Sailing into adventure: Bill & Karen’s expedition cruise moments

Few travelers can say they’ve sailed through iceberg-filled fjords, witnessed narwhals in the wild, and crossed the mighty Drake Passage six times. But for Bill and Karen Boswell, expedition cruising has been a life-changing experience. Swan Hellenic have had the pleasure of welcoming them on two cruises. Once in 2024, on the Canadian Northwest Passage & Northern Lights voyage, leaving from Greenland, and circling around Baffin Bay in the Canadian Arctic. And again in 2025, on our Expedition to Antarctica: Weddell Sea cruise, exploring the Weddell Sea and Antarctic Peninsula. Read on to discover the best moments of their expeditions and get inspired!

“The optional boat tour through the Ilulissat ice field on the Canadian Northwest Passage cruise really was awe-inspiring,” they recall. "The low angle of the sun, and the quantity and color of the icebergs was so beautiful. There were so many interesting shapes, and we really enjoyed photographing them."

Bill and Karen also enjoyed a walking tour to a fascinating ice museum and visited an old Hudson's Bay Company fur trading post – a reminder of the harsh conditions early explorers faced. “Seeing the remnants of old buildings highlighted the challenges of exploring in such a remote area," they say. "And it really brought to life what we had learned about fur trading in school.”

Hearing the history of Sir John Franklin’s doomed Arctic expedition was both fascinating and sobering. “Stopping at gravesites and abandoned settlements made the incredible challenges they faced feel real,” they recall. The sheer time these explorers endured brutal conditions, often with limited supplies and no certainty of survival, was almost unimaginable. Seeing the remnants of their failed journey was a stark reminder of the perils of Arctic exploration. "We found it hard to imagine the hardships they experienced along with the length of time they devoted to their expeditions," they add.

The adventurers say one of the most breathtaking sights on their Northwest Passage cruise was the Icy Arm on Baffin Island—a narrow passage flanked by towering cliffs, snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, and hanging glaciers. “It was an incredible experience," they say. "We spent the entire time on deck, enjoying the spectacular scenery. And seeing narwhals was an added bonus!”

The couple were fortunate enough to witness the mesmerizing Northern Lights not once, but three times on their trip. "The first sighting occurred on our very first night at sea," they explain. "Followed by another unforgettable display over Baffin Island as we made our way back to Greenland, and again on our final night." The timing of their final aurora borealis experience made it all the more thrilling. "It was exciting to get the announcement from Expedition Leader, Nikki in the middle of the night," remembers Bill. "There was an incredible display all around the ship, and I stayed up until about 1am, with Anya and Gustav (from the Expedition Team), photographing and enjoying the display of lights!"

"Seeing around 50 northern bottlenose whales at sunrise for over an hour was definitely the most exciting wildlife encounter we had on the Northwest Passage voyage, due to the length of time we got to observe them and the sheer quantity of whales," they remember. "The deep blue ocean and the orange glow of the sun made it a very memorable experience. Plus, we also saw 12 polar bears and were able to watch them right from our balcony – it was a memory that will last a lifetime!"

Observing a mother polar bear and her injured cub was a poignant experience. “It was heartbreaking to see her trying to encourage the cub to keep walking. Unfortunately, it kept falling over," they say. The scene was a powerful reminder of nature’s fragility.

Setting off from Ushuaia on their Expedition to Antarctica cruise, it wasn’t long before Bill and Karen were immersed in some of the world's most captivating wilderness. Exploring the Weddell Sea and being surrounded by giant tabular icebergs, majestic glaciers, and amazing polar wildlife made this a voyage like no other.

As this was their fifth and sixth experience of crossing the Drake Passage, Bill and Karen were ready for the Drake Shake. “It was relatively calm going, but we definitely got the full experience of 8m waves and a 10 Beaufort rating according to the Captain," they remember. "While we were disappointed to miss our last landing, we understood the need to avoid the impending storm, and even rougher seas. While having dinner on deck 4, we frequently saw waves go above our heads!"

Antarctica delivered some thrilling wildlife encounters. On the Weddell Sea cruise, they watched 10-20 orcas teaching their young to hunt penguins—a dramatic and unforgettable sight. “We stood on deck, watching as the penguins frantically tried to evade the pod. A few managed to escape—it was exhilarating and humbling to see nature in action.” This was also the perfect time to observe penguin mothers with chicks, sometimes two or even three at a nest. "It was fascinating to put the camera down and just watch their behavior and interaction with each other," they say.

When it comes to the best cruise moments, the couple are spoilt for choice, but here are their top three…

1. Sitting on the back deck, having an incredible barbecue lunch with friends while soaking in the amazing scenery.

2. Photographing the interaction of the mother and baby chicks at Port Lockroy.

3. Standing in the Swan’s Nest as the Captain navigated the ice field of tabular icebergs as they left the Weddell Sea.

"Our advice is to wear layers, bring a 100-400mm lens for capturing wildlife, and seize every opportunity," they say. "Also, attend the onboard lectures as they add context to what you see, and put your camera down sometimes so you get to really enjoy the experience." For this couple, expedition cruising is more than just travel—it’s a way of life. We wish them all the best for their future voyages!

*The SH Team wishes to thank Bill and Karen for the wonderful pictures you saw in this article!