Polar experts from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will join Ponant Explorations’ December 2027 Antarctica: Ocean (Re)Imagined voyage aboard Le Lyrial.
Ponant Explorations and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) have confirmed the four scientists and communicators joining Antarctica: Ocean (Re)Imagined, a 10-night expedition departing Ushuaia, Argentina, on December 7, 2027, aboard Le Lyrial.
A Cruise Infused With Research
Taking place during a voyage built around active field research as much as icebergs and penguin colonies, the program pairs Le Lyrial‘s expedition team with WHOI researchers, including glaciologist and planetary scientist Dr. Catherine Walker (above), polar oceanographer Dr. Ted Maksym, ocean and climate policy leader Dr. Kilaparti “Rama” Ramakrishna, and Emmy and Peabody Award-winning ocean communicator Richard Vevers.
Rather than one-off guest lectures, the four will conduct research and lead daily discussions throughout the sailing, giving guests direct exposure to the science shaping current understanding of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean in a step beyond the standard expedition-cruise enrichment format.
“What makes this voyage so compelling is the combination of Ponant Explorations’ experienced Captain and expedition team and four distinct perspectives from leading WHOI experts,” says Samuel Chamberlain, CEO, Ponant Explorations Americas, describing the pairing as offering “a truly 360-degree view of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.”
The Experts
Walker’s work links Antarctic ice-shelf research to the search for oceans beneath icy moons elsewhere in the solar system. Maksym, who has sailed more than a dozen Arctic and Antarctic expeditions, studies sea ice’s role in global ocean circulation, while Ramakrishna, WHOI’s Senior Advisor and Director on Ocean and Climate Policy, will address the Southern Ocean’s place in international climate governance. Finally, Vevers — who brought Google Street View underwater and helped produce Netflix’s Chasing Coral — leads WHOI’s Room 71 and Ocean Communication Academy.
“We are reimagining educational travel and its potential for impact,” says Vevers (above). “Guests will be actively involved in advancing global understanding of one of the most important environments on the planet.”
For adventurious travelers weighing the trip, December falls squarely in Antarctic summer and peak Southern Hemisphere season, though reaching Ushuaia still means routing through Buenos Aires. However, Ponant has built that leg into the package rather than leaving guests to sort it out. The roundtrip sailing includes a pre-voyage hotel night in Buenos Aires on December 6, group charter flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, and roundtrip airport transfers.
The Voyage
Le Lyrial offers staterooms and suites with private balconies, wellness facilities, and dining developed with DUCASSE Conseil, chef Alain Ducasse‘s consultancy. All-inclusive fares cover Zodiac outings and shore landings with naturalist guides, gratuities, dining, wine and spirits, and Wi-Fi.
Booking is open now for the December 7, 2027 departure.
