Ships – Antarctica


Click through below for general information on our Antarctica expedition ships, cabin overviews and deck layouts. Contact us for a no obligation enquiry and one of our friendly travel consultants will be happy to help.

G Expedition


G Expedition

The eye-catching G Expedition (formerly MS Expedition) is Danish-built and newly refurbished, offering spacious and comfortable accommodation for up to 134 passengers. With a focus on top of the line safety, comfort and the unique demands of polar travel, the G Expedition is one of the world's leading polar expedition cruise ships.

Greg Mortimer


Greg Mortimer

This 104-metre ship is Aurora Expeditions' very first, purpose-built expedition vessel. Capable of negotiating the strongest winds and waves, the Greg Mortimer is built to world-class polar standards – designed in close consultation with expedition specialists, taking advantage of more than 25 years of experience. Accommodating a maximum of 100 passengers plus kayakers and divers for polar expeditions, the Greg Mortimer redefines expedition cruising for the future.

Heritage Adventurer


Heritage Adventurer

Often referred to as the 'Grande Dame of Polar Exploration' due to her celebrated history and refined design, the Heritage Adventurer was purpose built for adventure in 1991 at Finland's Rauma shipyard and specifically designed for Polar exploration.

Hondius


Hondius

Hondius is the first-registered Polar Class 6 vessel in the world, meeting the latest and highest Lloyd’s Register demands for ice-strengthened cruise vessels. Hondius also exceeds the requirements of the Polar Code as adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), allowing you to enjoy the polar regions as much as possible while impacting them as little as possible. Hondius is one of the most flexible, advanced, innovative ice-strengthened vessel in the polar regions. It is optimized for exploratory voyages that provide you the utmost first-hand contact with the Arctic and Antarctica.

Ocean Explorer


Ocean Explorer

Ocean Explorer, is modern, elegant and purpose-built for polar exploration. The 138-passenger vessel has been designed with the latest in expedition ship technology. One of the ship’s key features is the ULSTEIN X-BOW®, a marine engineering innovation that ensures a comfortable and smooth sailing experience thanks to the inverted bow. Spacious cabins feature a modern, bespoke Scandinavian design and almost all have verandas. Guests can relax and find comfort in the spacious gym, sauna with large windows, and two outdoor Jacuzzis. Ocean Explorer features ample outdoor viewing areas and multi-height outer decks, which are ideal for long-view photography and wildlife viewing.

L'Austral


L'Austral

Launched in 2011 l’Austral, this magnificent mega-yacht has 132 cabins over 6 passenger decks. She is the sister vessel of Le Boréal and Le Soléal. l’Austra offers chic and elegant interiors as well as refined and personalised services giving you the feeling that you are travelling on your own private yacht. It has a host of services and facilities including 2 public lounges, an open-air bar overlooking the pool deck, a pool, a theatre, a gym, a spa as well as two restaurants.

Le Bellot


Le Bellot

Le Bellot has been designed to provide absolute comfort for its passengers, even at the heart of the world's most remote and isolated regions. Racy lines, state-of-the-art equipment, a refined design, a softly muted and at the same time convivial ambiance together with a deliberately restricted number of cabins all contribute to the modernity of Le Bellot, a unique ship in the world of cruising.

Le Boreal


Le Boreal

Le Boréal was built in 2010, and is a sister vessel of L'Austral and Le Soléal. Like her sisterships, Le Boréal embodies the subtle alliance between luxury, intimacy and wellbeing. The elegance of her exterior and interior lines and her intimate size (only 132 staterooms and suites) make this a rare and innovative yacht on the cruise market.

Le Commandant Charcot


Le Commandant Charcot

Enjoy a unique cruising experience when you step aboard Le Commandant Charcot, a luxury polar expedition vessel which uses hybrid propulsion combined with liquefied natural gas (LNG) and electric generators to minimise it's environmental impact. It is equipped with just 135 staterooms with balconies and outside views and offers outstanding gastronomy in the two restaurants. Additionally, it has an indoor pool surrounded by a winter garden, a sauna and a snow room.

Le Laperouse


Le Laperouse

Le Laperouse features just 92 staterooms and suites to create a unique and intimate atmosphere. Along with innovative and eco-friendly equipment, this ship emphasises luxury and authenticity and boasts an ever-increasing range of destinations. The luxurious ship offers fantastic features to passengers including the Blue Eye which is a unique multi sensory underwater lounge providing a whole new experience in luxury expedition cruising.

Le Lyrial


Le Lyrial

Le Lyrial embodies the subtle alliance between luxury, intimacy and wellbeing. The elegance of her exterior and interior lines and her intimate size (only 122 staterooms and suites) make her a rare and innovative yacht. She has two restaurants, two lounges, an open-air bar on the pool deck, a boutique, a theatre, a gym and a spa.

Le Soleal


Le Soleal

The elegant small cruise ship Le Soléal was launched in December 2012, and like her sister ships Le Boreal, L’Austral and Le Lyrial, embodies the subtle alliance between luxury, intimacy and wellbeing. Aboard you will find an atmosphere which is both relaxed and informal, yet stylishly modern. Le Soléal specialises in offering excellent service and superb cuisine.

Magellan Explorer


Magellan Explorer

M/V Magellan Explorer features 50 passenger suites and cabins in five categories of accommodation, including dedicated single cabins. Public areas include a large, forward-facing observation lounge, an observation deck, a dining room that accommodates all guests and expedition staff in a single sitting, a protected outdoor barbecue area, a gym and sauna. The bow of the ship is accessible to guests to offer expansive views during exploration. The vessel was built in Chile to the latest Polar Code specifications and started service in 2019.

Ocean Nova


Ocean Nova

Ocean Nova is a modern and comfortable expedition vessel. She was built in Denmark in 1992 and fully refurbished in 2006 and has since benefitted from annual upgrades and improvements. Her ice-strengthened hull is ideally suited for Polar travel and with a maximum of just 78 guests, the Ocean Nova offers an intimate expedition experience. Cabin configuration differs slightly between Arctic and Antarctic cruising.

MS Seaventure


MS Seaventure

The MS Seaventure features a 1-A Super ice class rating — the highest ice class awarded to passenger vessels. This means that we will be able to explore coves, bays, and channels that would previously have been forbidden to us. It features a sauna, a fitness center, a custom-built citizen science lab, and heated saltwater pool.

MV Ushuaia


MV Ushuaia

The MV Ushuaia is a very well appointed and ice-strengthened polar vessel which provides a great value, comfortable and engaging way to explore Antarctica. The MV Ushuaia has 46 comfortable cabins and suites all of which range in size, shape and bedding configuration, even within the cabin categories. All cabins other than the standard twin cabins have private bathroom facilities.

National Geographic Endurance


National Geographic Endurance

National Geographic Endurance is a next-generation expedition ship, purpose-built for polar navigation. A fully stabilised, highly strengthened vessel, it is designed to navigate polar passages year-round, and safely explore uncharted waters, while providing exceptional comfort.

National Geographic Explorer


National Geographic Explorer

Inaugurated in 2008, National Geographic Explorer is the world’s ultimate expedition ship. Originally built for service along Norway’s coast as part of the famed Hurtigruten, or Coastal Express, her excellent manoeuvrability and just-right size made her a natural choice for addition to our fleet. National Geographic Explorer provides a peerless expedition experience.

National Geographic Orion


National Geographic Orion

Designed and purpose built in Germany in 2003 specifically for expedition travel, National Geographic Orion was created from the outset to explore the far corners of the Earth in complete self-sufficiency. She is spacious and modern, with a variety of public rooms that offer panoramic views of the passing landscape. Friendly and informal, Orion fosters a welcoming atmosphere where like-minded guests share in exceptional experiences and enrichment.

Ocean Adventurer


Ocean Adventurer

Built in 1975 the Ocean Adventurer (formerly known as the Sea Adventurer) was designed to carry travellers in comfort to the most remote corners of the world. This ice-strengthened ship carries up to 117 passengers and features a spacious forward lounge and bar, window-lined dining room and promenades. Ocean Adventurer offers fine dining, and cabins with exterior views and private bathrooms. A fleet of zodiacs are available for shore excursions and on selected voyages a range of optional activities including snowshoeing, camping and kayaking are on offer.

Ocean Albatros


Ocean Albatros

With a total of 95 comfortable staterooms and suites, all with unobstructed sea view, most with their own balcony, the Ocean Albatros will definitely become one of the most popular expedition cruise vessels in the world

Ocean Victory


Ocean Victory

Ocean Victory is the ideal vessel for small-ship cruising due to her sturdy construction and X-Bow®-Infinity class, which provides high stability in rough weather and allows for the smoothest movements on high waves.

Ortelius


Ortelius

The ice-strengthened vessel Ortelius is an excellent vessel for Polar expedition cruises in the Arctic and Antarctica, providing travellers the opportunity to adventure to remote locations such as the Ross Sea and Franz Josef Land. The vessel has the highest ice-class notation (UL1 equivalent to 1A) and is therefore very suitable to navigate in solid one-year sea ice and loose multi-year pack ice.

Plancius


Plancius

The ice-strengthened vessel Plancius is an excellent vessels for polar expedition cruises in the Arctic and Antarctica.Plancius is a comfortable and nicely decorated vessel made for explorers. While it is is spacious it still retains a small ship character, boasting comfort, style and modern technology. Plancius makes the ideal base camp for active, adventure and wildlife minded modern explorers.

Scenic Eclipse


Scenic Eclipse

Introducing Scenic Eclipse, the point on the map where luxury meets discovery. Scenic Eclipse sets the standard in ocean cruising in terms of technology, size and luxury. State-of-the-art safety features allow us to unlock destinations others can only dream of. Designed to deliver the ultimate experience of a lifetime for only 200 in the Polar Regions, Scenic Arctic Cruises will take you to the northernmost regions of the Arctic and showcase the world’s most breathtaking natural sceneries, marine and wildlife.

Sea Spirit


Sea Spirit

Sail aboard the luxurious Sea Spirit and you’ll experience Antarctica in style. Providing spacious suites and social areas for 114 guests the Sea Spirit at the same time features manoeuvrability and friendly atmosphere of small ships. Sea Spirit has an open Bridge policy, so you can visit with and talk to the Captain and officers. The Restaurant on board the Sea Spirit offers open-seating dining, and contemporary, international cuisine created by talented chefs.

Silver Cloud


Silver Cloud

Silver Cloud is one of the most spacious and comfortable ice class vessel in expedition cruising. Her large suites, destination itineraries and unparalleled service make her truly special. Her four dining options will tantalise your taste buds and as 80% of her suites include a veranda, watching a breaching whale or a few cavorting penguins has never been so personal.

Silver Explorer


Silver Explorer

Experience Antarctica in style on the 132 passenger Silver Explorer vessel which was specifically designed for navigating remote locations, while offering refined comfort and luxury. While onboard you will embrace the opportunity to observe incredible wildlife including penguins, seals, whales and a variety of bird life with the help of expert naturalist guides.

Silver Wind


Silver Wind

A refurbishment in summer 2020 will see this luxurious vessel benefit from a strengthened to ice-class hull and will make her one of the most adaptable ships on the seas. Still timelessly elegant, still luxuriously relaxed, her improved cruising versatility means she is able to whizz from the Polar Regions at the ends of the earth to the iconic ports of the Mediterranean with fluid ease.

Sylvia Earle


Sylvia Earle

This purpose-built expedition vessel honours the highly accomplished marine biologist, oceanographer and explorer, Sylvia Earle. Besides the same revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW® design, the Sylvia Earle features a distinctive Glass Atrium Lounge at the bow of the ship with a stunning panoramic view on both port and starboard side, a swimming pool and jacuzzi where you can admire impressive scenery while watching the world go by.

SH Diana


SH Diana

Named after the Ancient Roman goddess of light, the moon, hunting and the wilderness, SH Diana been specially designed for worldwide cruising to explore the most inspiring and inaccessible places on earth. A Polar Class 6 ice-strengthened hull combines with extra-large stabilisers to make your journey as comfortable as possible.

SH Vega


SH Vega

SH Vega, named after the first ship to cross the Arctic Northeast Passage, has been designed to journey to off the beaten path destinations and remote polar regions in style and comfort. The ship incorporates a PC5 ice-strengthened hull combined with extra-large stabilisers to make your journey as smooth as possible.

World Navigator


World Navigator

Embark on authentic immersions in captivating destinations aboard World Navigator, a yacht designed for a highly personalized and all-inclusive experience. Designed with a 1940s aesthetic inspired by the new millennium, she’s a modern classic. Complete with comfortable accommodations, globally inspired gourmet cuisine and unlimited premium cocktails, and an onboard life that cultivates connection with yourself and fellow travelers, she is made for you to explore your world in relaxed luxury.

World Traveller


World Traveller

Be among the first to experience our newest yacht World Traveller on an all-inclusive voyage. She encompasses our signature style of relaxed luxury, highly personalized service and destination immersions with a distinguishing and timeless Italian design inspired by La Dolce Vita. Refined accommodations, globally inspired gourmet dining and premium cocktails, and an atmosphere that encourages connection combine to create intimate moments that feel exclusively made for you. Journey to Antarctica on her inaugural season and beyond.

World Voyager


World Voyager

The World Voyager ship offers a unique blend of luxury and adventure. Featuring modern amenities and elegant interiors, it provides a comfortable and stylish setting for travellers. With its state-of-the-art technology and immersive experiences, the ship allows guests to explore remote destinations while enjoying the highest level of service.

Ultramarine


Ultramarine

Ultramarine is a brand new ship designed to go far beyond the familiar in polar exploration, allowing guests to discover new places and to immerse themselves in the best the region has to offer. Equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, spacious guest suites, sprawling public spaces and more outdoor wildlife viewing spaces than you can imagine, all the while featuring an innovative mixture of sustainability features that exceed industry standards.

World Explorer


World Explorer

Distinct and comfortable, refined and roomy—these attributes and more describe World Explorer. Not only is it among the fastest ships, but it is also one of the finest, with six tiers of deluxe accommodation. The personal space is exceptional. Every suite has either a private walk-out or French balcony for direct ocean views. World Explorer also delivers plenty of public areas to unwind in after a day outdoors, including the glass-domed Observation Lounge for quiet contemplation and full skyline views, the Explorer Lounge for a drink and a chat, and the library for more intimate relaxing and reading. Presentations and discussions are facilitated in a dedicated lecture theatre.