In the past few years, it’s been possible to spot a new type of ship cruising through the Antarctic ice. They look like no other ship in the polar fleet, or even any other ship you might have seen. Their bows curve down into the water like a bird dipping its beak for a drink. These are X-bow ships, and they’re part of a new wave of marine architecture that is having a big effect on Antarctic cruises. But just what exactly is an X-bow ship, and should you consider booking a berth on your next trip?
What is an X-bow?
An X-bow ship has a very unusual shape wherein the front of the ship has an ‘inverted’ bow, tapering down from the bridge into a thin point at water level. This concept was first trialled in 2005 and there are now more than 100 vessels globally with this fascinating design. The first to hit polar waters as a purpose-built expedition ship was the Greg Mortimer (a Swoop favourite), which launched in 2019 and a number of other X-bows have since been built for Antarctic expeditions, including the National Geographic Endurance and the Ocean Victory. The most recent addition to the X-bow family is the Sylvia Earle, constructed in 2022.
How does an X-bow work?
The strangely tapered upside-down shape of the bow has the effect of slicing through the water, piercing through the waves rather than riding up on them. This has the effect of reducing the pitching that you find with the V-shaped bow of a traditional ship. Pitching describes when a ship rides up onto a wave and then drops down with a motion a bit like a child’s see-saw. By cutting through the wave, an X-bow distributes the force of the water more evenly across the surface of the ship’s hull, smoothing out some of the pitching effect and creating an easier passage through the wave.
Will an X-bow stop me getting seasick?
If you are sailing to Antarctica then you will be crossing the Drake Passage, which is one of the most notorious stretches of water on the planet. Crossings can vary from the calm and placid ‘Drake Lake’ to the ‘Drake Shake’, whose big waves can really put your sea legs to the test.
The X-bow design is proven to significantly reduce pitching but it doesn’t prevent the ship from any sideways rolling movement. This means that it’s still possible to get seasick on an X-bow ship, and those who get seasick should always still come armed with nausea pills or patches. However, the onboard doctors of those companies which have introduced X-bows to their polar fleet have all reported around a 50% reduction in passengers needing treatment for seasickness in comparison to their old ships – a pretty significant potential benefit.
As somebody who personally suffers from seasickness and has sailed on (and been seasick on!) both traditional and X-bow expedition ships, I definitely found that the motion of the X-bow is overall more comfortable and easier on the stomach. But it’s not a magic fix, and I’d still never go to Antarctica without my seasickness pills. These are amazingly effective and keeping them on hand has meant that I’ve been able to spend many happy days on the Drake Passage up on deck looking for albatrosses, or in the lecture theatre enjoying the educational talks put on by the ships’ expedition teams.
X-bow ships are faster and quieter
In addition to their enhanced stability creating a smoother voyage, there are several other factors that might make an X-bow ship a tempting option for your expedition.
As X-bow ships tend to be some of the youngest ships in the polar fleet, they benefit from having the most modern engines available. Combined with the way the bow powers through the waves, this means that they can make faster progress through the water. This means that passengers may enjoy slightly quicker sea crossings, where conditions allow. When you’re on the Antarctic peninsula, you’ll also be able to relocate faster between landing sites – subject of course to the ever-present challenges of weather and ice conditions, which are constantly changing.
By smoothly slicing through the water, X-bows lose less speed due to reduced pitching over the waves”. This leads to improved fuel efficiency and overall reduced emissions throughout the voyage. That’s something we’re passionate about at Swoop, as we constantly look to reduce the environmental impact of our trips.
One big difference I’ve noticed from my time on X-bow ships is just how quiet they are while moving through the water. This is partly to do with their newer engines of course, but by reducing the pitch from the ship slamming down onto a wave, an X-bow also reduces the vibration and noise on the hull. When you’re down in Antarctica and sailing in protected waters, you very often won’t be able to feel or hear the thrum of the engine. There have been times where I’ve even had to double check whether the ship was actually moving! The end result is an utterly serene experience, peacefully gliding through the water and passing seals hauled out on ice floes who are unperturbed by your passing.
What are the other features of an X-bow ship?
These modern ships have been built with the spectacular views associated with expedition cruising very much in mind, so these vessels have windows galore to maximise your viewing potential. Huge windows tend to surround every key social area, meaning that you never have to miss out on the chance of seeing a spectacular iceberg or glaciated peak – even if you’re sat eating dinner in the restaurant.
Most of the new X-bow ships have also been built with a majority of their cabins having balconies. This means you won’t pay a huge premium for your own private outdoor space and get to benefit from floor to ceiling glazing that maximises your view of the breath-taking scenery when you’re getting ready in the morning. If you want the chance of spotting a penguin in your pyjamas, an X-bow might be the ship for you.
Although many polar X-bows are built to a similar overall template, each ship has individual finishing touches. For example, the Sylvia Earle uses its X-bow space to form a spectacular double height atrium with a dedicated citizen science space in the bow. Other X-bows have experimented with fold down wings in the bow space that create extra viewing platforms closer to the water.
Are there any drawbacks to an X-bow ship?
I’ve sailed on many different expedition ships over the last decade, from the newest X-bows to those of the traditional polar fleet. Comparing the two, I’ve found very few drawbacks to this unusual bow design, and none that I would consider serious enough to outweigh its numerous benefits.
One difference I have found is that the shape of the X-bow does slightly reduce the available deck space lower down on the bow and shifts this space upwards to a higher point on the ship. This means that they generally have a fantastic observation deck up on the top of the ship, but it can mean a bit of a sprint up several flights of stairs if there is an announcement of an impromptu whale sighting. Luckily these new ships also have elevators installed if you aren’t feeling energetic.
So, is an X-bow ship right for me?
There are many factors that will influence our recommendation of the perfect Antarctica trip for you. These include your travel dates, the itinerary you’re looking for, your budget and whether there are any additional features that are a priority for you such as a gym or spa, all-inclusive drinks or onboard helicopters for a bird’s eye view.
It’s also worth noting that there have been other ships with traditional style hulls built within the last 5 years which also benefit from the quieter, faster, more efficient engines, so even if you don’t sail on an X-bow you can still potentially benefit from these advances in marine technology.
Here at Swoop, we’re familiar with the entire polar fleet and have over a decade of experience inspecting and sailing on these ships to ensure we understand them inside out. We specialise in taking your personal requirements and matching you up with the perfect ship and itinerary, so can help you decide if an X-bow is the right choice for your Antarctic cruise.
