If you’ve not heard of Selar before, it’s because it’s an all-new expedition cruise line coming online later this year with its first vessel: Captain Arctic.
The line and the craft are both scheduled to officially launch in the fourth quarter of 2026, and the ship is well on its way, with a completed hull and interior work being finalized.
All-inclusive Selar was co-founded by Sophie Galvagnon, the first female Arctic captain, in an effort to pair cutting-edge engineering and a deep respect for nature “to create a new kind of travel — immersive, sustainable and profoundly human,” according to the line’s ethos.
Design Details
What will set Captain Arctic apart is multifaceted, but its intimate capacity of only 36 passengers (and 24 crew members) is a significant start. This number will allow everyone onboard to go ashore simultaneously when visiting polar destinations. The resulting vessel will be an approximately 230-foot-long, wind- and solar-powered hybrid with five dramatic masts, making it nearly free of all emissions.
Key components such as the navigation bridge (open to visitation), electric engines, battery park and onboard waste treatment systems are in various phases of installation.
Sophie Galvagnon will captain the vessel, making her the first female Arctic captain ever.
Credit: 2026 Selar“We’re moving forward with humility, but with great care and precision,” Galvagnon said. “We’re not just building a ship, we’re laying the foundation for an experience that will last. Watching the hull emerge for the first time and running my hand along the steel was incredibly moving. After years of vision and design, this is the moment when the dream starts to feel real.”
Besides its towering masts, the exterior will sport a dramatic blue gradient color scheme that takes its inspiration from the polar palette of the sky, ice and deep sea. Minimal Scandinavian-inspired interiors will convey a warm aesthetic.
What to Expect Onboard, and On Land
Private accommodations will feature multiple portholes and even showcase solar-powered showers. And public spaces will consist of a handsome forward-facing observation lounge with vintage vertical windows, in addition to a gym, a sauna and a science lab.
A rendering of the onboard observation lounge
Credit: 2026 SelarAlso core to the onboard experience will be table d'hote French-based dining with international flare and Nordic touches. Culinary arts will range from speakeasy-esque cocktails and northern lights-illuminated barbecue to freshly caught Arctic salmon sushi, local algae and gravlax.
Once ashore, Selar will offer curated rugged but comfortable expedition-level gear from Jaws, Helly Hansen or Vallon. Other collaborations the line showcases include those with ORCA NGO, an oceanic conservationist with citizen science initiatives, and Clean Up Svalbard, known for collecting plastic waste along Arctic coastlines. An onboard team of expert “North Stars” is being assembled to scientifically guide guests and foster hospitality as well.
Expedition equipment consists of Zodiacs, kayaks, paddles, skis, snowshoes and even snorkeling gear.
Itineraries
Inaugural itineraries will begin in Norway for winter 2026, extending to Svalbard the following spring. A special northern lights expedition will be led by established aurora photographer Virgil Reglioni, who will also provide photography workshops, and another polar adventure with Caroline Cote will feature the acclaimed explorer and filmmaker in the high Arctic.
“Twelve months after its unveiling, Selar is no longer just a concept,” the line proudly admits. “It is a vessel under construction, a movement gaining momentum and a global community united by the belief that exploration can be both bold and responsible. With each welded beam and brushed metal detail, Selar is proving that the future of polar travel can be innovative, intentional and truly sustainable.”
