Sea Spirit

Crafted in Italy in 1991 and meticulously refurbished in 2017, the 297-ft, 114-passenger mega-yacht MV Sea Spirit seamlessly blends adventure and sophistication, promising an intimate, all-suite experience for the discerning explorer as you sail amid the pristine beauty of the polar realms.

Life On Board

Sea Spirit is a traditional, small ship and still retains much of her original characteristics such as warm wood paneling and plenty of brass decor that gives the vessel a decidedly nautical feel. Potholes around the ship add to the effect and it’s all very cosy and homely. Lectures are provided in the Oceanus Lounge with enough comfy seating to accommodate all guests at once and four large LCD TV screens so everyone can see. You can also get out to the open decks here, perfect for when impromptu sightings of whales occur! Indeed there is a teak promenade deck that allows guests to walk right around the ship, so plenty of space for wildlife spotting.

The Club Lounge features a well-stocked bar and coffee station, along with a piano for some light entertainment in the evenings. Towards the rear of this room is a very well stocked library of expedition style books on birds, geology and history in multiple languages, so plenty of opportunity to study up on what you have seen or are going to see. No novels here so bring your own!

The BBQ Deck features a hot tub along with an outdoor seating area, where lunch time BBQ’s are offered. There is also a small gym here and outdoor bistro area.

The Zodiacs are also stored on the back decks, and guest are led in small groups towards the rear of the ship to a marina area for embarking the zodiacs for expedition trips and landings, and are debarked in a rotation system so everyone gets the chance of getting off the ship first.

The daily programme is not printed in order to keep paper waste to a minimum, but is available on your cabin TV and around the ship.

Evening wear is very casual, think jeans, chinos, with a polo or short sleeve shirt for the gentlemen is fine. There is a Captain’s Gala Night so a jacket can be worn but not essential, as it’s a very relaxed atmosphere on board.

Cabins on Sea Spirit

Most of the cabins are roughly the same size (from 226 sq ft for a Triple to 258 sq ft for a Deluxe), and are very spacious with comfy beds and feature either portholes on the lower decks, or large picture windows on the higher decks, and there are a few on Deck 5 with balconies too. The bathrooms are all pretty much the same size regardless, with quality shower heads and sink.

The largest suite is the Owners Suite, positioned towards the front of the ship on Sun Deck with views over the bow. This room can accommodate 4 and was very spacious (463 sq ft) and even featured a bath tub. Worth considering for a family of 4 as it might work out better value than 2 lower grade rooms.

Dining on Sea Spirit

The main dining room can accommodate all guests in one seating and there are no fixed table assignments, so guest can dine with whom they wish. The expedition team will join guests too and will swap around during the voyage to everyone has a chance to know the expedition staff and ask questions. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style and dinner is served a la carte, with sensible sized portions and plenty of choice. Table sizes range from 4 to 8, however if guests wish to dine alone they can, however this type of voyage tends to be quite social.

The restaurant has portholes covered in gauze curtains with dark wood chairs with blue upholstery, whilst nautical prints on the walls and wood paneling add to the traditional feel and reminder you are on a ship. Courses such as rock lobster cocktail, roasted leg of lamb, herb crusted sea bass, and warm chocolate fondant were all expertly prepared by the ships French chef. All dietary requirements are accommodated such as vegetarians and vegans; just let the ship know in advance.

Kayaking and Ice Camping

There are kayaks on board that can accommodate 14 guests. It’s best to sign up for this in advance as it is popular. Some previous kayaking experience is required and there is a charge for this. On certain voyages guest can go camping on the ice overnight. Antarctica Camping is offered on Sea Spirit voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula. Previous camping experience is not required, but good health and a spirit of adventure are necessary for getting the most out of this experience – only 30 guests can do this per voyage, so best opt in for it at time of booking.

Join a privileged few in experiencing the wild beauty of Antarctica and the polar realms and embark on a journey to the ends of the Earth aboard Sea Spirit, where luxury meets the untamed.