Polar Latitudes

Polar Latitudes offer a variety of world-class, small ship expedition cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula, the Falklands Islands and South Georgia. Voyages are led by a hugely experienced, passionate and personable team, including professional adventure guides, scientists, academics and educators, who all have world-class training and certification.

Polar Latitudes operates MS Seaventure, previously known as MS Bremen. The renovated ship has a modern, contemporary style and an 1-A Super ice class rating, the highest awarded to passenger vessels, which enables her to explore otherwise inaccessible coves, bays and channels. Expansive facilities include a sauna, fitness centre and spacious common areas further enhance the guest experience, while the additional storage space gives more guests the chance to take part in optional kayaking, snowshoeing and camping adventures on selected departures.

Delicious meals, with an emphasis on delicious, balanced and nutritional cuisine are changed daily and served in the dining room, where the panoramic windows are perfect for impromptu wildlife spotting. Lunch is buffet style, evening meals are served at table, while a lighter lunch is available in the bar or served al fresco up on Sun Deck, weather permitting.

Polar Latitudes are pioneers of citizen science in the region and work with research facilities such as NASA and the Scripps Institute. Guests are encouraged to get involved, collecting seawater samples, tracking whales etc. On-board lectures and presentations cover oceanography, glaciology, ornithology, marine biology, meteorology and much more.

Guests take daily motorised zodiac (dinghy) and shore excursions for superb wildlife sightings and visit local research bases when possible.

Senderos Soul

Conventional cruises have never appealed to me, but I needn’t have worried as this certainly wasn’t one! Despite being soaked by torrential rain before I stepped onboard, a beaming smile and hearty welcome from Polar Latitudes’ Expedition Leader Brandon set the tone for what was to be the trip of my life. So many unforgettable highlights, including my first glimpse of an Antarctic iceberg and whale fluke, being surrounded by thousands of chattering king penguins or trying not to blink so I didn't miss a second of bewilderingly beautiful Drygalski Fjord in South Georgia. But the natural wonders are only half the story...

- Gareth, Senderos

Key Facts

No. of cabins: Seaventure – 82 cabins with exterior views (limited to 138 pax). All feature a sitting area with chairs or sofa and table, complimentary mini-bar, TV, telephone, 220V European and US style electrical sockets safe, bathrobes and slippers, independent temperature controls, fine toiletries, hair dryer. A daily laundry service (charged) is available.

Cabin Categories:
Family Triple, 18.6m², with 1 queen bed and 1 pull-down bed
Standard Triple, 17.5m², can be confgured as 3 singles or 1 queen and 1 single
Porthole, 17.5m², with queen bed or 2 singles
Window, 17.5m², with queen bed or 2 singles
Veranda, 20.1m², incl.3.6m² terrace with sliding-glass door
Owner’s Suite, 30.8m² incl.5.4m² balcony with sliding-glass door, bathtub w/ shower-head, sitting area with full-size sofa.

Facilities: 2 lifts serving all passenger decks, free internet on computers in the library, beautifully appointed large common areas, fitness centre, sauna, heated saltwater swimming pool, lounge with AV facilities, custom-built citizen science laboratory, certifed emergency doctor and clinic, multiple dining areas & kitchens, including on the Lido deck for al fresco dining when weather permits.

Internet: Limited free WiFi (see below)

Excursion details: in zodiacs (motorised inflatable boats) and on foot

Dates of operation: November – March

Rates* from: (2023-24) US$ 9,895 pp in Triple, US$ 11,385pp in Porthole Twin (not including possible Early Booking Discount).

*For full rates see Gallery and Resources or Polar Latitudes webpage.

Rates include: All-inclusive with 3 meals a day, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, daily excursions, complimentary photography class and Citizen Science programmes, up to 2 pre-voyage hotel nights, airport transfers. Also included are 24 hour coffee/tea stations, 200 MB of internet access for your personal device, live music on board, photo coach and a complimentary expedition jacket. Optional kayaking ($250 / $895) and camping ($295).

Min age: In general, children must be at least 12 years old to participate in a Polar Latitudes voyage. However, on request we may accept children aged 7-11 with additional screening and prior approval before booking.

Minimum stay: The shortest itinerary is 12 days.

Senderos recommends: All itineraries, if you have time go for those featuring Falklands & South Georgia.

Affiliations: IAATO, ATTA, ASTA.

Stories:

Senderos stories celebrate the positive impact that sustainable and regenerative tourism can bring to destinations, communities and the environment.

Click here to discover the complete interview with John, CEO of Polar Latitudes.

“Polar Latitudes will always be about people power, not engine power. We’re not trying to distract our guests from the environment, from connecting deeply with this place. Hiking, kayaking, immersive experiences and Citizen Science that’s what we do.”

Sustainability

Polar Latitudes are pioneers of citizen science in the region and work with research facilities such as NASA and the Scripps Institute. Guests are encouraged to get involved, collecting seawater samples, tracking whales etc.
The ships are equipped with a modern technology fuel optimisation system from Lean Marine and all itineraries are created with fuel consumption in mind.
Rubbish is sorted and recycled on board – none gets disposed of until return to Ushuaia
The Scanship Foodwaste System is used throughout the Sky-fleet, a modern and efficient Food Waste Digester to provide a safe, cost effective and environmentally friendly solution for processing food waste.
Necessary measures taken to eliminate single use plastic on board, eg. changing passenger and staff expedition jacket suppliers so we can eliminate thousands of plastic wrappers; also we don’t use plastic water bottles or straws on board and instead we provide stainless steel water bottles to passengers
Polar Latitudes works with Ocean Care, Blue Ribbon, Happy Whale, Better Blue, WDC, Falkstock, Scott Polar Research Institute, South Georgia Heritage Trust, UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (see details at https://polar-latitudes.com/giving-back/).

Need to know:

Seaventure is capped at 138 max passengers although the ships capacity is 164
All Polar Latitudes expeditions feature a dedicated passenger service manager
Guests with normal fitness and health can join all included activities
The optional adventure options should be booked as soon as possible in advance, due to limited numbers available
As with all expedition cruises in Antarctica, itineraries serve as a guideline, as they are completely dependent on weather and sea conditions
Tours are conducted in English, though interpreters can be accommodated on request
Tour operators can register with Polar Latitudes to receive information, images availability etc, as well as to hold options on departures. Polar Latitudes can prepare a PDF version of their brochure featuring a tour operator’s own logo.

Perfect for:

Sociable nature and wilderness lovers seeking a perfect balance of luxury and adventure with unsurpassed expedition guides.

Getting there

Expeditions start and end in Ushuaia (pre hotel included), except for the first departure each season, which starts in Puerto Madryn (nearest airport Trelew) and ends in Ushuaia. Local airport transfers are included on set days.

By Air

International flights to Buenos Aires Ezeiza and then from Aeroparque (usually) its a 3 1/2 hour flight south to Ushuaia

Gallery & Resources

Follow this link to Senderos Resources for Polar Latitudes:

Images (see below)
Fact sheets
Presentations
Videos
Rack rates
Excursion lists
And other useful information.

See Polar Latitudes own image library here.

Weather

Unpredictable. Average temperatures in Antarctica during our sailing season range from -5ºC to +5ºC but strong winds can make it feel much colder (as low as -18ºC).