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Ocean Albatros expedition ship in polar waters

Ship library

Compare polar expedition ships before choosing a departure.

The ship shapes the trip: guest count, landing speed, cabin style, stabilizers, onboard comfort, and adventure options all matter in polar waters.

Small shipsLuxuryFly-cruiseSolo cabinsBalcony cabins

66° Expeditions / Premium purpose-built polar expedition ship

SEAVENTURE

SEAVENTURE is 66° Expeditions' 150-guest polar vessel, originally purpose-built for high-latitude exploration and renovated in 2025. Its 1A Super ice class, 15 Zodiacs and strong outdoor observation areas support Arctic and Antarctic operations, while 82 cabins, an expedition lounge, pool, sauna and restaurant provide a comfortable expedition base.

150 guests / 82 cabins1A SuperOfficial source reviewed
Sailings from$6,596View verified profile

G Adventures / Small-group polar expedition ship

Expedition

G Adventures' refurbished Expedition is a 102-metre, Ice Class 1A polar ship carrying a maximum of 128 guests. Its small-group setup, 14 expedition guides and Zodiac program are designed to put guests ashore frequently when conditions permit, with an informal community atmosphere rather than a traditional luxury-cruise format.

128 guests / 70 cabinsIce Class 1AOfficial source reviewed
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Atlas Ocean Voyages / Intimate luxury expedition yacht

World Navigator

World Navigator pairs a compact, under-200-guest expedition platform with 1940s-inspired modern design. Polar Category C capability, Zodiacs and broad observation areas support flexible landings, while all-inclusive dining, butler-served suites and SeaSpa create a polished yacht experience.

198 guests / 100 suites and stateroomsPolar Category C / Ice Class 1BOfficial source reviewed
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Atlas Ocean Voyages / Intimate luxury expedition yacht

World Traveller

World Traveller brings Atlas's small-yacht polar format to Antarctica with an Italian-inspired La Dolce Vita interior. Its ice-strengthened hull, Zodiac operations and observation decks are balanced by inclusive dining, a spa and residential-style suites.

198 guests / 100 suites and stateroomsPolar Category C / Ice Class 1BOfficial source reviewed
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Atlas Ocean Voyages / Intimate luxury expedition yacht

World Voyager

World Voyager is a 198-guest sister yacht with clean Nordic-inspired interiors and an ice-strengthened Polar Category C design. It combines High Arctic expedition capability with multiple close-to-water viewpoints and Atlas's inclusive small-yacht service.

198 guests / 100 suites and stateroomsPolar Category C / Ice Class 1BOfficial source reviewed
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PONANT / Luxury polar exploration vessel

Le Commandant Charcot

Le Commandant Charcot is PONANT's purpose-built high-polar exploration ship. Its PC2 hull, hybrid-electric propulsion using LNG, 16 Zodiacs and a 215-person crew support voyages deep into sea ice, while two restaurants, panoramic lounges, an indoor pool and the Blue Lagoon create a distinctly French luxury experience.

245 guests / 123 stateroomsPolar Class 2Official source reviewed
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PONANT / Luxury expedition sistership

L'Austral

L'Austral blends an intimate yacht atmosphere with an Ice Class 1C hull and an 11-Zodiac expedition setup. Six guest decks, predominantly balcony accommodation and French-inspired dining make it a refined base for Greenland, the Northwest Passage and Antarctica.

264 guests / 132 stateroomsIce Class 1COfficial source reviewed
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PONANT / Luxury expedition sistership

Le Lyrial

Le Lyrial is the most intimate member of PONANT's four luxury expedition sisterships, carrying up to 244 guests in 122 staterooms. Its Ice Class 1C capability, 11 Zodiacs and observation-friendly public rooms support voyages from Spitsbergen to the Antarctic Peninsula.

244 guests / 122 stateroomsIce Class 1COfficial source reviewed
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PONANT / Luxury expedition sistership

Le Boréal

Le Boréal helped define PONANT's small luxury expedition concept: 132 staterooms, an Ice Class 1C hull, 11 Zodiacs and a 145-person crew. Its compact size and marina platform suit Antarctic landings while the lounges, restaurants and spa retain a polished yacht character.

264 guests / 132 stateroomsIce Class 1COfficial source reviewed
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PONANT / Luxury expedition sistership

Le Soléal

Le Soléal is a French-flagged Ice Class 1C expedition yacht with 132 staterooms and 11 Zodiacs. On the Ross Sea route, its small-ship layout balances long-range expedition operations with balcony accommodation, French dining and panoramic public rooms.

264 guests / 132 stateroomsIce Class 1COfficial source reviewed
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PONANT / PONANT Explorer luxury expedition yacht

Le Bellot

Le Bellot is one of the 184-guest PONANT Explorers, combining an Ice Class 1C hull and Zodiac access with a notably intimate hotel footprint. Its signature Blue Eye underwater lounge, infinity pool and marina platform add a modern edge to Greenland and Canadian Arctic exploration.

184 guests / 92 stateroomsIce Class 1COfficial source reviewed
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Seabourn / Purpose-built ultra-luxury expedition ship

Seabourn Venture

Seabourn Venture pairs a PC6 polar hull with an all-suite, all-veranda layout. A 23-person Expedition Team, Zodiac operations, double kayaks and two custom-built submarines support exploration, while the Expedition Lounge, Bow Lounge and 270-degree Constellation Lounge keep the destination at the center of life on board.

264 guests / 132 suitesPolar Class 6Official source reviewed
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Seabourn / Purpose-built ultra-luxury expedition ship

Seabourn Pursuit

Sister ship to Seabourn Venture, Seabourn Pursuit brings the same PC6 capability, 132 all-veranda suites and expedition hardware to Antarctica. Zodiac landings and cruises are guided by the Expedition Team, with optional kayaking and submarine dives complementing a refined, small-ship onboard experience.

264 guests / 132 suitesPolar Class 6Official source reviewed
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Silversea / PC6 ultra-luxury expedition ship

Silver Endeavour

Built for polar exploration, Silver Endeavour combines a PC6 ice-class hull with advanced navigation and expedition equipment. Across eight public decks, every suite has a balcony, while a near one-to-one crew-to-guest ratio, multiple restaurants and broad observation spaces place it at the ultra-luxury end of expedition cruising.

220 guestsPolar Class 6Official source reviewed
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Silversea / Ice-class luxury expedition ship

Silver Wind

Silver Wind was converted for expedition work during its 2021 refurbishment. Its strengthened ice-class hull, 24-Zodiac fleet and 1:11 Zodiac-to-guest ratio support simultaneous exploration, while 239 crew, butler-served suites and classic Silversea dining retain the atmosphere of an intimate luxury ship.

274 guestsStrengthened ice-class hullOfficial source reviewed
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Silversea / Crossover luxury expedition ship

Silver Cloud

Silver Cloud is Silversea's crossover expedition ship, combining 254-guest scale with a high ratio of expedition experts and equipment. Its 20 Zodiacs and 10 kayaks enable broad simultaneous exploration, while four dining venues, butler service and verandas on roughly 80% of suites provide a refined base for longer Antarctic routes.

254 guestsIce-class expedition conversionOfficial source reviewed
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Quark Expeditions / Helicopter-equipped polar expedition ship

Ultramarine

Quark's purpose-built flagship pairs two twin-engine Airbus H145 helicopters with 20 quick-launching Zodiacs, a water-level hangar, four embarkation points and unusually spacious suites. Its long operational range and extensive viewing decks support deep polar itineraries, while the spa, sauna, fitness center and multiple lounges provide a comfortable base between landings.

199 guests1A+, Polar Class 6Official source reviewed
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Quark Expeditions / Modern small polar expedition ship

Ocean Explorer

The smallest ship in Quark's current fleet combines an Ulstein X-Bow with fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines and a light-filled two-story forward library. Almost all Scandinavian-style cabins have verandas, while 15 Zodiacs, high observation decks and a compact 138-guest capacity support efficient expedition operations.

138 guests1A, Polar Class 6Official source reviewed
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Quark Expeditions / All-suite Antarctic expedition ship

World Voyager

World Voyager is Quark's Antarctic-focused science and discovery ship. Every guest suite has a private balcony, and the vessel combines Rolls-Royce propulsion with multiple observation areas, a spa and a dedicated Science Hub where guests can engage with visiting researchers and expedition specialists.

168 guestsIce Class 1BOfficial source reviewed
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Polar Latitudes / Modern expedition ship

Ocean Albatros

A next-generation X-Bow expedition ship with most cabins offering private balconies, multiple observation areas, two outdoor Jacuzzis, a spa, sauna, gym, and fast Zodiac access through a large heated mudroom.

189 guestsIce Class 1A / Polar Class 6Official source reviewed
Sailings from$10,195+View verified profile

Polar Latitudes / Modern expedition ship

Ocean Victory

Sister ship to Ocean Albatros, designed around an X-Bow hull, generous viewing areas, two hydraulic platforms, outdoor Jacuzzis, wellness facilities, and efficient expedition boarding.

189 guestsIce Class 1A / Polar Class 6Official source reviewed
Sailings from$12,695+View verified profile

Polar Latitudes / Boutique expedition ship

MV Discoverer

A refurbished boutique expedition vessel with all-outside accommodations, many balcony or Juliet-balcony cabins, a wrap-around viewing deck, outdoor Jacuzzis, and a dedicated wellness area.

140 guestsIce Class 1AOfficial source reviewed
Sailings from$11,407+View verified profile

Polar Latitudes / Classic small expedition ship

Ocean Nova

A compact, classic expedition ship focused on small-group operations, fast landings, close wildlife viewing, and an intimate onboard atmosphere centered on its Panorama Lounge.

80 guestsSmall-ship expedition vesselOfficial source reviewed
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Swan Hellenic / Boutique expedition ship

SH Minerva

A Helsinki-built boutique expedition ship with a Polar Class 5 hull, generous observation spaces, expedition-ready boarding areas, and an intimate 152-guest layout.

152 guestsPolar Class 5Official source reviewed
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Swan Hellenic / Boutique expedition ship

SH Vega

A small Polar Class 5 expedition ship designed for close-to-the-action voyages, pairing a 152-guest capacity with contemporary cabins and broad indoor and outdoor viewing areas.

152 guestsPolar Class 5Official source reviewed
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Swan Hellenic / Larger boutique expedition ship

SH Diana

The largest ship in the Swan Hellenic fleet, offering more public space and 96 staterooms while retaining an expedition-focused Polar Class 6 design.

192 guestsPolar Class 6Official source reviewed
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Antarpply Expeditions / Classic small expedition ship

MV Ushuaia

A compact, 90-guest expedition vessel with eight Zodiacs and RIBs, broad open decks, an open-bridge policy, and a practical onboard layout centered on frequent landings and close polar observation.

Maximum 90 guestsINSB Ice Class COfficial source reviewed
Sailings from$5,490+View verified profile

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