St. Helena

Hailed as one of the world’s last great mail ships and reborn through a multi-million dollar refurbishment in 2022, the St Helena is a living legend of the seas offering authentic and intimate Antarctic exploration. Now carrying just 98 guests in 51 well-appointed suites despite having capacity for 150, she blends a storied maritime past with a fresh, contemporary expedition experience. Originally built to connect one of the most remote communities on Earth, today she stands as both a rugged ice-strengthened expedition platform and a warmly inviting home at sea.

Life On Board

The atmosphere aboard the St Helena is at once adventurous and welcoming. Three pairs of interconnecting Odyssey Twin cabins and a range of other cabin categories—ranging from Owner’s Suites with walk-in closets to Odyssey Single and Quad options—ensure comfort and flexibility for solo travelers, couples, families, and groups alike.

Social spaces are designed to foster connection and relaxation, with generous observation lounges, open decks for wildlife watching, and a range of amenities including a WiFi allowance (upgrades available for an additional cost), two inviting jacuzzis, a spa, and small gym. Guests are supported by 81 crew members and an expert team of naturalists, expedition leaders, and scientists, who enrich each voyage with insights and camaraderie.

Authentic & Unique Adventures

The St Helena sails deep into Antarctica, offering voyages that combine dramatic landscapes, rich wildlife encounters, and the rare thrill of following in the footsteps of legendary explorers. Each day offers opportunities to step ashore on guided landings, cruise silently among towering icebergs in a Zodiac, or test your mettle with kayaking, snowshoeing, and camping on the ice (when booked in advance)—all at no extra cost and subject to availability.

A special highlight unique to this vessel is the Icebird yacht, which accompanies the St Helena around the Antarctic Peninsula on sailings during January (2 x Classic Antarctica and 2 x Spirit of Terra Nova departures), providing explorers with the opportunity to embark on exhilarating day-sailing experiences, subject to availability (max. 8 passengers on 2 or 3 days per voyage) and additional cost.

Rarer still, each season there is the singular opportunity to do a 20-day “Ultimate Antarctica Adventure”, which is effectively two of these cruises back-to-back (Classic Antarctica + Spirit of Terra Nova, or vice-versa), but while the St Helena makes her return to Ushuaia and back again you stay aboard the Icebird on a private six-night micro-expedition (max. 6 passengers staying in 3 bunk cabins) accompanied by your very own expedition team.

Whether observing penguin colonies, drifting beside breaching whales, or retracing the historical routes of the world’s most famous expeditions—aboard either the St Helena or the Icebird—every journey is a tapestry of discovery.

Sustainability & Spirit

With a dedicated lab and resident onboard researchers, every voyage aboard the St Helena contributes directly to science through various research initiatives, ensuring guests not only travel lightly but are invited to participate in real scientific work—an enriching element that deepens connection to these fragile environments. Her resilience and history as a vital connector of remote communities add soul to every journey, making her one of the most distinctive ships sailing Antarctica today.

Embarking on the St Helena means making a journey into living history, an immersion in Antarctica’s otherworldly beauty, and a chance to join the ranks of those few who have ventured to the farthest reaches of the planet. You’ll step ashore on places few have ever seen, form bonds with like-minded travelers, and return home with stories that will last a lifetime. Perfect for adventurers, families, and seekers of authentic exploration, the St Helena offers the rare gift of discovery with comfort, character, and heart.