National Geographic Explorer Arctic and Antarctic Cruises

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.

Discoverer

Carrying just 140 guests, the Discoverer offers the ideal blend of comfort and expedition capability. Its small size allows for flexible landings and closer wildlife encounters, while still providing spacious lounges, upgraded amenities, and inviting public areas. The result is a ship that stays true to its expedition roots, with an added touch of comfort and refinement. The Discoverer has been extensively refurbished in 2023, giving the ship a fresh and modern atmosphere throughout. Guests can expect elegantly designed cabins, upgraded bathrooms and furnishings, brighter and more inviting public spaces, and an elevated dining experience. Onboard wellness facilities, including a spa and fitness center, provide the perfect place to unwind after days spent exploring glaciers, wildlife, and remote polar landscapes. She is a true small-ship expedition vessel, Ice Class 1A and Polar Code compliant, designed to go where few ships dare, and to put her passengers right at the heart of some of the most astonishing wilderness environments on earth.

Ocean Atlantic

Ocean Atlantic is the perfect vessel for expedition cruising in Antarctic and Arctic waters! Newly renovated in 2016 and with an international ice class rating of 1B, she is one of the strongest ships operating in Antarctica. Her high maneuverability, shallow draft and strong engines allow for extended voyages into isolated fjords, creating exciting adventures for any Antarctica and Arctic traveler. Ocean Atlantic is newly renovated (2016) with elegant common areas and accommodation for 198 passengers. The ship was built in 1985 and underwent an extensive rebuild in 2010. With a length of 140m, she has ample space on the multiple decks for several lecture halls, a relaxed restaurant serving 4-star international cuisine, professionally staffed bars, and observation platforms – and even a pool. All common areas on the Erickson Deck feature large panel windows, enabling passengers to quickly spot passing whales and photographic sights from the comfort of indoor lounges. All private cabins are stylishly appointed and feature individual bathroom facilities, phone for internal calls, individual temperature controls, and TV. Ideal for relaxation, the vessels’ accommodation ranges in size from 11 - 35 m2 and are designed with either portholes or windows. Daily shore landings at penguin rookeries, research stations, and other Antarctic wonders are made possible by her fleet of 20 Zodiacs.

Sylvia Earle

Welcome aboard the Sylvia Earle, a purpose-built expedition vessel named in honor of pioneering marine biologist and conservationist Dr. Sylvia Earle. Launched in late 2022, this state-of-the-art ship combines advanced nautical design with a deep respect for the natural world. Carrying a maximum of 130 guests, the Sylvia Earle fosters a more intimate, community-focused experience, where like-minded travelers can connect meaningfully while exploring the planet’s most remote and awe-inspiring polar regions. The ship features the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW® design, which cuts through swell for smoother sailings and increased fuel efficiency. With a wide range of cabin options, comfortable public spaces, a Mudroom for gear storage, wellness amenities including a heated saltwater pool, sauna, and gym, and multiple zodiac boarding platforms, the Sylvia Earle is both an elegant base camp and an adventure launchpad. Unique to the ship are its tribute decks, honoring not only Dr. Earle but also six other pioneering women in conservation, making the vessel itself a floating ambassador for environmental change.