A Guide To 2021’s New Small Oceangoing Cruise Ships
By Anne Kalosh.
For small-ship fans, 2021 will be a veritable moving feast — a whopping 16 new oceangoing vessels are Quirky-sized (300 passengers, max).
We can’t remember a year when there was such a cornucopia.
(And that’s not counting the new vessels set to begin plying the rivers of the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa. But those are another story.)
Discussing new ships may seem a little meaningless at the moment, with most cruises not operating. But this, too, shall pass.
And it’s exciting to think about the vibrant future for small ships, with new brands popping up (Atlas Ocean Voyages, Tradewind Voyages, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection), established brands branching out into new segments (Crystal, Seabourn), and the revival of a classic brand (Swan Hellenic).
Some companies are building their first owned ships (Quark Expeditions) and many others are introducing encores in a series.
In the Quirky-sized oceangoing tally are 13 new expedition ships, two tall sailing ships and one yacht.
Here’s a Breakdown:
13 expedition ships
The expedition vessels are Coral Geographer (Coral Expeditions), National Geographic Resolution (Lindblad Expeditions), Le Commandant-Charcot (Ponant), World Navigator (Atlas Ocean Voyages), Ultramarine (Quark Expedition), Hanseatic Spirit (Hapag-Lloyd Cruises), Crystal Endeavor (Crystal Expedition Cruises), Jansonnius (Oceanwide Expeditions), SH Minerva (Swan Hellenic) and Seabourn Venture (Seabourn).
This list originally included Scenic Eclipse II but that luxury expedition vessel is delayed until second quarter 2023.
RELATED: A Taste of the New Scenic Eclipse. by Peter Knego.
Hanseatic Spirit on the day of its float-out at the shipyard. * Photo: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Three SunStone Ships newbuilds will be chartered to four companies: Ocean Explorer to Vantage Travel, Ocean Victory to Victory Cruise Lines for Alaska and to Albatros Expeditions for Antarctica and Sylvia Earle to Aurora Expeditions.
(Viking Expeditions is also introducing its first ship, Viking Octantis. But at 378 passengers, it’s too big to be Quirky.)
Two tall ships
Sea Cloud Spirit unfurls its sails for Sea Cloud Cruises, while Golden Horizon casts off for Tradewind Voyages.
Sea Cloud Spirit, center, will join the original Sea Cloud, right, and Sea Cloud II, left. * Rendering: Sea Cloud Cruises
One yacht
Super-yacht Evrima debuts for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
Some Features of Each Ship:
Coral Geographer
Cairns, Australia-based Coral Expeditions follows up 2019’s Coral Adventurer with a near twin, Coral Geographer. This 120-passenger ship will provide four more bridge deck balcony suites (six total) featuring bathrooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and an infinity bathtub with sky views. Two Xplorer tenders seat all passengers for excursions, plus there are six Zodiacs. Australian produce and wines are featured.
Coral Geographer, here, is a near twin of 2019’s Coral Adventurer. * Rendering: Coral Expeditions
National Geographic Resolution
Lindblad Expeditions brings out the sister of 2020’s National Geographic Endurance. Both are among the sturdiest of the new crop of expedition ships, each with a Polar Class 5 rating. This enables year-round operation in medium first-year ice, which may include old ice inclusions.
The 126-passenger Resolution has an X-BOW hull for better seakeeping and fuel efficiency. Exploration tools include 14 expedition landing craft, kayaks, a remotely operated vehicle, a hydrophone and a video-operated microscope.
The wellness center offers a yoga studio and infinity Jacuzzis, while twin igloos provide panoramic views and seating on fur-covered daybeds.
National Geographic Resolution (right) is being completed at the Ulstein Shipyard in Norway. At left is the 2020-sister-ship National Geographic Endurance. * Photo: Lindblad Expeditions
Le Commandant-Charcot
A one-of-a-kind vessel, Ponant’s newest has the highest ice-class rating of all the year’s new ships. Its Polar Class 2 construction allows year-round operation in moderate multi-year ice conditions, enabling Ponant to visit remote places like the geographic North Pole.
Unique for a small cruise ship, the 270-passenger Le Commandant-Charcot will be fueled by liquefied natural gas. Plus, as a hybrid electric vessel, it can run for stints of a few hours on battery power. Furthermore, it’s equipped with a scientific laboratory to conduct research in the far corners of the planet.
Le Commandant Charcot, foreground, is pictured under tow to Vards shipyard in Norway for completion after its superstructure was built in Romania. Beyond are some other Ponant ships. * Photo: Ponant
Sailing for the new North American brand, Atlas Ocean Voyages, this 196-passenger ship is actually part of a series under construction for Atlas parent company, Portugal’s Mystic Cruises. (It is third in the series, following 2019’s World Explorer and 2020’s World Voyager.)
Bird’s-eye view of World Navigator, scheduled to begin sailing for Atlas Ocean Voyages in July 2021. * Image: Atlas Ocean Voyages
Most accommodations have balconies, however the horizon stateroom category has a floor-to-ceiling glass wall with an upper panel that slides open. World Navigator’s bow features heated seats for nature-viewing in cold climes. The Dome Lounge is topped by a glass dome, while a viewing well in the room’s floor looks down to the sea.
World Navigator’s glass-topped Dome Lounge. * Rendering: Atlas Ocean Voyages
Ultramarine
Polar specialist Quark Expeditions‘ first owned new build has a 70-day operational range and two helicopters for flight-seeing, heli-hiking and heli-skiing. Twenty quick-deploy Zodiacs can be reached from both sides of the vessel at four embarkation points from two ready-rooms.
Ultramarine will also carry equipment for camping, sea kayaking, mountaineering, cross-country skiing and stand-up paddleboarding. Most of the 102 suites on this 199-passenger vessel have balconies, and six are solo suites.
Quark Expeditions’ Ultramarine will be among the new ships in Antarctica. * Rendering: Quark Expeditions
Hanseatic Spirit
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ third expedition new build in a series, it follows 2019’s Hanseatic Inspiration and Hanseatic Nature. Dedicated to German speakers, it will become the first in the fleet for adults only. Hanseatic Spirit can carry 230 passengers, 199 in polar regions. The ship offers Zodiacs, kayaks and Antarctic camping gear.
There are three restaurants, an observation lounge with a “firepit,” an Ocean Academy and a library. Most accommodations have balconies, and natural materials and fabrics are emphasized.
An SH Minerva balcony cabin. * Rendering: Swan Hellenic
One spine-tingling feature is the Glass Balcony for nature viewing, 60 meters/197 feet over the sea.
Hanseatic Spirit’s scintillating glass balcony. * Photo: Hapag Lloyd Cruises
Crystal Endeavor
Crystal’s first expedition ship, it has brand hallmarks like the Palm Court lounge and specialty restaurants Prego (Italian), Umi Uma (sushi and specialties from master chef Nobu Matsuhisa) and Silk Kitchen & Bar (Asian).
A Crystal favorite, Italian restaurant Prego, will be on Crystal Endeavor. * Rendering: Crystal Expedition Cruises
Umi Umi is housed in the two-story solarium pool deck during the evenings.
Crystal Endeavor’s double-deck Solarium transforms into the setting for Silk Kitchen & Bar after dark. * Rendering: Crystal Expedition Cruises
This 200-passenger, all-veranda-suite ship has a 1:1 crew to guest ratio, including butlers. There are plenty of expedition elements, too, including two helicopters, a submarine, Zodiacs, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards plus two mudrooms for equipment and gear.
Crystal Endeavor is Crystal’s first purpose-built expedition ship. * Rendering: Crystal Expedition Cruises
Janssonius
Oceanwide Expeditions’ newest is the twin of 2019’s Hondius. No-frills but well-equipped and comfortable, this 170-passenger ship offers a mix of cabin categories including some with three or four berths, suitable for families. There is one dining room.
Janssonius is a near twin of 2019’s Hondius. * Photo: Oceanwide Expeditions
Besides an observation lounge with bar, Janssonius has a lecture/observation room and a library. A protected indoor Zodiac loading area connects to a pair of boarding platforms that also can be used for activities like kayaking.
Janssonius has an enclosed Zodiac loading area through the door at right. * Photo: ©Mike Louagie for Oceanwide Expeditions
SH Minerva
The classic Swan Hellenic brand is being revived and starting operations with SH Minerva. Built to Polar Class 5, this makes it one of the year’s sturdiest new ships, capable of year-round operation in medium first-year ice, which may include old ice inclusions.
SH Minerva is the first new build for the revived Swan Hellenic brand. * Rendering: Swan Hellenic
The 152-passenger ship has a Basecamp with mudrooms for gear, Zodiacs and a photography lab. A club lounge with holographic fireplace offers 24-hour tapas, and the observation lounge with its grand piano and large LED screen doubles as a venue for entertainment and lectures. There’s a heated outdoor infinity pool and a sauna with a view.
Sauna with a view aboard SH Minerva. * Rendering: Swan Hellenic
Seabourn Venture
Seabourn’s first purpose-built expedition ship has luxurious features and a suitably rugged but comfortable look inside, with interiors by the noted hospitality designer Adam D. Tihany.
Seabourn Venture is set to debut on new Norwegian winter itineraries in late 2021. * Rendering: Seabourn
The 264-passenger Seabourn Venture has two landing zones, 24 Zodiacs, a discovery center for lectures and and an observation lounge. A bow lounge with access to the bowsprit will provide the closest access to water level via the foredeck, making it an ideal spot to observe marine life.
All suites have features like built-in heated jacket wardrobes, bespoke furniture and walk-in closets. The ultimate accommodation, the two-story Grand Wintergarden, is designed for extended families and friends.
A Seabourn Venture panorama suite. * Rendering: Seabourn
Ocean Explorer, Ocean Victory, Sylvia Earle
Miami’s SunStone Ships is behind an extended series of Infinity-class new builds for charter to various companies. This year’s trio are Ocean Explorer for Boston-based Vantage Travel and Ocean Victory for Victory Cruise Lines‘ first expedition cruises in Alaska and Scandinavia’s Albatros Expeditions for Antarctica, while Sylvia Earle is going to Australia’s Aurora Expeditions. Aurora also operates the first ship in the series, 2019’s Greg Mortimer.
Sylvia Earle’s marina for Zodiac and kayak launches. * Rendering: Aurora Expeditions
Each vessel sports an X-BOW for better seakeeping and efficiency and capacity for up to 200 passengers, though each charterer will customize to its own capacity requirements and service standards. For example, Ocean Explorer for Vantage will have 15 solo cabins. The livery will be customized for each operator, too.
The Infinity-class design includes a main restaurant, specialty restaurant, open-deck bistro, observation lounge, lecture room, ocean-view library, gym and spa, pool, two Zodiac boarding zones and 20 Zodiacs.
Great place to curl up with a book — Ocean Victory’s ocean-view library. * Rendering: Victory Cruise Lines
Workout with a view in Ocean Victory’s gym. * Rendering: Victory Cruise Lines
Sea Cloud Spirit
Sea Cloud Cruises is introducing its third tall ship. The 136-passenger Sea Cloud Spirit is designed with a similar style and philosophy as Sea Cloud and Sea Cloud II and will be traditionally sailed by hand. It has three masts rigged with 4,100 square meters/44,132 square feet of custom-made sails.
With a classic yacht feel, Sea Cloud Spirit blends in modern amenities like balcony rooms, a spa and an elevator connecting the five decks.
Sea Cloud Spirit offers alfresco dining as well as an indoor restaurant. * Rendering: Sea Cloud Cruises
RELATED: Sailing to the Canary Islands on Sea Cloud II. by Gene Sloan.
Golden Horizon
This is the world’s largest square-rigged sailing vessel, a near replica of the 1913-built France II. Ordered by Star Clippers as Flying Clipper, it was completed in 2019 but not handed over by the shipyard due to a dispute with the buyer.
Ultimately, U.K.-based Tradewind Voyages was formed to operate the 272-passenger vessel as Golden Horizon. Its 6,300 square meters/67,813 square feet of sail are not just for show; the company aims to operate about 70 percent of the time without using engine power.
Golden Horizon, a near replica of 1913’s France II, is the world’s biggest square-rigged sailing vessel. * Photo: Tradewind Voyages
Evrima
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s long-awaited Evrima has a yacht-like profile created by Tillberg Design of Sweden with open aft decks cascading down to a marina. Seven dining options include S.E.A. by three-star Michelin chef Sven Elverfeld of Aqua at The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg.
Evrima’s cascading aft decks. * Rendering: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
This 298-passenger vessel has all-terrace-suite accommodations, including a high percentage of large suites. There are even several two-story loft suites. Other elements include a lavish Ritz-Carlton Spa, an infinity pool and, at water’s edge, the marina. With its sun-loungers and water toys, this will be the go-to place when Evrima is at anchor.
Evrima’s sleek marina. * Rendering: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
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