Crazy about adventure but still want all the creature comforts? An expedition cruise might just be the right fit to get your adrenalin pumping. Find out about all the new adventure cruise ships on the horizon in our chart below.
But if you are more of a mainstream cruise fan then we've got that covered: New Cruise Ships on Order. Or perhaps Luxury floats your boat? If so, check out New Luxury Cruise Ships on Order article.
Want to learn more about what it takes to make an older ship feel like new? Peruse our comprehensive list of cruise ship refurbishments for information about upcoming overhauls.
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Updated October 10, 2019
New Expedition and Adventure Cruise Ships Launching in 2019
Ponant's Le Bougainville
Launch Date: 2019
Tonnage: 10,000
Berths: 184
The third of four new expedition ships for Ponant, Le Bougainville will feature two restaurants, a 188-seat theater, lounge areas that open to the outside, an aft marina for Zodiac launching and easy access to kayaking and paddle boarding, and a pool with counter-current swim technology.
Oceanwide Expeditions' Hondius
Launch Date: June 2019
Tonnage: 5,590
Berths: 176
The ice-rated Polar Class 6 vessel will be one of the strongest ice-strengthened vessel in the polar regions and will have seven suites with balconies, eight cabins with French balconies and a variety of inside, outside, porthole and quadruple rooms. An entire deck has been given over to an observation lounge and a separate lecture room for simultaneous or multi-language lectures and presentations.
Aurora Expeditions Greg Mortimer
Launch Date: August 2019
Tonnage: 8,000
Berths: 160
The 104-metre ice-class 1A Greg Mortimer debuts the world-first X-Bow, an inverted bow that enables gentler sea crossings and reduced emissions. It will be built to the latest polar code specifications and feature a custom-designed platform for kayakers and divers, a dedicated sea-level Zodiac loading platform for easy boarding, plus a mud room. Other features will include cabin balconies, gymnasium, sauna and spa, a 180-degree indoor observation deck and plenty of outdoor viewing areas.
Hapag-Lloyd's Hanseatic Inspiration
Launch Date: October 2019
Tonnage: 15,540
Berths: 230 (199 in Antarctica)
The second of two new luxury expedition ships being built for Hapag-Lloyd, Hanseatic Inspiration will serve international cruisers. The ship will feature Ocean Academy, where cruisers can use a variety of technologies to learn more about the regions they're visiting, an expandable glass balcony that puts cruisers closer to the sea and the regions they visit and a variety of cabins across multiple categories, all with ocean views. An onboard specialty restaurant will offer a unique blend of Peruvian and Japanese cooking.
Antarctica XXI's MV Magellan Explorer
Launch Date: 2019
Tonnage: 4,900
Berths: 70
The 50-cabin, Polar Class 6 ice-class ship will feature five cabin categories ranging in size from 220 to 440 square feet, including dedicated single cabins and 16 adjoining cabins. Forty-two of the cabins will have balconies. The ship will also feature a large forward-facing observation lounge, a main dining room, a protected outdoor barbecue area, a gym and sauna, gift shop and two meeting rooms. Adventure activities, such as kayaking and snowshoeing, will be available to passengers.
Hurtigruten's Fridtjof Nansen
Launch Date: 2019
Tonnage: 21,000
Berths: 530
Fridtjof Nansen will be the second of two hybrid ships Hurtigruten is building, designed to cut emissions by sailing partially with electrical propulsion. The ship will have three restaurants. Though it is being designed specifically for polar waters, it will have a pool deck with an infinity pool, Jacuzzis and bars.
Aqua Expeditions’ Aqua Blu
Launch Date: November 2019
Tonnage: 1,140
Berths: 30
Originally constructed in 1968 and completely refitted into an expedition ship, Aqua Expeditions’ new Aqua Blu makes its debut in November 2019. The ship will feature both indoor and outdoor dining options, a cozy lounge, outdoor hot tubs, and a choice of accomodations. Onboard skiffs will allow passengers to explore remote areas ashore.
New Expedition and Adventure Cruise Ships Launching in 2020
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic Endurance
Launch Date: January 2020
Tonnage: 12,300
Berths: 126
National Geographic Endurance, Lindblad's first polar-specific expedition ship, will be built in Norway and have 69 cabins, 75 percent of which will have balconies. Twelve cabins will be designed for solo travelers. The ship will have one main dining room and an outdoor barbecue and bistro spot; it will also feature a spa and fitness area with treatment rooms, saunas, a fitness room, a relaxation area and yoga room. Plus, there will be two infinity Jacuzzis. The vessel will have a high ice class so it can go deeper into the polar regions that some other polar ships and will have expanded fuel and water tanks for extended operations in remote areas.
Crystal Cruises' Crystal Endeavor
Launch Date: August 2020
Tonnage: 25,000
Berths: 200
Crystal's first mega-yacht will be built to cruise polar regions, with state-of-the-art technology and toys such as a submarine and helicopters. The ship will be luxurious and spacious, with suites ranging from 300 to 1,130 square feet, plus a large spa, theater, multiple dining venues and a lounge with panoramic views.
Scenic's Scenic Eclipse II
Launch Date: 2020
Tonnage: 16,500
Berths: 228
Scenic's second ocean vessel is touted as a discovery yacht. Launching in the 2020, the all-suite, 228-passenger ship (200 in polar regions) will have an onboard marina equipped with two helicopters (with a helipad and hangars), a submarine, kayaks and a fleet of Zodiacs. Built to the highest passenger ship ice-class rating, it will be able to operate in the Arctic and Antarctica for three months of the year. The 10-deck ship will also have a spa, 10 dining options, eight bars, outdoor terraces, multiple pool areas, gym and fitness rooms, a theater, observatory and library. Other luxuries include an almost 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio, butler service, lavish interiors and an all-inclusive program with fares covering meals, drinks, Wi-Fi, tips, e-bikes and excursions.
Quark’s Polar Ship
Launch Date: 2020
Tonnage: 13,000
Berths: 200
This polar expedition ship will carry two helicopters and a fleet of 20 Zodiacs, with four Zodiac embarkation points to speed up the ship-to-shore landing process. It will also have a modern spa and fitness facility and more than one restaurant. The ship will have a 40-day operational capacity thanks to a design that optimizes the use of fuel, water provisioning and waste handling.
Ponant Le Bellot
Launch Date: 2020
Tonnage: 10,000
Berths: 180
The fifth of six new expedition ships ordered by Ponant, Le Bellot will feature two restaurants, a 188-seat theater, lounge areas that open to the outside, an aft marina for Zodiac launching and easy access to kayaking and paddle-boarding, and a pool with counter-current swim technology.
Ponant Le Jacques Cartier
Launch Date: 2020
Tonnage: 10,000
Berths: 180
The final vessel in the six-strong series of expedition ships ordered by Ponant, Le Jacques Cartier will feature two restaurants, a 188-seat theater, lounge areas that open to the outside, an aft marina for Zodiac launching and easy access to kayaking and paddle-boarding, and a pool with counter-current swim technology.
Silversea Cruises' Silver Origin
Launch Date: Summer 2020
Tonnage: TBD
Berths: 100
The 100-passenger Silver Origin is being purpose built to sail the Galapagos Islands. She will replace the line’s existing Silver Galapagos when she enters service. Equipped with eight zodiac rafts for on-shore exploration, Silver Origin will be Silversea’s first-ever newbuild in the Galapagos Islands, equipped with suites featuring Horizon balconies, butler service for all, and an innovative space known as Base Camp: an area for socializing and learning.
SunStone Ocean Victory
Launch Date: October 2020
Tonnage: 8,500
Berths: 160
The third Infinity-class expedition ship from SunStone, Ocean Victory will be built to cruise the world’s polar regions thanks to its Polar Code 6 / Ice Class 1A strengthened hull. It will feature the distinctive X-bow design present in other expedition newbuilds and will contain a trio of dining options, an observation lounge, lecture room, spa and sports facilities, a pool bar, hot tubs and a fleet of 20 motorized zodiac rafts. In its inaugural season, it will be chartered by Victory Cruise Lines to sail Alaska itineraries.
Oceanwide Expeditions' Janssonius
Launch Date: October 2021
Tonnage: 5,590
Berths: 174
The ice-rated Polar Class 6 vessel will be one of the strongest ice-strengthened vessel in the polar regions and the second-in-class for Oceanwide. It will have seven suites with balconies, eight cabins with French balconies and a variety of inside, outside, porthole and quadruple rooms. An entire deck has been given over to an observation lounge and a separate lecture room for simultaneous or multi-language lectures and presentations.
Coral Expeditions' Coral Geographer
Launch Date: 2021
Tonnage: 5,536
Berths: 120
The Australian company will launch a sister ship to Coral Adventurer, which launched in April 2019. Similar in design, it will feature all outside-facing cabins with the majority having private balconies, but Coral Geographer will have four additional bridge deck suites. The new ship will also have an elevator, shipwide Wi-Fi, indoor and outdoor bars, an observation lounge in the bridge, a library, six Zodiacs and two Xplorer expedition tenders -- open safari-style boats that can hold up to 60 people.
New Expedition and Adventure Cruise Ships Launching in 2021
Ponant's Icebreaker
Launch Date: 2021
Tonnage: 30,000
Berths: 270
Ponant Icebreaker will a 136-stateroom electric hybrid cruise vessel with icebreaker characteristics and dual fuel propulsion, featuring high-capacity batteries and LNG fuel. It will carry two helicopters housed in an on-board hangar.
Vantage Deluxe World Travel Ocean Explorer
Launch Date: April 2021
Tonnage: 8,500
Berths: 160
The fourth Infinity-class expedition ship commissioned by SunStone, Ocean Explorer will enter service for Vantage Deluxe World Travel. The ship is built to cruise the world’s polar regions thanks to its Polar Code 6 / Ice Class 1A strengthened hull. It will feature the distinctive X-bow design present in other expedition newbuilds and will contain a trio of dining options, an observation lounge, lecture room, spa and sports facilities, a pool bar, hot tubs and a fleet of 20 motorized zodiac rafts.
Seabourn Venture
Launch Date: June 2021
Tonnage: 23,000
Berths: 264
Debuting a new design for Seabourn, Seabourn Venture will feature double sea kayaks, mountain bikes, e-bikes and a fleet of 24 Zodiac rafts that will be able to accommodate all passengers onboard at once, as well as two custom-built submarines. The ship will also include all beverages and gratuities in its fare.
SunStone Ocean Discoverer
Launch Date: September 2021
Tonnage: 8,500
Berths: 160
The fifth Infinity-class expedition ship, Ocean Discoverer will be built to cruise the world’s polar regions thanks to its Polar Code 6 / Ice Class 1A strengthened hull. It will feature the distinctive X-bow design present in other expedition newbuilds and will contain a trio of dining options, an observation lounge, lecture room, spa and sports facilities, a pool bar, hot tubs and a fleet of 20 motorized zodiac rafts.
Oceanwide Expeditions' Janssonius
Launch Date: October 2021
Tonnage: 5,590
Berths: 176
The ice-rated Polar Class 6 vessel will be a sister ship to Hondius. It will have seven suites with balconies, eight cabins with French balconies and a variety of inside, outside, porthole and quadruple rooms. An entire deck has been given over to an observation lounge and a separate lecture room for simultaneous or multi-language lectures and presentations.
Crystal Cruises' (unnamed)
Launch Date: 2021
Tonnage: 19,800
Berths: 200
A sister to Crystal's first mega-yacht will debut in 2021. Further details have yet to be announced.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ Hanseatic Spirit
Launch Date: Q2 2021
Tonnage: 15,650
Berths: 230 (199 in Antarctica and Spitsbergen)
Hapag-Lloyd’s third purpose-built expedition ship after Hanseatic Inspiration and Hanseatic Nature, Hanseatic Spirit distinguishes itself by being the line’s first adults-only cruise ship. You’ll need to brush up on your German though: Unlike Hanseatic Inspiration, Hanseatic Spirit will offer sailings exclusively for German-speaking guests when it debuts in 2021.
Lindblad Expeditions' National Geographic Resolution
Launch Date: Q3 2021
Tonnage: 12,000
Berths: 126
A sister to National Geographic Endurance, Lindblad's first polar-specific expedition ship, will debut in the third quarter of 2021. National Geographic Resolution will be similar in size, style and appearance to National Geographic Endurance, though firm details are still being finalized.
Mystic Cruises’ World Navigator
Launch Date: 2021
Tonnage: 9,431
Berths: 200
The latest newbuild for Mystic Cruises, World Navigator is part of a six-ship order by Mystic Crusies, which charters its expedition vessels out to companies like Quark Expeditions and Germany’s Nicko Cruises. The company recently announced an expanded presence in the U.S., with four vessels dedicated to the North American market.
SeaDream Innovation
Launch Date: September 2021
Tonnage: 15,600
Berths: 220
The first newbuild for luxury cruise operator SeaDream Yacht Club, SeaDream Innovation will operate worldwide itineraries and will be outfitted to Polar Code 6 specifications to allow her to safely operate luxury expedition cruises to the Arctic and Antarctic regions. SeaDream plans to deploy the ship to all seven continents in its first year of operation. A one-to-one crew to passenger ratio will provide the same level of service found on SeaDream’s existing ships, SeaDream I and SeaDream II. Additional details are still pending on this newly-announced vessel, but bookings are currently open for new and past SeaDream passengers.
Viking Cruises’ Polaris-Class 1
Launch Date: 2021
Tonnage: TBD
Berths: TBD
Viking Cruises will enter the expedition market in 2021 with the debut of the first of two newbuilds tentatively known as the Polaris Class. Little is known about these two vessels currently, other than they will be equipped with zodiac rafts, onboard submarines, and a 20-person-strong expedition team. Scheduled to be constructed by VARD, the new ships are rumoured to be dual-fuel-capable, meaning they can run on traditional marine diesel oil and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas).
Aurora Expeditions (unnamed)
Launch Date: Spring 2021
Tonnage: 8,000
Berths: 160
Similar in design to sister ship Greg Mortimer, which launched in 2019 debuting the world's first inverted bow, called the X-Bow, allowing for gentler sea crossings and reduced emissions. This yet-to-be-named ice-class 1A ship will be built to the latest polar code specifications and features a platform for kayakers and divers, a sea-level Zodiac loading platform for easy boarding, plus a mud room. Other features will include cabin balconies, gym, sauna and spa, a 180-degree indoor observation deck and plenty of outdoor viewing areas including a platform that unfolds from the bow.
New Expedition and Adventure Cruise Ships Launching in 2022
Seabourn's (unnamed)
Launch Date: May 2022
Tonnage: 23,000
Berths: 264
A sister ship to Seabourn Venture, the second Seabourn expedition ship will have double sea kayaks, mountain bikes, e-bikes and a fleet of 24 Zodiac rafts that will be able to accommodate all passengers onboard at once, as well as two custom-built submarines. All beverages and gratuities will be included in the fare.
Crystal Cruises' (unnamed)
Launch Date: 2022
Tonnage: 19,800
Berths: 200
The third sister to Crystal's first mega-yacht debuts in 2022. Further details have yet to be announced.
Mystic Cruises’ (unnamed)
Launch Date: 2022
Tonnage: 9,431
Berths: 200
The latest newbuild for Mystic Cruises, this as-yet-unnamed vessel is part of a six-ship order by Mystic Crusies, which charters its expedition vessels out to companies like Quark Expeditions and Germany’s Nicko Cruises. The company recently announced an expanded presence in the U.S., with four vessels dedicated to the North American market.
Vantage Deluxe World Travel Ocean Odyssey
Launch Date: March 2022
Tonnage: 8,500
Berths: 160
The sixth Infinity-class expedition ship from SunStone, Ocean Odyssey will be built to cruise the world’s polar regions thanks to its Polar Code 6 / Ice Class 1A strengthened hull. It will feature the distinctive X-bow design present in other expedition newbuilds and will contain a trio of dining options, an observation lounge, lecture room, spa and sports facilities, a pool bar, hot tubs and a fleet of 20 motorized zodiac rafts.
Viking Cruises’ Polaris-Class 2
Launch Date: 2022
Tonnage: TBD
Berths: TBD
Viking Cruises will launch a second newbuild expedition ship, currently unnamed, in 2022. It is part of the two newbuilds tentatively known as the Polaris Class. Little is known about these two vessels currently, other than they will be equipped with zodiac rafts, onboard submarines, and a 20-person-strong expedition team. Scheduled to be constructed by VARD, the new ships are rumoured to be dual-fuel-capable, meaning they can run on traditional marine diesel oil and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas).
