MS Fram
Traditional hull expedition ship built in 2007, carrying up to 200 passengers in Antarctica. In-room dining, Starlink WiFi, water-level Zodiac boarding, and Ice Class 1B rating.
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Traditional hull expedition ship built in 2007, carrying up to 200 passengers in Antarctica. In-room dining, Starlink WiFi, water-level Zodiac boarding, and Ice Class 1B rating.
Hybrid diesel-electric expedition ship built in 2020, carrying up to 500 passengers in Antarctica as an IAATO Category 2 vessel. 5 family suites, 50% balcony cabins, and Polar Class 6 ice rating.
Sister ship to MS Fridtjof Nansen, built in 2019, carrying up to 500 passengers in Antarctica as an IAATO Category 2 vessel. Hybrid diesel-electric propulsion, 5 family suites, 50% balcony cabins, and Polar Class 6 ice rating.
X-Bow expedition ship built in 2020, carrying up to 126 passengers in Antarctica. Polar Class 5, plus 14 single cabins, 77% balcony cabins, and Starlink WiFi.
1982-built traditional hull ship refitted three times (most recently 2023), carrying up to 148 passengers in Antarctica. 14 single cabins, water-level Zodiac boarding, Starlink WiFi, and Ice Class 1A rating.
2003-built traditional hull expedition ship, carrying up to 102 passengers in Antarctica via fly-cruise only. Lindblad's smallest Antarctic vessel, with 4 single cabins, Starlink WiFi, and Ice Class 1A rating.
X-Bow expedition ship built in 2021, sister to NatGeo Endurance, carrying up to 126 passengers in Antarctica. Polar Class 5 ice rating, 14 single cabins, 77% balcony cabins, and Starlink WiFi.
1992-built classic expedition ship carrying up to 100 passengers in Antarctica. Noble Caledonia's sole vessel, with intimate no-frills expedition style, 40% balcony cabins, water-level Zodiac boarding, and Ice Class 1D rating.
Traditional hull expedition ship built in 2019, carrying up to 170 passengers in Antarctica. Oceanwide Expeditions' flagship, with water-level Zodiac boarding, quad and triple cabin share options, and Polar Class 6 ice rating.
1989-built expedition ship refitted in 2019, carrying up to 108 passengers in Antarctica. Oceanwide Expeditions' smallest vessel, with helicopter capability, quad cabin shares, and Ice Class 1A Super rating.
1976-built expedition ship refitted in 2023, carrying up to 108 passengers in Antarctica. Oceanwide Expeditions' oldest vessel, with quad cabin shares, stairs/gangway Zodiac loading, and Ice Class 1D rating.
1989-built expedition ship. Traditional hull, Ice Class 1A, carrying up to 140 passengers with 14 Zodiacs and twice-refitted interiors.
X-Bow expedition ship built in 2023, carrying up to 169 passengers in Antarctica. Sister ship to Ocean Victory. Featuring 81% balcony cabins, water-level Zodiac boarding, and zero-speed active stabilizers.
Small converted Danish ferry boat built in 1992, refitted in 2006, carrying up to 67 passengers in Antarctica. Traditional hull, no balcony cabins.
Sister ship to Ocean Albatros, built in 2021, carrying up to 174 passengers in Antarctica. X-Bow hull, 83% balcony cabins, water-level Zodiac boarding.
French luxury expedition ship built in 2011, self-imposing a 200-passenger limit in Antarctica. Ponant's oldest vessel, with 95% balcony cabins, 11 family suites, bilingual French/English programming, and Ice Class 1C rating.
Sister to L'Austral, built in 2010, self-imposing a 200-passenger limit in Antarctica. 95% balcony cabins, 20 family suites, bilingual French/English programming, and Ice Class 1C rating.
Luxury icebreaker built in 2021, carrying up to 199 passengers in Antarctica. The only Polar Class 2 passenger vessel in the Antarctic fleet, with LNG/electric hybrid propulsion, 100% balcony cabins
Luxury expedition ship built in 2015, self-imposing a 200-passenger limit in Antarctica. Third of the Ponant Fincantieri quartet, with 94% balcony cabins, 12 family suites, bilingual French/English programming, and Ice Class 1C rating.
Luxury expedition ship built in 2013, self-imposing a 200-passenger limit in Antarctica. Second of the Ponant Fincantieri quartet, with 80% balcony cabins, 20 family suites, bilingual French/English programming, and Ice Class 1C rating.
1991-built classic expedition ship refitted three times, carrying up to 114 passengers in Antarctica. Poseidon Expeditions' sole vessel, with 6 triple cabins, 2 singles, Starlink WiFi, and Ice Class 1D rating.
X-Bow expedition ship built in 2021, carrying up to 138 passengers in Antarctica. Quark Expeditions' newest vessel, with 93% balcony cabins, 7 single cabins, water-level Zodiac boarding, and Polar Class 6 ice rating.
Traditional hull expedition ship built in 2021, carrying up to 199 passengers in Antarctica. Quark Expeditions' flagship, with dual helicopters, 20 Zodiacs, water-level boarding, 60% balcony cabins, and Polar Class 6 ice rating.
Traditional hull expedition ship built in 2019, carrying up to 172 passengers in Antarctica. Quark Expeditions' mid-size vessel, with 100% balcony cabins, Starlink WiFi, hybrid diesel-electric engines, and Ice Class 1B rating.
The Clear-Eyed Guide to Antarctica Travel