Category: Cruise News, Expedition Cruises
Jane McDonald Is Back – And This Time She’s Going From Pole to Pole
Jane McDonald From Pole to Pole expedition cruise is the latest Channel 5 travel series capturing the imagination of cruise lovers across the UK. The six-part show follows Jane McDonald on her most ambitious journey yet, travelling from Antarctica to the Arctic aboard ultra luxury expedition and yacht cruises.
This six-part travel series is not just a celebration of spectacular scenery. It captures the contrasts of modern cruising, silence and scale in Antarctica, cultural overload in South America, and the familiar warmth of Mediterranean life, all seen through Jane’s honest, humorous and deeply human perspective.
What makes From Pole to Pole especially fascinating for cruise lovers is that these are real, bookable expedition cruises. Filmed aboard the ultra-luxury Scenic Eclipse and Emerald Sakara, the series offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at what expedition and yacht cruising is truly like, combining adventure, comfort and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Premiering on 2 January 2026, Jane McDonald: From Pole to Pole is already inspiring viewers to dream bigger about how and where they travel.
The Ultimate Jane McDonald From Pole to Pole Expedition Cruise
In From Pole to Pole, Jane steps far beyond her comfort zone, embarking on a remarkable 15,000-mile journey that spans continents, climates, and cultures. Along the way, she brings her trademark warmth, humour, and curiosity to destinations few travellers ever experience.
The series features an extraordinary collection of bucket-list locations, including:
- The Polar Regions: Antarctica, South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, Svalbard, and the Arctic Circle
- South America: Uruguay and Brazil
- Europe: Greece, Italy, and Norway
As Jane herself puts it:
“We’re going to the ends of the earth to bring some spectacular places into your living rooms. Get the wine open or a cuppa ready, we’re going on an adventure.”
The Star of the Show: Scenic Eclipse
While Jane is the heart of the series, cruise enthusiasts will instantly recognise the real scene-stealer: Scenic Eclipse, the world’s first Discovery Yacht.
Purpose-built for extreme environments, Scenic Eclipse is an ultra-luxury expedition ship designed to reach places traditional cruise vessels simply cannot. Throughout the series, viewers will see Jane making full use of the ship’s cutting-edge exploration tools, from helicopter flights over Antarctica to Zodiac landings on remote polar shores, including Winter Island.
With a Polar Class 6 rating, custom-built stabilisers that are 50% larger than standard, and a maximum guest capacity designed for intimate exploration, Scenic Eclipse delivers both adventure and comfort in equal measure.
Jane also spends time aboard Emerald Sakara, highlighting the growing appeal of modern luxury yacht cruising in warmer regions.
Jane McDonald From Pole to Pole Expedition Cruise Episode Highlights
Each episode of Jane McDonald From Pole to Pole focuses on a different stage of Jane’s extraordinary journey, revealing the full scope, emotion and variety of modern expedition cruising.
1. Antarctica The Sound of Silence
Jane’s adventure begins at the very bottom of the world. Antarctica delivers towering glaciers, endless ice fields and a profound stillness that Jane openly reflects on throughout the episode. Travelling aboard Scenic Eclipse, viewers see Zodiac landings among icebergs, close-up wildlife encounters and breathtaking helicopter flights over the frozen landscape.
This episode captures expedition cruising at its most powerful, immersive and humbling, while still showing the comfort and luxury that make extended polar travel possible.
2. South Georgia and the Falkland Islands Wildlife History and Perspective
Leaving Antarctica behind, Jane travels north to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, some of the most remote destinations featured in the series. Standing among vast king penguin colonies and visiting abandoned whaling stations, she reflects on the scale of the wildlife and the region’s extraordinary history.
Following in the footsteps of Shackleton, this episode highlights why South Atlantic expedition cruises are so special. Slow-paced, deeply immersive and rich in stories that stay with you long after the journey ends.
3. Uruguay and Brazil: A World of Contrast
The shift from polar silence to South American energy is immediate. Jane describes arriving in Rio de Janeiro after weeks in Antarctica as a genuine culture shock. The noise, colour and rhythm of city life provide a striking contrast to the isolation she has just left behind.
From wine tasting in Uruguay to dolphin spotting along the Brazilian coast and standing beneath Christ the Redeemer, this episode shows how expedition cruising can combine wildlife, culture and iconic destinations in a single journey.
4. Italy, Sicily and the Amalfi Coast La Dolce Vita
The Mediterranean leg brings a lighter, joyful tone to the series. In Sicily, Jane visits Savoca and Forza d’Agrò, the villages made famous by The Godfather, before cruising along the dramatic Amalfi Coast and visiting Capri.
This episode celebrates everything travellers love about Mediterranean cruising. History, scenery, food and unforgettable moments, while showing how luxury yacht cruising offers a more intimate way to explore Europe’s most iconic coastlines.
5. Norway, Svalbard, and the Arctic: The Grand Finale
The journey concludes in the High Arctic, bringing Jane full circle from one pole to the other. In Svalbard, she encounters vast glaciers, icy fjords, walruses and polar bears, moments that echo Antarctica’s scale but feel emotionally different.
This final episode is reflective and powerful, marking the culmination of a fifteen thousand mile adventure and reinforcing why Arctic expedition cruises remain among the most awe-inspiring travel experiences available.
Can You Book the Jane McDonald From Pole to Pole Expedition Cruise?
The Jane McDonald From Pole to Pole expedition cruise showcases real, bookable itineraries operated by Scenic Luxury Cruises and Emerald Yacht Cruises.
Whether you dream of standing among penguin colonies in South Georgia, sipping cappuccinos in Sicily, or soaring by helicopter above Antarctica’s ice fields, these experiences are within reach. As the series shows, expedition cruising is designed for travellers who want more than a traditional holiday, offering immersive experiences, expert-led excursions, and true 6-star all-inclusive luxury.
Book Your Own Pole to Pole Adventure with Paramount Cruises
If Jane McDonald’s latest adventure has ignited your wanderlust, now is the perfect time to start planning. Demand for expedition cruises continues to grow, and availability on the most sought-after voyages can be limited, especially following the launch of this highly anticipated series.
At Paramount Cruises, we specialise in luxury and expedition cruising. Our expert team can help you design an itinerary inspired by Jane’s journey, whether you’re drawn to the Great White Wonder of Antarctica or the Nordic wonders of Norway.
Inspired by the Jane McDonald From Pole to Pole expedition cruise, travellers can now experience the same polar and Mediterranean journeys in six-star comfort.
📞 Call us: 020 7947 0270
📧 Email: info@paramountcruises.com
Catch up on Jane McDonald: From Pole to Pole on Channel 5 and My5, and let Paramount Cruises help you turn inspiration into your next unforgettable journey.
