Expedition cruise ships (< 300 passengers)
Albatros Expeditions is a leading expedition shipping company that takes you to the most remote and pristine areas of the planet, on modern purpose-built ships that exude Scandinavian style. The Ocean Victory and the Ocean Albatros are their newest ships, which have a capacity of just 93 comfortable suites. And that is exactly their business model, offering small-scale expeditions to the Antarctic and Arctic. There are multiple restaurants, a wellness area, an Albatros Nordic Bar, a modern lecture lounge, and other amenities on board.
Diversity and a sense of home are a constant must, together with a commitment to staff, crew, and guests. That's why Albatros Expeditions is also a member of IGLTA, the world's leading network of LGBTQ+ welcoming tourism companies.
Expedition cruise ships (< 300 passengers)
An unforgettable adventure along less travelled routes. A cultural immersion. The trip of a lifetime. The heart and soul of Polynesia. That is the Aranui experience. For over 30 years, Aranui has been taking enthusiastic adventurers on one of the most fascinating journeys in the world, the enchanting Marquesas Islands, these islands have been a haven of peace for some celebrities, including the famous singer Jacques Brel, who chose to spend the last years of his life here, and is even buried here.
The ship, the Aranui 5, can also be called special and unique. This custom-built ship from 2015 is a passenger freighter that manages to combine the comfort of a cruise ship with cargo service to remote areas, as a lifeline for small communities far from civilisation.
The 12-day cruises to the Marquesas include all meals and scheduled excursions, and are framed by a dedicated and friendly crew, many of whom are from the islands you visit. They will welcome you like family and enjoy introducing you to their age-old customs.
Expedition cruise ships (< 300 passengers)
Aurora Expeditions is an Australian cruise company which focuses on small scale expeditions in the polar regions and other remote areas. It offers you the possibility of discovering unique regions in an intimate manner on innovative itineraries guided knowledgably by experienced expedition specialists, naturalists and historians. The extensive programme of activities includes: climbing, sea kayaking, diving and photography. One of the most popular activities is camping, offering you the opportunity to roll out your sleeping mat and crawl into your thermal sleeping bag for an unforgettable camping experience, with the breathtaking beauty of the Antarctic night sky, and the sound of animals continuing their busy activities around you.
Their 2 expedition ships immediately stand out because of their upside-down bow. Due to this special marine technology, you experience less vibration and can therefore fully enjoy unparalleled stability and superb comfort.
Expedition cruise ships (< 300 passengers)
Exploris Expeditions is a new French shipping company that aims to offer unique itineraries to French-speaking guests with small expedition ships. All announcements on board will be made only in French and the shipping company makes it a point of honour that all crew members are proficient in French.
Sustainability is close to their hearts, with Exploris making every effort to ensure that future generations have as many opportunities to experience the same expeditions as what is on offer today.
The first ship, the Exploris I, accommodates 140 passengers, in the polar regions only up to 120. This allows you to fully enjoy an intense, exclusive and personalised experience with shorter waiting times during disembarkation and thus more time ashore to discover the most beautiful places of the polar regions. Not only the polar regions are on the programme, you can also explore the Amazon, the Chilean fjords, the Azores, the European Atlantic coasts and the British Isles. Exploris is ambitious though, as they wish to expand their fleet quickly.
Expedition cruise ships (< 300 passengers)
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises offers a wide range of expedition cruises with its 3 sister ships HANSEATIC inspiration, HANSEATIC nature and HANSEATIC spirit. These 3 ships were specially built for expedition cruises to the polar regions, among others, but equally to the Amazon, Fiji and Madagascar. They feature eco-friendly technology to sail as emission-free as possible and thus protect nature.
The designers of these ships were inspired by nature, and this is nicely reflected in the use of curved shapes, in the colours, and materials used. The nature experience on board is also intense, including two retractable glass-floored balconies and the Nature Walk promenade. Unlike HANSEATIC nature and HANSEATIC spirit, HANSEATIC inspiration is an international ship, which means that both German and English are spoken on board.
Expedition cruise ships (< 300 passengers)
Hurtigruten ships have been a fixture on the Norwegian coast since 1893, when they originally provided a smooth delivery of mail and goods. Today, their ships sail to the Arctic and Antarctica, and many destinations in between. On each ship, you will find modern facilities carefully blended with the pure nature of expeditions.
In 2019, Hurtigruten added a brand new ship to its fleet, the MS Roald Amundsen. This state-of-the-art ship features new and environmentally sustainable hybrid technology that reduces fuel consumption, making it clear that hybrid propulsion is possible on large ships. A once- in-a- lifetime experience are undoubtedly the 10- or 14-day discovery cruises to the Galápagos Islands aboard the small expedition ship Santa Cruz II, to witness the iconic nature and spectacular landscapes of this remarkable archipelago.
Expedition cruise ships (< 300 passengers)
Oceanwide Expeditions is a Dutch maritime company with a fleet of small expedition ships which primarily sail in the Antarctic and Arctic. Its expedition cruises are very active, requiring a high degree of physical fitness. The most recent and advanced ship of Oceanwide Expeditions, designed in response to the most recent requirements of the Polar Code, is the first ship in the world to be registered Polar Class 6.
The Hondius is the most flexible, most advanced, and most innovative ship in the polar regions, and it is perfectly optimised for exploratory trips which bring you close to nature. By keeping the shortest possible sailing times at sea, and by following rapid docking times, this maritime company allows passengers to spend a lot of time on land. There are on average two landings each day, depending on the weather forecast and schedule.
Expedition cruise ships (< 300 passengers)
Polar, tropical and subtropical expeditions: from Antarctica to Papua New Guinea, Ponant takes you
to pristine nature and ancient mythical cultures. With nearly 20 years of experience in extreme regions, Ponant is a true polar specialist. Their brand-new expedition yacht Le Commandant Charcot was specially designed for the polar regions and lets you sample on board a highly refined environment with a palpable French touch. Powered by LNG gas, this hybrid-electric polar exploration vessel was designed with the utmost attention to safety and environmental friendliness.
For all lovers of exploration, adventure, discovery and unique encounters far beyond the boundaries of normal travel, Ponant and National Geographic have joined forces and expertise to offer unique and enriching expedition cruises.
Expedition cruise ships (< 300 passengers)
Poseidon Expeditions is aimed at offering curious travellers with high expectations the perfect combination of comfort and personalised service, with a balanced formula of opportunities for outdoor activities in a spirit of adventure. With the aid of a fleet of Zodiacs and helicopters on board, you will be assisted on land by an exceptional team of expedition guides and experts to observe nature and spectacular landscapes up close.
The small expedition ship Sea Spirit can navigate protected channels and bays inaccessible to larger cruise ships. Anyone can land simultaneously at landing sites in Antarctica and the Arctic, where the number of visitors is limited by law. One notable destination is the British Isles, where Poseidon provides an expedition-style journey from Portsmouth to Edinburgh to explore some of the British Isles' most historically significant and natural destinations.
Expedition cruise ships (< 300 passengers)
Founded in 1991 by two intrepid adventurers, Lars Wikander and Mike McDowell, Quark Expeditions has become an expert specialising in the polar territories, leading curious travellers into the last unexplored places on Earth. Its expeditions benefit from a broad experience, with the accent on an innovative approach. For example, Quark offers the possibility of flying to the Antarctic, avoiding the often rough crossing of the Drake Passage. Quark Expeditions goes where others do not or simply cannot go, which may be by kayak, Zodiac boat, helicopter or even hot air balloon.
The newest ship in the Quark fleet is the Ultramarine, equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, 20 fast Zodiacs, spacious suites, wellness facilities and plenty of outdoor spaces from which to observe wildlife in comfort. The Ultramarine has ice class 1A+, PC6. Quark Expeditions has some impressive firsts to its name; for instance, this shipping company organised the first ever floating film festival aboard the Sea Spirit.
Expedition cruise ships (< 300 passengers)
The brand new expedition ship Seabourn Venture was specially designed for diverse cruising areas in accordance with PC6 Polar Class standards and equipped with the latest technology to ensure extraordinary stability, the highest possible safety, and exceptional comfort in all climates and conditions. Equipment is available for diving, kayaking, snorkelling and mountain biking. In addition to zodiacs, this ship also has two submarines for six guests on board to explore the fascinating underwater world.
Seabourn has thus ushered in a new era of ultra-luxurious expedition voyages. These expedition voyages combine adventure in remote destinations with Seabourn's well-known ultra-luxury. Destinations include Antarctica, the British Isles and the Arctic. The Seabourn Pursuit is the sister ship of the Seabourn Venture and directly Seabourn's second expedition ship. The ship will go into service during 2023.
Expedition cruise ships (< 300 passengers)
Scenic Cruises offers expedition cruises to iconic destinations, aboard the new ultra-luxurious discovery yachts, Scenic Eclipse I and II. The onboard accommodation truly surpasses everything, and, with almost as many crew members as guests, you will enjoy unparalleled personal service. From the Spa Sanctuary and Wellness Area to the extensive choice of dining options, alfresco terraces and not one but even multiple swimming pools, the luxurious wonders on board here are endless.
The once-in-a-lifetime experiences are many. Excursions by zodiac or by kayak, snorkelling, hiking through the snow, cycling on an e-bike or scuba diving, floating across the ocean floor in a submarine, or flying like a bird in a helicopter, these are all among the possibilities. The culinary experiences are second to none: from contemporary fine dining to the relaxed setting of the Yacht Club. The Scenic Eclipse discovery yachts have ice class PC6.
Expedition cruise ships (< 300 passengers)
The expedition ship Silver Origin has been especially constructed to explore the Galapagos Islands. Silversea has implemented everything to ensure that the expedition experience to this unique destination unfolds in the best way possible, in part thanks to a team of Ecuadorean nature guides. We are all increasingly concerned about the environmental footprint of our voyage, which is why Silversea has invested heavily in state of the art technology, a dynamic positioning system which protects the delicate seabed, and an advanced propulsion system.
The Silver Origin exudes supreme elegance, subtle and innovative, with colourful bright motifs, seamless hybrid spaces, butler service and 8 Zodiacs. With the all-inclusive concept, you don't have to worry on board, and can enjoy champagnes, an exquisite selection of wines, liqueurs and brandy wines.
