Ocean Nova

The 1992-built MV Ocean Nova cruise ship was specifically designed to navigate the ice-choked waters off Western Greenland. The vessel is an ideal choice for polar cruising in both the Arctic and Antarctica. She underwent a drydock refit and upgrade in 2000 and was refurbished again in 2006.

The vessel (IMO number 8913916) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 309051000) and registered in Nassau.

The current shipowner (since 2007) is Adventure Shipping Ltd (Cyprus-registered). The UK-based travel brand and tour operator Noble Caledonia charters the ship during the summer season (from May). The principal charterer of Ocean Nova is Antarctica21 Air-Cruises.

In January 2025, it was announced that starting in 2026, Ocean Nova will also be chartered by Adventure Canada, together with Exploris I.

Seasonally, Ocean Nova is chartered by Polar Latitudes Expeditions, a travel brand established in October 2025 through the merger of Polar Latitudes and Albatros Travel Group.

The vessel accommodates up to 78 passengers and is classed for operations in ice-filled waters. She is operated by a highly experienced crew with extensive polar navigation expertise.

Until 2019, the ship was chartered and operated by the polar travel company Quark Expeditions (founded in 1991), which specializes in expedition cruises to Antarctica and the Arctic using icebreaking vessels with ice-strengthened hulls. Quark Expeditions became part of TUI Travel (UK) in 2007 and, since 2016, has been owned by Travelopia Group Holdings Ltd (UK).

Since 2019, Ocean Nova has been chartered by the Chilean Antarctica air-cruise company Antarctica21 (formerly Antarctica XXI). Currently, Antarctica21 operates a fleet of two chartered cruise ships (Ocean Nova and Hebridean Sky) in addition to a UK-built BAE 146 aircraft. The high-wing aircraft, manufactured by BAE Systems, has a capacity of 71 passengers (with 16 reserved seats) and is operated by Aerovias DAP, a Chilean airline providing charter and scheduled domestic flights from Punta Arenas.

Shipboard facilities

Ocean Nova is an extremely quiet and highly maneuverable expedition vessel, with a shallow draft of just 12 ft (3.7 m), allowing access to remote islands and unique coastal destinations. She is powered by two MAN marine diesel engines with a combined output of 2,000 HP. The hull is Ice Class 1B, and the ship is equipped with two fully enclosed lifeboats. Ship-to-shore communications are provided via Inmarsat Capsat Fleet 77 (satellite phone and internet).

All cabins are outside and feature private facilities. Additional onboard amenities include a cozy library with an extensive collection of polar-themed books, a spacious dining room, a comfortable presentation room, a gym (exercise room), and a medical clinic with a resident licensed doctor. During the drydock refit, a glass-enclosed forward observation lounge was added on the top deck.

MV Ocean Nova is equipped with Zodiac boats, well suited for landings and wildlife viewing. Triple-occupancy staterooms and some twin cabins on the upper deck feature lower and upper berths, while all other cabins are fitted with two lower twin beds. Each passenger cabin also includes a chair and ample storage space for expedition gear and clothing. The panorama lounge is used for socializing and lectures by onboard specialists covering topics such as history, flora, and fauna. Passengers are welcome on the bridge at any time under the ship’s open-bridge policy.

Quark cruise deals

Quark Expeditions cruise deals included the following:

• One-night pre-cruise hotel stay and group transfers (airport to hotel on the day prior to departure, and hotel to ship on embarkation day)
• Onboard accommodation with daily housekeeping service
• All onboard meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner); note that the ship’s galley cannot prepare kosher meals
• All Zodiac landings (weather permitting), Zodiac transfers, and daily Zodiac cruising
• Educational presentations by the Expedition Team and special guest lecturers
• Waterproof expedition boots for shore landings
• Complimentary Quark Expeditions-branded parka
• Life jackets and immersion suits
• Complimentary coffee, tea, and cocoa available 24/7
• Hairdryer and bathrobe in all cabins
• Pre-departure materials, including maps
• All service taxes and port fees
• All onboard luggage handling
• Emergency evacuation (medevac) insurance with a maximum benefit of USD 100,000 per person
• Fly-cruise packages included complimentary house wines (by the glass), beers, and spirits onboard, all gratuities for staff and crew, and all domestic flights prior to embarkation
• Shipboard laundry and ironing services were available at an additional cost
• Ship-to-shore communications via Inmarsat Capsat Fleet 77 (satellite phone and internet) were available at extra cost

Antarctica21 itineraries

Currently, Ocean Nova operates cruises in Antarctica (departing from King George Island, Punta Arenas, Chile, and Ushuaia, Argentina) as well as in the European Arctic (departing from Portsmouth, England, Oban, Scotland, and Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway).

Antarctica21 operates regularly scheduled roundtrip cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula, departing from its homeport in Punta Arenas, Chile. Wildlife sightings on excursions may include penguins (Gentoo, Macaroni, Adelie, and Chinstrap), whales, seals, and a variety of seabirds. Itineraries also visit Aitcho Island, Cuverville Island, Deception Island, Half Moon Island, Livingston Island, Petermann Island, the Lemaire Channel (also known as Kodak Gap), Paradise Bay (noted for minke whales), and Wiencke Island (Port Lockroy).

The aircraft seasonally chartered by Antarctica21 is used for fly-cruise operations, as its short runway requirements make it well suited for Antarctic landings.

Flying to Antarctica with Aerovias DAP includes roundtrip flights from Punta Arenas to Chile’s largest Antarctic base, Eduardo Frei Montalva, located on King George Island. The first such flight took place on February 12, 1989. In 2007, Aerovias DAP leased a BAE 146 airliner from the UK-based company Flightline, and Antarctica flights commenced in early 2008. Currently, Aerovias DAP handles approximately three-quarters of all air traffic between South America and Antarctica, operating two BAE 146-200 aircraft (1981-built, each costing GBP 11 million) and one smaller Beechcraft Super King Air (Model 300).

Antarctica21’s 2023–2024 fly-cruise program (for Magellan Explorer and Ocean Nova) included 35 departures: 28 “Classic Antarctica” voyages, three “Polar Circle” cruises, three “Antarctica Express” itineraries, and one “Antarctica and South Georgia” voyage.