Itinerary
- Day 1
Dunedin
You'll arrive in Dunedin and meet your expedition representative for the transfer to your pre-voyage hotel. Head to the AE hospitality desk to collect your luggage tags, then enjoy a Welcome Reception and Pre-Embarkation Briefing later in the evening. After that, the rest of the day is yours to explore Dunedin at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel in Dunedin to be confirmed (or similar))
Included Activities
- Welcome Reception and Pre-Embarkation Briefing
- Collect luggage tags at AE hospitality desk
Optional Activities
- Dine at one of Dunedin's fine restaurants
- Leisurely stroll along Otago harbour
Landmarks Otago Harbour 
- Day 2
Dunedin to M/V Greg Mortimer
You'll check out after breakfast and make your way to the port at your own pace, giving yourself time to walk around Dunedin before boarding. Your bags get transferred to the ship separately so you can travel light. Once aboard the M/V Greg Mortimer, get settled in your cabin and then head up on deck with the expedition team as you leave port. Dinner follows, and there's a toast to kick off the voyage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Delicious dinner on board with toast to the voyage)
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (M/V Greg Mortimer (or similar))
Included Activities
- Explore Dunedin at leisure
- Board M/V Greg Mortimer
- Dinner on board
- Day 3
At Sea
This is a sea day where you'll relax and get used to life on board. The expedition team will hold lectures in the lecture room covering regional history, environment and wildlife. You can also use the Wellness Centre, gym and sauna, or spend time on deck watching for seabirds.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (M/V Greg Mortimer (or similar))
Included Activities
- Expedition team lectures and presentations
- Access to Wellness Centre
- Sauna access
- Gym access
- Polar library access
Optional Activities
- Photography and birdwatching tips from expedition team
- Seabird spotting on deck
- Day 4
Subantarctic Islands
You'll explore islands that hold great significance to Ngai Tahu, the indigenous peoples of New Zealand's South Island. These locations were first visited by Maori navigators centuries ago, and you'll get to see them yourself during your landings and zodiac cruises.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (M/V Greg Mortimer (or similar))
- Day 5
Subantarctic Islands
Today you check out far-flung islands that are recognized globally for their natural beauty and biodiversity. Access to these shores is limited, so this is a special opportunity to see landscapes and wildlife that few get to experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (M/V Greg Mortimer (or similar))
- Day 6
Subantarctic Islands
You'll do landings and zodiac expeditions throughout the Islands of the Subantarctic, getting up close with the islands and their environments.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (M/V Greg Mortimer (or similar))
Included Activities
- Landings on Subantarctic Islands
- Zodiac expeditions
- Day 7
At Sea
As Campbell Island disappears behind you, keep binoculars ready to spot Campbell, Salvins and white-capped albatross. These birds often follow the ship, offering a nice farewell as you head south toward Antarctic waters.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (M/V Greg Mortimer (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Seabird spotting for Campbell, Salvins and white-capped albatross
Landmarks Campbell Island - Day 8
Crossing Antarctic Convergence
You'll cross the Antarctic Convergence, a transition zone where water temperature drops about 4°C (39°F), signaling your entry into Antarctic waters. Watch for porpoising penguins, Antarctic petrels, snow petrels, and your first iceberg sightings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (M/V Greg Mortimer (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Seabird spotting for penguins, Antarctic petrels, and snow petrels
- Watch for first iceberg
- Day 9
At Sea
This sea day lets you relax and process your subantarctic experiences while getting ready for what comes next. Use the sauna, edit your photos in your cabin, or simply rest before the next phase of your voyage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (M/V Greg Mortimer (or similar))
Included Activities
- Access to Wellness Centre
- Sauna access
- Gym access
- Polar library access
Optional Activities
- Photo editing in cabin
- Relaxation on board
- Day 10
At Sea
Join your expedition team in the lecture room for presentations about the wildlife and adventures you'll encounter along the Antarctic coastline. This helps prepare you for what you'll see over the coming days.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (M/V Greg Mortimer (or similar))
Included Activities
- Expedition team lectures on Antarctic wildlife and history
- Access to Wellness Centre
- Sauna access
- Gym access
- Polar library access
- Day 11
Arrival in Antarctica
You'll arrive in ice-bound Antarctica. Step outside and take in the fresh, crisp air that you won't find anywhere else on earth. This moment is something you'll remember for years to come.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (M/V Greg Mortimer (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Deck time to experience Antarctic arrival
Landmarks Antarctic Circle 
- Day 12
Ross Sea
You'll explore the Ross Sea region, a globally significant wildlife sanctuary. Its nutrient-rich waters support Ross Sea orcas, Antarctic petrels and South Pacific Weddell seals, all uniquely adapted to these extreme conditions.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (M/V Greg Mortimer (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Wildlife spotting for Ross Sea orcas, Antarctic petrels and Weddell seals
Landmarks Ross Sea - Day 13
Ross Sea Penguin Colonies
The Ross Sea is home to Antarctica's largest Adelie penguin colony and many of the largest emperor penguin colonies. You'll see the unique biodiversity of this protected wildlife sanctuary through landings and zodiac cruises.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (M/V Greg Mortimer (or similar))
Included Activities
- Penguin colony viewing
Landmarks Ross Sea - Day 14
Ross Sea Historic Sites
You'll explore the human heritage of the Ross Sea coast. Since James Clark Ross discovered the region in 1841, expeditions have built base camps on ice-free land. Many historic huts remain, now preserved as open-air museums under the Antarctic Treaty System.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (M/V Greg Mortimer (or similar))
Included Activities
- Exploration of historic expedition sites
Landmarks Ross Sea - Day 15
Antarctic Exploration
Your expedition team will design today's activities day by day, using their decades of experience to pick the best sites based on weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities. You get a truly flexible, responsive itinerary.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (M/V Greg Mortimer (or similar))
- Day 16
Antarctic Landings and Zodiac Cruises
You'll do landings and zodiac cruises amongst the ice, fully exploring this glacial wilderness and getting as close as conditions allow to the Antarctic environment.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (M/V Greg Mortimer (or similar))
Included Activities
- Landings in Antarctica
- Zodiac cruises amongst ice
- Day 17
Antarctic Exploration
One final day exploring Antarctica before you head north toward Macquarie Island. You'll continue experiencing the ice, wildlife and landscapes of the polar wilderness.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (M/V Greg Mortimer (or similar))
Included Activities
- Antarctic landings and exploration
- Day 18
At Sea Heading North
You'll leave Antarctic ice behind and head northwards toward Macquarie Island. Onboard specialists will give presentations about Macquarie Island's wildlife and rich human history to prepare you for arrival.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (M/V Greg Mortimer (or similar))
Included Activities
- Specialist presentations on Macquarie Island wildlife and history
- Access to Wellness Centre
- Sauna access
- Gym access
- Polar library access
Landmarks Macquarie Island - Day 19
At Sea
This sea day gives you time to reflect on the emotions and special moments from the past weeks. Enjoy the ship's facilities, catch up on editing your photos, or simply rest and think back on what you've seen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (M/V Greg Mortimer (or similar))
Included Activities
- Access to Wellness Centre
- Sauna access
- Gym access
- Polar library access
Optional Activities
- Photo editing
- Reflection and journaling
- Day 20
Approaching Macquarie Island
As you approach Macquarie Island, look out for grey-headed, black-browed and light-mantled albatross. These graceful birds often venture from their nests to welcome visitors approaching the island.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (M/V Greg Mortimer (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Seabird spotting for grey-headed, black-browed and light-mantled albatross
Landmarks Macquarie Island - Day 21
Macquarie Island
You'll experience Macquarie Island, known affectionately as Macca, which rises steeply from the Southern Ocean. This fierce landscape supports 3.5 million breeding seabirds including four penguin species, fur seals and elephant seals. Keep binoculars handy to see one of the largest concentrations of life in the Southern Ocean.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (M/V Greg Mortimer (or similar))
Included Activities
- Landings on Macquarie Island
- Seabird and wildlife viewing
Optional Activities
- Exploration of penguin colonies
- Fur seal and elephant seal spotting
Landmarks Macquarie Island - Day 22
Macquarie Island
Look for Macca's kelp forests, which are remarkable underwater ecosystems with fronds swaying at the water's surface. Macquarie Island is a globally recognized wildlife refuge and played a key role in Antarctic history, hosting a radio relay station from 1911 that transmitted the first communication from Antarctica.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (M/V Greg Mortimer (or similar))
Included Activities
- Exploration of Macquarie Island
Optional Activities
- Underwater ecosystem viewing
- Historic site exploration
Landmarks Macquarie Island - Day 23
At Sea
As your journey wraps up, take time to reflect on experiences from the past weeks. Review your photos, write in your journal or simply relax and soak in the atmosphere on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (M/V Greg Mortimer (or similar))
Included Activities
- Access to Wellness Centre
- Sauna access
- Gym access
- Polar library access
Optional Activities
- Photo review
- Journaling
- Relaxation on board
- Day 24
Final Day at Sea
This is your final opportunity to think about your role as an ambassador for the Southern Ocean. Consider how you'll advocate for its conservation and preservation once you return home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (M/V Greg Mortimer (or similar))
- Day 25
Disembarkation
After breakfast, bid farewell to your expedition team and fellow passengers as the voyage concludes and you continue your onward journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
