine landscapes, black-sand beaches and hanging glaciers between them. With Ponant, even the South Orkney Islands, some 604km north-east of the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, are accessible.

Go north

Exploring the Inuit villages of Kullorsuaq, Greenland, by foot.

There are incredible wonders to be found in the Arctic Circle, not least of which is the wildlife. Svalbard, located halfway between Norway and the North Pole, is the land of polar bears, arctic foxes, reindeer, walruses, seals, minke whales, orca and more. With Ponant you’ll sail through the archipelago’s many scenic fjords as you seek out glimpses of those incredible animals, as well as visiting Spitsbergen, the archipelago’s only permanently populated island — home to just 2500 residents.

Or you could choose a trip that sails up the coast of Greenland, a land of dramatic icebergs and colourful villages. There, you’ll have the chance to meet the local population and learn about the local Inuit culture, as well as getting a view of the northern hemisphere’s largest icebergs. Ponant can even take you inside the curve of Uummannaq Bay, opposite a narrow passage between two islands, where you will discover the moonscape of the small, rarely seen desert island of Akulleq.

Do it in style

It’s not just what’s outside that will wow you on a Ponant cruise. With maximum capacity of just 264 guests, life on board is a luxury experience that feels more like travelling on a private yacht. Between sightseeing excursions, you can get pampered with a Clarins or SOTHY’s treatment at the spa or on-board hair salon. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all luxury affairs, with on-board French chefs crafting high-end menus every day.

And best of all, with only small groups on board, your serenity is guaranteed. Because when it comes to travel, boutique really is better.

For a limited time, Ponant is offering an additional 10 per cent saving on a selection of Antarctic and Arctic luxury expeditions*. This limited-time opportunity to explore the polar regions is not to be missed. Whether marvelling at the vast icebergs of Antarctica or experiencing the serene beauty of the Arctic, each journey promises to be nothing short of extraordinary. Make 2025 a year of unparalleled adventure, the Ponant Way.

*Conditions Apply. Visit au.ponant.com for more information.