Sylvia Earle
Highlights
- Unusual bow design provides high fuel efficiency, smoother ocean crossings, and an enhanced forward viewing experience for guests.
- Complete with top deck pool and hot tubs, and a two-level glass atrium lounge offering amazing views to the front of the ship.
- Opportunity to connect with like-minded travelers on certified 100% climate neutral sailings to some of the most remote places on the planet.
Hailed as a “Floating ambassador for the conservation of the planet,” the Sylvia Earle is a 341-ft polar expedition ship, launched in 2021, with an 1A Ice Class rating and accommodation for 132 passengers. The vessel claims to have the lowest polluting marine engines in the world, due to a combination of low energy consumption, high fuel efficiency and a streamlined design. She was named after marine biologist and oceanographer Dr Sylvia Earle.
There are 71 cabins in eight different categories, ranging in size from 479 square feet to 226 square feet, and each with its own ensuite bathroom. Some 60% of cabins can accommodate a third person upon request. Top of the range is the Captain’s suite, of which there is only one, so be sure to book well in advance if you’d like to take advantage of this luxury. Some of the cabins have wheelchair-accessible bathrooms, and many are interconnecting for families and groups.
Life On Board
On all of the Sylvia Earle cruise ship expeditions, you will meet naturalists and local specialists, marine researchers, scientists and conservationists who give talks in the state-of-the-art lecture theatre on their field of expertise, aimed at deepening your understanding of the region you’re visiting.
There’s an outdoor saltwater swimming pool, flank...
Specifications
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Guests132
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Staff & Crew60
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Guide & Crew to Guest Ratios1:8 & 1:2.2
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Guest to Space Ratio1:60
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Number of Decks6
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Number of Cabins71
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Zodiacs & Loading Bays15 & 2
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Year Built2021
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Ice ClassPC6 (1A)
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Length342.5 ft (104.4 m)
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Beam60.4 ft (18.4 m)
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Draft16.7 ft (5.1 m)
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Cruising Speed12 kn
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StabilizersYes
Amenities
About the Sylvia Earle
Hailed as a “Floating ambassador for the conservation of the planet,” the Sylvia Earle is a 341-ft polar expedition ship, launched in 2021, with an 1A Ice Class rating and accommodation for 132 passengers. The vessel claims to have the lowest polluting marine engines in the world, due to a combination of low energy consumption, high fuel efficiency and a streamlined design. She was named after marine biologist and oceanographer Dr Sylvia Earle.
There are 71 cabins in eight different categories, ranging in size from 479 square feet to 226 square feet, and each with its own ensuite bathroom. Some 60% of cabins can accommodate a third person upon request. Top of the range is the Captain’s suite, of which there is only one, so be sure to book well in advance if you’d like to take advantage of this luxury. Some of the cabins have wheelchair-accessible bathrooms, and many are interconnecting for families and groups.
Life On Board
On all of the Sylvia Earle cruise ship expeditions, you will meet naturalists and local specialists, marine researchers, scientists and conservationists who give talks in the state-of-the-art lecture theatre on their field of expertise, aimed at deepening your understanding of the region you’re visiting.
There’s an outdoor saltwater swimming pool, flanked by two hot tubs with incredible views of the world outside. Visit the gym for a workout, warm up in the sauna after a polar plunge, or enjoy a massage in the spa. The library on Deck 6 is a peaceful sanctuary, with floor to ceiling windows, where you can find non-fiction titles, wildlife guidebooks, travel journals and novels to read, as well as a selection of children’s books and board games to enjoy with your family or newfound friends. Wildlife guidebooks and binoculars can be found in the observation lounge on Deck 7.
There’s a choice of bars and lounges where you can meet up with fellow guests, catch up on the day and discuss the next-day plans. A highlight of the ship is the two-level glass atrium lounge in the bow below the bridge, and you’ll also find a fully equipped Citizen Science Center, offering participative programs to enrich your knowledge and connection to the region you’re traveling through. The boat’s spacious mudroom means that you’ll never have to take wet expedition gear back to your cabin.
On Deck 5 you’ll find the main dining room, decorated in pastels with good ocean views through its panoramic windows. Here, the open seating plan ensures plenty of camaraderie among fellow guests. The chef focuses on creating hearty dishes suitable for active expeditions, with different options at every meal. House wines, beers and soft drinks are included at dinner; tea, coffee and snacks are available 24 hours a day. Additionally, a Top Deck Restaurant is located on Deck 8.
Excursions & Sustainability
Zodiacs are used for all of the excursions and there are several optional activities that will appeal to the adventurer in you, ranging from sea kayaking, scuba diving, snorkelling, ski touring, snowboarding, camping and stand-up paddle boarding. On Sylvia Earle cruises, the company’s aim is to get you off the ship to experience the natural environment as much as possible. The smaller passenger capacity on the Silvia Earle means you will be treading lightly to limit the environmental impact.
The Sylvia Earle vessel is certified 100% Climate Neutral with a state-of-the-art Tier 3 engine that delivers an 80 per cent reduction in emissions, and an inverted bow design that reduces fuel consumption. The Captain can utilise virtual anchoring to hold the ship’s position instead of dropping an anchor on the delicate sea floor. On-board desalination plants convert seawater to fresh water that is safe to drink, which enables the ship to carry less fresh water on sea crossings, further reducing fuel consumption.
The company’s family-friendly expeditions attract independent travelers, couples and groups with a common strong interest in exploring remote regions on voyages to Antarctica, the Arctic and beyond.
Aurora Cabin Triple
Aurora Cabin Superior
Balcony Suite C
Balcony Suite B
Balcony Suite A
Balcony Suite Superior
Junior Suite
Captain's Suite
Aurora Cabin Triple
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Aurora Cabin Superior
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Balcony Suite C
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Balcony Suite B
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Balcony Suite A
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Balcony Suite Superior
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Junior Suite
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Captain's Suite
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Itineraries
Antarctic Explorer Express Sail / Fly
Spirit of Antarctica
Wild Antarctica
Antarctic Explorer: Fly-Sail (13D) Fly / Sail
Spirit of Antarctica featuring the Chilean Fjords
Across the Antarctic Circle: Fly-Sail Fly / Sail
Across the Antarctic Circle: Christmas Expedition
Antarctic Explorer featuring the Chilean Fjords Fly / Sail
Deep Weddell Following Nordenskjöld
Antarctic Peninsula In Depth
Patagonia & Chilean Fjords
Circle and Weddell
South Georgia & Antarctic Odyssey: Sail-Fly Sail / Fly
Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Peninsula
South Georgia & Antarctic Odyssey
Antarctica Complete
South Georgia & Antarctic Odyssey featuring the South Sandwich Islands
Don Maruska On Board
Join entrepreneur, author, and “Climate Solver” Don Maruska on a select Spirit of Antarctica sailing.
Don encourages people around world to take climate action and to have fun while doing it. Since 2003, he has brought together people from scientific, environmental, business, government and commun...
Photographer Peter Eastway On Board
Join internationally renowned, Australian photographer Peter Eastway on upcoming Antarctic voyages.
An AIPP Grand Master of Photography, a Fellow and an Honorary Fellow of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography, and a Fellow and Honorary Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photog...
Photographer Richard I’Anson Aboard
Join Travel Photographer Richard I’Anson on Across the Antarctic Circle.
Richard is a freelance travel photographer & Canon Master who has captured incredible images of people and places around the world for more than 35 years. His work has been published worldwide in books, magazines, newspapers, broch...
Jett & Kathryn Britnell On Board
Join photographers, writers and scuba divers Jett and Kathryn Britnell on Circle and Weddell.
Jett and Kathryn Britnell are professional underwater, wildlife and expedition photographers, scuba divers, internationally published writers, speakers, shark advocates, marine conservationists and intrepid explorers...
Saunders Carmichael-Brown Aboard
Join Creative Producer, Presenter and Sustainability Consultant Saunders Carmichael-Brown on Deep Weddell following Nordenskjöld. Saunders was an integral part of the small media team on the expedition that found Sir Ernest Shackleton’s famous shipwreck, the Endurance, as well as directing, producing and shooting...
Join entrepreneur, author, and “Climate Solver” Don Maruska on a select Spirit of Antarctica sailing.
Don encourages people around world to take climate action and to have fun while doing it. Since 2003, he has brought together people from scientific, environmental, business, government and community organisations to boost awareness, actions, and advocacy for stewardship of natural resources.
A Master Certified Coach who helps others succeed, he has appeared on over 30 radio and TV stations and authored many books including “How Great Decisions Get Made” and “Solve Climate Change Now: Do What You Love for a Healthy Planet”, which shares practical and fun ways to take action for a healthy climate.
Join internationally renowned, Australian photographer Peter Eastway on upcoming Antarctic voyages.
An AIPP Grand Master of Photography, a Fellow and an Honorary Fellow of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography, and a Fellow and Honorary Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography, Peter has been involved in photographic magazine publishing for over 30 years. He establishing his own title, Australia’s Better Photography Magazine, in 1995 and subsequently won the 1996 and 1998 AIPP Australian Professional Photographer of the Year awards.
He was the author of the Lonely Planet’s Guide to Landscape Photography and his photography has recently featured on the cover of the Lonely Planet’s guide to Australia, in articles in the Qantas in flight magazine, and in an Apple television commercial. His work has been published and exhibited internationally (USA, UK, Japan, Germany, Greece, India, New Zealand and Australia) so you are sure to pick up some expert tips!
Join Travel Photographer Richard I’Anson on Across the Antarctic Circle.
Richard is a freelance travel photographer & Canon Master who has captured incredible images of people and places around the world for more than 35 years. His work has been published worldwide in books, magazines, newspapers, brochures, calendars, posters, cards and websites; from the size of a stamp right up to a tarpaulin covering a 53-foot truck trailer!
He has also published 12 books including five editions of Lonely Planet’s Guide to Travel Photography, was featured in the television documentary Tales By Light (available on Netflix) and is a Travel Photography Scholarship Mentor for World Nomads. Richard has won numerous awards over the course of his career but is most proud of gaining a Master of Photography and one gold bar from the Australian Institute of Professional Photography.
Join photographers, writers and scuba divers Jett and Kathryn Britnell on Circle and Weddell.
Jett and Kathryn Britnell are professional underwater, wildlife and expedition photographers, scuba divers, internationally published writers, speakers, shark advocates, marine conservationists and intrepid explorers.
Their publishing credits include, The Globe & Mail, British Columbia Magazine, Canadian Geographic, Matador Network, Photo Comment, Alert Diver, Diver Magazine, Scuba & H2O Adventure, Sport Diver, Travel Thru History and numerous other outlets. Jett’s photography has graced more than 50 magazine covers and counting.
Both Jett and Kathryn are Fellows of the prestigious Royal Canadian Geographical Society, Fellows of the famed Royal Geographical Society in London and Fellows of the Explorers Club – Jett is also Canadian Chapter Chair of this exclusive club.
Join Creative Producer, Presenter and Sustainability Consultant Saunders Carmichael-Brown on Deep Weddell following Nordenskjöld. Saunders was an integral part of the small media team on the expedition that found Sir Ernest Shackleton’s famous shipwreck, the Endurance, as well as directing, producing and shooting a three-part history documentary fronted by Dan Snow on Shackleton and the Endurance from the locations of the original story.
Expeditioners joining Saunders on Deep Weddell following Nordenskjöld interested in polar history will enjoy learning about Shackleton, the Endurance and the historic expedition that found the ship. Through Saunders’ stories the epic survival story will be brought to life for expeditioners. He will also be on hand to help expeditioners capture their most memorable moments on camera and video in the challenging environments we visit.
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