You book a solo trip to Antarctica, and somewhere between Buenos Aires and the Drake Passage, you realize the whole ship is women. That’s the plan behind Road Scholar’s newest expedition, a 15-day voyage built entirely around women travelers, from the guides steering the Zodiacs to the guest speakers on board.
Road Scholar calls it Spirit of Antarctica: Expedition for Women, its first program built exclusively for women in Antarctica. Every guide on the Expedition Team is a woman, from the naturalists leading your hikes to the crew running the Zodiacs. Road Scholar’s Eliza Carrera says a group of women learning together brings its own kind of camaraderie, and having an all-female team lead the way adds an extra layer of depth and connection for everyone on board.
What Sets This Trip Apart
This isn’t just a women’s cruise with a marketing label. Road Scholar announced the program in partnership with Aurora Expeditions, and the all-women Expedition Team leads every landing, drives the Zodiacs and runs your day-to-day on board. You’ll also hear directly from female guest speakers who made history in their own fields, women many participants remember watching break new ground during their own lifetimes.
The Women Actually Running the Ship
Everyone driving a Zodiac, leading a hike or overseeing an excursion on this trip is a woman. You’ll join Road Scholar’s program aboard the Sylvia Earle, a ship that honors pioneering scientist Sylvia Earle, after crossing the Drake Passage from Ushuaia. From there, small-boat landings bring you face-to-face with penguins, seals and whales against a backdrop of glaciers and icebergs.
From Buenos Aires to the Antarctic Peninsula
Your trip opens with two nights in Buenos Aires and one in Ushuaia before boarding. Onboard, you’ll get a library, a hands-on lab and guidance from the Expedition Team, plus private group sessions for discussion and an experienced Group Leader along for the whole trip. The group caps at 24 travelers, small enough that solo travelers get real face time with the crew and each other, and you’ll have the choice of roommate matching or a single room.
Spirit of Antarctica: Expedition for Women sets sail Feb. 29, 2028, Leap Day, and registration is open now. Road Scholar expects strong interest, especially from solo travelers, so this is one to move on early if it’s calling your name.