61 LS: Environmental stewardship underpins every decision we make. IAATO guidelines, operational experience and our scientific partnerships help us balance exceptional guest experiences with responsible exploration, while ensuring our expeditions contribute meaningful data to ongoing research. KS: Sometimes very tough priorities must be made, but with the wealth of knowledge we have in HX Expeditions, we are able to choose or find new opportunities when we are not satisfied with an itinerary. Guest feedback is vital too. RW: Operating a vessel like Aranui requires a careful and continuous balancing act. On the one hand, it delivers an unforgettable guest experience while also serving as a vital lifeline to remote island communities. This dual purpose brings operational complexity, from coordinating schedules and ensuring safety to managing cargo alongside passenger comfort. However, it also creates extraordinary value, enabling guests to gain access to authentic island life and visit destinations few travellers can reach. It is this rare combination of adventure, culture and purpose that makes Aranui truly one of a kind. FGZ: I don’t really see these as competing priorities. If a destination can’t be explored responsibly, then it shouldn’t become an expedition destination in the first place. Protecting these places isn’t simply good practice; it is fundamental to our business. It’s encouraging to see many of today’s travellers increasingly share this mindset. Which cold- and warm-water expedition destinations stand out for you right now, and what makes them especially compelling from a guest experience perspective? RB: We focus almost exclusively on coldwater destinations. For us, it’s the remote, seldom-visited corners of the Arctic and Antarctica that stand out. Our recordbreaking ‘Remote Weddell Sea’ itinerary has taken guests as far south as possible Photo: 60 South 60 South’s ship Hans Hansson is specially adapted for sailing in polar regions
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