Polar Latitudes Expeditions
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What to say on a call
Best for
- 1Polar specialist formed by the merger of Polar Latitudes and Albatros Expeditions; past guests of either brand count for the All Explorers Club.
- 2Four small expedition ships (80-180 guests), including the X-BOW Ocean Albatros and Ocean Victory (Ice Class 1A, Polar Class 6).
- 3Fares include beer, wine and soft drinks with dinner, 1 GB of Starlink data, a doctor on every voyage, a photography coach and a puffer jacket to keep (Antarctica adds a hotel night).
- 4Adventure options: kayaking, camping, snowshoeing and immersive photography; Citizen Science program included.
Payments & cancellations
Final payment
Per cruise line120 days before departure
Final payment due 120 days before departure. Passenger information and confidential medical forms are due 60 days before departure.
Applies to: All bookings made on or after December 1, 2025 (Polar Latitudes, Inc Terms & Conditions)
Missing or inaccurate passenger forms can lead to cancellation without refund. Proof of the mandatory travel insurance is needed before boarding.
Deposit
Per cruise lineSources differ
Polar Latitudes' pages word the deposit timing differently. The Terms say a 20% non-refundable deposit is 'required to confirm booking'; the Antarctic, Arctic and North Atlantic booking guides say 'Deposit due within 7 days – 20% per person'. We show the Terms.Terms & Conditions Antarctic Booking Guide20% non-refundable deposit (full payment within 120 days of departure)
20% non-refundable deposit to confirm the booking. Bookings within 120 days of departure: full payment immediately. Prepaid adventure options (immersive kayaking, photography) also take a 20% deposit.
Applies to: All bookings made on or after December 1, 2025 (Polar Latitudes, Inc Terms & Conditions)
The booking guides say the deposit is due within 7 days of booking and that payment plans are available through Sales. Prices are dynamic; a lower price after deposit is not applied retroactively. Fuel surcharge: up to 8% with notice no later than 120 days before departure (cost increases up to 2% are absorbed).
Cancellation penalties
Per cruise line181+ days: US$1,250 pp; 120-180 days: deposit (20%); under 120 days: 100%
Cancellation in writing; fees run from the date Polar Latitudes receives it. 181 days or more before departure: US$1,250 per person. 120-180 days: loss of the 20% deposit. Less than 120 days: 100% of the total cost. Name changes or other amendments: US$125 per person before final payment, US$250 after. No refunds for no-shows, late joining or leaving early; prepaid adventure options and non-voyage flights, hotels and services bought through Polar Latitudes are non-refundable.
Applies to: All bookings made on or after December 1, 2025 (Polar Latitudes, Inc Terms & Conditions)
UK/European passengers may have extra rights under 'unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances'. Insurance covering cancel-for-any-reason is strongly recommended. If a surcharge would raise the fare by more than 8%, the guest may cancel for a full refund.
Onboard extras & packages
Prices are approximate, per person per day unless noted. Always confirm the current price with the cruise line.
- Gratuities (standard rooms)
- Not included; optional, suggested US$20 per passenger per night (added to the shipboard account)Per cruise line
- Gratuities (suites)
- Same as other cabins (US$20 per passenger per night suggested)Per cruise line
- Drink package
- Beer and wine included with dinner; other drinks extra (charged in USD)Per cruise line
Sources differ
Polar Latitudes' pages differ on included drinks. Voyage pages and the Ocean Albatros page include 'Beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages with dinner'; the Ocean Nova page says 'Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages with Meals'; the booking guides say 'Dinner Drink Package'. We show the voyage pages (with dinner).Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctica voyage page Ocean Nova page Arctic Booking Guide - Premium drink package
- Not included (bar charges in USD; prices not published)Per cruise line
- Soda package
- Non-alcoholic drinks included with dinner; Discoverer adds complimentary in-cabin soft drinks, juice and sparkling waterPer cruise line
- Non-alcoholic package
- Complimentary coffee and tea station included; Balcony Suites have an in-room espresso machinePer cruise line
- Wi-Fi (basic)
- Included: 1 GB of Starlink data per guestPer cruise line
- Wi-Fi (premium)
- Extra data packages sold on board (prices not published)Per cruise line
- Specialty dining package
- Not offered: all meals included (Ocean Albatros and Ocean Victory have a fine-dining restaurant and a 24/7 bistro)Per cruise line
- Specialty dining (avg per meal)
- Not published by the cruise line
- Fitness classes
- Fitness Center on every ship, free; no classes publishedPer cruise line
- Spa / thermal pass
- Ocean Albatros and Ocean Victory: sauna, spa (treatments extra, prices not published) and two hot tubs; Discoverer: sauna, steam room, treatment room and outdoor Jacuzzis.Per cruise line
- Air program
- Some voyages include flights (e.g. the flights to and from Antarctica on fly-cruise voyages, which depend on the weather). Other flights are booked through Polar Latitudes, a travel agent or the guest; for agent or self-booked flights, changes go through the agent or airline.Per cruise line
- Other fees & perks
- Adventure options (Antarctica): Discover Kayaking US$350, Snowshoeing US$150, Camping US$295, Immersive Kayaking US$1,195, Immersive Photography US$995. Laundry service is charged (free in Balcony Suites). Smoking violations: US$1,000. Credit card surcharges may apply.Per cruise line
Accessibility & special needs
- How to tell the cruise line
- Contact the Booking Team before booking; all mobility limits and medical conditions must be disclosed on the confidential medical form 60 days before departure. Per cruise line
- Wheelchairs & scooters
- Ships are not built to be wheelchair accessible; Ocean Victory and Ocean Albatros have accessible cabins. Elevators serve all floors but may stop in heavy weather. Per cruise line
- Medical equipment & pregnancy
- Ships carry a doctor and medical staff, but care may be limited or delayed and evacuation isn't always possible. Confidential medical forms are due 60 days before departure, and some conditions need medical-team approval. Travel insurance is mandatory, with at least US$150,000 cover for medical, evacuation and repatriation costs. Per cruise line
Not on the line's site (or not confirmed yet): blind / low vision, deaf / hard of hearing, service animals, guests of size. Ask the cruise line's accessibility team.
Never promise an accommodation. Send the request to the line and let them confirm. How to handle these calls → Premium
Upgrade & suite ladder
entryPorthole and French Balcony Staterooms (Categories G, E and D, ~13-22 m²; Ocean Albatros and Ocean Victory)
Per cruise line~13-22 m² porthole staterooms (double or twin) or ~14 m² French-balcony staterooms with floor-to-ceiling windows; single cabins in categories G and E S. Every cabin has an outside view, TV, fridge, safe, bathrobes and daily room service.
midBalcony Staterooms (Categories C, C SP and C XL, ~18-25 m²)
Per cruise line~18-22 m² balcony stateroom with seating area (Superior Balcony ~22-25 m²); solo guests can share with a same-gender traveler at no extra cost.
topBalcony Suites (Categories B and A, ~26-39 m²) and two-bedroom Freydis (~42 m²) and Brynhilde (50 m²) suites
Per cruise line~26-39 m² suites with large balconies (sofa bed in A), plus two-bedroom suites up to 50 m². Extras: wine and fruit on arrival, restocked non-alcoholic minibar, complimentary laundry and an in-room espresso machine.
Loyalty program
The All Explorers Club (benefits after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd voyage)Per cruise line
- 1After your first voyage — 1 voyage
- 2After your second voyage — 2 voyages
- 3After your third voyage — 3 voyages
Guests may say
“All Explorers Club”, “The All Explorers Club”
Past Polar Latitudes and Albatros Expeditions voyages both count (the two brands merged). No other cruise line partners.
Military & veterans
We couldn't confirm a military rate on this line's official site. Don't promise one. If a guest asks, check with the line.
How military rates work → PremiumAirport transfers
Antarctic voyages from Ushuaia include an airport welcome, a transfer to a partner hotel, a hotel night and the escort to the ship.
Which ports: Ushuaia (Antarctica) and Kangerlussuaq (Arctic). Other voyages: see each voyage page.
What's offered changes by port and sailing. Check before you quote a price.
Good to know
Formerly Albatros Expeditions
Per cruise linePolar Latitudes Expeditions is the merger of Polar Latitudes (US) and Albatros Expeditions (Denmark). albatros-expeditions.com now redirects here, and past guests of either brand count for the All Explorers Club.
Travel insurance is mandatory
Per cruise lineEvery passenger must buy travel insurance at booking with at least US$150,000 cover for medical expenses, evacuation, repatriation, pre-existing conditions and COVID-19 costs. The policy number and the insurer's 24-hour number are needed to board.
Pregnancy: second trimester only
Per cruise linePregnant guests may sail only if the whole voyage falls within weeks 13-27, with a physician's note giving the due date and a signed Pregnancy Waiver.
Minimum age varies by voyage
Per cruise lineThe minimum age depends on the expedition. Under-18s must travel with a parent, guardian or adult over 21, who signs a Minor Travel waiver, and can't use share cabins.
Solo travelers: share or pay 70% more
Per cruise lineSolo guests are matched with a same-gender cabin-mate at no extra cost (gender-neutral shares on request), or pay a single supplement of 70% for a private cabin. Some twin cabins sell for single use at 1.7 times the twin rate.
Doctor on every voyage
Per cruise lineShips carry a doctor and medical staff, but care may be limited or delayed and evacuation isn't always possible. Medical services are at the passenger's own risk and expense.
Onboard account in US dollars
Per cruise lineOnboard charges go on an account in US dollars, paid at the end by cash or Visa, Mastercard or American Express (card surcharges may apply).
Halal-friendly voyages
Per cruise lineSelected voyages are halal-friendly, with a halal-exclusive galley, halal-certified meals and drinks, and men-only, women-only and mixed wellness hours.
Fleet
- Ships
- 4 ships: Ocean Albatros and Ocean Victory (X-BOW sister ships, Ice Class 1A / Polar Class 6), Discoverer (140 guests, Ice Class 1A) and Ocean Nova (80 guests)Per cruise line
- Newest ship
- Not published by the cruise line
- Ship classes
- Ocean Albatros and Ocean Victory: X-BOW expedition ships, Ice Class 1A and Polar Class 6, most cabins with balconies, Discoverer: 140-guest Ice Class 1A expedition ship, refurbished 2018 and 2023, Ocean Nova: classic 80-passenger expedition ship (Antarctica)
Where they sail
Last full review: 9 Oct 2026·Last updated: 27 Oct 2026
A full review is when we re-check every fact on this page.
"Last updated" is the most recent check or change to any single fact.
Something wrong or missing?
"Per cruise line" = confirmed on the line's own site.
"Unofficial tip" = from an experienced travel professional; helpful, but not confirmed by the cruise line.