LUXURY, EXPEDITION-LUXURY, EXPEDITION & FLY-CRUISE

Antarctica, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia provide exceptional experiences for all who visit.  We’ve selected the best Antarctic Cruise ships to deliver you to these wondrous wilderness areas, organised into four categories:  Expedition, Expedition-Luxury, Luxury, and Fly Cruise.

WHILE DIFFERENT SIZES, ALL SHIPS HAVE KEY CHARACTERISTICS IN COMMON:

All the Antarctic cruise ships and their operators are well known by us and we know they will safely deliver a high quality operation. For the safety of guests, crew and the environment, all vessels have two engines (or in the case of Ocean Nova an auxiliary engine that can bring the ship back to port).

All ships are IAATO members (as is the Antarctica Travel Centre). All operate with a high ratio of crew to guests.

These luxurious Antarctic cruise ships combine more traditional-style cruising with an Antarctic adventure. They offer large, very comfortable cabins with en-suite facilities; many suites have private balconies.

Excellent cuisine options are available on board. Zodiac dinghies and an expedition team enable you to explore the Antarctic Peninsula and come home to an exquisite ship.

A luxury ship puts greater emphasis on the on-board experience. Onboard the bigger luxury vessels there are limitations on the number of landing made as at most sites the limit of people ashore is 100.

SILVER CLOUD

GUESTS 240

Built 1993

SILVER WIND

GUESTS 240

Built 1995

SILVER ENDEAVOUR

GUESTS 200

Built 2021

LE LYRIAL

GUESTS 200

Built 2014

LE SOLEAL 

GUESTS 200

Built 2013

L’AUSTRAL

GUESTS 200

Built 2011

LE BOREAL

GUESTS 200

Built 2010

SEABOURN VENTURE

GUESTS 264

Built 2021

SEABOURN PURSUIT

GUESTS 264

Built 2023

SCENIC ECLIPSE I

GUESTS 200

Built 2019

As the name suggests these Antarctic cruise ships are a hybrid of an Expedition Ship and a Luxury Ship. Some are small ships with close to 100 guests and can offer two landings a day and focus on maximising opportunities for exploring as on an expedition vessel but with the added comfort of having larger, more comfortable cabins and common areas. Those with up to 200 guests generally offer one off ship excursion a day (largely due to time factors associated with the 100 passenger ashore limit) and still have an adventurous soul. Generally cabins are larger or perhaps the ship is newer than an Expedition ship. Meals are a mix of buffet and served courses and the cuisine is of a very high standard.

GREG MORTIMER

GUESTS 120-132

Built 2019

MAGELLAN EXPLORER

GUESTS 73-100

Built 2019

SYLVIA EARLE

GUESTS 132

Built 2022

SEA SPIRIT

GUESTS 114

Built 1991

ULTRAMARINE

GUESTS 199

Built 2020

SEAVENTURE

GUESTS 149

Built 1991

WORLD  EXPLORER

GUESTS 176

Built 2019

HERITAGE ADVENTURER

GUESTS 176

Built 1993

HONDIUS

GUESTS 176

Built 2019

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER

GUESTS 148

Built 1982

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC RESOLUTION

GUESTS 126

Built 2020

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ENDURANCE

GUESTS 126

Built 2020

Generally Antarctica cruise ships that are expedition style have a greater emphasis on maximising time off the vessel or out on deck than on a larger more ‘luxury’ ship. This is helped by having fewer than 100 guests, hence all guests can go ashore at the same time.  On most days an Expedition ship will offer two off ship excursions. The expedition team works closely with the ship’s captain and crew to deliver a high level of service and a flexible approach which means they can react to local circumstances; like a group of feeding whales, if possible they will stop and launch the zodiacs.  The cabins are comfortable, the food of a very high standard.

An expedition client is someone who wants to maximise their opportunities to get off the ship and learn. Guests onboard are of all ages however you will be physically able to climb some relatively steep stairs and get in and out of a Zodiac.

OCEAN ADVENTURER

GUESTS 132

Built 1975

ORTELIUS

GUESTS 108

Built 1989

OCEAN NOVA

GUESTS 72

Built 1992

PLANCIUS

GUESTS 108

Built 1976

Fly-Cruise voyages afford two major objectives; they avoid lengthy sea crossings and dependent upon operator can also realise more time in Antarctica, the Falkland Island or South Georgia than a ship that cruises all the way.  A flight takes you from Punta Arenas in Chile to King George Island (the largest of the South Shetland Islands, close to the Antarctic Peninsula) or to Mount Pleasant on the Falkland Islands where you board your ship.  For Antarctic Peninsula only voyages the flight also affords a visit to Antarctica in a shorter period of time.

Here we have the ships that offer flights in both directions, to and from King George Island.  Some ships choose to fly one way and cruise across the Drake Passage the other.

MAGELLAN EXPLORER

GUESTS 73

Built 2019

OCEAN NOVA

GUESTS 72

Built 1992

BAE-146 AIRCRAFT

GUESTS 78

FLIGHTS TO KING GEORGE ISLAND FROM PUNTA ARENAS

The BAE-146 aircraft was manufactured in the United Kingdom by British Aerospace (which later became part of BAE Systems). It is a high-wing aircraft with very short runway requirements, which makes it particularly suited for landing and take-off in Antarctica. The aircraft is expertly operated by Aerovías DAP, which has more than 20 years of experience flying in Patagonia and Antarctica.

SHORE EXCURSIONS

GUESTS 100

Experience the incredible beauty of Antarctic as you participate in unforgettable shore excursions. Take a zodiac to shore and participate in mainly a wet landing to make your way onto the ice, where few have gone before.

ZODIAC EXCURSIONS

Zodiac excursions can be used either for a cruise or a shore landing; throughout the course of your Antarctic expedition, you’ll have the chance to visit historic huts used by the explorers of old, scientific research bases and whaling sites – all of which is made possible thanks to our sturdy Zodiacs.  Zodiac cruises will enable you to explore icebergs, get up-close with whales or seals hauled out on the ice.  On ships with over 100 guests Zodiac cruises are often offered whilst other clients are ashore.

KAYAK EXCURSIONS

GUESTS 16-24

Immerse yourself in the incredible scenery of Antarctica on-board a kayak. Cruise past ice formations and see wildlife swim past as you glide along. You will be in groups of up to 12 with an experienced kayak guide who will take you to interesting locations, many that can only able to be reached by kayaks.