Antarctica Confidential

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MS Roald Amundsen

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.

Island Sky

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.

Hondius

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.

Ortelius

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.

Plancius

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.

L'Austral

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.

Le Lyrial

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.

Le Soleal

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.

Sea Spirit

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.

Ocean Explorer

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.

Ultramarine

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.

World Explorer

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.

Antarctica Confidential

The Clear-Eyed Guide to Antarctica Travel

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