Ocean Nova

• A small ship expedition vessel for 78 passengers, providing personal service and an authentic small ship experience in the world’s most remote polar regions.
• An ice-strengthened hull with a 1B ice classification allows for safe navigation through polar and arctic waters. A 3.5-meter draft enables access to remote coves and wilderness areas.
• An expert expedition team with polar experience provides wildlife encounters, educational presentations, and guided Zodiac excursions to maximise your polar adventure.

Why Choose Ocean Nova

Ocean Nova is the perfect balance of adventure and comfort for the discerning polar traveller. This thoughtfully designed small ship offers an intimate alternative to larger cruise ships, fostering a sense of community where lasting friendships are formed.

Built in Denmark and completely refurbished in 2006, Ocean Nova combines polar reliability with modern comfort. Her officers have decades of experience navigating in the Arctic and Antarctic, ensuring safe passage through ice.

Ocean Nova is one of the smallest expedition ships, accommodating a maximum of 78 passengers. A great benefit is that everyone can disembark at the same time via Zodiac with no waiting for their turn to get ashore. This means more time on shore for wildlife encounters, visiting research stations and exploring landscapes that larger ships can’t access.

Ocean Nova’s shallow draft opens up hidden fjords, secluded beaches and protected bays where polar wildlife thrives undisturbed. The expedition team selects landing sites based on weather, ice conditions and wildlife activity, crafting unique itineraries that showcase each destination’s natural wonders.

Dining on Ocean Nova

Ocean Nova features a single-seating spacious dining room where all passengers gather, fostering the expedition spirit of shared discovery. Located on the upper deck with large windows, meals become a scenic experience as you dine surrounded by polar vistas.

The galley serves hearty, wholesome food to fuel your polar adventures. Breakfast options include continental, hot dishes and fresh fruit to start your day. Lunch features warm soups, sandwiches and main courses after morning landings.

Dinner becomes a social highlight where you share the day’s discoveries over a carefully prepared meal. The kitchen can accommodate dietary requirements with advance notice, so everyone can enjoy satisfying food throughout the voyage.

Open seating encourages mingling with the expedition staff and fellow passengers, creating an intimate dining atmosphere that is characteristic of small-ship expedition cruising. Hot drinks, snacks and light refreshments are available throughout the day between meals.

Cabin Options on Ocean Nova

Ocean Nova has comfortable exterior cabins designed for expedition cruising and guest comfort. Every cabin features an ocean view picture window, ensuring you never miss the chance to spot a wildlife sighting or take in the spectacular scenery.

Twin Cabins accommodate two guests in lower beds that can be configured as twins or converted to a double upon request. Each cabin has a writing desk with a chair, a quiet space to journal your polar experiences or review the day’s photos.

Triple Cabins offer flexible accommodation for small groups or families, with two lower beds and an upper berth. The spacious triple cabin features the same amenities and comfort standards as twin cabins.

All cabins feature individual climate control, allowing you to adjust the temperature to your comfort level after a cold day ashore. Private en-suite facilities include a shower, toilet, and wash basin, plus storage for expedition gear and personal belongings.

Cabin décor reflects the ship’s expedition heritage with practical, nautical-inspired furnishings that can withstand polar conditions while maintaining a warm atmosphere. Portholes or picture windows in every cabin, allowing you to enjoy polar views from the comfort of your own cabin.

Onboard Experience

Ocean Nova creates an authentic expedition atmosphere where the destination is the focus. The glass-enclosed observation lounge is the social heart of the ship, offering 360-degree views and comfortable seating for wildlife watching, socialising, and educational presentations.

The lounge features large windows, perfect for spotting whales, seabirds, and other polar wildlife. This space changes throughout the day – morning briefings, afternoon lectures, evening recaps and informal gatherings all take place here.

Additional facilities include a polar library with guidebooks, natural history references and expedition literature to help you understand the regions you visit. The small fitness area enables you to stay active on sea days, and a qualified medical professional staffs the ship’s clinic to ensure passenger health and safety.

The bar is a cosy spot for pre-dinner drinks and evening socialising. After a day of exploring ashore, passengers unwind here, sharing stories and planning tomorrow’s adventures with new friends and expedition staff.

Activities & Excursions

Ocean Nova’s expedition program is centred around Zodiac landings that get you up close and personal with polar wilderness. The ship has a fleet of rigid inflatable boats operated by experienced expedition guides who ensure safe and memorable shore visits to remote areas. Wildlife viewing opportunities vary by destination, but are always incredible. In Antarctica, see vast penguin colonies, lounging leopard seals and breaching humpback whales. Arctic voyages reveal polar bears hunting on sea ice, massive walrus colonies and diverse seabird populations.

Guided nature walks take small groups across tundra landscapes for intimate wildlife photography and botanical discoveries. Expedition guides share their expertise in glaciology, ornithology, marine biology, and polar history through shore-side presentations.

Photography workshops help you capture professional-quality images of polar landscapes and large animals, also known as megafauna. The expedition team provides technical advice on equipment, composition and the challenges of polar photography.

Cultural encounters add a human dimension to polar exploration. Visit Arctic communities to learn about traditional hunting and fishing practices, while Antarctic voyages may include visits to active research stations where scientists share their current polar research projects.

Destinations

Ocean Nova explores both the Arctic and Antarctic regions, accessing remote areas that are beyond the reach of larger expedition vessels. Her ice-strengthened hull and shallow draft get you into hidden gems throughout the polar world.

Arctic Expeditions offers a choice of exploring Greenland’s pristine fjord systems, where massive glaciers calve icebergs into crystal-clear waters, or the Canadian High Arctic. Traverse the legendary Northwest Passage, following in the footsteps of famous polar explorers.

Antarctic Adventures focuses on the Peninsula region, where massive penguin colonies thrive in stunning mountain scenery. Deception Island’s volcanic caldera offers unique landing opportunities, while the Lemaire Channel is some of Antarctica’s most photographed scenery.

Specialised Itineraries include Antarctica air cruise options that skip the Drake Passage, maximising time exploring Antarctica’s wilderness. These unique programs combine charter flights with expedition cruising for efficient and comfortable access to the White Continent.

Ocean Nova’s expeditions are flexible, adapting daily schedules to weather conditions, ice situations and wildlife activity. This ensures the best possible experience while maintaining the safety standards required for polar exploration.