New Antarctic & Arctic Ships

New Antarctic & Arctic Ships

Alex Burridge – Managing Director – Antarctica Travel Centre

For many years the choice of ship in Antarctica & the High Arctic was largely limited to soviet owned expedition ships built in the 1970s and 80s. They worked well and offered access to the ends of the world with experienced captains and crew.

Approximately ten years ago several cruise ships were converted to enable them to travel to the Polar regions and not long after several more luxury cruise operators entered the market. In the last few years several purpose-built expedition ships have also launched.

With the growth in tourism to Antarctica, in particular, there has recently been a boom in the building of new ships, both luxury and expedition.

Greg Mortimer

Greg Mortimer

There are several benefits to these new builds:

-They are all purpose built for travel to Antarctica and the High Arctic

-They offer better and easier access to zodiacs

-They have purpose built mud rooms (where you can get ready for the elements)

-Comfortable cabins built for international travellers (not scientists or crew)

-More efficient engines using less fuel and producing lower emissions

-Better on-board waste management facilities

-Utilise up-to date technology

Greg Mortimer loading zone

Boarding Zodiacs

World Explorer Mud Room

Mud room – World Explorer

Greg Mortimer - Balcony Stateroom A

Balcony Stateroom A – Greg Mortimer

Here is a brief summary of the new ships that will start (or may have already commenced) operating cruises in Antarctica or the High Arctic over the next two seasons.

*Denotes the level of emphasis on Expedition or Luxury

SH Vega

Launching: 2022              Number of Guests: 156             Style: Expedition**/Luxury**

SH Diana

Launching: 2023              Number of Guests: 192            Style: Luxury**

Greg Mortimer

Launched: 2019                Number of Guests: 132             Style: Expedition***/Luxury**

Greg Mortimer

Magellan Explorer (Fly Cruise)

Launched: 2019                Number of Guests: 73             Style: Expedition**/Luxury**

Magellan Explorer Exterior

Hanseatic Inspiration

Launching: 2020                Number of Guests: 199             Style: Expedition**/Luxury***

Hanseatic Inspiration

Ultramarine

Launching: 2020                Number of Guests: 200             Style: Expedition**/Luxury*

Quark Ultramarine Render

HONDIUS

Launched: 2019                Number of Guests: 176             Style: Expedition***/Luxury*

Hondius Antarctica landscape

World Explorer

Launched: 2019                Number of Guests: 176             Style: Expedition***/Luxury*

World Explorer Exterior

National Geographic Resolution

Launching: 2021                Number of Guests: 126             Style: Expedition**/Luxury**

National Geographic Resolution

Le Commandant Charcot (Icebreaker)

Launching: 2021                Number of Guests: 180             Style: Expedition*/Luxury***

Le Commandant Charcot Render

National Geographic Endurance

Launching: 2020                Number of Guests: 126             Style: Expedition**/Luxury**

National Geographic Endurance Render

Ocean Victory

Launching: 2020                Number of Guests: 189             Style: Expedition**/Luxury*

Ocean Victory

Le Bellot

Launching: 2020                Number of Guests: 200             Style: Expedition*/Luxury***

Prince Frederick Harbour - Le Laperouse - Ponant

Sylvia Earle

Launching: 2021                Number of Guests: 132             Style: Expedition***/Luxury**

Sylvia Earle - Exterior Ship Render

Many of these ships have Early Booking Offers . Click on the buttons below to see all the Early Booking Offers currently available for Antarctica and the Arctic

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