and science, particularly in regions like Alaska and Central America where human and ecological histories are closely intertwined. Its programming includes guided hikes, shoreline explorations and marine excursions that combine ecological insight with local cultural context. Guides are trained to infuse “scientific knowledge with storytelling, humour and interactive elements”, according to Julie Quarry, the cruise line’s director of strategic partners, who says this makes complex topics accessible and memorable for all age groups. Further south, Heritage Expeditions brings passengers into contact with some of the most remote and culturally significant regions on the planet. Founded by a family of scientists and conservationists, the New Zealandbased company has long partnered with Indigenous communities, including Ngāi Tahu, to support and participate in locally led research efforts such as the Murihiku ki te Tonga Programme, the world’s first Indigenous-led Antarctic science initiative. This partnership not only benefits scientific inquiry but also highlights the vital role of Indigenous knowledge in understanding and protecting fragile environments. Culture is part of the narrative on polar voyages too. Cruise lines like Bark Europa and Silversea incorporate the human history of exploration into their programming, through the tales of early Antarctic expeditions and by ensuring the ongoing presence of scientists, historians and geographers onboard their vessels. By immersing guests in the traditions, histories and knowledge of the communities they visit, expedition cruise operators are contributing to the preservation and dissemination of human heritage. In this context, anthropology, archaeology and oral history are more than enrichment; they are forms of social science that help us understand how people interact with their environments, adapt over time and shape the world we share. Recognising culture as a vital component of scientific exploration ensures the human story is not left out of the narrative. This barnacle was one of a whole colony that Bark Europa found attached to a disused fishing buoy when sailing in the North Atlantic Ocean 69
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