I sit at the registration table, eager to welcome a new group of Wild Women as they arrive, brimming with anticipation for their next big adventure—a small ship expedition. After months of emails and planning—some booking a year or more in advance, others reserving their spot during a previous voyage—it all leads to this moment. Some women reconnect with old friends from past trips, while others arrive solo, stepping into the unknown with excitement and a touch of nervous energy. Registration is my first chance to match names to faces, to witness firsthand the unique spirit each woman brings to the journey.
The room hums with introductions and laughter, a flurry of handshakes and wide-eyed enthusiasm. I hand out nametags, each attached to a Wild Women Expeditions lanyard, a simple but powerful symbol of the community we are about to build and an easy way to recognize our group as we get to know one another. I distribute luggage tags, help sort gear, and give last-minute instructions. I place a Wild Women toque in each traveler’s hands—a small token of the adventure ahead.
From here, our path to the ship varies. We might take a charter flight, a bus, or a combination of both. As we finally step aboard, the air is electric with possibility. Safety briefings and drills mark our official start. Still, as we wave our final farewell to the port—whether leaving Ushuaia for Antarctica or setting sail from Reykjavik to circumnavigate Iceland—we embrace the unspoken code of every true explorer: the Expedition Spirit.
Out here, we venture into the unknown…
Every detail is meticulously planned, yet nature holds the final say. The Captain and Expedition Leader work in perfect synchrony with input from experts on the expedition team, reading the sea, the sky, and the shifting elements to ensure a safe and extraordinary experience. No expedition follows its itinerary to the letter; instead, we adapt, pivot, and embrace the unpredictable. A great team makes this look like an elegant dance.
As we sail, we bond over shared meals at our Wild Women reserved tables, swapping stories and building friendships. Out on the Zodiacs, binoculars pass from hand to hand as we scan for puffins, albatross, dorsal fins, and the misty blows of whales. Cameras click in all directions, capturing fleeting moments of wonder. Shore landings range from hiking the rugged tundra of Labrador on Greenland and Wild Labrador, to visiting a sheep farm in the Faroe Islands, where the purest wool tempts us into a shopping spree on Scotland, The Faroe Islands and Iceland North Atlantic Saga. We might step into Nuuk’s cultural museum on Heart of the Arctic or Greenland and Wild Labrador, learning Greenland’s rich history, or sit with local Inuit community members, sharing a meal and stories on any of our Arctic adventures. Our epic Out of the Northwest Passage follows the path of the early explorers from Kugluktuk in Canada to Kangerlussuaq in Greenland, as we explore the open-air museum of artifacts along the way and end with a visit to Sisimuit, Greenland’s second largest (population 5,600) and very colourful city. These small ship expeditions have departures in 2025 and 2026.
Antarctica delivers a spectacle like no other.
For those heading south to Antarctica on a small ship expedition, Polar bears reign supreme—penguins waddle carefree, their comical movements both charming and mesmerizing. I was told that it’s not possible to be angry or unhappy while watching penguins, and I found that to be absolutely true! Seals lounge lazily on ice floes, oblivious to our presence. Pods of orcas and humpbacks frequently break the horizon, but nothing compares to the moment when a mother humpback and her calf surface just feet from our zodiac. My heart races—part exhilaration, part reverence—as I watch them glide effortlessly through the water, their immense size in perfect harmony with the sea. Another time, I find myself in a floating world of brash ice, the Zodiac engine silent as the currents shift the broken pieces of ice around us, creating a haunting, mesmerizing symphony. Experience the wonders of Antarctica on one of three different voyages: Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica; Crossing the Circle Southern Expedition ; or join the first-ever all-women expedition in 2027 for our Antarctic Women’s Expedition Fly the Drake.
Evenings bring time for reflection and connection.
We gather for dinner, reliving the day’s highlights over laughter and clinking glasses. Onboard, there are lectures on history, culture, geology, flora and fauna led by experts, performances by talented musicians, and hands-on workshops covering everything from knot-tying to colonial history to fiber arts. If you’re feeling especially adventurous, you might join the polar plunge, where we leap into the frigid Arctic or Antarctic waters, a most thrilling and invigorating experience! Each day offers countless ways to explore, and while the group may split off for different excursions, we always reunite, eager to share our discoveries at the end of the day.
Our Wild Women group onboard is part of the larger ship community, a small ship expedition with fellow adventurers pursuing parallel programming. Our group sizes generally range from 12 to 30, with one or two hosts dedicated to helping you navigate ship life and ensuring your experience is rich and meaningful. While special Wild Women gatherings create a unique sisterhood, there’s always the freedom to join broader ship activities or carve out personal time.
And time, out here, is a gift. Some use their free time to visit the onboard gym, unwind in the sauna, soak in the hot tub, or indulge in a well-earned massage. Others find solace on deck, scanning the horizon for signs of life, or curling up with a book and a specialty coffee in the lounge. Though being unplugged is part of the magic, internet packages are available for those who wish to stay connected. (By 2026, some expeditions even feature complimentary WiFi!)
Something special happens as we move deeper into the vast, undulating blue of the ocean’s great mysteries. The labels we wear in everyday life—mother, daughter, caretaker, widow, busy, stressed, good girl—begin to loosen their grip. Out here, away from routine and expectation, we settle into a new rhythm, one shaped by the ebb and flow of the sea. We rediscover ourselves, not as the roles we play, but as the women we truly are.
When the voyage ends and we step back onto solid ground, we carry more than just photographs and souvenirs—we carry a renewed sense of self, a quiet confidence that lingers long after the journey fades. Changed by the experience, we walk forward with the magic of the expedition in our hearts, knowing that we are forever Wild Women.
Joining a small ship expedition with Wild Women Expeditions isn’t just about travel—it’s about transformation, adventure, and unforgettable connections. But don’t just take my word for it! Here’s what some of the amazing women who’ve been on these journeys had to say:
“Every single day was the best day!”
“I had the time of my life! Every single day was the best day! The adventures challenged me, pushed me past self-doubt, and were truly wonderful, amazing experiences! Lastly, I was blessed with a great group of wild women! When you are challenged as a group, you push forward together, and I am thankful for the comrades who soon felt like friends.”
— Colleen C.
“Exceeded my expectations!”
“This adventure exceeded my expectations. The crew was amazing and knowledgeable about the wildlife we encountered. The food was great. It was a pleasure to have shared this adventure with such wild women!”
— Janie S.
“Like an East Coast kitchen party at sea!”
“It was like an east coast kitchen party every night! The impromptu jams added such an unexpected element to the ship experience. Everyone was so talented.”
— Julie-Anne
“A dream come true”
“Signing up for the Heart of the Arctic expedition fulfilled two of my travel passions – going to Cape Dorset (now Kinngait) and Greenland.”
— Nancy Hensel
If you’ve ever wanted to push your limits, immerse yourself in breathtaking landscapes, and form deep bonds with like-minded women, a Wild Women small ship expedition might just be calling your name. Ready to answer? 🚢 Book your DREAM adventure here.
Ship Trip Facts: Total number of passengers
Antarctica:
Ocean Explorer: 138 max
Sylvia Earl: 130 max
Arctic and Northern Hemisphere trips:
Ocean Endeavour (2025 only): 198 max
Exploris One: 144
Ocean Nova: 78
