A More Extraordinary Way to Travel: Introducing Expedition Journeys by Dee Swaminathan

Dee Swaminathan on the ice in Antarctica, where she earned her Antarctic Ambassador designation. It is a "turning awe into action" pledge you only get by actually going.

I have always believed the best trips are the ones that feel deeply personal. Usually that means finding the right suite, the right city, and the breakfast room with the best natural light. Sometimes it means going a great deal farther than that.‍ ‍

So I am glad to share something new. For clients who are ready for somewhere more remote and genuinely unforgettable, Sebastian Luxe Travel is now partnering with expedition specialist Dee Swaminathan to plan journeys to Antarctica, the Galápagos, the Arctic and beyond.

Expedition travel is a different animal from a hotel stay or a traditional cruise. The destination matters, of course, but so do the route, the timing, the guides, the ship or lodge, the activity level and the style of exploration. In some places even the size of the ship quietly decides how much time you actually spend exploring. There is also more fine print than most people expect. That is exactly why I wanted to work with someone who brings real depth to this kind of travel. Dee has spent time in these places, and her expertise pairs with the personal, detail-obsessed way I already plan trips.

We are beginning with Antarctica, partly because it is extraordinary and partly because it is so easy to get wrong. The same continent can feel like a floating luxury hotel or a serious polar expedition depending entirely on the ship, the route and the operator you choose. Dee has written a plain, marketing-free comparison of the main operators to help you decide: Silversea vs. Quark vs. Lindblad: Choosing an Antarctica Expedition.

If you are new to this kind of trip and want to understand how it all works first, start with our guide to what expedition travel actually is, and who it is for.

From there, the planning is the part we love: choosing the right destination and style, then handling the hotels before and after, the pacing, the flights and transfers, and the small logistics that make a complicated trip feel easy. When you book with us through our preferred partners, you generally pay the same fare you would booking direct, and often come out ahead with onboard credit, upgrades and other perks, at no planning fee.‍ ‍

Expedition Journeys

Plan your expedition with Dee

If Antarctica, the Galápagos or the Arctic has been sitting on your list, this is where it starts to feel real. Tell us how you want the trip to feel, and Dee will help you choose the right operator, ship and route while we handle everything around it. You pay the same fare you would booking direct, usually with onboard credit or an upgrade on top, and you get one person who knows your trip from the first email to the way home.

Start planning with Dee →