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August 26, 2025

The modern global traveler increasingly seeks immersive, nature-focused experiences, often venturing far from the beaten track. Expedition cruising has gained significant visibility in recent years, particularly with the rise of social media and online content sharing. But, not all expedition cruises offer the same experience. One key differentiator is ship size.

Small-size expedition cruise ships – typically accommodating 50 to 170 passengers – provide a range of advantages over their larger counterparts, especially when it comes to the most remote, most extreme, and far-flung locations on Earth – Antarctica and the Arctic.

Explore the ends of the Earth with Oceanwide Expeditions

Oceanwide Expeditions, a pioneer in polar exploration, prides itself on a small-ship, authentic expedition experience. With over 30 years of experience taking guests to the farthest reaches of the Arctic and Antarctica, Oceanwide Expeditions has refined a model of expedition cruising that prioritizes adventure, discovery, and minimal impact; all made possible using small, agile expedition vessels.

The Oceanwide Expeditions small-size fleet

Oceanwide Expeditions operates a fleet of small, purpose-built expedition ships designed specifically for polar exploration. Their motor vessels, m/v Hondius, m/v Ortelius, and m/v Plancius, are not luxury liners – they are nimble, ice-strengthened ships capable of venturing where larger vessels cannot. Along with motor vessels, Oceanwide Expeditions also operates a sailing vessel, s/v Rembrandt van Rijn, which offers guests the opportunity to explore the wilds of the Arctic under sail on a truly historic ship.

With an emphasis on authentic exploration over unnecessary luxuries, Oceanwide curates comfortable but immersive journeys that place scientific curiosity, wildlife encounters, and unforgettable experiences and activities at the core of each voyage.

What makes a small expedition vessel worth it?

Limited passenger numbers

The most immediate and impactful difference on a small expedition vessel is the limited number of guests. With capacities often ranging between 50 and 170 passengers, smaller ships avoid the crowds common on larger cruises. In Oceanwide Expeditions‘ fleet, Hondius is the largest, carrying up to 170 guests, while Plancius and Ortelius both carry up to 108. Rembrandt van Rijn offers a truly intimate experience with just 33 guests on board.

This translates into a quieter, more personalized experience where guests can interact more frequently with expedition staff, guides, and fellow travelers. On Oceanwide ships, each guest is more than just a number—they’re an integral part of a shared adventure where lifelong friendships are made and bonds form over shared passions for wildlife, the polar world, and much more in between.

Operational flexibility

Small ships are inherently more flexible than larger expedition cruise vessels and liners. They can change course quickly, adjust itineraries in real-time based on wildlife sightings or weather, and maneuver into narrow fjords, shallow bays, and ice-packed regions.

This operational agility is crucial in the unpredictable polar regions, where conditions can shift rapidly. Oceanwide’s experienced crews and captains regularly adjust schedules to seize unexpected opportunities – whether it’s following a pod of orcas or making a spontaneous landing on a rarely visited shoreline. This means that an Oceanwide trip is a true adventure, where the itinerary is only a guide, and each day presents new and exciting opportunities made possible by the design and operation of each vessel.

Lessened environmental impact

Fewer passengers mean lower emissions, less waste, and a smaller overall impact on fragile ecosystems. Many small vessels, including those in Oceanwide’s fleet, also incorporate energy-efficient technologies and adhere to rigorous environmental protocols established by governing bodies such as AECO and IAATO. They also promote limited light usage and maintain respectful distances from wildlife.

While on board an Oceanwide Expeditions ship, guests are encouraged to minimize water and power usage and abide by strict guidelines regarding littering and leaving no trace while in the polar regions.

In regions like Antarctica, where conservation is paramount, operating smaller vessels is not just a matter of preference – it’s a more responsible choice. Larger ships mean larger groups of guests ashore, as well as the need to anchor, which can impact the seafloor.

While on an Oceanwide Expeditions trip, you will share the ship with passionate guides and other guests, many of whom have a deep interest in conservation and environmental advocacy. Oceanwide’s experienced expedition team will present various lectures throughout each trip on subjects ranging from biology and glaciology to geology and the formation of icebergs. Guests will also have the chance to learn about their impact on the polar regions and what they can do to support this fragile world.

For those seeking an intimate expedition experience

Beyond practical benefits, small ships create a more intimate atmosphere that enhances the overall quality of the expedition. With fewer people on board, guests have more meaningful interactions – not just with guides and naturalists, but with each other. Oceanwide Expeditions also promotes an open bridge policy, meaning guests can visit the bridge and engage with the captain and crew or use the space to learn about navigation or spot wildlife.

All guests and expedition staff dine together in a relaxed setting. On sea days or between landings and activities, guests and staff share communal spaces, such as the onboard bar, where they can socialize and catch up on the day’s events. This closeness extends to the hotel team and dining room staff, all of which will feel like an extension of a guest’s inner circle by the end of each trip.

Onboard lectures, briefings, and workshops are more engaging and interactive. Oceanwide Expeditions places a strong emphasis on education and enrichment, hoping passengers connect more deeply with the landscapes and wildlife they’re exploring.

Go beyond the standard for expedition cruising

Size matters when it comes to access. Regulations restrict larger cruise ships from approaching certain areas or conducting shore landings in remote regions. Their size also prevents them from even considering entering narrow straits, shallower water, or uncharted shorelines. Small expedition ships, on the other hand, have a wider range of possible landing sites and navigational routes open to them.

Oceanwide’s ice-strengthened ships can venture deep into the polar pack ice, explore narrow Greenlandic fjords, and make landings on seldom-visited islands in the farthest reaches of Antarctica. In the Antarctica 24-25 season, the company broke records in the Weddell Sea, achieving a farthest south position on a groundbreaking expedition cruise, retracing the route Sir Ernest Shackleton took on his ill-fated Endurance expedition.

This capability means guests enjoy a truly authentic experience, one filled with adventure, daring, and discoveries.

Promoting an authentic expedition experience

Unlike traditional cruises that follow set paths with entertainment-focused itineraries, small expedition ships offer an experience focused on exploration. The journey is shaped by nature, not a rigid schedule.

Landings are dictated by weather and wildlife, and flexibility is key. The spirit of adventure guides each Oceanwide Expeditions cruise, emphasizing the thrills of exploration over unnecessary luxuries. Guests are encouraged to embrace the unknown and participate in a genuine expedition—one that offers a sense of the experiences of early polar explorers.

Faster activities and shore landings

Expedition activities, such as Zodiac cruises, kayaking, hiking, and shore landings, are central to the Oceanwide Expeditions experience. On large ships, these operations can take hours as hundreds of guests are rotated in groups. Modern regulations also limit the number of guests onshore at locations throughout Antarctica, meaning on larger vessels, split activities and excursions are necessary. Small vessels eliminate this bottleneck.

With fewer passengers, Oceanwide expeditions get everyone off the ship and into Zodiacs quickly. This efficiency maximizes time ashore and ensures that guests aren’t just watching from the deck—they’re actively engaging with the polar world.

Feeling part of an Oceanwide family

A distinct camaraderie develops on Oceanwide Expeditions‘ small-sized vessels. By the end of the trip, it’s common for guests to know most of their fellow explorers and staff by name, as well as their expertise, passions, and why they find themselves at the ends of the Earth. Mealtimes become shared stories, and friendships form easily, often lasting multiple trips and beyond their time with Oceanwide.

Oceanwide’s informal, welcoming environment fosters a strong sense of community. There’s no formality or hierarchy – just a group of curious travelers and passionate experts exploring some of the most spectacular locations on our planet.

A better way to view wildlife

Wildlife is often the highlight of any expedition cruise. Guests have the chance to spot iconic polar species both onshore and from the deck of the ship. Whether it’s watching humpback whales breach in the distance or spotting polar bears on the ice, these moments are what guests remember most. With lower decks and open bow access, Oceanwide’s ships allow for unimpeded, eye-level wildlife observation. A 360-degree approach to the polar regions is ingrained into the design of each ship, with ample viewing space from all angles. There’s no need to jostle for space or wait your turn; with fewer guests, there’s plenty of space for all on board.

Choose a small-size expedition ship. Choose Oceanwide Expeditions

In a world increasingly defined by crowds and commercialization, the value of small, intimate expedition cruises cannot be overstated. This is especially true in the polar regions, where fragile ecosystems are at risk, and the importance of minimal impact must be at the forefront of mind.

Small-size expedition vessels offer unmatched flexibility, authentic experiences, and a more intimate connection to the landscapes, wildlife, and history that make polar travel so profound.

Oceanwide Expeditions prides itself on its fleet of small, capable ships that deliver unforgettable adventures. For those seeking something extraordinary at the very edges of the map, opting for a small-size expedition cruise experience is the ultimate way to follow in the footsteps of polar pioneers of the past.

Don’t miss more updates, news and reviews about Oceanwide Expeditions on Cruising Journal.

George Janes

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