AE Expeditions are one of the operators I feel genuinely excited to champion: small ships, big adventures, and a deep, proven commitment to travelling responsibly.

Certified B Corp: Responsible Travel At Their Core

Many brands talk about being sustainable. AE Expeditions have gone much further by becoming a certified B Corp, which is a rigorous, independent standard that looks at the whole business: environment, people, communities and governance.

They are 100% carbon neutral, partner with sustainability‑focused organisations and build responsibility into everything they do, from food sourcing and waste management to how they operate in fragile polar environments. If you are only going to visit the poles once, this really matters.

Over 35 Years’ Experience & Small, Purpose‑Built Ships

AE Expeditions are an Australian company with over 35 years of expedition experience. Their modern, purpose‑built ships carry around 130 guests or fewer, which makes a huge difference in the polar regions.

Smaller ships mean:

More time off the ship: in Antarctica, often two to three outings per day and potentially five to six hours actually on the ice or water

Less queuing and crowding at landing sites

A more intimate, flexible and immersive experience

On board, the ships feel smart, contemporary and very comfortable, so you still have a premium base even while you are travelling at the edge of the world.

Big Adventures: Activities, Guides & Citizen Science

AE are known for their world‑leading activity programme. Depending on the voyage, you could:

Kayak amongst icebergs and drifting brash ice

Join Zodiac cruises to reach remote coves and wildlife colonies

Take guided hikes, try a polar plunge or even camp on the ice in Antarctica

Snorkel or dive in incredibly clear polar waters

Crucially, they back this up with outstanding guiding. With an approximate guide‑to‑traveller ratio of 1:7, and often even better, you are travelling with marine biologists, glaciologists, photographers and seasoned polar experts who bring every iceberg, penguin and whale encounter vividly to life.

There is a big focus on education and enrichment too:

Inspiring lectures and presentations

Special guest speakers

A dedicated science lab on board

Opportunities to take part in citizen science, contributing to real research during your trip

You do not just see these places, you learn about them and help protect them.

The Romance of the Poles

Antarctica and the Arctic are places that feel almost unreal until you are there:

Waking up to a horizon of ice and sky

Watching penguins swim through crystal‑clear water

Hearing the crack of a glacier calving across a silent bay

These are the memories that stay with you for life, which is why it is worth being particular about who you travel with. AE Expeditions combine small‑ship intimacy, serious polar know‑how and genuine sustainability credentials to create journeys worthy of that once‑in‑a‑lifetime dream.

Why Book AE Expeditions Through Me

For an expedition of this scale, you deserve dedicated support from someone who understands this style of travel. When you book AE Expeditions through me, you benefit from:

Expert, personalised advice on the right voyage, season and cabin for you

Price parity with booking direct, plus the added value, protection and care of booking through your own Travel Counsellor

Help with everything around the expedition: flights, pre‑ and post‑stays, insurance and any extra experiences to build a seamless, bespoke journey

If you can picture yourself kayaking between icebergs, watching whales from a Zodiac or camping overnight on the Antarctic ice, AE Expeditions are an exceptional choice.

Contact me to start shaping your polar “trip of a lifetime” and I will help you choose the right voyage, the right ship and the right timing, so you can travel to the ends of the Earth with complete confidence.