National Geographic Endurance: Arctic and Antarctic Cruises

National Geographic Explorer

The flagship of the National Geographic fleet, the Explorer travels from pole to pole each year, spending winters in Antarctica and summers in the Arctic. The National Geographic Explorer is arguably the finest expedition vessel on the seas. A state-of-the-art, ice-class expedition ship, the Explorer comfortably accommodates 148 guests in 81 spacious cabins, each with outside views, private en-suite bathrooms, and a sleek, modern style. The ship carries kayaks and a fleet of zodiacs, as well as sophisticated video equipment that allows access to the underwater world. Public areas include a lounge and bar, a library, a spa, a fitness center, and a sauna. Services include a full-time doctor, a wellness specialist, and an Internet café.

Seaventure

Welcome aboard the Seaventure! Seaventure features a 1-A Super ice class rating, the highest ice class awarded to passenger vessels. This means that we will be able to explore coves, bays, and channels that would previously have been forbidden to us. The ship also offers a host of new activities. There’s a sauna, a fitness center, a custom-built citizen science lab, and a heated saltwater pool. There is extra storage space so we can carry more equipment. This allows more of our guests to participate in activities like kayaking, snowshoeing, and camping.

Sylvia Earle

Welcome aboard the Sylvia Earle, a brand-new cruise ship named after the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National and Atmospheric Administration. Sylvia Earle was also named by Time Magazine as its first Hero for the Planet in 1998. Set to sail in November 2022, this powerful new ship honors Sylvia’s long-standing marine conservation efforts. Built for intense weather conditions, the Sylvia Earle is a pioneer in nautical technology. Sail the Arctic or the Antarctic like never before aboard one of the most modern and elegant cruise ships. The Sylvia Earle was created for the most rugged and remote trips. It features the Ulstein X-BOW®, which cuts through swell so passengers feel fewer vibrations during ocean crossings. If you are prone to seasickness, this cruise ship will make your polar voyage much more comfortable. The Ulstein X-BOW® also reduces fuel consumption by up to 60%. A Sylvia Earle polar cruise offers passengers a wide array of cabin choices to suit any comfort level. Whether you are embarking on a solo polar adventure or bringing along the entire family, the Sylvia Earle cruise ship will happily accommodate your needs. Each en suite cabin features great amenities like a room-controlled thermostat, a safe, plenty of closet space, a 42’’ flat-screen TV, and much more. You won’t need to compromise comfort on your Arctic or Antarctic cruise. Just like Sylvia Earle herself, preserving and protecting the fragile Arctic and Antarctic environments is one of the most important values aboard a Sylvia Earle polar cruise and is reflected in many features aboard the ship. The Sylvia Earle is proud to be one of the lowest polluting ships in the world due to its high fuel efficiency and streamlined design delivering an 80% reduction in emissions. The Sylvia Earle also uses a virtual anchor thanks to GPS and steering technology. This significantly minimizes damage to the sea floor usually caused by regular anchors. The Sylvia Earle was built for adventure cruising. The brand new ship carries many zodiacs, which you can board via 4 different platforms. These platforms make boarding quick and easy so passengers can enjoy more time on their polar expeditions. On the zodiacs, you’ll venture through small riverbeds inaccessible by larger ships, and you’ll get a closer look at the impressive Arctic and Antarctic flora and fauna. A Sylvia Earle polar cruise also offers a range of optional activities lead by expert guides from kayaking, diving, climbing, and ski touring. The Sylvia Ealer is an expedition ship constructed to support all outdoor experiences so each passenger can maximize their time on board. The Sylvia Earle is also equipped with a Mudroom- the launchpad for all polar cruise expeditions. Guests will have access to locker rooms with drying areas to hang up their gear in between each polar excursion. The Sylvia Earle expedition team is eager to educate all of its guests about the history, culture, biology, and climate change of the polar regions. On your Arctic or Antarctic cruise, you’ll meet naturalists and local specialists in the state-of-the-art lecture theater for educational and highly entertaining presentations. The Sylvia Earle cruise ship library is also a great place to relax, pick up a good book, play board games, view and organize your trip photos, or just stare out the floor-to-ceiling windows. In between expeditions, make sure to enjoy the heated saltwater open-air swimming pool and jacuzzis on board the Sylvia Earle, where the Arctic and Antarctic views will leave you in awe. For even more relaxation, visit the wellness center aboard the cruise ship, equipped with a gym, sauna, and professional massage therapists.

Douglas Mawson

Adventure has a new name. Setting sail in 2025, our new state-of-the-art ship, the Douglas Mawson, is the last in a line of purpose-built vessels that have redefined small ship expedition cruising. Named after the legendary Australian geologist and explorer, our new small ship embodies Mawson’s pioneering spirit and is designed for global discovery. Featuring the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW® and purpose-built with enhanced sustainability features, it takes on average 154 adventurers to the world’s wildest places in smooth, quiet comfort. It boasts our most extensive range of cabins yet, including a range of single cabins. The Douglas Mawson features a host of amenities to help you connect with like-minded travellers and elevate your time onboard our floating base camp for adventure. After a long day of exploring, head to the back deck to swim in the heated outdoor swimming pool, find a sun bed to read on, or soak in one of two Jacuzzis. Work up a sweat in the gym before unwinding in the sauna, resolve to learn something new in the Citizen Science Centre, then enjoy a delicious meal with new and old friends in one of two restaurants. Or, with multiple observation areas throughout the ship, simply relax in comfort while you keep watch for wildlife or incredible landscapes unfold before you. While enjoying the luxurious amenities onboard, you can rest assured that our aim to get you off the ship to explore the natural environment as much as possible through our unique activities program remains unchanged. The Douglas Mawson’s inaugural season marks our return to East Antarctica for the first time in 13 years, with new itineraries to include a Mawson’s Antarctica voyage to East Antarctica in honour of the ship’s namesake, departing from Hobart, a semi-circumnavigation of Antarctica, and immersive explorations of the Subantarctic Islands. We invite you to join us on the Douglas Mawson.