Sail the Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands

Ocean Adventurer £££££

• Russian Arctic

Originally built in 1976 in Yugoslavia, Ocean Adventurer underwent extensive upgrades as part of a multi-million pound renovation in 2017. On this nimble, ice-strengthened vessel, facilities include a well-stocked library, a lounge area, a gym and observation decks. With major technical enhancements, including two new Rolls Royce engines, to increase fuel efficiency and minimise carbon footprint, Ocean Adventurer has the capacity to carry 128 passengers across 63 cabins. Ship-to-shore satellite communications allow for email and wireless internet access, and a stocked library houses a large collection of polar books.

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Ocean Endeavour £££££

• Spitsbergen

Launched in 1982 as a purpose-built vessel for remote environments, Ocean Endeavour boasts a 1B ice-class that enables her to navigate freely throughout the Arctic summer. At 453-foot-long, she is a stable and spacious vessel with a shallow draft and impressive manoeuvrability that allows her to access isolated fjords, bays and secluded communities. Accommodating up to 199 passengers, Ocean Endeavour has cabins arranged over multiple decks and offers outdoor dining spaces, a swimming pool, a sauna, a hot tub and three lounges.

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Magellan Explorer £££££

The 100 passenger Magellan Explorer launched in December 2019 specialising in fly cruise itineraries to Antarctica. During Antarctic fly cruise itineraries the ship will operate with a maximum of 73 passengers. Specific measures have been taken to minimize Magellan Explorer’s carbon footprint, including state-of-the-art low emission engines.

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Plancius £££££

• Spitsbergen

Built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy she was fully refurbished after her decommission to become a very comfortable, but not luxurious, 108 passenger expedition vessel. The cabins all have television screens that alert passengers to wildlife sightings, and there is a superb observation lounge along with a bar that offer spectacular views. Equipped with kayaks, ten zodiacs and eight expedition leaders, guests can embark on anything from show shoeing expeditions and mountaineering trips.

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Ortelius £££££

• Spitsbergen

Originally built in Poland in 1989 as an ice-strengthened passenger vessel, the 298-foot-long Ortelius spent many years plying the frozen waters of the Arctic and Northern Pacific before being totally refurbished in 2005. Sleeping a total of 108 passengers, the vessel provides comfortable (but not luxurious) cabins that range from quads to suites, each with a private bathroom. She carries a fleet of zodiacs for landings, and on some Antarctic departures helicopters are even used.

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Hebridean Sky £££££

Re-launched in early 2016 having undergone a comprehensive refit and upgrade, Hebridean Sky is a 295-foot-long expedition ship that accommodates up to 112 passengers. With the addition of 10 zodiacs and a state-of-the-art stabilization system, a well-stocked library with computers and internet access and a lounge with panoramic views, there is plenty of outdoor deck space and a panoramic top deck observation platform. The suites all offer exterior views, en-suite facilities and a sitting area along with ample storage.

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Greg Mortimer £££££

• Russian Arctic

Launched in October 2019, the Greg Mortimer is a purpose-built expedition vessel that features a revolutionary X-Bow design. One of the most dynamic and state of the art ships on the seas, it is designed to slice through the water rather than riding over the waves making for comfortable and fast travels through the polar seas.

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