Since its launch in 2021, the expedition cruise ship Ultramarine has rapidly become a popular choice for Swoop Antarctica passengers. Its modern design, 1A+ ice class rating (putting it just shy of being an actual icebreaker), 199 berths and broad suite of adventure activities have all helped establish its place in the polar fleet. Since we pride ourselves on our knowledge of every ship sailing among the ice here at Swoop, I headed down to Antarctica to experience everything the Ultramarine had to offer.
- What are cabins like on Ultramarine?
- What facilities are onboard Ultramarine?
- What is life on board Ultramarine like?
- What type of Antarctic traveller should sail on Magellan Explorer?
What are cabins like on Ultramarine?
After boarding in Ushuaia I was shown to our cabin. Home for the next nine nights was cabin 632, one of the balcony suites on Deck Five, the same deck as the ship’s bridge, just one level up from the restaurant and lecture theatre – two of the most important onboard hubs.
I was pleasantly surprised by how generously sized the cabin was – a pleasing 226 ft sq (21 m2), especially how much clever storage space had been squeezed in. There was a good sofa that was large enough to allow a moment of quiet book reading to comfortably slip into some comfy nap time, a desk big enough for a laptop (and Starlink wifi) and a wall-mounted TV screen that allowed us to tune into the live-streamed onboard talks from the guides throughout the voyage.
Of course, the big draw were the floor to ceiling veranda doors that let the light flood in, and blasts of fresh polar air when stepping out on the balcony. This was kept shut during our crossing of the Drake Passage, but once we were in the Antarctic Peninsula, it was a real treat to have your own private slice of Antarctica on hand whenever you wanted it.
When it came to the day to day, one thoughtful feature I quickly learned to appreciate was the heated floors in the bathrooms. They made a nice extra touch when you came in after a chilly zodiac cruise.
On other ships, I might have used that to help dry off my gear after an excursion, but in practice I often found that I could leave a lot my gear like my parka and boots in Ultramarine’s dedicated mud room, where we would get ready to board the zodiacs.
What facilities are onboard Ultramarine?
As we pulled away into the Beagle Channel and started our crossing of the Drake Passage, there was plenty of time to explore. Although Ultramarine carries just under 200 passengers, there was ample space everywhere for people to spread out and the atmosphere was surprisingly cosy.
For those wanting to ease themselves into the voyage, the Tundra Spa offered some pampering, while the fitness centre helped burn off the calories that would inevitably be consumed in the restaurant or bistro. It was great to have a choice of places to eat: the Balena Restaurant was a big social space with enormous wraparound glass windows and plenty of space to dine with newly-met friends. The Bistro was more low-key – I often came here for a cafe-style lunch, but it was nice to mix it up.
To burn off the calories, there was a great gym where you can look out at Antarctica (insider tip: running on a treadmill can be a strange experience on the Drake Passage when there are lively waves) On a more relaxing note, Ultramarine also has a stylish sauna with a heated window, so the steam doesn’t get in the way of your glacier views when you’re on the Peninsula. I’m not sure the early explorers could have dreamed of such comfort!
During the voyage there were a few places I found myself gravitating to again and again. When I wanted to be inside to warm up, I would head for the Panorama Lounge and Bar on Deck Seven. This was a relaxed and comfortable space with tall wraparound windows that meant that even if you were enjoying a coffee or a glass of wine you always felt connected to the outside. It’s a lovely feeling to be sat in a cosy chair and watch petrels and albatrosses zip past while you’re crossing the Drake Passage. There was also an outside deck area if you wanted to rush outside with your binoculars.
The lounge was also home to informal talks from different members of the expedition team. These took place after dinner, and had a great atmosphere as everyone relaxed with a drink after another day out in the ice and snow. During sea days, these were complemented with lectures from the guides in the Ultramarine’s theatre, with the expedition team’s experts holding forth on everything from penguin behaviour and Shackleton’s polar adventures to the life cycle of a glacier.
What is life on board Ultramarine like?
When I wanted to be out on deck, there were a couple of locations I particularly enjoyed. Deck Five was the most popular spot for bird and whale watching, as it wrapped all the way around the ship. Personally, I liked the outside space forward on Deck Six, as it also had access to the bridge (Ultramarine also has an open bridge policy, so you can always pop in to find out where the ship is heading). This was a popular spot for the really serious photographers. Over the course of the trip I also developed a fondness for the outside space on Deck Four. This was actually the designated smoking area, and while I don’t smoke myself it was very sheltered on the side of the ship and never very busy: we had some great wildlife watching here.
Of course, expedition cruising is about getting off the ship, and it was here that Ultramarine really had something special to offer. Its two helicopters offered flightseeing trips to see Antarctica from a wonderfully unique angle, and on other voyages allows travellers to visit the emperor penguin colony at Snow Hill.
On the water, the extendable platforms on Deck Two at the rear of the ship meant that embarking into the zodiacs was always a smooth affair. We were divided into landing groups and would wait in our cabins to be called to disembark, but because two zodiacs could be loaded at any one time, there was never any significant wait. That’s no mean feat when dealing with a full complement of passengers.
A smooth disembarkation counts for little unless you’ve got the team to back it up. Ultramarine’s guides were some of the best I’ve come across. They were an amazing 40-strong group, adding up to around 150 years of experience out on the ice. All were approachable and sociable, whether they were pointing out wildlife, sharing photography tips or just swapping stories as they joined us for dinner each night.
What type of Antarctic traveller should sail on Ultramarine?
Ultramarine is one of the most comfortable Antarctic cruise ships we know at Swoop. Its relative newness means that the ship designers were able to incorporate the best of modern cruise ship design with the needs of an expedition ship operating in tough Antarctic conditions.
The addition of helicopters for sightseeing is a spectacular and extremely rare feature, as it gives all on board a rare and special chance to experience Antarctica from the air.
For me, Ultramarine’s expedition team was another major trump card. Most had worked together for many years and felt fiercely loyal to Antarctica and proud to share it with us. The number of guides and the smart zodiac operations meant that Ultramarine’s capacity was always handled smoothly, giving us the maximum time to enjoy landings and zodiac cruises, getting up close to Antarctica in true comfort and style.
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This blog was first published on 17 January 2024, and updated on 3 June 2026
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