Which expedition cruise lines have the newest ships?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 9 November 2026
These 13 expedition cruise lines give the year their ship was built, delivered or rebuilt on their own websites, read 9 November 2026. Each card gives what the line says about it, with the ship, voyage, length, price or number where it names one, then why to choose it, what to ask for and the limits it publishes.
Which expedition cruise lines have the newest ships?
13 expedition cruise lines in the Uncompromised Travel table say on their own websites that they give the year their ship was built, delivered or rebuilt; Aurora Expeditions, Atlas Ocean Voyages and Aventure Maritime have the most Google reviews under the line's own name.
Atlas Ocean Voyages
- Best for
- All-inclusive ice-class yachts, sailing year-round
- Built
- Launched World Navigator in 2021, World Traveller in 2022 and World Voyager in 2023; it has also announced Atlas Adventurer, listed as arriving in 2028.
- Why choose them
- Its three yachts, World Navigator, World Traveller and World Voyager, are Polar Category C and Ice Class 1B. Google: 4.0 out of 5 from 86 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a Drake Express voyage, which includes a roundtrip private charter jet between Punta Arenas and King George Island.
- Not the fit if
- you use an electric wheelchair or scooter: only collapsible wheelchairs are accepted on board.
- Published price
- From US$12,150 per guest, double occupancy, 11-night Antarctica voyage on World Navigator roundtrip from Ushuaia, 8 March 2027. Read 9 November 2026.
- Website
- atlasoceanvoyages.com
Aurora Expeditions
- Best for
- Small-ship polar voyages with solo cabins
- Built
- Its Douglas Mawson was built in 2025, joining the Sylvia Earle (2022) and the Greg Mortimer (2019).
- Why choose them
- Publishes an Expedition Team-to-expeditioner ratio of 1:7. Google: 4.4 out of 5 from 107 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for one of the 10 dedicated solo cabins with no single supplement on the Greg Mortimer or Sylvia Earle.
- Not the fit if
- you may need to cancel late: from 120 days before departure the cancellation fee is 100% of the full ticket price.
- Published price
- Spirit of Antarctica, 11 days, from USD $15,436 per person twin share (was $19,295), December 2026 and 2027 seasons. Read 9 November 2026.
- Money protection
- Deposit Protection Program: all voyage deposits go into a separate trust account (Aurora Passenger Trust).
Aventure Maritime
- Best for
- Six-passenger sailing voyages in the Arctic
- Built
- Havella is a Norwegian wooden sailboat built in 1952, which it says has been ice-strengthened and modernised.
- Why choose them
- Havella, a Norwegian wooden sailing ship built in 1952, takes up to 6 passengers per cruise, excluding the guide. Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 21 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a themed Svalbard cruise with a ski, kayak or photography guide, priced on request.
- Not the fit if
- your group is larger than 6: Havella takes up to 6 passengers per cruise.
- Published price
- 4,900€ per passenger, full board, Svalbard cruise, 2027 season. Read 9 November 2026.
- Website
- aventuremaritime.com
Bark Europa
- Best for
- Sailing a tall ship to Antarctica
- Built
- Sails Bark EUROPA, built in 1911 as a light ship on the German river Elbe and a sail training vessel since 1986.
- Why choose them
- Bark EUROPA was built in 1911 as a light ship on the German river Elbe and has been a sail training vessel since 1986.
- Ask for
- Ask for a place on the waiting list for the 20-day Antarctic Peninsula voyage, 3 to 22 December 2026.
- Not the fit if
- you want a cabin to yourself as a solo traveller: solo guests are placed in a 4/6-person male or female cabin.
- Published price
- from €11,700 per person, Antarctic Peninsula, 20 days, 3 to 22 December 2026 (waiting list). Read 9 November 2026.
- Website
- barkeuropa.com
Ecoventura
- Best for
- Galapagos yachts carrying 20 guests
- Built
- Sails three 20-passenger yachts: Origin (built in 2016), Theory (built in 2019) and Evolve (built in 2023).
- Why choose them
- Has two naturalist guides for every ten guests, which it says is the lowest guide to guest ratio in the Galapagos.
- Ask for
- Ask for a two-room Premium Suite or a whole-yacht charter for up to 20 guests.
- Not the fit if
- you may cancel late: from 89 days before departure the entire cruise rate is forfeited.
- Website
- ecoventura.com
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
- Best for
- Bilingual PC6 expedition ships, pole to pole
- Built
- Commissioned HANSEATIC nature and HANSEATIC inspiration in May and October 2019 and HANSEATIC spirit in May 2021.
- Why choose them
- Its three HANSEATIC expedition ships, commissioned in May and October 2019 and May 2021, have PC6, which it says is the highest ice class for passenger ships.
- Ask for
- Ask for the cruises on its offers list where there is no or only a small surcharge for single occupancy of the cabin or suite.
- Not the fit if
- you use a wheelchair: guests who depend on one cannot travel in the Zodiacs.
- Published price
- From €13,640 per person, South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula, 14 days from Ushuaia on HANSEATIC inspiration, 07 Jan 2028 (early booking discount until 28 Feb 2027). Read 9 November 2026.
- Money protection
- Insolvency cover with Deutscher Reisesicherungsfonds GmbH for European customers; ABTOT ATOL Franchise, ATOL number 12926, for UK customers.
- Website
- hl-cruises.com
Pelagic Expeditions
- Best for
- Private sailing-vessel charters to Antarctica
- Built
- Its Pelagic 77 Vinson of Antarctica was built at KM Yachtbuilders in Makkum, the Netherlands, with sea trials from April 2021.
- Why choose them
- Says it has sailed south every year since 1988, when it made a sailing and climbing expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia.
- Ask for
- Ask Skip Novak for a charter of the Pelagic 77 Vinson of Antarctica, with its dates and day rate in writing.
- Not the fit if
- you want to fly to Antarctica: voyages sail from Puerto Williams in Chile across the Drake Passage, usually three to four days.
- Enquiry
- pelagic.co.uk/contact.asp
Scenic
- Best for
- All-inclusive polar yachts with helicopters
- Built
- Says Scenic Eclipse II made its inaugural sailing in April 2023, with Scenic Ikon set to launch in 2028.
- Why choose them
- Scenic Eclipse takes a maximum of 228 adult-only guests, 200 in Antarctica and the High Arctic, with an almost 1:1 crew to guest ratio.
- Ask for
- Ask for the fare on select voyages that includes a 30-minute helicopter flightseeing experience in Antarctica.
- Not the fit if
- you travel with children: Scenic Eclipse sails with adult-only guests.
- Published price
- From £16,573 per person, two sharing the lowest priced cabin, Antarctica in Depth, 13 days from Buenos Aires, 2028/2029 season. Read 9 November 2026.
- Money protection
- ATOL 9294 on flight-inclusive holidays where indicated at booking; ABTA member.
Seabourn
- Best for
- Expedition ships with all-veranda suites
- Built
- Its expedition ship Seabourn Venture launched in 2022 and her sister ship Seabourn Pursuit joined in 2023.
- Why choose them
- Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit are built to PC6 Polar Class standards and each carries 24 Zodiacs. Trustpilot (whole company): 1.8 out of 5 from 32 reviews, newest 2 October 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the SBNSOLO offer, which cuts the single supplement to as low as 125% on select sailings.
- Not the fit if
- you cannot sit unassisted on a Zodiac pontoon: Zodiacs have no wheelchair tie-downs and such guests cannot use them.
Silversea
- Best for
- Expedition ships with butler service
- Built
- Welcomed Silver Endeavour, which it calls the world's finest Expedition ship, in July 2022; its expedition ship Silver Cloud was built in 1994 and last refurbished in 2017.
- Why choose them
- Runs a fleet of 12 ships, eight Classic and four Expedition; it was founded in 1994. Trustpilot (whole company): 2.4 out of 5 from 58 reviews, newest 9 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a private Zodiac tour with an Expedition Expert as your personal guide.
- Not the fit if
- you need step-free shore access: nearly all discovery ashore is by Zodiac launch to and from the ship.
Swan Hellenic
- Best for
- Cultural expedition cruises on three ships
- Built
- SH Minerva set sail in 2021, SH Vega entered service in 2022 and SH Diana was christened in 2023.
- Why choose them
- SH Minerva and SH Vega carry 152 guests each and SH Diana 192. Trustpilot: 4.6 out of 5 from 179 reviews, newest 28 October 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask which departures waive the single supplement for solo travellers.
- Not the fit if
- you might cancel within 60 days of departure: 100% of the cruise package price is charged.
- Money protection
- Insolvency bonding with ACTA (Cyprus) for cruise-only and flight-inclusive bookings.
- Website
- swanhellenic.com
Terra Nova Expeditions
- Best for
- Antarctica on a 98-guest ship, activities included
- Built
- Sails Terra Nova Adventurer, the St Helena, built in the UK in 1989, which it says had cabins and public areas upgraded in 2025.
- Why choose them
- Keeps its Antarctic expeditions to fewer than 100 guests, with Terra Nova Adventurer taking a maximum of 98.
- Ask for
- Ask for an open-air camping place early: it is included but limited to 30 guests per departure.
- Not the fit if
- you want to fly over the Drake Passage: every voyage leaves Ushuaia and crosses it by sea.
- Published price
- From $6,490 per person in US dollars, Classic Antarctica, 10 days on Terra Nova Adventurer, next departure December 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
- Website
- terranova-expeditions.com
Viking
- Best for
- Large Polar Class ships with submarines
- Built
- Viking Octantis was built in 2022, the year it and Viking Polaris launched Viking's expedition voyages.
- Why choose them
- Its expedition ships Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, launched in 2022, carry 378 guests each. Trustpilot (whole company): 1.7 out of 5 from 382 reviews, newest 8 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a submarine dive: each submarine takes 6 guests and a pilot.
- Not the fit if
- you travel with children: it lists no children under 18 on its ocean voyages; the pages read give no age rule for its expedition ships.
When was each line's newest ship built?
13 of the 13 lines give a year their ship was built, delivered or rebuilt; the list runs from the most recent year.
- Aurora Expeditions: 2025
- Atlas Ocean Voyages: 2023
- Ecoventura: 2023
- Scenic: 2023
- Seabourn: 2023
- Swan Hellenic: 2023
- Silversea: 2022
- Viking: 2022
- Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: 2021
- Pelagic Expeditions: 2021
- Terra Nova Expeditions: 1989
- Aventure Maritime: 1952
- Bark Europa: 1911
Which of these show a dated price on this page?
7 of the 13 cards show a price for a voyage, with its currency and a date or season. Ecoventura, Seabourn, Silversea and Viking publish fares on their own websites without a date or currency on the pages read, so no figure is shown for them. Ask every line for a written quote with the departure date and what it includes.
- Atlas Ocean Voyages
- Aurora Expeditions
- Aventure Maritime
- Bark Europa
- Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
- Scenic
- Terra Nova Expeditions
Which of these lines name a scheme that protects your money?
4 of the 13 lines name a scheme, bond, licence or account that protects payments for some or all bookings; check the number with the scheme before you pay.
- Aurora Expeditions: Deposit Protection Program: all voyage deposits go into a separate trust account (Aurora Passenger Trust)
- Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: Insolvency cover with Deutscher Reisesicherungsfonds GmbH for European customers; ABTOT ATOL Franchise, ATOL number 12926, for UK customers
- Scenic: ATOL 9294 on flight-inclusive holidays where indicated at booking; ABTA member
- Swan Hellenic: Insolvency bonding with ACTA (Cyprus) for cruise-only and flight-inclusive bookings
Who to contact first
Start with the 3 lines on this page that publish both a voyage price and their cancellation terms on their own websites, then add any other card that fits your dates and the voyage you want.
What to ask each one to set out in writing:
- What the fare includes, line by line: flights, hotel nights before and after, drinks, gratuities, excursions, kayaking or camping, parka and boots.
- The ship: passengers on board, ice class where it matters, the cabin and whether anything on board costs extra.
- The deposit, when the balance is due, what you lose if you cancel and what happens if ice or weather changes the route.
- Which scheme or licence protects your money, the travel insurance you need and the medical cover it must include.
Newest expedition ships: the questions people ask
What should I ask an expedition cruise line before booking?
What the fare includes, line by line; how many passengers the ship carries and how many go ashore at once; the deposit and what you lose if you cancel; the travel insurance and medical cover it requires; and which scheme protects your money.
Can I book with these lines directly?
Yes. Each card links the line's own website or enquiry page; ask for a written quote that lists what the fare includes and the cancellation scale.
Do these lines all sell the same kind of voyage?
No. Each card names the voyage, ship or offer the line's own website gives; ship sizes, lengths, routes and prices differ, so compare the cards before you ask for quotes.
Do I need travel insurance for an expedition cruise?
10 of the 13 lines set out on their own websites what insurance they ask for; many polar voyages require cover for medical evacuation. Ask each line for the cover it requires before you buy a policy.
Which of these have the most Google reviews?
Aurora Expeditions, Atlas Ocean Voyages and Aventure Maritime, in that order. A count says how many people reviewed a line, not whether it fits your voyage; each card gives the rating and count, read 9 November 2026.
Which of these have Trustpilot profiles?
4 of the 13: Seabourn, Silversea, Swan Hellenic and Viking. Each card gives the TrustScore, the review count and the newest review date, read 9 November 2026.
Which of these publish their cancellation terms?
7 of the 13: Atlas Ocean Voyages, Aurora Expeditions, Ecoventura, Pelagic Expeditions, Seabourn, Swan Hellenic and Terra Nova Expeditions. Ask each for the full scale in writing before you pay a deposit.
Where can I check these facts myself?
Each card links the pages of the line's own website its lines were read from, with the date they were read.
How were these lines chosen?
Each one is in the Uncompromised Travel expedition cruise lines table, built from the expedition cruise lines ChatGPT names most often. On its own website it gives the year its ship was built, delivered or rebuilt. A line is on the page because its published facts fit the question, never because it paid.
Is any company on this page paying to be here?
No. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel; none paid to be on it.
Read next
Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: what each line published on its own website, read on 9 November 2026, with links to the pages read, with its Google and Trustpilot figures where the listing carries the line's own name, from the Uncompromised Travel expedition cruise lines table. Cards are in alphabetical order. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel. How this site earns · How we work.