London, June 2026 – What lies beneath one of the most remote and least explored regions on Earth? While many expedition cruises showcase wildlife and landscapes above the Arctic waterline, Expedition Micro Cruise specialist Secret Atlas is increasingly contributing to our understanding of what exists below it.

During a recent Svalbard expedition with 12 guests onboard, marine scientist Dr Paige Maroni and subsea engineer Tim MacDonald joined Secret Atlas to deploy remotely operated vehicle (ROV) technology to investigate Arctic seafloor ecosystems that have rarely, if ever, been surveyed. A 2026 honouree of The Explorers Club 50, Dr Maroni's research has led to remarkable discoveries, including previously unidentified underwater species which can be seen in Secret Atlas's exclusive film, Under the Arctic.

The unique Expedition Micro Cruise model makes this possible. Operating aboard MV Vikingfjord and MV Freya, ice-strengthened expedition vessels carrying just 12 guests, Secret Atlas can access remote fjords and rarely visited waterways that larger ships cannot reach, resulting in groundbreaking findings.

And unlike traditional research voyages, Secret Atlas integrates science directly into the guest experience. Scientists brief guests in the ship's lounge before deployments while submersibles are launched and recovered from the deck. Footage from beneath the Arctic surface is reviewed and discussed live, allowing travellers to see scientific discovery as it happens and become among the first people in the world to witness these remote underwater habitats.

Michele D'Agostino, Secret Atlas Co-Founder said, “What makes our Expedition Micro Cruises different is that guests don't just visit the Arctic, they become part of a journey of exploration and learning. Our scientists and expedition team work alongside guests throughout the voyage, sharing the realities of conducting research in one of the world's most remote environments. By bringing travellers closer to the scientific process, we create a deeper connection to the Arctic and greater understanding of why polar research matters.”

Secret Atlas is offering guests the chance to join Dr Paige Maroni on an Expedition Micro Cruise to Greenland in September 2026 and gain behind-the-scenes insight into Arctic research while witnessing scientific discovery in real time.

The Northeast Greenland National Park Micro Cruise departs on 10th September 2026 onboard MV Freya and costs from £18,400 per person. The 13-day trip offers a unique adventure into Northeast Greenland National Park, the world's largest national park, and Scoresbysund, the longest fjord system on Earth, both rich with Arctic wildlife including polar bears, reindeer, musk oxen, and narwhals.

Price includes exclusive charter flight from Keflavik Airport (KEF) to Constable Point in Scoresbysund (CNP), overnight hotel accommodation and dinner on return to Iceland, bespoke Meet and Greet Service at Keflavik plus additional luggage on the charter flight. Price is per person and based on double occupancy in a twin or double cabin. To book, visit Northeast Greenland National Park Micro Cruise | Only 12 Guests.

Discover more about Secret Atlas at www.secretatlas.com. For more information on Dr Paige Maroni and why she chose to work with Secret Atlas, visit Dr Paige Maroni | Pioneering Polar Science with Secret Atlas.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

To arrange an interview with Michele D'Agostino, Dr Paige Maroni or Tim MacDonald, please contact Sarah Salord at GEC PR on sarah@gecpr.co.uk.

Media Captions (from left to right):

• Image 1 – Secret Atlas Expedition Micro Cruises allow scientists and expedition teams to work in locations larger vessels cannot safely or practically access. Photographer Ross Dixon. Photo Credit Secret Atlas.
• Image 2 – Marine Scientist Dr Paige Maroni and Subsea Engineer Tim MacDonald deploy remotely operated vehicle (ROV) technology to investigate Arctic seafloor ecosystems that have rarely, if ever, been surveyed. Photographer Ross Dixon. Photo Credit Secret Atlas.
• Image 3 – A group take a zodiac cruise in Greenland. Photographer Giancarlo Gallinoro. Photo Credit Secret Atlas.

High-res images downloaded from Under the Arctic,

About Secret Atlas

Launched in 2019 and run by Explorers for Explorers, Secret Atlas trips are curated for people that want to enjoy the spirit of exploration and be a part of an intimate experience rather than joining an overcrowded commercial cruise. Secret Atlas pioneering Expedition Micro Cruises take the smallest group sizes in the Arctic (only 12 guests) and Antarctic (only 44 guests) offering guests an authentic, unrivalled experience free from the crowds of larger vessels. To find out more about Secret Atlas, visit www.secretatlas.com.

About Dr Paige Maroni

Dr Paige Maroni is a polar and deep-sea biologist specialising in the exploration of some of Earth's most remote marine environments. An Adjunct Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia and Co-Founder of Polar BLAST, she partners with Secret Atlas to conduct pioneering Arctic research aboard Expedition Micro Cruises, using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and other innovative technologies to document seafloor biodiversity in Svalbard and Greenland. In recognition of her contributions to polar and deep-sea exploration, Dr Maroni was named a 2026 honouree of The Explorers Club 50, which celebrates individuals whose work is shaping the future of science, exploration and conservation.

About Tim Macdonald

Tim MacDonald is a subsea engineer and ocean explorer specialising in underwater robotics and deep-ocean technology. As co-founder of Polar BLAST, he works alongside marine scientist Dr Paige Maroni to investigate some of the world's least explored marine environments, including the Arctic waters of Svalbard and Greenland. Tim is responsible for designing, adapting and operating the remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) used to survey and document previously unseen seafloor habitats, helping scientists gather critical data from regions that are difficult to access. Prior to his work in the Arctic, Tim became the deepest-diving Australian in history after reaching Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench aboard the world's first reusable full-ocean-depth submersible.

Contact Details

For media enquiries, images and press trips contact:

Sarah Salord

GEC PR

020 3907 6824

secretatlas@gecpr.co.uk