Feel at home in 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 St Helena carrying 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.

A modern hotel room with a large bed, bedside lamps, curtains, and a window with a view of the sky. The room has dark wood paneling and contemporary decor.

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.

An elegant lounge area with modern furniture including various armchairs and sofas, a white coffee table with a flower arrangement, and small lamps. The room has dark wood paneling, large windows showing a nighttime scene outside, and decorative wall sconces with sculptures, creating a cozy and upscale ambiance.

St Helena

EPIC JOURNEYS, ENDURANCE, AND SHARED CAMARADERIE

Our Odyssey Class features the legendary (Formally RMS) St Helena — a former Royal Mail Ship, purpose-built for long ocean voyages and now reimagined for modern expedition cruising.

She carries 98 guests and blends the authenticity of a working vessel with upgraded interiors, character-filled spaces, and all the essentials for a comfortable journey to the world’s edge — including hearty expedition-style meals, a full suite of adventure options, and an onboard science lab for ongoing research at sea.

        
98
Guests

51
Cabins

12
Zodiacs

81
Crew
Cabins & suites
All en-suite with ocean views, updated in the 2022 refit. Single cabins with no supplement. Interconnecting cabins available for families and groups.
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, deep draft, and powerful engines built for the Southern Ocean. British built and flagged — purpose-made for long ocean voyages, not converted from a cruise ferry.
A ship with a story
Capacity for 150.
We carry 98.
The difference is yours.

        British built & flagged
        £10 million renovation

Learn more about St Helena

A passenger ship sailing through icy waters with snow-covered mountains and glaciers in the background under a cloudy sky.

A modern hotel room with two beds, a brown leather sofa, a desk with chairs, and wall art. There is a round mirror on the wall, a window with curtains, and various decorative and functional items.

Outdoor deck with lounge seating, tables, and soft lighting, with a ship's bridge and smoke stacks in the background, under a cloudy sky.

Lounge aboard a cruise ship with large windows overlooking the ocean, featuring beige and purple armchairs, white sofas with orange cushions, and a central coffee table.

A black countertop with a vase of white calla lilies, two upside-down wine glasses, two white cups, and a tray, set against a wood-paneled wall with a window showing the ocean and sky outside.

An aerial view of a ship navigating through icy waters with floating ice chunks.

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