CELEBRATING 250 YEARS OF CAPTAIN COOK’S EPIC ANTARCTIC VOYAGE
Captain James Cook is considered one of the greatest explorers and navigators. In 1772 he set out on a three-year-long voyage commissioned by the Royal Society in England where he sought to discover a new continent south of the known world.
Many believed that as further south you went, the warmer it would get. The reality was much different: cold and barren but more beautiful than Cook could have ever imagined. On 17 January 1773, he became probably the first ever human – and certainly the first European, to cross the Antarctic Circle and reach the 71st parallel South at 71°10’.
Cook proved there was a southern continent. He discovered and mapped many islands along the way. He reflected at the time on what was possible to achieve and inspired many great polar explorers in decades to come, such as Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen.
COOK’S EXPEDITION
The journey undertaken by Cook in 1773. Nansen Polar Expeditions destinations cover a huge amount of the polar regions, including expeditions to Antarctica, South Georgia, Greenland, Svalbard, Iceland, Canadian Arctic, and Norway.
17 January 2023 marks the 250th anniversary of the legendary journey into the Antarctic, which shaped how we visit the continent today.
Antarctica is a magical place where the opportunity to see something extraordinary and truly memorable for the first time is ever-present. Whether you are individual, travelling in a group, an amateur photographer, or a professional seeking the most unique backdrop, it is a trip of a lifetime.
It took Cook six months to arrive in Antarctica, however, our ships will get you there in a more timely fashion with more sufficient ice navigation capabilities than Cook had.
“Nansen Polar Expeditions are 100%, I have absolutely no idea how this experience could have been better. We loved the ship enjoyed the excellent company, felt safe and learned so much.”
NANSEN EXPLORER
Nansen Explorer in Antarctica by Moira Le Patourel
Nansen Polar Expeditions vessel Nansen Explorer is the perfect combination of practical, strong, capable, and luxurious.
Instead of offering expeditions aboard larger ships, where the individual is lost in a crowd, our vessels are designed for a maximum of 12 guests, allowing for the perfect ratio of Expedition Team to our explorer guests. During the journey, guests and the Captain, Officers, Crew and Expedition Team often become one large group, sharing wonderful experiences, and making connections that last for years to come. Aboard Nansen Explorer you will be able to rediscover and experience the true essence of the Antarctic, the way Cook, and his Crew did 250 years ago – without having to sacrifice your comfort.
Scenes of Antarctica from Nansen Explorer by Martin Enckell, Colby Brokvist, Tom Henshilwood and Audun Lie Dahl
Our ship features expansive deck space providing endless views, with exceptional vantage points for capturing and filming the Antarctic landscape and spotting the magnificent wildlife. We don’t want you to miss a thing aboard Nansen Explorer. The elegant and inviting interior of the ship, which has been designed for the most efficient expedition operations, offers wonderful views across the polar waters.
Nansen Explorer’s 2021 refit has afforded large accommodation spaces featuring elegant Scandinavian design. Large windows bring the outside scenery in, and our vessel boasts 7 cabins including an expansive Owner’s Suite and a VIP suite. Our ship features expansive deck space providing endless views, with exceptional vantage points for capturing and filming the Antarctic landscape and spotting the magnificent wildlife. We don’t want you to miss a thing aboard Nansen Explorer. The elegant and inviting interior of the ship, which has been designed for the most efficient expedition operations, offers wonderful views across the polar waters.
Nansen Explorer’s 2021 refit has afforded large accommodation spaces featuring elegant Scandinavian design. Large windows bring the outside scenery in, and our vessel boasts 7 cabins including an expansive Owner’s Suite and a VIP suite.
ANTARCTIC WILDLIFE
The animals found in the Antarctic is beyond impressive. One of the world’s top wildlife destinations, it is not uncommon to spot whales and penguins. Whales flood to the rich polar waters each season, and penguin populations are in the millions.
Whale-watching in Antarctica provides to the opportunity to spot Blue Whales, Fin Whales, Humpback Whales, Minke Whales, Southern Right Whales, Sperm Whales and the mighty Orca. Home to eight of the 17 species of penguin that can be found in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic, the Adélie Penguins, Chinstrap Penguins, Gentoo Penguins, King Penguins, Macaroni Penguins, Rockhopper Penguins, Emperor Penguins and Magellanic Penguins.
A lone Adélie Penguin in Antarctica by Martin Enckell
Penguins aren’t the only birds in Antarctica, though. This birdwatcher’s paradise draws millions of birds across 46 species. From the deck aboard your expedition ship, when ashore during landings, or out in a Zodiac upon the polar waters, keep your eyes peeled for Wandering Albatross, Shearwater, Giant Petrels, Storm Petrels, Blue-eyed Shags, Diving Petrels, Cormorants, Sheathbills and Terns.
Type A Orca in Antarctica by Martin Enckell
Enjoy the sound of the breeze, birds, and ice breaking in the distance. The air is so pure and fresh making every Antarctic breath an enjoyable one.
Explorer will prepare and serve high-quality meals with global flavours that are guaranteed to please any palate.
The combination of being comfortable, well-looked after and warm onboard, so close to such a remote wilderness is truly unique.
Nansen Explorer’s polar dining room
This is a very big contrast to Cook’s ship HMS Resolution, and how her Crew lived. HMS Resolution, 34 m / 110ft long was considered a personal favourite of Cook, with the most up-to-date navigational aids for the late 1700s.
With 118 Crew members (20 of whom were volunteers) onboard, Cook took great measures to create a hygienic, healthy environment onboard. Cook’s Crew were likely not too comfortable in the Antarctic, as they had been expecting and prepared for a warm, tropical climate.
A special bond forms when a small handful of people share the experience of a destination that many will never see. An expedition to the Antarctic is a trip of a lifetime, one you will likely carry with you for the rest of your life.
Chinstrap penguins in Antarctica by Audun Lie Dahl