HOW TO EXPLORE ANTARCTICA
Our favourite luxury cruises
Le Commandant Charcot
Capacity: 270
The latest addition to the PONANT fleet and one of the newest ships on the market, takes its guests along the footsteps of the great polar explorers complete with luxury services never before offered in the farthest reaches of the southern hemisphere. With just 135 cabins, every one of them including a private balcony, the Commandant Charcot stays true to the PONANT philosophy: to provide a rare and exceptional ambience for every passenger welcomed on board and to reinforce the feeling and sense of sailing on a private yacht.
L’Austral, Le Boréal and Le Lyrial
Capacity: 199
PONANT offers you the promise of unforgettable moments aboard their compact and intimately sized cruise yachts, all of which sail under the French flag. Discover the innovatively designed sister cruise ships: L’Austral, Le Boréal and Le Lyrial. These sister ships embody the subtle alliance between luxury, intimacy and wellbeing, which is PONANT’s signature. The elegance of their exterior and interior lines and her intimate size (only 132 staterooms and suites) make these ships a rare and innovative option on the cruise market.
Silver Endeavour
Capacity: 200
The Silver Endeavour is the newest addition to Silversea’s fleet of luxury ships, heralding a new class of luxury expedition travel. Featuring a PC6 ice-class rating and state-of-the-art exploration technology and equipment, the Silver Endeavour takes voyagers even deeper into some of the most remote polar destinations on the planet, all in complete luxury. The crew to guest ratio on the Silver Endeavour is an exceptional 1:1, meaning that service is second to none. This is luxury expedition travel at its absolute best.
Silver Cloud Expedition
Capacity: 254
After extensive refurbishment, The Silver Cloud Expedition is one now of the most spacious and comfortable ice class vessels in expedition cruising. Her large suites, her destination itineraries and her unparalleled service make her a truly special ship on the Antarctica market. A limited number of guests, just 240 in polar waters, mean that The Silver Cloud Expedition has the highest space to guest and crew to guest ratios in expedition cruising. With her 18 zodiacs, possibilities are almost limitless with ship-wide simultaneous explorations.
Quark Ultramarine
Capacity: 199
Ultramarine is the newest ship in the Quark fleet, designed to go beyond the familiar in polar exploration and to discover new places, while immersing you in the best the region has to offer. On board are two twin-engine helicopters, meaning that Ultramarine offers the most robust portfolio of adventure activities in the industry, the most spacious suites in its category, breath-taking public spaces, and more outdoor wildlife viewing spaces than other expedition ships its size. If you are looking for the ultimate polar expedition experience, Ultramarine is set to deliver it.
Seabourn Venture & Seabourn Pursuit
Capacity: 264
The Seabourn Venture launched in July 2022 with her sister ship, the Seabourn Pursuit due to launch in 2023. The ships are designed for diverse environments with features including PC6 Polar Class standard and a plethora of modern technology which will allow the ship to deploy to further flung destinations. The design of this ship is pure luxury, allowing guests to experience incredible expedition travel in the utmost comfort and style. Both the Seabourn Venture and the Seabourn Pursuit are exceptional ships, offering luxury expedition travel to exciting and unique destinations.
The Greg Mortimer
Capacity: 120
Built with adventurous luxury in mind, the Greg Mortimer is an sleek and modern cruise ship offering guests an outstanding array of activities and superior comfort. The Greg Mortimer is specifically designed for unforgettable expeditions throughout Antarctica with X-BOW technology, which pierces waves for a smoother voyage. Each day, 2/3 excursions are planned, and the Greg Mortimer has a fabulous selection of activities including sea kayaking, snowshoeing, climbing, camping, ski touring, polar diving and photography workshops to name a few.
The Sylvia Earle
Capacity: 126
First setting sail in October 2021, Greg Mortimer’s new sister ship honours the highly accomplished marine biologist, oceanographer and explorer, Sylvia Earle. The small ship is designed with the protection and observation of Antarctica’s rich marine wildlife in mind and takes expedition cruising to a new level. As one of the smallest ships in the polar expedition cruising fleet, its size and modern ice-strengthened hull (Class 1A, one category below a full ice-breaker) give you the ability to explore those places that larger ships can’t reach.
MS Seaventure
Capacity: 136
Setting sail for the first time in 2021, the MS Seaventure is a world-class small ship experience. With a 1-A Super ice class rating – the highest ice class awarded to passenger vessels – this ship is able to explore coves, bays, and channels that few ships are able to get to, giving passengers the opportunity to visit areas that few have been before. The ship also offers a host of new and exciting on-board activities such as kayaking, snowshoeing, and camping. The ship offers all outside-facing staterooms (many with balconies), and spacious and beautifully appointed common areas for relaxing.
Scenic Eclipse
Capacity: 200
Inspired by the sleek contours of a sailing yacht and custom-built with an unwavering commitment to safety and excellence in design, Scenic Eclipse combines a wealth of world-class facilities with the opportunity for unrivalled exploration. With an almost 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio, your time on board will be one of unparalleled indulgence. From the ultimate Spa Sanctuary to the expansive array of dining experiences, spacious lounges and bars, outdoor terraces and multiple pool areas, the luxurious wonders on board never cease.
Magellan Explorer
Capacity: 70
Magellan Explorer is a brand new, modern expedition vessel purposely built for Antarctic air-cruises. For each air-cruise, Magellan Explorer has a capacity of 73 passengers in seven different cabin categories, including dedicated cabins for solo travellers. The ship features a glass-enclosed observation lounge and presentation room with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment, a spacious and stylish dining room, a well-stocked bar, a library, meeting room, gym, sauna and a medical clinic.
National Geographic Explorer
Capacity: 148
Inaugurated in 2008, National Geographic Explorer is the world’s ultimate expedition ship. Due to the exciting collaboration of Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic, her design and equipment is an impressive result of almost 200 years of collective expedition experience with an ice-strengthened hull and advanced navigation equipment for polar expeditions. The NG Explorer can comfortably accommodate 148 guests in 81 cabins, including 13 cabins with private balconies, six spacious suites and 14 cabins specifically designed for solo travelers.
Hanse Explorer
Capacity: 12
The Hanse Explorer is a luxury private Antarctic yacht perfect for an exclusive luxury holiday to Antarctica. Hanse Explorer by EYOS Expeditions is a true expedition yacht in every sense of the word. Ice-classed and built to handle the most challenging waters, she is a “go-anywhere” yacht.