Life Aboard an Antarctic Expedition Ship: What to Expect

If you are preparing for an Antarctic voyage, you are likely wondering what life aboard an expedition ship is actually like. The voyage south is very different from a conventional cruise. Ships are mostly smaller, the schedule depends entirely on the weather and ice, and activities a guided by the expedition team. Understanding the flow of ship life will help you make the most of your journey and prepare for the conditions ahead.

This guide explains what to expect on an Antarctic expedition ship, from embarkation to your first landings on the continent. It describes what you will do once you arrive on board, how daily routines work, and what atmosphere to expect among guests and crew. Every voyage is unique, but the pattern of life on board follows a consistent rhythm shaped by preparation, safety, and exploration.

You will find that life aboard an Antarctic expedition ship is both comfortable and efficient. Each day brings briefings, landings, and lectures. The expedition team ensures that all operations meet strict safety and environmental standards, while the crew manage the ship with precision. Knowing what happens on board will make you more confident as you settle in, meet your fellow travellers, and begin your voyage south.

 

Embarkation Day

 

Arrival and Check-in

When embarkation day arrives, you will be collected from your hotel by bus, along with other guests joining your voyage. The crew usually collects your luggage separately and transfers it directly to the ship. Most companies begin embarkation during the afternoon. The morning is reserved for the crew to disembark the previous guests, clean the vessel, and prepare cabins for new arrivals.

When you reach the pier, you will see your expedition ship for the first time. As you board, a photographer will take your picture for your ship’s security card, which you will use to scan on and off the vessel. While waiting, you can enjoy complimentary drinks and canapés in the lounge.

Settling In

Next, you will visit reception to collect your cabin keycard and receive any final instructions from the staff. When you find your cabin, your luggage should already be waiting outside your door. You will have time to unpack and familiarise yourself with the cabin layout before the first official meeting.

Later in the afternoon, the Expedition Leader (EL) will call all guests to the main lecture theatre. The EL’s welcome briefing outlines the voyage plan, introduces the expedition team, and explains key safety and environmental guidelines. After the presentation, you will have time to explore the ship and locate the dining room, bridge, observation decks, and muster stations.

Safety Drill and Departure

Before dinner, you will participate in a mandatory lifeboat drill. Bring the lifejacket from your cabin to the designated muster point when called. Crew members show you how to wear it correctly and help if you need assistance. Guests gather on deck. The drill takes only a few minutes but remains essential.

After the drill concludes, it is usually time for dinner. The atmosphere during the first evening is relaxed and social. Guests begin meeting one another, comparing itineraries, and watching the ship prepare for departure. After dinner, the common areas quieten as most guests retire to their cabins in preparation for crossing the Drake Passage.

A Typical Day at Sea: Crossing the Drake Passage

Mandatory Briefings and Lectures

Breakfast on your first full day aboard will not be particularly early. Serving times vary from ship to ship, but most begin around 07:30 or 08:00. The restaurant operates buffet style, and you can expect a range of options from fruit and cereal to cooked dishes.

Day One: Briefings and Introductions

Every voyage includes two essential presentations that are mandatory for all guests: the IAATO briefing and the safety briefing. The IAATO session explains the international regulations that govern all human activity in Antarctica. You will learn about environmental protection, wildlife approach distances, and the strict rules that every visitor must follow ashore. The second session focuses on Zodiac operations. Crew and expedition staff will show you how to embark and disembark safely, how to move within the inflatable boats, and what procedures to follow during landings. Attendance at both sessions is required before anyone can participate in shore excursions.

After the morning briefings, you will have time to relax before lunch. Most ships serve lunch as a buffet, with hot dishes, salads, and desserts. It is a good time to socialise and watch the Southern Ocean from the observation decks.

The afternoon usually continues with wildlife lectures delivered by the expedition team. Topics vary but often include seabirds, whales, seals, or the history of Antarctic exploration. The lectures are informal and engaging, helping you understand what you will soon see on land and at sea.

Before dinner, the captain will host a welcome reception. The expedition leader introduces the captain. After the reception, dinner is served in the main dining room.

Day Two: Preparing for the First Outing

The second day across the Drake Passage focuses on preparation for your first landing in Antarctica. After breakfast, guests complete the IAATO biosecurity screening. This inspection prevents the introduction of non-native species. You will bring the outer clothing, backpacks, and camera bags you intend to use ashore. You will check your own gear carefully for seeds, soil, or debris, with the expedition team on hand to help and supervise the process as needed.

Once the screening is complete, you will go to the mudroom, the staging area for all landings. There, staff help you try on your expedition boots and lifejackets, ensuring a correct fit. Guests taking part in kayaking, diving, or snorkelling attend separate safety briefings and equipment fittings.

The Drake Passage can be unpredictable. If conditions are rough and many guests are seasick, the expedition team may adjust the schedule. The expedition team may postpone briefings and screenings until the seas calm.

By the evening of the second day, the ship usually approaches the South Shetland Islands or the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Guests gather on deck as the first icebergs come into view. After dinner, excitement builds as the expedition leader outlines the plan for the next day- your first landing in Antarctica.

Landing and Expedition Days

Daily Schedule and Routine

Once the ship reaches Antarctic waters, the focus shifts entirely to exploration. A typical day aboard an Antarctic expedition ship includes two outings- one in the morning and another in the afternoon. These may be landings on shore or Zodiac cruises among icebergs, wildlife, and glaciers. On occasion, there may also be an early-morning Zodiac cruise before breakfast or an evening outing after dinner, depending on weather, ice, and daylight conditions.

The restaurant serves breakfast early, usually from 06:30 or 07:00. While you eat, listen for announcements over the public-address system. The Expedition Leader calls guests to prepare in groups. You might hear something like “Deck 3 starboard side, please proceed to the mudroom.”

Preparing in the Mudroom

In the mudroom, you will get ready for your outing. Put on your waterproof boots and zip up your lifejacket. When your group is called, proceed to the gangway, where a crew member scans your keycard as you leave the ship.

Once seated in the Zodiac, you will receive a short safety briefing from the driver. Keep backpacks at your feet, remain seated while the boat is in motion, and ask permission if you need to move.

Landings and Zodiac Cruises

Depending on conditions, you might cruise through narrow channels surrounded by icebergs or land at a designated site on the Antarctic Peninsula or nearby islands. Most landings last between one and three hours. Shorter visits do occur, but are rare and usually dictated by changing conditions.

On shore, you will walk marked paths to viewpoints, penguin colonies, or seal haul-outs. Expedition staff are stationed along routes to offer guidance, answer questions, and ensure compliance with IAATO rules.

Afternoon Operations and Recap

After lunch, the afternoon outing follows the same procedure as the morning. When all guests return to the ship, the recap session begins. The Expedition Leader summarises the day’s activities, outlines plans for tomorrow, and members of the expedition team give short talks or photo presentations.

Evenings Onboard

After the recap, dinner follows. Most guests are tired after two excursions in cold conditions, so evenings tend to be quiet. Smaller expedition ships prioritise time off the vessel, so after-dinner entertainment is minimal. The focus remains on rest and preparation for the next day’s operations. Larger ships, however, may schedule more evening activities such as live music, guest lectures, or informal social events in the lounge.

Additional Sea Days and Citizen Science

Longer voyages- such as those including South Georgia or the Falkland Islands- may involve additional sea days as the ship repositions. On these days, the expedition team delivers more lectures and workshops, and guests can take part in citizen science projects such as bird surveys, cloud observations, and plankton sampling. These activities contribute to international research and enhance the educational aspect of the voyage.

 

Returning North: The Journey Home

Life Aboard During the Return

As the ship turns north, the pace slows. The expedition team offers more lectures and presentations, often focusing on Antarctic history, science, and conservation. The decks remain lively with wildlife sightings- seabirds following the ship, whales, or dolphins breaching nearby.

Preparing for Disembarkation

As the voyage ends, you will need to collect all belongings from the mudroom and any lockers used for activities. The expedition and deck teams clean and reorganise equipment for the next voyage, so follow their instructions carefully. Activity gear- such as kayaks and diving suits are washed and prepared for the next voyage.

Final Evening Onboard

The final night includes the Expedition Leader’s recap and the Captain’s Farewell Reception. The evening concludes with a final dinner- relaxed, but often more formal in tone. Guests and crew share memories and goodbyes before the journey back to port.

 

Disembarkation Day

Preparing to Leave the Ship

Disembarkation morning begins early. Breakfast is served from around 06:00, and you will receive detailed instructions from the expedition team about luggage tags and group timings. Before breakfast, place your luggage outside your cabin. Crew members will transfer it to trucks on the pier. Keep your hand luggage with you, and ensure valuables and travel documents are accessible.

Final Goodbyes and Transfers

After breakfast, you will be called to disembark in groups. The crew and expedition staff will be on hand to say farewell as you leave the ship. On the pier, luggage is sorted by destination and loaded onto buses. You will then travel to your designated hotel or the airport, marking the end of your Antarctic expedition.

The transition back to normal life feels abrupt after days surrounded by ice and wildlife. Most guests leave with lasting memories and a deep respect for the environment they have just experienced — the true essence of life aboard an Antarctic expedition ship.