Polar Latitudes Expeditions — formed following the merger of Albatros Expeditions and Polar Latitudes — will bring a newly acquired expedition ship, Discoverer, into its Antarctic program for the 2026-2027 season. The vessel, previously called Exploris One, was acquired by the line's parent company, and takes over scheduled departures previously assigned to Seaventure, which will move to full operation under 66 Expeditions.
"By replacing a chartered with an owned vessel, we again underline our vision, having superior control of our expedition product and therefore also creating the best potential expedition experience for our customers," said Anders Kristensen, chief commercial officer of Polar Latitudes Expeditions.
Discoverer will operate under the Polar Latitudes Expeditions flag in Antarctica and under the Heritage Expeditions banner in other parts of the world.
The Finland-built ship has a long history in expedition cruising, having previously sailed as Silver Explorer and Prince Albert II. Its 2023 refurbishment introduced upgrades to public areas, technical systems and accommodations. The company plans further enhancements before the vessel's first Antarctic season under its new identity.
In terms of passenger capacity and polar experience, Discoverer is comparable to Seaventure, which has operated under the Polar Latitudes brand since 2021. Guests holding Seaventure bookings will be placed on Discoverer in the same cabin categories they originally reserved.
"We have had many successful seasons with Seaventure, and we wish nothing but the best for 66 Expeditions as they go forward with her," said John McKeon, founder of Polar Latitudes Expeditions. "That said, I couldn't be more thrilled with the addition of Discoverer as the next step in our multi-year program of building the most comprehensive expedition cruise company in the industry. And of course, as always, I want to thank all the passengers and partners who continue to support and trust Polar Latitudes Expeditions by coming along with us on this exciting adventure. There is much more to come."
With the new ship comes an expanded 2026-2027 departure schedule, including additional December 2026 sailings on the Crossing the Antarctic Circle itinerary. By March 2027, Discoverer will venture into the Chilean Fjords, introducing Chilean Patagonia as a new destination for the company.
Affected guests and travel partners will be contacted directly, with more information on onboard upgrades and scheduling to be released in the coming weeks.
Editor’s Note: This article was generated by AI, based on a press release distributed by Polar Latitudes Expeditions. It was fact-checked and reviewed by a TravelAge West editor.
