Ultramarine

Launched in 2021, the 420-ft cruise vessel Ultramarine is designed to deliver the ultimate Antarctic expedition experience. This high-tech ship offers luxurious onboard facilities, an enthusiastic 140-strong expedition team and crew, a cruising speed of 16 knots, and the means to go farther, faster and more safely within the dynamic conditions of the Polar regions.

The aim is to go beyond the familiar to discover new places. Accommodating up to 199 guests, and equipped with two twin-engine Airbus helicopters and helipads, Ultramarine offers a robust portfolio of adventures in hard-to-reach locations. 

MV Ultramarine features 102, spacious and comfortable, suites and cabins across nine categories with most including balconies, enabling you to quickly dash outside to photograph a passing iceberg, or a breaching whale. The choice includes six solo suites which can be booked with no-supplement single rates. The Explorer triples are mostly designed for sharing, or for families, with three single beds in the room, two of which can be combined into a double, on request. Each suite or cabin has a private bathroom with shower and heated floors, toilet and washbasin.

Amenities include key-less entry via wristbands, Egyptian cotton bedding and non-allergenic pillows, smart HDTVs, electronic safes, bedside cabinets, wall-mounted reading lamps, minibar-fridges, and individually controlled heating/air-conditioning. 

On Board Dining

Located at the bow, Balena  is an upscale version of a traditional dining room on an expedition ship. It has large, floor-to-ceiling windows facing out to sea; the tables in this gourmet restaurant accommodate from 2-10 guests each. Breakfasts and lunches are normally served buffet style, the culinary team keeps things fresh with pop-up stations serving different options each day. Plated a la carte dinners are made at the time of your order, allowing the chefs to prepare each dish to your individual needs; you can look forward to soups, salads, mains and desserts that change every day, plus an everyday menu that includes standbys such as steak and Caesar salad. Bistro 487 is an indoor/outdoor bistro on the upper deck, presenting an alternative dining option with selections from the main menu, supplemented by an array of healthy options; an early riser’s breakfast is offered here, as well as afternoon tea and late-night snacks. Four bars provide additional food and beverage options. 

Life On board

During your days at sea on Ultramarine, you can enjoy movies, lectures and workshops in the Ambassador Theater, presented by expert naturalists and historians, along with daily briefings from the expedition team. This large auditorium is furnished with comfy banquettes, chairs and semi-circular couches. You can spend time on the promenade deck embracing the open ocean while looking out for seabirds and whales, or in the Panorama Lounge & Bar, which is used for special functions and events, and is a comfortable spot to relax and enjoy panoramic polar views.

The Tundra spa, gym, and steam room offers you the opportunity to relax, work out, and rejuvenate in between activities. The sauna provides ample space to warm up with views out to the icy waters, it’s the best place to warm up after a Polar Plunge. There’s a small library with a large collection of field guides, picture books and reference books, tales of great explorers, and a selection of games for your entertainment.

The Ready Rooms are fitted with benches, and an open storage locker for everyone on board. Here, you can store and dry your gear between excursions, while a Zodiac hangar allows for fast, efficient disembarkation on expeditions. There is a guest elevator system for travel between decks. The Clinic is located on Deck 3, and the doctor is available 24 hours a day. 

Excursions

All excursions are led by highly trained expedition leaders and guides. The two twin-engine helicopters are launched from two simultaneously operable helidecks for heli-skiing, heli-hiking, and aerial sightseeing adventures to bays that are inaccessible to shore landings, as well as mountain glaciers.

Please see your expedition brochure for details on whether helicopter activities are offered on your itinerary. Other adventure options include Zodiac cruises, sea kayaking, paddling, camping, mountaineering and stand-up paddleboarding in hard-to-reach locations.

The Ultramarine cruise is perfect for those who are looking for a higher level of adventure.