What is Ocean Albatros?
Ocean Albatros is an X-Bow expedition ship operated by Polar Latitudes Expeditions, the company formed by the 2025 merger of Polar Latitudes and Danish operator Albatros Expeditions. She carries just under 200 guests, with many cabins offering private balconies, and sails the Arctic and Antarctica.
Ship at a glance
Specifications, as published by the operator
- Operator
- Polar Latitudes Expeditions (formerly Albatros Expeditions)
- Guests
- 192 maximum; capped at 175 on most voyages, and up to 180 on some, to protect the guest experience
- Crew
- 104
- Cabins
- 94 staterooms and suites
- Ice class
- 1A Super (her deck-plan specification table lists ice class 6)
- Length
- 104.4 m
- Regions sailed
- Antarctica, the Arctic and destinations in between
What we observed on our visit
- Where we toured her
- Longyearbyen, Svalbard, July 2025
- Mudroom
- A mudroom laid out much like Aurora's, with a locker per cabin for boots, poles and jackets
- Bow space
- An open bow with no furniture and open window frames rather than glass
- Lounge style
- Lecture-focused — semicircle and bench seating pointing towards a lecture focal point, with a lot of windows
- Pool and hot tubs
- Infinity-style pool at the top aft, with two outdoor hot tubs
- Stands out for
- The open bow, the best photography spot of the three ships on this hull
We have toured this ship but not sailed her. A full review will follow when we do.
What’s it like onboard?
Despite the small size, you’ll find surprisingly spacious public areas, elegantly designed cabins, panoramic lounges, and a warm, Nordic-inspired aesthetic that emphasises natural light, clean lines, and eco-friendly design.
Guests also enjoy access to a wellness centre, polar plunge opportunities, and a cosy observation lounge perfect for whale-watching or sipping a glass of wine after a day in the zodiacs.
We came in by Zodiac through the mudroom, laid out much like Aurora’s, with a locker per cabin for boots, poles and jackets. Up from there is a well-arranged lounge with semicircle and bench seating, all pointing towards a lecture focal point, with a lot of windows.
What is the open bow like?
Behind the lounge — where the Sylvia Earle has her two-storey glass front — Ocean Albatros has done something different: an open bow with no furniture and open window frames rather than glass. You can stand out there with nothing between you and the shot, getting fresh air but still sheltered from wind and weather.
It is a very good spot for photography and wildlife spotting.
What are the cabins like?
The cabins are modern and sleek, with photographs from the Arctic and Antarctica throughout, so she reads as a polar ship. There are good outdoor areas up top for dining or a coffee, an infinity-style pool at the top aft and two outdoor hot tubs.
Three ships, one hull
The Sylvia Earle, Ocean Albatros and Ocean Explorer come from the same shipbuilder and share a hull, dimensions and much of their cabin layout. What differs is the decor and how each operator chose to arrange the common areas. Touring all three in forty-eight hours made those choices unusually easy to compare.
Related reading
Written by your expedition advisor
Erika Commisso · Travel Experience Architect
CLIA Elite Cruise Counselor · ASTA Verified Travel Advisor · Signature Travel Expert
Chris and Erika have sailed ten expedition voyages and toured seven more expedition ships. Favorite explorations so far: Antarctica, Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Alaska, the Galápagos, the Scottish Hebrides, Churchill and French Polynesia.
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