When you’re looking to explore the planet’s most remote regions, ice-veneered seas, rarely touched shores, and wild wildernesses, the choice of your expedition ship operator matters. Why? Because points of difference in the polar regions are amplified, as travellers, we are far more dependent on our ship's crew than on a traditional trip. There is also now a lot of choice, and each operator tends to focus on areas of specialisation, or differentiation, to coin the more popular phrase. Terra Nova Expeditions is one of the few that is built from the ground up for that purpose.

Right from the homepage of their website, their motto says it all: “Expeditions, First. Comfort, Always. Extra Costs, Never.” Terra Nova Expeditions is not entering the market as a cruise line with an optional expedition flavour, but rather the polar opposite. The destination is the star, the ship and service exist to support the expedition experience.

The trips are designed to go ashore, get boots on the ground, and engage with the destination and environment. The comfort of the guests is taken seriously but not at the expense of immersion and authenticity. “Extra costs, never” means more of what you pay is inclusive; fewer hidden add-ons or pay-per-shore-landing surprises.

What this translates into is a traveller’s mindset that values discovery, active engagement, and respectful contact with wild places, rather than just relaxing on deck with a drink and a camera, which happens.

To understand the origins of Terra Nova Expeditions, I began by asking founder and CEO Greg Carter the question he’s likely heard countless times: how did he first find his way into the world of expedition cruising?

“Coming from a wholesale background, as co-founder of Chimu Adventures, took me to Antarctica in 2008. My first trip was on the MV Ushuaia, which, to this day, remains one of my favourite small ships! We ran aground, and we were rescued by the Chilean Navy and the Argentine Air Force, and I was hooked! Small ships with fewer than 100 pax have been on my mind ever since. I’ve always been end product-focused, and my progression after selling out of Chimu was always the pointy end of travel, actively making people's dreams a reality. I’ve been blessed to have had some incredible mentors over the years who have inspired me to bring Terra Nova to life, including the late Ute Hohn-Bowen, Hans Lagerweij, and Søren Rasmussen. This is a passion project!”

Greg’s story is instantly relatable to anyone who has spent time in the polar world. I’ve also known Hans for years and travelled with Søren on one of his own expedition vessels, and both are deeply passionate, inspiring figures. The polar regions have a way of holding on to you, so my next question was a natural one: why did Antarctica resonate so strongly with him?

“Antarctica stuck with me for its remoteness, wildness, and just so far from our everyday,” Greg said.
“It wasn’t until 5–10 years ago that we had internet on ships. I loved the disconnect from everyday life and seeing the extraordinary impact it has on our passengers.”

That sense of transformation is something I hear frequently from travellers. Antarctica has a way of shifting perspectives and stripping experiences back to something honest and profound—far beyond marketing language.

So, with that in mind, I asked Greg the question everyone wants answered: what truly sets Terra Nova Expeditions apart?

“Everyone says they are different. Different can mean many things. More eating options onboard, more activities, more, more, more. I don’t see a significant differentiator in the luxury end of the market. I appreciate that there is demand, but I really feel and always have that the expedition as a segment of the travel industry is egalitarian. Purpose is paramount to what we do, and it should be accessible to everyone we are working with. Which includes student groups and thus far has attracted a slightly younger audience to most of the industry, but we aren’t ageist! Hence, we have a no-discount policy and focus on offering what we think is the best value in the industry.

The Icebird day sailing is an innovative, world-first program, and we are thrilled to bring it to life. We will also be embarking on active science, running science programs throughout our summer, and working with national Antarctic programs to resupply and support meaningful work. We are uniquely placed with a hybrid passenger and cargo vessel that stays true to the industry's origins, where ships are repurposed and have a story of their own. For many years, our ship was a lifeline to St Helena; we hope we can carry on in that spirit, changing lives and supporting active science. Being one of the few ships with under 100 passengers, we are committed to offering a low-impact option to consumers. Our small team firmly believe this, and with over 200 seasons of Antarctic experience onboard, we think of ourselves as a new player on old shoulders!”

Terra Nova doesn’t spread itself across dozens of global destinations, which require repositioning, can lack in traditional expedition activities and require stepping out of the thermals for teams that are often more comfortable in them. Their niche is simple: Antarctica and its surrounding subpolar islands.

By focusing on one region, they build deep expertise in vessel knowledge, landing-site relationships, logistics, and safety. This focus brings advantages:

Better experiences: they know how to go deeper, linger where others might just “tick the box”. Since the region is their speciality, travellers benefit from the kind of “insider” view you’d expect from experts rather than a generalist operator.

Operational resilience: polar zones are challenging; a company built for them is more likely to handle ice, weather, wildlife, and the unexpected. For travellers wanting more than just Antarctica as a checkbox, this kind of specialist operator can make a profound difference.

Terra Nova Expeditions operates with deliberately small guest numbers, creating a more intimate and meaningful experience both on board and ashore. Their main vessel carries fewer than 100 passengers, and their sailing yacht accommodates just a handful of guests, offering a level of access and flexibility that larger ships simply cannot match.

Smaller groups mean more time on shore, fewer people competing for landing spots, and far better opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography within IAATO guidelines. It also allows for a high crew-to-guest ratio, meaning more interaction with the expedition team, more tailored guidance, and deeper interpretation of the places visited. The result is an atmosphere that feels exclusive without being indulgent, focused on immersion rather than opulence. For travellers who value genuine engagement with the environment, this low-impact, small-ship approach is a significant advantage.

Terra Nova Expeditions’ philosophy goes beyond taking people to remote places; it is grounded in the belief that expedition travel should foster stewardship. Their approach positions guests not as passive observers but as active participants in fragile ecosystems, encouraging a deeper understanding of the environments they visit.

This purpose-led mindset resonates strongly with travellers who care about sustainability, wildlife protection, and responsible tourism. In a sector where environmental claims can sometimes feel superficial, Terra Nova’s clarity of intent stands out. Their focus on conservation, education, and respectful engagement feels sincere and aligned with the origins of authentic expedition travel.

One of the company’s strongest differentiators is its commitment to transparent pricing. In an industry where hidden fees and unexpected add-ons can frustrate travellers, Terra Nova aims to eliminate surprises by keeping inclusions clear and consistent. This straightforward approach allows guests to focus on the experience itself rather than deciphering the fine print. For discerning travellers who value honesty and simplicity, this clarity is refreshing and sets the tone for a more relaxed and trustworthy journey.

Terra Nova Expeditions is guided by a leadership team with decades of hands-on experience in the polar regions. Their background is rooted in real expedition work rather than traditional cruise operations, giving them an intimate understanding of Antarctica’s demands, from complex logistics and safety considerations to the nuances of responsible environmental practice. As an independent company, they have the freedom to prioritise purpose and authenticity over market trends, shaping every decision around what truly matters in the field.

This depth of expertise directly informs their philosophy that an expedition should be more than a voyage; it should be a meaningful, transformative experience. Terra Nova designs each journey to create genuine connection, between travellers and the landscapes they explore, between guests and the expedition team, and even within the travellers themselves. Antarctica isn’t treated as a backdrop but as a catalyst for reflection, challenge, and personal discovery. For those seeking more than a destination to tick off a list, this approach offers a richer, more resonant way to experience the polar world.

If you’re comparing expedition operators, Terra Nova Expeditions offers a compelling blend of authenticity, specialist focus, smaller group sizes, transparency and conservation ethos. They don’t just take you to Antarctica; they frame the experience as meaningful engagement, real adventure, and environmental responsibility.

For adventurers who care how they travel as much as where they travel, for those who want to leave lighter  footprints that matter (and take back stories that last), Terra Nova stands out.