Feel at home on the ice

Our vessels

At Terra Nova Expeditions, we believe the vessel is not just your transport, it’s your base camp, your window to the world, and your home at sea. Our fleet is carefully selected and curated to offer three distinct styles of expedition experience, each delivering comfort, safety, and immersion in the world’s most remote destinations.

With our flagship Terra Nova Adventurer carrying average of just 98 passengers, and with only six passengers on Icebird, we offer some of the most inclusive and affordable small-ship experiences to the continent. Thanks to our smaller vessel sizes, we provide more time ashore than the majority of the industry.

Staffed by leading polar guides with decades of experience in the Polar world, we pride ourselves on having one of the highest guide to passenger ratios in the industry. Rest assured, you are in safe hands.

A red ship named Icebird sailing past large ice formations and glaciers in a cold, icy landscape with calm water and a partly cloudy sky.

Your Ship:
The Terra Nova Adventurer

Proven in the Polar Regions.
Designed for Exploration.

        
 98
Guests on Average

63
Cabins

14
Zodiacs

76
Crew
Cabins & suites
All en-suite with ocean views, updated in the 2026 refit. 11 Single cabins with no supplement. - a rarity in the expediton cruise industry 
Onboard facilities
Panoramic observation lounges, two Jacuzzis, gym, spa, and a full science lab with a resident expert science team. More space per guest than almost any comparable vessel.
Built for adventure
Ice-strengthened hull, vast mudroom, 14 zodiacs, and powerful engines. Ship rebuilt in 2009 as a platform for expedition. Large open decks on multiple levels. Danish built with an impressive ice rating of 1B.
A ship with a story
Capacity for 138.
We average 98.
The difference is yours.

        Danish built 
        Recent Renovation 2026

Learn more about the Terra Nova Adventurer

SMALL SHIPS.
BIGGER ADVENTURES.

TAILORED TO YOUR STYLE OF EXPLORATION.

Icebird

FOR ADVENTURES INTO UNCHARTED TERRITORIES

Our Nomad Class is anything but ordinary. Aboard Icebird, a rugged, ice-reinforced yacht, you’ll join just six guests for an intimate, hands-on expedition.

Sleeping quarters and shared facilities reflect the style of a classic expedition yacht—simple yet comfortable, ideal for those who value adventure and access over luxury. Perfect for kayaking, diving, ski-touring, and truly off-grid exploration. Our Antarctic sailing expedition is a truly world first trip, and unique to Terra Nova Expeditions.

        
6–8
Guests

6
Berths

1
Zodiac

3
Crew
Purpose-built for polar waters
A custom 61-foot aluminium expedition yacht designed by Van de Stadt and built at the renowned Trintella Shipyard in the Netherlands. Built for polar conditions, she's classified for operation in all oceans — including the Arctic and Antarctic.
Accommodation & comfort
Fully insulated and climate-controlled throughout, with a hot water radiator system, air conditioning, and heated towel rails. The heated, double-glazed pilothouse saloon offers all-round panoramic views as Icebird navigates through ice and sea.
Expedition-ready
The aft garage carries a rigid aluminium-hulled inflatable boat, kayaks, skis, and diving gear. Guests can snorkel, dive, ski, climb, or kayak — Icebird is a choose-your-own-adventure platform for Antarctica's most remote corners.
A polar thoroughbred
Six guests.
One yacht.
Antarctica to yourselves.

        Australian owned
        Ice-reinforced aluminium hull
        Fully insulated & climate controlled

Learn more about Icebird

A sailboat anchired on ice next to open dark blue water in polar environment with several people on snow-covered ice

A red yacht sailing through icy waters with floating ice chunks, with snow-covered mountains and glaciers in the background.

A red sailboat is floating on icy water near a large ice formation and a mountain of compressed snow or ice in Antarctica.

A sailboat named IceBird navigating through icy waters surrounded by floating ice chunks in a polar landscape with snow-covered mountains and ice-covered land in the background.

A cozy bedroom with wooden walls and furniture, featuring a large bed with white pillows and bedding, and bunks on the right side with blue and gray bedding. There is a mirror on the wall and warm lighting.

A boat edged in sea ice with a long orange rope attached, surrounded by smaller boats and machinery, viewed from above.

ICEBIRD IS MORE THAN A YACHT,

SHE’S A POLAR THOROUGHBRED.

At Terra Nova, we believe smaller ships leave a lighter footprint and create deeper experiences, Icebird is the ultimate expression of that vision.

“Icebird captures the heart of Terra Nova’s mission—real expedition travel, up close and personal. With just six guests, we reach places others can’t, offering true immersion and adventure in Antarctica’s most remote corners.”

-Greg Carter, CEO & Founder