Ushuaia
Antarpply Expeditions' ice-strengthened small ship carries up to 90 guests in 46 cabins and suites, with an open bridge, broad outer decks and a practical Zodiac-led expedition programme.
- 90 guestsCAPACITYINSB CICE CLASS
POLAR TRAVEL TRIBEEXPEDITION SHIP LIBRARY
Polar Expedition Ships
Compare ship size, ice class, operating regions, cabins and life on board before choosing your polar voyage.
Classic small expedition ship
Luxury polar icebreaker
Le Commandant Charcot
PONANT's PC2 hybrid-electric icebreaker combines access to the North Pole and other high-ice destinations with French dining, extensive wellness facilities and two working science laboratories.
- Up to 245 CAPACITYPC2ICE CLASS
Contemporary small expedition ship
Ocean Explorer
Ocean Explorer is a modern polar vessel for up to 138 guests, pairing an Ulstein X-BOW with generous observation space, a two-storey lounge and predominantly balcony accommodation.
- About 138 guestsCAPACITY1A/PC6ICE CLASS
All-suite expedition ship
World Explorer
World Explorer carries up to 172 guests in all-suite accommodation and balances Zodiac exploration with a glass-domed observation lounge, running track, spa and outdoor pool.
- About 172 guestsCAPACITY1BICE CLASS
X-BOW expedition ship
Ocean Victory
Ocean Victory is a PC6 expedition ship for up to 189 guests, designed around the Ulstein X-BOW, hydraulic activity platforms and multiple indoor and outdoor viewing areas.
- About 175 guestsCAPACITYPC6ICE CLASS
X-BOW expedition ship
Ocean Albatros
Ocean Albatros is a PC6 new-generation expedition ship for up to 189 guests, with the Ulstein X-BOW, two hydraulic platforms, panoramic lounges and a broad choice of cabins.
- About 189 guestsCAPACITYPC6ICE CLASS
Small X-BOW expedition ship
Sylvia Earle
Aurora Expeditions' Sylvia Earle carries an average of 132 guests on polar voyages and combines an Ulstein X-BOW with a dedicated Citizen Science Centre, activity platforms and extensive outer decks.
- About 130 guestsCAPACITYPC6ICE CLASS
Small X-BOW expedition ship
Greg Mortimer
Greg Mortimer is Aurora Expeditions' purpose-built X-BOW ship, carrying an average of 132 guests on polar voyages with four Zodiac boarding points and a strong activity-led programme.
- About 130 guestsCAPACITYPC6ICE CLASS
Classic small expedition ship
Plancius
Converted from a Dutch naval research vessel, Plancius carries 108 guests and prioritises frequent landings, Zodiac cruising and wildlife watching over resort-style amenities.
- 108 guestsCAPACITY1DICE CLASS
All-suite small expedition ship
Sea Spirit
Sea Spirit is a comfortable all-suite expedition ship for up to 114 guests, offering spacious accommodation, broad outdoor viewing areas and a practical fleet of Zodiacs.
- 114 guestsCAPACITYIce-strengthened hullICE CLASS
PC6 expedition ship
MS Seaventure
Seaventure is a PC6 polar vessel for up to 139 guests, combining a compact expedition scale with two restaurants, a sauna, fitness room and a dedicated Citizen Science laboratory.
- About 149 guestsCAPACITY1A / E4ICE CLASS
Five-star boutique expedition ship
SH Diana
Swan Hellenic's SH Diana carries 192 guests and blends a PC6 hull with spacious observation lounges, a swimming pool, panoramic sauna, laboratory and expedition basecamp.
- About 192 guestsCAPACITYPC6ICE CLASS
Five-star boutique expedition ship
SH Vega
SH Vega is a PC5 boutique expedition ship for 152 guests, with panoramic social spaces, an infinity pool, sauna, laboratory and a strong programme of cultural and scientific interpretation.
- About 152 guestsCAPACITYPC5ICE CLASS
All-suite boutique expedition yacht
World Voyager
World Voyager is an approximately 168-guest, all-suite expedition yacht combining an ice-strengthened hull with refined dining, panoramic lounges, a spa and Zodiac operations.
- About 168 guestsCAPACITY1BICE CLASS
Classic ice-strengthened expedition ship
Ortelius
Originally built for scientific work, Ortelius is a robust 108-guest expedition ship with a high open-deck profile, a fleet of Zodiacs and an activity-first approach to polar travel.
- About 108 guestsCAPACITYUL1 / 1AICE CLASS
Boutique Antarctic air-cruise ship
Magellan Explorer
Magellan Explorer was purpose-built for Antarctica21's air-cruise programme and carries up to 73 guests, with mostly balcony cabins, a glass-enclosed observation lounge and a compact expedition layout.
- About 76 guestsCAPACITYPC6ICE CLASS
Small Antarctic expedition ship
Ocean Nova
Ocean Nova is an ice-strengthened expedition ship carrying 78 guests on Antarctic air-cruises, valued for its compact size, shallow draught and straightforward Zodiac operations.
- 78 guestsCAPACITY1B / EO (1A hull)ICE CLASS
French boutique expedition ship
L’Austral
PONANT's L'Austral combines French hospitality and 132 cabins and suites with polar expedition operations; Antarctic departures normally carry no more than 200 guests.
- 264 guestsCAPACITY1CICE CLASS
Classic small expedition ship
G Expedition
G Expedition is a practical 128-guest, 1A ice-class ship with a large international expedition team, multiple observation decks and a programme centred on landings, wildlife and onboard interpretation.
- 128 guestsCAPACITY1AICE CLASS
Helicopter-supported modern expedition ship
Ultramarine
Quark Expeditions' 199-guest flagship deploys two twin-engine helicopters and 20 Zodiacs from four embarkation points, alongside 102 suites and extensive wellness facilities.
- 199 guestsCAPACITYPC6 / 1A+ICE CLASS
New-generation X-BOW expedition ship
Douglas Mawson
Launched for Aurora Expeditions in 2025, Douglas Mawson carries no more than 130 guests on polar voyages and offers an X-BOW, Citizen Science Centre, pool, two hot tubs and several solo cabin categories.
- Up to 130 guests on polar voyagesCAPACITYPC6 / 1AICE CLASS
Boutique Antarctic air-cruise ship
Magellan Discoverer
Designed for Antarctica21 and scheduled to enter service in the 2026–27 season, Magellan Discoverer will carry 76 guests in 40 balcony cabins and include a 360-degree walking deck and wet science laboratory.
- 76 guestsCAPACITYPolar CodeICE CLASS
All-suite boutique expedition yacht
World Navigator
World Navigator is a 198-guest expedition yacht with 100 suites, Art Deco-inspired interiors, panoramic viewing areas, an open bridge and SeaSpa by L'OCCITANE.
- Up to 198 guestsCAPACITY1B / Polar Category CICE CLASS
All-suite boutique expedition yacht
World Traveller
World Traveller is a 198-guest expedition yacht with 100 suites, warm Italian-inspired interiors, panoramic observation areas, an open bridge and full dining and spa facilities.
- Up to 198 guestsCAPACITY1B / Polar Category CICE CLASS
Luxury all-suite expedition ship
Silver Cloud
Silversea's first crossover expedition ship combines all-suite butler service with 20 Zodiacs, ten kayaks, four dining venues and private verandas on about 80 percent of its suites.
- 254 guestsCAPACITY1CICE CLASS
Luxury all-suite expedition ship
Silver Wind
Converted for expedition service in 2021, Silver Wind combines an ice-strengthened hull, 24 Zodiacs and ten kayaks with four dining venues, layered observation spaces and Silversea's all-suite butler service.
- 274 guestsCAPACITYIce-strengthenedICE CLASS
PC6 luxury expedition ship
Silver Endeavour
Silver Endeavour is Silversea's PC6 polar flagship for 220 guests and 207 crew, with private balconies on every suite, multiple restaurants and lounges, two mudrooms and Otium Spa.
- 220 guestsCAPACITYPC6ICE CLASS
Five-star boutique expedition ship
SH Minerva
SH Minerva is a 152-guest PC5 boutique expedition ship with 76 cabins, a panoramic sauna, infinity pool, laboratory and stargazing deck, supported by 117 shipboard staff.
- 152 guestsCAPACITYPC5ICE CLASS
French boutique expedition ship
Le Boréal
PONANT's Le Boreal has 132 cabins and suites and carries no more than 200 guests on polar voyages, combining French dining with a theatre, spa, pool and marina platform.
- 264 guests; up to 200 on polar voyagesCAPACITY1CICE CLASS
French boutique expedition ship
Le Lyrial
PONANT's Le Lyrial carries up to 245 guests in 122 cabins and suites, 114 of them with private balconies, and combines French dining with a theatre, spa, pool and expedition operations.
- Up to 245 guestsCAPACITY1CICE CLASS
French boutique expedition ship
Le Soléal
PONANT's Le Soleal has 132 cabins and suites and normally carries no more than 200 guests on polar voyages, supported by 145 crew and a full range of lounges, dining and wellness facilities.
- 264 guests; up to 200 on polar voyagesCAPACITY1CICE CLASS
Small all-outside expedition ship
MV Discoverer
Polar Latitudes' MV Discoverer carries 140 guests in all-outside accommodation and pairs a wraparound observation deck with panoramic lounges, outdoor jacuzzis and a complete Zodiac expedition programme.
- 140 guestsCAPACITY1A / Polar CodeICE CLASS
Small Svalbard expedition ship
M/S Quest
M/S Quest carries 53 guests and combines a panoramic lounge, open observation decks and Zodiac operations with the flexible scale of a small Arctic expedition ship.
- 53 guestsCAPACITYIce-strengthened hullICE CLASS
Classic 12-guest micro-expedition ship
M/S Stockholm
Built in 1953 and comprehensively converted in 1998, M/S Stockholm offers just 12 guests a highly personal Arctic voyage with two guides, two Zodiacs, an open bridge and classic maritime interiors.
- 12 guestsCAPACITYIce-strengthened hullICE CLASS
Classic 12-guest boutique expedition ship
M/S Sjøveien
M/S Sjøveien carries 12 guests in eight en-suite outside cabins and combines spacious wooden decks, an open bridge, a wood-fired hot tub and two Zodiacs.
- 12 guestsCAPACITYIce-strengthened hullICE CLASS
Historic Royal Mail Ship converted for expedition travel
St. Helena
St. Helena carries 98 guests in 51 cabins with 81 crew, 12 Zodiacs and an active science programme, bringing the space and character of a former Royal Mail Ship to Antarctic voyages.
- 98 guestsCAPACITYPolar Code Category CICE CLASS
High-ice-class National Geographic expedition ship
National Geographic Endurance
National Geographic Endurance is a 138-guest PC5 Category A ship with an X-BOW, open bridge, remotely operated vehicle, undersea specialist and more than 10,000 square feet of glass.
- 138 guestsCAPACITYPC5 Category AICE CLASS
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