Arctic Ships
All the Arctic ships we offer are relatively small and will offer the chance to get off the ship for excursions when in destination (conditions permitting). The vessels will all be staffed with a team of naturalist who will provide lectures on various Polar subjects and will be your guides in the zodiacs and on shore. All shore landings and zodiac cruises are included in the cabin cost. Some ships & voyages offer adventure options such as kayaking which is an additional cost on most trips.
We have arranged the ships into three categories: Luxury, Premium and Expedition ships. The Luxury ships will offer top notch accommodations with the most inclusions. The Premium ships will have upgraded accommodations and amenities, typically with good inclusions. The Expedition ships offer more basic accommodations (but still comfortable) and may have less inclusions.
Click on the ship photo to view the trips & rates, ship photos, cabin descriptions and deck plans. Our team sails on the ships all the time so we will be happy to further discuss the differences between the ships, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each ship. Please give us a call at 800-920-4294 or +1-847-513-7944 to learn more and for help with finding the perfect ship for your trip!
Luxury Ships
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Silver Endeavour
220 Passengers -

Le Commandant Charcot
245 Passengers for Arctic / 199 for Antarctica Passengers
Premium Ships
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Ultramarine
199 Passengers -

Sylvia Earle
130 Passengers -

National Geographic Resolution
138 Passengers -

Greg Mortimer
130 Passengers -

Ocean Explorer
138 Passengers -

National Geographic Explorer
148 Passengers -

Sea Spirit
114 Passengers -

National Geographic Endurance
138 Passengers
Expedition Ships
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Hondius
170 Passengers -

Plancius
108 Passengers -

Ortelius
108 Passengers -

MV Vikingfjord
12 Passengers
Arctic Ships FAQs
What is the advantage of booking a small Arctic cruise ship?
A smaller group size means less time waiting your turn onboard the ship and allows more of a chance to interact with the expedition staff. In addition, Svalbard has regulations that only allow ships with less than 200 people in protected areas.
Does having a ship with a high ice class matter?
Yes, this is more important for Arctic voyages than most Antarctic voyages. The north & east sides of Svalbard, east coast of Greenland and the Northwest Passage can be heavily iced, depending on the time of the season. Ships with a high ice class can typically navigate through the young pack ice to search for polar bears.
I want to get in a lot of activities, which ship is best for me?
Many ships offer adventure options which have limited spots and availability. Visit our Trip Search page and select your preferred adventure options under “Activities” to find a list of voyages.
Do all ships include meals?
Yes, every ship includes 3 daily meals when onboard.
Are all the ships icebreakers?
No, but all the ships we offer will have ice strengthened hulls. The only true icebreaker is Le Commandant Charcot which can break the multi-year pack ice to access the geographic north pole.















