As recently as a decade ago many of the Polar expedition ships were converted Russian research vessels. Today those ships are gone, replaced by larger and more luxurious ships purpose built for exploration is these extreme regions. We’re happy for that additional comfort and luxury, as long as the expedition’s focus remains on the destination, and the passenger numbers don’t go too high.
South Georgia sunrise
SAMPLE VESSELS JOURNEYING TO THE ANTARCTIC REGION VIA SOUTH AMERICA
Following is a brief overview of vessels, or rather some of the vessels, regularly traveling to Antarctica. Criteria we consider when looking at ships includes the number of passengers; operator/owner; vessel age/stability/comfort; language on board. Of course the itinerary is critical too, but nearly all vessels operate a variety of itineraries...
Vessels are listed, more or less, from the smallest to the largest (not including the mega-ships that are not allowed to land in the Polar regions). Also noted are vessel size and age, plus occasional footnotes. This partial list of ships all explore the Antarctic regions surrounding the Peninsula. Most sail from Ushuaia (Argentina) although some offer expeditions that fly from Chile to either King George Island on the Peninsula, or the Falkland Islands.
Italicized comments are based on our own personal travel experiences. With new vessels launching, and others departing, our favorites can change with the times. Currently our favorite is the recently launched Sylvia Earle from Aurora Expeditions. Her size of 126 passengers means travelers will enjoy more time ashore and on activities. The ship itself is incredibly comfortable with numerous decks, observation lounges and meeting areas to spread out. The cabins are luxurious, with large bathrooms, sitting areas, and most with private balconies. The cousine is amazing. Between the new hull design and stabilizers the ride is extra smooth. The ship also has the easiest and safest zodiac loading operation we’ve experiences on any ship (no more staircase handing from the side of the ship!).
The Ushuaia
THE USHUAIA
90 passengers
278 feet: cruising speed 12 knots
launched in 1970 as a US research vessel for NOAA, and converted to expedition cruising in the late ‘90’s.
Most expeditions are to the Peninsula, with only the occasional longer itinerary that includes the Falklands & South Georgia.
Antarpply Expeditions
NG Orion
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION
102 passengers
Purpose build in 2003 for expedition cruising
Lindblad Expeditions / National Geographic
Greg Mortimer
GREG MORTIMER
Average of 126 passengers, including landing passengers and water-adventure passengers (the latter only land after the first have started returning to the ship).
341 feet in length: maximum speed 15.5 knots
Launched 2019 - purpose built for expedition travel with the latest in environmental marine protections.
Aurora Expeditions
*I know someone (not a Galapagos Travel passenger) who traveled on the ship in November 2019. They were very impressed with the ship as well as the entire program. The ship was very posh; private balconies, heated bathroom floors, food better than most restaurants. I have traveled with Aurora Expeditions once, roughly a decade ago - they had a great staff on board for that Arctic voyage.
National Geographic Endurance artist rendering
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ENDURANCE
126 passengers
X-BOW design and fully stabilized, with an ice rating of PC5-category A.
Launched July 2021
Lindblad Expeditions / National Geographic
M/V HONDIUS
170 passengers
351 feet: maximum speed 15 knots.
launched 2019
OceanWide Expeditions
M/V JANSSONIUS will be a nearly identical sister ship to the m/v Hondius, (170 passengers) launching in late 2021 by OceanWide Expeditions.
m/s Fram
M/S FRAM
200 passengers
374 feet: maximum speed 13 knots
Launched in 2007 as an expedition vessel, and being fully modernized in 2020
Hurtigruten
Silver Wind
SILVER WIND
274 passengers
514 feet; 18 knots
launched 1995 / being refurbished mid-2020
Silver Sea
Hebridean Sky
M/V HEBRIDEAN SKY (formerly Sea Explorer)
100 passengers (75 passengers on fly in/out cruises)
299 feet; cruising speed 12.5 knots
Launched in 1992 and totally rebuilt and modernized in 2016
All-suites
Unless operating as a private charter the Hebridean sky only operates short fly in/out Peninsula expeditions currently.
Antarctica21
*Antarctica21 is a fast-growing company, based in Chile. They currently specialize in expeditions that fly between Punta Arenas and King George Island.
m/v Plancius
M/V PLANCIUS
108 passengers
293 feet: Cruising speed 10.5 knots
launched in 1974 as a Dutch research vessel, and relaunched in 2009 for expedition cruising. Spartan but comfortable.
OceanWide Expeditions
*I traveled on board the Plancius shortly after she was relaunched by OceanWide Expeditions. It is a very comfortable vessel if somewhat simple in decor and design.
Sylvia Earle
SYLVIA EARLE
Average of 126 passengers
341 feet: maximum speed 15.5 knots
Maiden voyage in December 2022 - purpose built for expedition travel. Sister ship to the Greg Mortimer, with a couple of new refinements, including a forward facing view atrium and lounge. One of the easiest ships to board zodiacs from. Deluxe.
Aurora Expeditions
*I was lucky to be aboard the maiden voyage of the Sylvia Earle in late 2022. The ship impressed me in all ways. Click the button below to read the trip report.
Ocean Adventurer
OCEAN ADVENTURER
128 passengers
331 feet; 12 knots
Launched in 1976 and most recently fully remodeled in 2017
comfortable rather than luxurious
Quark Expeditions
*I have no experience with Quark’s current ships, but twice traveled to Antarctica with Quark, in 2000 and 2009. My experiences with their expeditions teams have been mixed.
NG Explorer
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER
148 passengers
367 feet; speed not noted
Inaugurated in 2008 for exploring Norway’s Fjords
Lindblad Expeditions / National Geographic
World Explorer
WORLD EXPLORER
172 passengers
413 feet; cruising speed 16 knots
Launched 2018
Deluxe vessel - many cabins feature private balconies
Quark Expeditions (for Nicko Cruises)
Ocean Nova
OCEAN NOVA
72-78 passengers
240 feet; 12 knots cruising speed
Launched in 1992 for exploration of Greenland
comfortable rather than luxurious
At least 3 companies charter/operate the Ocean Nova:
Antarctica21* offers short fly in/fly out Peninsula voyages
Polar Quest offers several voyages each season
Noble Caledonia operates the ship in the Arctic.
*I have a vague recollection of hearing, years ago, that the Ocean Nova didn’t ride the seas very smoothly, tending to rock a bit.
QUEST
A sister ship to the Ocean Nova
Magellan Explorer
MAGELLAN EXPLORER
100 passengers (73 passengers on fly in/out cruises)
299 feet; cruising speed 14 knots
Launched 2019
Only operates short fly in/out Peninsula expeditions currently
Antarctica21
m/v Ortelius
M/V ORTELIUS
116 passengers
295 feet. Cruising speed 10.5 knots
launched in 1989 as a specialty Russian research vessel - refurbished regularly
operates from the Peninsula side of Antarctica, with an occasional voyage to the Ross Sea as well
Select itineraries include helicopters.
spartan, but comfortable
OceanWide Expeditions
*In 2012 I was aboard the Ortelius for an expedition to the Weddell Sea and Snow Hill Island. At that time this was the only ship capable of carrying helicopters making it possible to visit the Emperor Penguin colony. The Ortelius is a comfortable ship, while still retaining a few remnants of her research days.
>no voyages that include the Falklands and South Georgia are currently scheduled.
Ocean Diamond
OCEAN DIAMOND
189 passengers
407 feet; cruising speed 15.5 knots
Quark Expeditions
Scenic Eclipse
SCENIC ECLIPSE
220 passengers
551 feet; 17 knots
Launched in 2019
Billed as 6-star luxury, including multiple dining options and bars, a helicopter, submarine, and more.
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
Silver Cloud
SILVER CLOUD
254 passengers
514 feet in length
launched 1994 / refurbished 2017
Silver Sea
Adelie penguins off to feed
VESSELS JOURNEYING TO THE NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA, & ROSS SEA REGION
Currently just 2 vessels regularly explore the New Zealand and Australian sub-Antarctic island region, and/or the Ross Sea side of Antarctica. Once every couple of years there might also be a voyage transiting between the Antarctica Peninsula side and the Ross Sea. Everyone couple of years the Ortelius (in the above list) makes the round trip voyage (the voyage is approximately one month in each direction!).
Heritage Adventurer
HERITAGE ADVENTURER
140 passengers
400 feet: cruising speed 12-15 knots
launched in 1993 and extensively refit in 2018 and 2021.
Heritage Expeditions
* We traveled aboard the ship in 2019 when it was the RCGS Resolute, and it was extremely comfortable and really quite luxurious!
Silver Explorer
SILVER EXPLORER
144 passengers
354 feet / 108 meters in length: 14 knots
launched 1989 / refurbished in 2017
Silver Sea
*I traveled aboard this ship in 2004, when it was named the World Discoverer and operated by Society Expeditions. At the time is was the most luxurious vessel I’d been aboard.
King penguins, adults and juveniles, on South Georgia
Occasionally a Tour Operator might charter a polar vessel and either operate a custom itinerary, or commit to selling all of the spaces on board a voyage, while adding their own staff.