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If there’s one thing Jane McDonald does brilliantly, it’s making travel feel both aspirational and comforting at the same time. Her latest TV series, Jane McDonald: From Pole to Pole, takes that winning formula and dials it all the way up, combining extreme destinations with some of the most luxurious expedition ships at sea.
This is not your average cruise show. This is your next level exploration, bucket-list adventure, meeting your Northern auntie next door. From icebergs and penguins to sun-soaked Mediterranean ports and the edge of the Arctic Circle, the series follows Jane on an extraordinary journey from Antarctica right through to the Arctic.
Where can you watch Jane McDonald: Pole to Pole
Jane McDonald: Pole to Pole is available to watch on Channel 5 (UK), and of course available to stream on demand via the Channel 5 website.
What is Jane McDonald From Pole to Pole about?
The series sees Jane travelling aboard Scenic Eclipse and Emerald Sakara, two ultra-luxury expedition yachts that redefine what cruising can look like. Across hour-long episodes, viewers are taken through a wide range of destinations, including:
- Antarctica
- South Georgia
- The Falkland Islands
- Uruguay
- Brazil
- Greece
- Italy
- Norway
- Svalbard
- The Arctic Circle
It’s a rare mix of bucket-list expedition cruising and classic European sailing, all wrapped up in Jane’s warm, down-to-earth presenting style.
Ultra-luxury at sea
One of the highlights of the series is just how much access viewers get to life onboard these ships. Scenic Eclipse in particular is positioned as a 6-star experience, and the show does not shy away from showing what that actually means.
From spacious suites and fine dining to onboard helicopters and submarines, this is expedition cruising without compromise. Jane fully embraces the experience, giving viewers a genuine sense of what makes these ships so different from traditional cruise liners.
Adventures beyond the ship
If you’ve seen any of Jane’s shows before, you know it’s not about the ship. Jane throws herself into the experience, whether that’s:
- Zodiac rides around ice-filled bays
- Getting up close to towering Antarctic icebergs
- Whale watching in remote waters
- Helicopter flights over dramatic landscapes
In one episode, Jane explores Winter Island by zodiac, encounters native wildlife, and visits Livingstone Island, all while learning more about the destinations and the ship itself.
A musical moment to finish
In true Jane McDonald fashion, each episode ends with her performing a song. It’s a small touch, but one that adds warmth and familiarity to a series that spans some of the most remote places on Earth.
It also helps set this apart from more documentary-style travel shows. This is about enjoyment, storytelling, and sharing the experience, not just ticking destinations off a list.
Inspiring travellers and the travel trade
The launch of From Pole to Pole has also been tied into incentives for travel agents, with Scenic offering the chance to win an eight-night Mediterranean cruise. According to Scenic Group Head of Sales Jonathan Davies, the aim is simple: to bring the excitement of the series directly to the travel trade and inspire agents in the same way viewers are inspired at home.
And honestly, it’s hard not to feel that pull. Watching Jane glide from Antarctica to the Arctic makes expedition cruising feel accessible, exciting, and surprisingly inviting.
Interested in more from Scenic? They’ve just announced a revolutionary new ship.
