So apparently any old cruise vessel can trek from the tropics to the Med, the Gulf and back again – but it takes something special to tackle the poles. The new SeaXplorer concept, by Dutch shipbuilding company Damen Group was unveiled at the recent Monaco Yacht Show and is hell bent on smashing through the ice to take adventurous cruise aficionados where they’ve never gone before.
The expedition vessel can accommodate 50 crewmembers and 30 adventurous guests, along with two helicopters, mini submarines, expedition and dive boats. One of the more impressive features are the outdoor heated decks, icebreakers, and the epic 40-day run time before needing to return to port.
For extra warmth, the top deck Sky Lounge has multiple fire pits to keep the blood flowing, but the SeaXplorer is also suited for remote tropical islands, with plenty of space to stash personal submarine and diving equipment.