Expedition Cruise Ship

An expedition cruise ship is designed to take passengers on an adventure to explore remote and often challenging locations around the world, such as polar regions or remote islands. These ships are smaller in size compared to traditional cruise ships, with a focus on providing a more intimate and immersive experience for passengers. They often have high ice class ratings to navigate through icy waters, and advanced equipment for scientific research and exploration.

• Length: Typically ranges from 70m to 170m
• Speed: Average speed of 12-15 knots
• Deadweight Tonnage (DWT): Typically ranges from 1,000 to 9,000 tons
• Number of Active Vessels: Around 50-60 active vessels worldwide
• Maximum Draft: Typically ranges from 4m to 6m
• Cargo Capacity: Limited or none, as the focus is on passenger experience rather than cargo transportation

Some of the main shipyards for building expedition cruise ships include Ulstein Verft (Norway), Vard Group (Norway), Fincantieri (Italy), and Damen Shipyards (Netherlands). Countries with a strong presence in the expedition cruise ship market include Norway, Germany, and the Netherlands.