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Antarctica - Select Cruise By Class Of Vessel

A classic Antarctic Icescape

Visitors who travel to Antarctica with Southern Explorations have a choice of four categories of vessels: Adventure, Expedition, Icebreaker and Luxury Expedition. These ship types vary in amenities, comfort, activities, passenger capacity and cost. In all, we offer twelve ships from which to choose.

The largest Antarctic cruise ships travel to more distant destinations in Western Antarctica such as the Weddell Sea that borders the peninsula and the Ross Sea. Ships that travel to East Antarctica in the Indian Ocean depart from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, all much longer Antarctic trips with less frequent departures. All of the cruise ships on Southern Explorations’ Antarctica tours embark from Ushuaia.

Antarctica tour ships must acquire permits to enter government-protected areas, must ensure adequate passenger supervision by trained, experienced Antarctic guides and have approved management and monitoring plans for emergencies and waste disposal. Cruise ship operators are required to inform passengers about the Antarctic Treaty’s provisions, conduct evacuation and other safety drills onboard and submit a follow-up report detailing the activities that took place during the cruise.

Among these options, we are confident you will find a ship to match your interests and expectations. To give you a general idea of the types of Antarctica trips and vacations we offer to travel to Antarctica, please read about our itinerary categories. If you would like to discuss Antarctica tours in more detail, please give us a call. We’d be happy to help.

Antarctica Vessel Classes

Select from the categories below to reveal a list of boats in that class.

Adventure Class Cruises

• Adventure ships are expedition vessels that offer adventure options for travelers who seek a more active trip. Available adventure options depend on the specific ship and trip, and all options are not available on all ships. There is an additional fee for these optional adventures (except for camping), and they limit the number of participants on each departure. In some cases, previous experience is necessary to participate. . . More »

Name	Description
Plancius	The 267-ft Plancius was built in 1976 for the Royal Dutch Navy as an oceanographic research vessel, the Hr. Ms. Tydeman. This ship is ice-strengthened with bow and stern thrusters for maneuverability. It underwent a complete reconstruction to commence Polar cruises and Antarctic adventure tours for 112 guests in October 2009. . .
Ushuaia	Originally built for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the 279-ft ice-strengthened Antarctic polar vessel, Ushuaia, has been refurbished for private commercial use to accommodate a maximum of eighty-four passengers on Antarctica expeditions.
Akademik Ioffe	The 385-ft Akademik Ioffe (registered as the Akademik Ioffe) is a working scientific research vessel that also operates as an Anatarctic expedition-style Polar cruise vessel offering passengers unique Antarctica travel experiences. The cruise ship was built in Scandinavia for the Russian Academy of Science. The Akademik Ioffe accommodates up to 118 passengers though normally carries no more than 110 for the comfort of its guests.
Akademik Sergey Vavilov	The sister ship to the Akademik Ioffe, this 385-ft Scandinavian vessel was built for the Russian Academy of Science, designed for quiet travel during hydro-acoustic research. Akademik Sergey Vavilov cruise ship has an ice-strengthened hull and is exceptionally stable, yet maneuverable, with external stabilizers and a built-in trimming system.
Polar Pioneer	The 235-ft Polar Pioneer was built in Finland in 1985 as an ice-strengthened research vessel and for many years navigated the waters of the USSR's northern coast before beginning its Antarctica tours. In 2000, the ship was refurbished in St. Petersburg to provide accommodations for fifty-six passengers on Antarctica adventure cruises.
Ocean Nova	Built for the icy waters of Greenland, this 239-ft polar ship has clean Scandinavian lines and an ice-strengthened hull. The Ocean Nova accommodates sixty-eight passengers on Antarctica cruises and has a cruising speed of twelve knots in open water.
Ortelius	The ice-strengthened Ortelius enables passengers to visit remote locations on their Antarctica tours. Built in Poland in 1989 for the Russian Academy of Science, the ship was later reconfigured for tourist travel to Antarctica.

Expedition Class Cruises

• Expedition ships are the bread and butter of Antarctic exploration. Though the ships themselves aren’t small – they displace from 2000 to over 5000 tons – they are designed to carry small groups of passengers for a more intimate travel experience. . . More »

Name	Description
Clipper Adventurer	Built in 1975, this ship underwent a $13 million conversion in 1998 to transform it into the handsome well-appointed A-1 Ice Class Antarctic expedition ship it is today. The 330-ft Clipper Adventurer accommodates 122 passengers on Antarctica adventure tours and cruises at twelve knots in open water.

Ice-Breaker Cruises

• An Icebreaker offers the unique experience of negotiating through ice conditions that no other ship can handle. These ships provide a highly experienced and knowledgeable crew and expedition staff, including the expedition leader, naturalists and lecturers. Icebreakers carry an entire fleet of Zodiac landing craft for shuttling passengers from ship to land. Onboard helicopters make flights and excursions to the continent’s interior possible. . . More »

Name	Description
Kapitan Khlebnikov	This 112-passenger vessel is a polar-class icebreaker, combining power and technology with comfortable accommodations for Antarctica trips and travel. Originally designed for the waters of northern Siberia, the 402-ft Kapitan Khlebnikov is one of a few vessels of its kind in the world. It cruises at 15 knots in open water.

Luxury Expedition Cruises

• Luxury Class doesn’t have to do with the size of the ship, but rather the class of travel. A luxury ship to Antarctica offers luxurious accommodations, spacious public spaces and lounges, and Five-Star amenities such as a TV/VCR, mini-refrigerator, choice of bed type (twin or queen), elevator, as well as Butler Service and verandas in select cabin types. It carries you in style to the most remote wilderness destination in the world. . . More »

Name	Description
NG Explorer	The National Geographic Explorer is a state-of-the-art, fully stabilized Antarctic expedition ship with ice-strengthened hull that debuted in August of 2008. Designed for 21st century Antarctica touring, the 367-ft cruise ship offers adventure, comfort and informality. The National Geographic Explorer accommodates 148 passengers on Antarctica cruises.
Boreal, Austral & Soleal	Relaxing, smooth and quiet, these identical Antarctica sister ships offer the ultimate in luxury and comfort. Each is the perfect choice for passengers seeking the intimate, elegant atmosphere of a private yacht for their Antarctica tours, complemented by attentive service and superb French cuisine. With just 132 staterooms and suites. . .

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