Expedition Cruise Ships

The great news is there has never been a better time to explore the polar regions and remote locations with more ship choices than ever.

Over the last five years, we have seen the introduction of many new and exciting purpose-built expedition cruise ships, from the world’s first luxury icebreaker, Le Commandant Charcot, powered by LNG, to cutting-edge small ships like the Ocean Explorer and the Sylvia Earle, using the latest technology to make huge strides into the sustainability of expedition cruising. 

In 2022/2023, Antarctica alone received 71,346 visitors who participated in shore landings. Over 65 ships of different sizes visited Antarctica each year, and there has never been more choice.

Ultramarine is a purpose built expedition cruise ship with onboard helicopters

So What Is An Expedition Cruise Ship?

Think of an expedition cruise ship as your portal into exploring a remote and hard-to-reach destination, such as Antarctica. Picture an expedition vessel acting like a floating base camp to give you access rather than a traditional cruise, which just visits ports.

Expedition cruise ships are often small, allowing access to places larger ones can’t reach. They are highly manoeuvrable, packed with safety features and built for purpose with ice-strengthened hulls and powerful engines.  

Expedition vessels are staffed by expert guides and naturalists who take guests exploring. They are equipped with inflatable Zodiac boats for shore visits in remote places, and Zodiac rides to get close to wildlife for a truly out-of-this-world experience.

What’s The difference between a cruise and an expedition ship?

The main difference between a traditional cruise ship and an expedition vessel is its size. Often, cruise ships take upwards of 2000 guests per voyage and focus on port calls only. On the other hand, Expedition vessels average between 150 and 200 guests and concentrate on exploring remote destinations by Zodiac without making port calls.

The experience on an expedition cruise is geared toward exploring and undertaking adventurous activities such as kayaking, camping on the ice, snowshoeing, and dog sledging in Greenland.

Another key difference is that vessels visiting the polar regions have ice-strengthened hulls, which allow them to sail in between pack ice, something you will not do on a regular cruise.

The Greg Mortimer is specially designed to take small groups exploring in the polar regions

Here are our top considerations when choosing your ship:

Size and Guest Capacity

One of the most important considerations is the size and overall guest capacity. As a rule of thumb, the smaller the guest capacity, the more time is spent off-ship exploring.

Expert Tip: Smaller ships with guest capacities under 200 often make more shore landings and offer more activities. If you want to maximise your time exploring, choose a small vessel with 75- 150 guests.

Larger ships that take over 200 guests must be divided into groups; not all groups can disembark simultaneously.

Antarctica and Svalbard sites are restricted to 100 guests per landing at a time. For me, exploring the polar regions is all about exploring off the vessel so that you will get a better experience on a small vessel.

200 – 500 Guests – Large Ships

Guests are divided into onboard and offboard groups. You will unlikely do more than one activity or landing per day, so be prepared to spend more time onboard.

130 – 199 Guests – Medium Ships

Some vessels with up to 199 guests, such as Ultramarine, can disembark all guests simultaneously. In Antarctica, one group of guests will visit the shore while the others do Zodiac rides and activities.

50 – 130 Guests – Small Ships

Smaller options, such as the Magellan Explorer, often do more than one activity and landing per day. They have an excellent guest-to-guide ratio and enough space in the Zodiacs for all guests, making the vessel’s operations much faster.

50 – 12 – Micro Ships

In the Arctic, micro-sized yachts take as few as 12 guests. These trips offer the best experience for wildlife watchers and photographers who want to spend maximum time outdoors.

Number Of Zodiacs

An integral part of an expedition cruise is an exploration with the guide team driving the Zodiacs. It’s worth noting how many Zodiacs an expedition vessel is equipped with, as this may alter the number of shore landings and Zodiac rides you will have.

Often, a Zodiac seats ten guests. So if a ship has 20 Zodiacs and takes 200 guests, all guests can participate in Zodiac rides and shore visits at the same time.

If a vessel that takes 200 guests only has 10 Zodiacs, guests will be divided into larger groups, and more time will be spent onboard.

Style: Modern, Authentic, Luxury or Icebreaker

It’s worth considering the style of the ship you would like to travel on, which is divided into four categories: authentic, modern, luxury, and Icebreaker.

Classic

These older, classic expedition ships often offer the best prices without compromising the expedition experience. They are geared towards adventure and exploration, but don’t expect balcony cabins, fine dining or many amenities. Instead, choose to be part of a small, adventurous group. Classic vessels such as MV Ushuaia, ​MV Plancius, MV Ortelius and Sea Spirit deliver outstanding small-ship expeditions with under 110 guests in the polar regions.

Modern

Modern expedition vessels bridge the gap between classic and luxury ships. A flurry of new expedition ships have been built in the last few years. Many new options, such as Ocean Explorer, Sylvia Earle, Greg Mortimer, and Ocean Albatross, feature the futuristic X-bow design.

This new generation features improved environmental credentials and fuel efficiency and is designed to reduce movement in heavy seas.

These purpose-built expedition vessels have been designed around the expedition experience. They feature all-balcony cabins to take in the sweeping views, options for solo travellers, and two dining options. They offer maximum adventure with a range of activity options and high levels of comfort without being a luxury.

Luxury

Luxury expedition ships fuse exploration with the best comfort levels in the polar regions (often the highest price tag).

Scenic Eclipse features 8 fine dining options and 6-star service, including your own butler and luxury suites. Silver Endeavour is one of the most expensive expedition ships ever built, with gourmet restaurants and indoor and outdoor pools and spas.

Consider a luxury option if you are looking for maximum indulgence whilst exploring.

Icebreaker

For the ultimate thrill, consider exploring on an icebreaking ship. Le Commandant Charcot is a one-of-a-kind, purpose-built luxury icebreaker capable of reaching extreme locations such as the Geographic North Pole. It combines polar exploration in the most extreme frontiers on Earth with luxury expedition cruising for the ultimate adventure. I joined an expedition to the sea ice of East Greenland in April, and it was one of my best experiences exploring the polar regions.

Activities

When choosing an expedition vessel, consider the activities. Often, the smaller options have more in-depth activity programs, such as sea kayaking and camping in Antarctica. Other ships offer helicopter flightseeing and specialist activities such as polar trekking.

If you are a sea kayaker, ships such as Sylvia Earle and Sea Spirit offer specialist, comprehensive sea kayaking programmes with daily paddling expeditions for seasoned kayakers. A variety of vessels also offer paddling excursions for those with no experience.

If you are a keen adventurer, choose an option that offers base camp activities such as hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing.

If camping is on your bucket list, choose a cruise line that offers the option of spending the night sleeping on the ice.

Is gaining an aerial perspective of interest? Ultramarine and Scenic Eclipse are equipped with twin-engine helicopters that offer travellers awe-inspiring aerial views and heli-hiking.

Le Commandant Charcot can access remote Inuit villages in east Greenland, which opens up some unique activities. Try dog sledding with local Inuit guides, ice fishing, or an overnight polar track.

No matter which option you choose, you will likely have an opportunity for a polar plunge, which is included on most polar cruises, subject to weather conditions.

No matter your preferred activity, our team of Polar pros are here to help you match your desired activity with a ship. Please get in touch here.

Onboard Experience and Amenities

Another factor to consider when choosing your expedition vessel is the choice of onboard amenities, which vary across different cruise lines.

Authentic ships with a classic style often have a single dining option, lounge bar, and lecture lounge. Many cabins feature portholes and windows rather than balconies.

Modern ships are equipped with greater creature comforts. Standard features include panoramic saunas, spa areas, fitness centres, and on-deck hot pools to soak in the sweeping views. Some feature wrap-around promenade decks to stroll while soaking in the exhilarating views. Many cabins have balconies.

Luxury ships are equipped with multiple fine dining options, all-suite balcony cabins and elegant interiors, and a selection of vessels featuring indoor and outdoor pools and extensive spa facilities.  

Le Commandant Charcot features a luxurious heated lagoon on its outer deck

Environmental Considerations

The polar regions are some of the most fragile places on Earth. We fully support our partners in their work to minimise their impact.

When choosing your ship, consider the environmental impact. Modern options such as the Sylvia Earle and National Geographic Explorer have advanced sustainability. Electric engines reduce underwater noise, and there is a transition towards cleaner fuels with lower fuel consumption. Advanced waste management and GPS positioning to avoid anchoring all help to leave no trace.

Le Commandant Charcot is the first expedition vessel to be powered by LNG, which has hugely reduced particle emissions. Cruise lines are actively working towards reducing their emissions faster than any other travel sector.

Itinerary

Your choice of itinerary and dates will also influence your choice of ship.

Common routes, such as the Antarctic Peninsula from Ushuaia and Svalbard expeditions, offer many choices and availability.

Less trodden routes, such as a traverse of the Northwest Passage and Antarctica’s remote Ross Sea region, have a smaller choice and availability, so advanced booking is essential.  

Remember, with Polar Escapes, you can search the world’s largest selection of polar cruises and tours to help you find that perfect trip.

Highly Recommended Expedition Cruise Ships Chosen By Us

Magellan Explorer

One of the smallest in Antarctica, the Magellan Explorer, takes 75 guests on fly-and-cruise expeditions to explore the Antarctic Peninsula comfortably. See curious penguins, sea lions, and whales in their natural habitat.

Ultramarine

A brand new medium-sized ice-strengthened vessel, Ultramarine, is designed around active exploration. It features twin helicopters, four Zodiac embarkation points, and sea kayaks and paddleboards for adventurous guests.

Sylvia Earle

Featuring the X Bow design, Sylvia Earle is the first ship in Antarctica to achieve carbon neutrality. This intimate ship delivers outstanding expeditions and a wide range of activities.

Le Commandant Charcot

As the world’s first luxury icebreaker and the only purpose-built cruise ship to reach the Geographic North Pole, Le Commandant Charcot is at the forefront of polar exploration and allows an opportunity to discover the most remote areas on the planet.

Ocean Albatross

A modern, small ship featuring a Scandinavian design with an excellent range of itineraries in the Arctic and Antarctic. Ocean Albatross is a perfect fit for guests looking for an intimate group size in some of the world’s most remote places.

Sea Spirit

A classic small expedition ship with 120 guests, Sea Spirit offers authentic expeditions to Svalbard, Greenland, and the Arctic. If you are looking for an intimate experience on an older-style vessel, this could be for you.

Have you yet to see the option you are looking for? With Polar Escapes, you can search our fleet of over 65 expedition ships.

Choosing The Right Ship for You

At Polar Escapes, we have years of expertise in helping our clients find their perfect expedition ship. We know firsthand all the latest expedition vessels in the polar regions. From National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions to Huritgruten and Quark, we have the largest portfolio of expedition cruise lines.

As a next step why not read our guide to 35 Best Expedition Cruise Ships?

Why not contact our team of Polar pros? Our advice is free of charge and without obligation, and we always secure the best price for your expedition cruise.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Happy Exploring.