Six Expedition Ships We Visited in Svalbard

Ship Visit 01

Sylvia Earle – AE Expeditions

Small ship, relaxed atmosphere and an X-BOW design

Sylvia Earle was one of the ships that immediately felt comfortable to us.

The interiors had a calm, relaxed feel. There were plenty of places to sit and watch the scenery, but it still felt like a proper expedition ship.

We particularly liked the outside spaces. On a polar voyage, being able to move around the ship and watch for wildlife matters.

AE Expeditions also caught our attention for solo travellers. When comparing departures, we'd look at the current solo cabin and cabin-sharing options available.

Ship Visit 02

Ocean Albatros – Polar Latitudes Expeditions

Scandinavian design and brilliant viewing platforms

Ocean Albatros shares the distinctive X-BOW style we had seen on Sylvia Earle, but the personality onboard felt different.

The Scandinavian interiors were light and relaxing.

One feature really stood out: the hydraulic viewing platforms at the bow.

They bring you closer to the water and give you another place to watch for wildlife. We thought they were a fantastic addition to an expedition ship.

We also liked the range of cabin options. This included choices that could work for solo travellers wanting to keep costs down.

Ship Visit 03

SH Diana – Swan Hellenic

A boutique-yacht feel with a luxurious finish

SH Diana made an impression as soon as we stepped onboard.

She felt more like a private yacht than a traditional expedition ship.

The cabins were particularly beautiful. Think calming colours, floor-to-ceiling windows and thoughtful details.

We loved the holographic fireplaces in the cabins.

Imagine waking up, making a coffee and watching Arctic scenery pass your window with the glow of the fireplace beside you.

Swan Hellenic also travels beyond the polar regions. That can appeal to travellers who love expedition-style journeys but don't only want Antarctica or the Arctic.

Ship Visit 04

Le Lyrial – PONANT

French style and comfort in the polar regions

Le Lyrial offered a different feel again.

PONANT combines expedition travel with a distinctly French style.

The ship felt elegant without losing the connection to the destination outside.

This is the type of ship we'd consider for somebody who wants to explore remote places but still values dining, service and comfort.

From the CLIA Expedition Summit

Le Commandant Charcot – A Ship We Learnt About in Svalbard

We didn't visit Le Commandant Charcot.

During the CLIA Expedition Summit, we attended a PONANT presentation about this extraordinary ship.

Le Commandant Charcot is a Polar Class 2 icebreaking passenger ship.

That capability allows her to undertake high-polar routes that conventional expedition ships cannot.

She has reached the Geographic North Pole and is designed for a very different style of polar exploration.

Ship Visit 05

Ocean Explorer – Quark Expeditions

A modern polar ship with a relaxed feel

We really enjoyed Ocean Explorer.

She had a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, with modern Scandinavian-style interiors.

Quark has specialised in polar travel for decades. That expedition focus is an important part of the experience.

The ship also has plenty of spaces to relax after a day outside.

Ship Visit 06

World Voyager – Now with Quark Expeditions

The ship we visited has entered a new expedition chapter

World Voyager had some of our favourite cabins of the entire Svalbard trip.

They felt spacious and beautifully finished.

We particularly noticed the bathrooms. The showers were a great size, and some cabin categories even had baths.

The Dome observation lounge was another favourite.

We also liked the outside areas and the low observation position close to the sea.

However, this is one ship where our 2025 experience needs some context.

Quark has a very different expedition style from Atlas. World Voyager's move to Quark has therefore changed more than the name on the side of the ship.

If you're considering her now, we'd look at the current Quark onboard experience rather than assuming it is identical to the yacht-style product we saw in Svalbard.

What Did We Learn From Visiting Six Expedition Ships?

There wasn't one ship we'd recommend to everybody.

That's actually one of the biggest things we took away from Svalbard.

The ships may visit some of the same extraordinary destinations, but the experience onboard can be very different.

Some travellers will love the relaxed expedition feel of Sylvia Earle or Ocean Explorer.

Others may be drawn to the yacht-like style of SH Diana.

PONANT brings another level of French refinement. Ocean Albatros has some fantastic wildlife-viewing features.

World Voyager also showed us how much a ship can evolve when it moves between expedition operators.

During the summit, we also learnt more about specialist ships such as Le Commandant Charcot. We didn't visit her, but the presentation gave us an insight into a very different type of high-polar journey.

That's why we look beyond the itinerary when helping clients choose an expedition cruise.

We think about the ship, expedition team, cabin, activity level, inclusions and atmosphere onboard.

Having actually stepped aboard these six ships gives us a much better idea of who they may suit.

For more information about this style of travel, visit our Expedition Cruises page.