Teenage agent heads to Antarctica for scholarship expedition cruise

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Sarah Meadowcroft and Laila Ashley in the Canadian Arctic

A 19-year-old travel agent has embarked on an epic five-week expedition to Antarctica as part of a scholarship scheme.

Laila Ashley, who works with her mum Sarah Meadowcroft at their Wirral-based independent agency Global Travel & Cruise, set off earlier this week for New Zealand, and has joined the voyage with Heritage Expeditions cruise line.

Sailing from Queenstown, the cruise on Heritage Adventurer is called In the Wake of Scott & Shackleton: Ross Sea Antarctica, and runs from February 5-March 4.

She will be travelling to Antarctica and the Ross Ice Shelf via the Subantarctic Islands with a team of biologists, geologists and historians. They will see the world’s largest Adelie penguin colony, visit the historic huts of Scott and Shackleton and walk on the ice with Emperor penguins.

As she won her place on Young Explorer scholarship scheme, the cruise cost NZ$18,975 (about £8,500) while the price to the public was NZ$53,500 (more than £23,000).

She has worked in the two-branch family-run agency since the age of 16, handling marketing and social media, and has already visited the Arctic and Antarctic with her mum, mostly to take footage to post online.

Ashley said she is “thrilled” to have been selected for the scholarship to help raise awareness of climate change and sustainability issues with Heritage Expeditions.

“I don’t know anyone else in my age group who does anything like this. It’s a cool thing,” she said.

Sarah and Laila in Greenland

Ashley will be documenting her experiences on Facebook and LinkedIn plus Instagram and TikTok where her handles are lailaaxis.

When she returns, she will speak at Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) events in the UK in April and September to further spread the message about Antarctica.

Meadowcroft joined ECN a couple of years ago and won the organisation’s award for Best Individual Newcomer to Expedition Cruise in November 2024.

“I have really found my niche,” said Meadowcroft.

“I have been on various expeditions and got the chance to go to Antarctica about 18 months ago with HX. Laila came with me to do all the filming.”

The pair also visited Iceland and Greenland with National Geographic last August, and voyaged as far as 80 degrees north.

“This is a really special scholarship, provided by Heritage to increase awareness of Antarctica, preservation, the environment and wildlife. Laila is extremely lucky – and I am very jealous!” said Meadowcroft.

Commenting on the cost of the trip, they agreed it was an “investment” as they can share the experiences with clients and younger people.

“She’s on a mission to get expedition out there with her generation,” added Meadowhall. “It is important to have young people sharing it – onboard, it is so focused on sustainability and education.

“It is a real, immersive learning experience.

“After Covid, that changed everyone and clients want an experience.”

Global Travel & Cruise has branches in West Kirby and Neston and specialises in high-end luxury, cruise and tailor-made tours.