43 posts — Traditional bow design (most expedition vessels).
New-build traditional hull expedition ship launched in 2026, carrying up to 76 passengers in Antarctica. Purpose-built, with 100% balcony cabins, 8 single cabins, 2 family suites, hybrid-electric propulsion, and Polar Class 6 ice rating.
Traditional hull expedition ship built in 2019, carrying up to 76 passengers in Antarctica. Antarctica 21's original vessel and sister to Magellan Discoverer, with 84% balcony cabins, hybrid-electric propulsion, and Polar Class 6 ice rating.
1970-built expedition ship refitted three times, carrying up to 88 passengers in Antarctica. The oldest active expedition ship in the Antarctic fleet, bilingual Spanish/English programming, and Starlink WiFi.
Traditional hull expedition ship built in 2021, carrying up to 196 passengers in Antarctica. 100% balcony cabins, 8 single cabins, in-room dining, water-level Zodiac boarding, and Ice Class 1B rating.
Sister ship to World Navigator, built in 2022, carrying up to 196 passengers in Antarctica. Atlas Ocean Voyages' second vessel, with 100% balcony cabins, 8 single cabins, in-room dining, water-level Zodiac boarding, and Ice Class 1B rating.
1975-built expedition ship refitted three times (most recently 2025), carrying up to 128 passengers in Antarctica. G Adventures' sole vessel, with 7 triple cabins, no balconies, stairs/gangway Zodiac loading, and Polar Class 6 ice rating.
Luxury expedition ship built in 2019, self-imposing a 199-passenger limit in Antarctica. bilingual English/German, with 100% balcony and veranda cabins, in-room dining, water-level Zodiac boarding, and Polar Class 6 rating.
Luxury expedition ship built in 2019, self-imposing a 199-passenger limit in Antarctica. Sister to Hanseatic Inspiration, with 100% balcony and veranda cabins, in-room dining, special operations boats, and Polar Class 6 rating.
Luxury expedition ship built in 2021, self-imposing a 199-passenger limit in Antarctica. Sister to Hanseatic Nature and Inspiration, with 100% balcony and veranda cabins, in-room dining, and Polar Class 6 rating.
1991-built expedition ship refitted in 2022 and 2025, operating at a 100-passengers.8 single cabins, triple share options, Starlink WiFi, and Ice Class 1A Super rating.
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.
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.
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.
Small converted Danish ferry boat built in 1992, refitted in 2006, carrying up to 67 passengers in Antarctica. Traditional hull, no balcony cabins.
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
The Clear-Eyed Guide to Antarctica Travel