Expedition cruises always offer you that something extra you won't find on land or other cruise lines. Here are a few examples of who is offering what and the general cost. Expedition cruises usually need to be booked out 18 months in advance.
A few of the pioneering polar expedition cruise lines are set to enhance polar voyages with more adventure and life experiences - helicopters and submarines - are the latest gadgets aiming to reach these unexplored frontiers. Make a breathtaking ice landing on the Antarctic landscape with a helicopter for an astounding exploration or take an exceptional submarine trip deep down to solve the ocean mysteries and meet mermaids. And come back with incredible experiences that will spice up your sail, stunning photos to cherish for a lifetime, and remarkable stories to narrate for generations. Here’s how you can cruise to the remotest regions of the earth in style:
1. Seabourn - Submarines
Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn Venture
Be a witness to the wonders of the polar ocean bed in the comfort of Seabourn’s custom submarines. Once you start to plunge into the ocean the scenery starts to become contrasting - from the white, vast, icy landscape above water to vibrant coral reefs and marine wildlife hidden from human view below. Each eco-friendly, battery-powered submarine carries just 6 guests - 3 each in the two clear acrylic spheres with a trained pilot in the center to navigate. These deep exploration vehicles are capable of diving to depths of 300 meters with undisturbed views in all directions – making you come face-to-face with the icefishes and decapods as they swim past you. These luxury subs come loaded with leather upholstery, a Bluetooth stereo system, air conditioning and a champagne chiller so you can toast your extraordinary dive with fellow explorers.
Costs: 45-minute tours start from $999
2. Scenic Luxury Cruises– Submarine and Helicopters
Scenic Eclipse I
Scenic Eclipse II
Scenic, with state-of-the-art expeditions ships Eclipse I and II, is the only cruise line to host both a submarine and helicopters. The two Airbus H130-T2 helicopters let you hover close to the icy cliffs above the Arctic Circle; or take you further inside the Antarctic landscape to show the native wildlife in their natural habitat. The helicopters come with a wide cabin, which can accommodate six guests, with perfect sightseeing visibility for all guests. The custom-designed Scenic Neptune Submarine is capable of submerging up to 200 meters underwater and lets you explore the deep mysteries of marine life. With its large ultra-clear acrylic spheres, the submarine is optimized for underwater viewing with seating for up to 8 guests and an expert pilot at the helm. Take a seat and make yourself comfortable as you plunge into the darkness and awake to vibrant reefs and sea life.
Costs: 30-minute helicopter flight $695 per person; 40-minute submarine dive $775 per person
3. Viking Expedition - Submarines
Viking Octantis
Viking Polaris
The twin expedition ships Polaris and Octantis come loaded with expedition features, from dynamic positioning that allows them to hover in place when anchoring is difficult in polar regions, to fin stabilizers that reduce rolling and enhance the cruising comfort.
The Nordic cruise line continues to impress with simplicity and sophistication with its 6-seater submarines and revolving seats with nearly 270-degree spherical windows that offer an undistorted view of the ocean in every direction for every passenger. And the cherry on top - all the adventure activities - kayaks, Zodiacs, special operations boats, and submarine excursions come at no extra charge. You get to take home a keepsake Viking expedition and tons of pictures.
Costs: One complimentary submarine dive and complimentary excursion in each landing
Quark Expeditions - Submarine
Ultramarine
How to foot in the remotest corner of the world in the freezing polar climate that even ships or Zodiacs cannot reach? Ultramarine’s twin helicopters can take you to the isolated glacial amphitheatres and incredible summits while showing you stunning bird’s-eye views. The twin-engine Airbus H145 helicopters, the fastest in their category, come with interior padding for a quieter cockpit and huge scratch-proof windows for a perfect photography session. They also feature advanced safety and a small eco footprint thanks to their fuel efficiency and reduced noise pollution for native wildlife.
Quark just does not offer flightseeing (which is included for all guests)– but has devised a number of adventure activities around its twin helicopters onboard. Guests have the biggest portfolio of adventure options from heli-hiking, alpine kayaking and exclusive icesheet heli-landings. You can be among the few adventurers to fly above the cascading glaciers onto the Greenland Ice Sheet (the second-largest ice mass in the world) with a team of glaciologists educating you. Don’t forget to carry your camera and enthusiasm.
Costs: Flightseeing is complimentary
Exclusive Heli-Landing $395 per person
Alpine Heli-Trekking $495 per person
