Selar Captain Arctic

The 2026-built Selar's cruise ship Captain Arctic is a 5-masted, solar-powered sailship and polar expedition vessel with hybrid propulsion.

The vessel (IMO number 1108134) is currently France-flagged (MMSI 228483900) and registered in Marseille.

Selar's cruises are designed primarily for affluent travelers from the UK and the USA, typically between 30 and 70 years of age. English is the principal language used onboard, while the crew and staff are predominantly French-speaking.

History - construction and ownership

The shipowner is the French company Selar - a 2024-founded, Marseille-based marine company and a polar cruise line. The company is privately held, co-founded by Sophie Galvagnon (CEO), Julia Bijaoui, and Quentin Vacher. Selar operates an international expedition cruise brand focused on sustainable travel and responsible maritime exploration.

Shipbuilding financing was mainly from France, in addition to Limestone Capital AG (a Zug, Switzerland-based real estate, private equity, and hospitality group).

The primary shipbuilder is CNOI (Chantier Naval de l'Ocean Indien Ltd), whose shipyard is in Port Louis, Mauritius. CNOI is a subsidiary of IBL Group (founded in 1830 as Ireland Blyth Ltd), the Mauritius' largest diversified conglomerate. IBL Group's primary businesses are industrial equipment manufacturing and international distribution of retail and healthcare products.

The vessel's physical construction/assembly started with the keel-laying ceremony on November 22, 2025, held in Dubai. The special event was attended by Sophie Galvagnon (Selar's CEO), Pierrick Delaunay (Selar's Technical Director), CNOI's Frank Piriou (Managing Director), Nicolas Perrier (Deputy General Director), and Jean Charles Davy (Project Leader). Other attendees included representatives of Bureau Veritas BV, key customers and business partners, and industry leaders.

The vessel's construction was divided across two main locations. The steel hull fabrication was conducted by Goltens Dubai Trading LLC (a Dubai Maritime City-based shipyard and engineering company).

Following the launch, the hull was transported to Mauritius for outfitting and commissioning conducted by CNOI.

Ship technology

The 36-passenger luxury superyacht has LOA length 69 m/227 ft, width/beam 14 m/46 ft, draft 3,5 m/12 ft, and is served by a crew of 30 (24 crew members plus 6 tour guides). The ice-strengthened hull and shallow draft guarantee safe navigation along intricate coastlines, allowing immersive travel experiences in polar environments.

The innovative ship design features a hull ice-class rating of PC7 (Polar Class 7) and 5 masts with solar panels, enabling the generation of both wind and solar electricity. The 35-m/115-ft-high aluminium sails are built to endure in any weather conditions. The rigid sails are fitted with 2000 m2/21530 ft2 of solar panels.

Eco-friendly technologies implemented on the vessel also include autonomous water production (generation of fresh water from seawater through reverse osmosis), an organic heating system (a pellet boiler using recycled wooden waste pellets instead of conventional fuel), and several other systems that reduce waste and pollution - an organic food digester, and a modern wastewater treatment plant that transforms black and grey waters into potable water.

~90% of the ship's power is harnessed through the sails. In calm weather, when wind or sun are not available or enough, two propeller shafts (linked to the electric engines) act as hydro turbines to generate electricity while the vessel moves.

The sails are retractable (fitted with hydraulic actuators), allowing them to be lowered for passing under bridges. The sails' solar panels, when assisted by a 10 KN (~19 kph/~12 mph) wind, generate enough electricity for autonomous operation.

The sails were designed by Cormoran (a French maritime tech start-up based in Lorient, Brittany). Cormoran was founded in 2024 by Laurent Mermier, a naval architect, who previously established the engineering and architectural firm Ship-ST, specializing in the design of rigid, foldable solar-powered sails for ships. Cormoran's key project is the patented Rigid Solar Wings - custom-engineered aluminium and solar-paneled sails.

Marine vessels with hulls rated PC7 are designed for summer and autumn navigation in thin (first-year) ice fields. Under the ⁠IMO Polar Code, a PC7-rated vessel falls into Category B, meaning it has basic ice-strengthening but is not a heavy-duty icebreaker.

Decks and Cabins

Captain Arctic's staterooms (18 total) are all outside/oceanview and concentrated on the lower passenger decks. Passenger accommodations emphasize intimacy and practicality rather than oversized cabins and top-luxury.

Sized 15-20 m2 (160-215 ft2), the cabins are relatively smaller in comparison to most luxury expedition ships. However, this is intentional as it allows a very low passenger count/high crew ratio. Standard occupancy is 2 guests per cabin.

The majority are Standard Staterooms (16x, sized 15 m2) with round-shaped, non-opening windows/portholes, private bathrooms, a seating area, personal heating. The largest accommodations are the two Premium Suites (sized 20 m2), featuring large windows.

The two largest suites are positioned on the Main Deck, while the majority of standard staterooms are distributed across the Main, Middle, and Upper decks.

Standard amenities provided complimentary in all staterooms include: individual thermostat-controlled heating, a seating area, expedition gear storage, and contemporary Scandinavian-inspired decor with natural materials and muted colors.

All cabin bathrooms are fitted with glass showers, single-sink vanities, wall-mount/hung toilets, and wood-panelled drawers.

The ship has 3 passenger-accessible decks, of which 2 have cabins.

Ship review (facilities, amenities, services)

Selar Captain Arctic's primary venue is The Observation Lounge - an indoor, bow-facing bar lounge with premium comfortable seating and floor-to-ceiling windows providing 270-degree unobstructed views.

The ship's dining room, The Grand Mess, is designed as a Chef's Table. The concept reflects life at basecamp, featuring a simple/modest decor, top-quality food, shared tables, and no individual ordering. The Nordic-inspired cuisine includes freshly baked bread, daily-made muesli, freshly caught fish, seasonal dishes, and Scandinavian desserts.

The Bar is another social venue serving premium alcohol, beverages, and specialty coffees and teas.

Wellness facilities include a modern Gym (rowing machines, weight-lifting equipment, treadmills, exercise bikes), a spa (treatment room for massages), and a Sauna Room (with large floor-to-ceiling windows).

The ship also has a Science Lab and a Library.

The Weelhouse/Navigation Bridge is passenger-accessible, which allows conversations with the Captain/officer on duty and the ice pilot.

Complimentary items and equipment for shore exploration are provided at the Mudroom/Changing Room. Those include snowshoes, walking sticks, and skis (on demand), immersion suits, and fishing and scuba diving/snorkeling equipment.

The vessel is equipped with Zodiacs (large-capacity electrical powerboats), kayaks, and paddleboards. The four Zodiacs double as Tender Boats. They are Zodiac MilPro Mark V (hybrid inflatables) equipped with hybrid-electric propulsion (like the RAD 40 electric console) for quiet, low-emission operations in sensitive environments.

WiFi and Internet are provided upon request.

Another policy is no shoes on board - all passengers are provided with furred slippers.

Selar's core ideology about polar travel and life aboard is sharing these special moments with the crew and fellow passengers.

Itineraries

Selar's Captain Arctic has no set itineraries or scheduled destinations.

Captain Arctic's inaugural cruise/Maiden Voyage is currently scheduled for December 4, 2026, leaving from Tromso. The 7-day Northern Norway itinerary is flexible, following wildlife and ice conditions rather than planned visits to ports/islands. The itinerary's highlights include visits to the Svalbard Islands and Norwegian Fjords cruising.

Summer voyages are planned for the High Arctic and East Greenland. Plans may include Antarctic expeditions.

All shore excursions (scheduled daily) are led by an Expedition Leader assisted by 5 professional polar guides (naturalists and geological experts). The land activities are designed for small groups (6 to 8 people) and for various levels. Coastal and land adventures include sea kayaking, fishing, camping, dog sledding, wildlife watching (polar bears, whales, reindeer), and visiting local communities.

Selar cruise bookings are typically handled by specialized charter brokers (Yacht Charter Fleet or ⁠Arcon Yachts) rather than standard commercial websites.

Selar's cruise fares are all-inclusive, including accommodations, all meals, beverages, land transfers, and flights.

Selar's prices range between EUR 20,000 and 30,000 per person.

Captain Arctic can also be fully booked/privately chartered. Selar's full ship charter is per week and costs between EUR 590,000 during low season (~EUR 0,7 million all-in) and up to EUR 950,000 during high season, (~EUR 1,1 million all-in).