{"id":2009,"date":"2026-07-20T11:16:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T10:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/?p=2009"},"modified":"2026-07-20T15:08:29","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T14:08:29","slug":"whats-it-like-to-sail-on-the-sylvia-earle-ship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/whats-it-like-to-sail-on-the-sylvia-earle-ship\/","title":{"rendered":"Polar cruise ship review: What\u2019s it like to sail on the Sylvia Earle?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The polar fleet has always been at the forefront of innovation when it comes to expedition cruise ships \u2013 something that can be most visibly seen in its rapid adoption of X-Bow ship designs, with their unique profile designed to ease a ship\u2019s passage through rough waters. I recently experienced my first voyage aboard one when I joined the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/cruises\/ships\/sylvia-earle\">Sylvia Earle<\/a>, operated by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/partners\/ae-expeditions\">AE (Aurora) Expeditions<\/a> on Swoop\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/cruises\/peninsula\/wild\">Antarctic Fly &amp; Sail Combination<\/a> trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#sylvia-earle-cabins\">What are cabins like on the Sylvia Earle?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#sylvia-earle-facilities\">What facilities are onboard the Sylvia Earle?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#on-board-Sylvia-Earle\">What is life on board the Sylvia Earle like?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Sylvia-Earle-traveller\">What type of Antarctic traveller should sail on the Sylvia Earle?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"sylvia-earle-cabins\">What are cabins like on the Sylvia Earle?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sylvia Earle is one of the newest ships operating in Antarctica, having made it its maiden voyage south at the end of 2023. It&#8217;s one of three sister ships operated by AE (Aurora) Expeditions, alongside <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/cruises\/ships\/greg-mortimer\">Greg Mortimer<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/douglas-mawson-the-newest-ship-in-the-polar-fleet\/\">Douglas Mawson<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For my trip to the Antarctica Peninsula, I opted for one of it&#8217;s Fly-Sail departures, flying out to join my ship from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/extensions\/punta-arenas\">Punta Arenas<\/a>, then sailing back to South America across the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/best-month-to-cross-the-drake-passage\/\">Drake Passage<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After a smooth <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/could-my-fly-cruise-voyage-to-antarctica-be-delayed-by-weather\/\">flight to Antarctica<\/a>, I was shown to my cabin. Home for the next 10 nights was cabin 426, a private balcony stateroom on deck four. I was surprised at how spacious and cleverly laid out it was, with plenty of storage and plugs for charging my gear. The bathroom was also generously sized \u2013 only later after we returned from our first Antarctic landings did I realise what a practical touch it was to equip it with heated floors and towel rails for drying off gear.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"732\" src=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/My-Cabin-Balcony-Category-B-625-Bex-Sylvia-Earle-March-2025-1024x732.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7454\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/My-Cabin-Balcony-Category-B-625-Bex-Sylvia-Earle-March-2025-1024x732.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/My-Cabin-Balcony-Category-B-625-Bex-Sylvia-Earle-March-2025-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/My-Cabin-Balcony-Category-B-625-Bex-Sylvia-Earle-March-2025-768x549.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/My-Cabin-Balcony-Category-B-625-Bex-Sylvia-Earle-March-2025-1536x1097.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/My-Cabin-Balcony-Category-B-625-Bex-Sylvia-Earle-March-2025-1200x857.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/My-Cabin-Balcony-Category-B-625-Bex-Sylvia-Earle-March-2025-1980x1415.jpg 1980w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/My-Cabin-Balcony-Category-B-625-Bex-Sylvia-Earle-March-2025.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cabin 426 on Sylvia Earle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>My favourite feature by far however was the balcony. Like its sister ships, just over two thirds of the cabins on the Sylvia Earle have balconies, and the attraction was immediately apparent. Huge floor to ceiling windows really let the light flood in. I soon discovered that one of the best things about the ship was waking up in the morning and having a beautiful view outside to the incredible scenery right there. Antarctica from your pillow! You could easily watch seabirds gliding past while brushing your teeth, or delay going to bed for five more minutes while you scanned the sea for the blow of a humpback whale.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"sylvia-earle-facilities\">What facilities are onboard the Sylvia Earle?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once checked in I was eager to explore. Despite being a relatively compact ship, the Sylvia Earle always gave the impression of being a very spacious vessel. This was especially true in the forward bow. On some X-bow ships, this spot can often be a bit of an underused space, however the designers here had cleverly utilised the structure to form a double height atrium with large triangular windows to fill the space with light. Deck 6 with my cabin led directly on to the top of the atrium, so my morning stroll down to breakfast on the deck below always greeted me with a great view and sense of occasion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"732\" src=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Staircase-atrium-Sylvia-Earle-1024x732.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7457\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Staircase-atrium-Sylvia-Earle-1024x732.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Staircase-atrium-Sylvia-Earle-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Staircase-atrium-Sylvia-Earle-768x549.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Staircase-atrium-Sylvia-Earle-1536x1097.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Staircase-atrium-Sylvia-Earle-1200x857.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Staircase-atrium-Sylvia-Earle-1980x1415.jpg 1980w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Staircase-atrium-Sylvia-Earle.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sylvia Earle&#8217;s double-height atrium<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Another reason for the sense of space was that it never took long to get out onto the deck spaces, so there was always plenty of space for passengers to spread out. One of the most popular places was the observation lounge on deck eight, where you could relax at any time of the day. It also had immediate access to an outside deck area with sweeping 270-degree views. This was a favourite for birdwatchers scanning the horizon, but also provided a platform for several great whale watching encounters. Another observation deck a level below on deck seven but immediately outside the bridge offered the same amazing views.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When we weren\u2019t outside (and I spent a lot of time outside, wrapped up warm in my cosy and complimentary jacket), deck five was home to the lounge and bar. This was an ideal space for relaxing with a book from the polar library, warming up with a cup of tea after a landing or just relaxing with fellow explorers with a glass of wine before dinner.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"731\" src=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-deck-view-Deception.-Island-1024x731.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7462\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-deck-view-Deception.-Island-1024x731.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-deck-view-Deception.-Island-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-deck-view-Deception.-Island-768x548.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-deck-view-Deception.-Island-1536x1097.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-deck-view-Deception.-Island-1200x857.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-deck-view-Deception.-Island-1980x1414.jpg 1980w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-deck-view-Deception.-Island.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sylvia Earle at Neptune&#8217;s Bellows on Deception Island<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Deck five was also where a lot of the other important things on the cruise took place: learning about Antarctica and eating well. Next to that stunning atrium was a lab area set up for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/an-introduction-to-citizen-science-on-antarctic-cruise-ships\/\">citizen science<\/a> (the ship is named after the celebrated marine biologist Sylvia Earle, after all), and behind that the lecture theatre where our guides treated us to a series of educational talks on everything polar from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/penguin-species-in-antarctica\/\">penguin life cycles<\/a> and the classification of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/the-ultimate-guide-to-antarctic-ice\/\">sea ice<\/a> to the history of Antarctica.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"732\" src=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-Rockhopper-Restaurant-1024x732.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7470\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-Rockhopper-Restaurant-1024x732.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-Rockhopper-Restaurant-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-Rockhopper-Restaurant-768x549.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-Rockhopper-Restaurant-1536x1097.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-Rockhopper-Restaurant-1200x857.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-Rockhopper-Restaurant-1980x1415.jpg 1980w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-Rockhopper-Restaurant.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sylvia Earle&#8217;s Rockhopper restaurant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Meals were served in the buffet restaurant on the same deck, but for those who wanted something a little different there was also the option of the Rockhopper, a small \u00e0 la carte restaurant on deck eight. It was open most days except on open sea days, and you could book into it to eat as many times as you liked, subject to availability. They served \u00e0 la carte breakfast and lunch, then converted it into a grill station for dinner, where you could enjoy steaks and other dishes. It had tremendous views, and was right next to my favourite observation deck, making it easy to dash outside in case the call went out for a whale or an iceberg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"on-board-Sylvia-Earle\">What is life on board the Sylvia Earle like?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>My time on the Sylvia Earle was the first voyage I had done on one of the new generation of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/whats-it-like-to-sail-on-an-x-bow-ship\/\">X-Bow ships<\/a>. This radical design with the ship\u2019s bow curving into the water rather than rising above it really did make a difference in terms of stability. During the trip the captain told us that the bow and stabilisers also significantly reduced the ship\u2019s roll. As I flew out to Antarctica, I only really go to experience this on the return voyage across the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/best-month-to-cross-the-drake-passage\/\">Drake Passage<\/a>, but from this experience I\u2019d definitely agree. It\u2019s not a complete panacea of course (there was still some movement as we crossed that most famous of waterways), but my stomach definitely thanked me for the easier ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"732\" src=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-Antarctic-Peninsula-1024x732.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7455\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-Antarctic-Peninsula-1024x732.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-Antarctic-Peninsula-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-Antarctic-Peninsula-768x549.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-Antarctic-Peninsula-1536x1097.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-Antarctic-Peninsula-1200x857.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-Antarctic-Peninsula-1980x1415.jpg 1980w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-Antarctic-Peninsula.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sylvia Earle cruising in the Antarctic Peninsula<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, being on the ship is only part of an Antarctic cruise \u2013 getting off for landings and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/chasing-ice-zodiac-cruises\/\">zodiac cruises<\/a> is what we were all there for. Here, the Sylvia Earle excelled. There were two landing exit points for zodiacs at the rear of the ship that meant that we could always disembark smoothly. The captain could actually tilt the ship by about four or five degrees using the ballast tanks so that you could just step straight into the zodiac out through the watertight doors. A mudroom also meant that we didn\u2019t have to walk through the ship with our muck boots and parkas: good for keeping cool before a landing as well as staying drier on our return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"732\" src=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Mudroom-Sylvia-Earle-1024x732.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7474\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Mudroom-Sylvia-Earle-1024x732.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Mudroom-Sylvia-Earle-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Mudroom-Sylvia-Earle-768x549.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Mudroom-Sylvia-Earle-1536x1097.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Mudroom-Sylvia-Earle-1200x857.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Mudroom-Sylvia-Earle-1980x1415.jpg 1980w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Mudroom-Sylvia-Earle.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The mudroom onboard Sylvia Earle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As well as these classic polar activities, plenty of passengers took advantage of being able to take part in other extra paid options like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/adventures\/kayaking\">kayaking<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/snorkeling-in-antarctica\/\">snorkelling<\/a>. I chose to stick to collecting plankton samples for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/fjordphyto-turning-antarctic-travellers-into-scientists\/\">FjordPhyto citizen science project<\/a> and doing the Polar Plunge. The two proved unexpectedly connected. As part of the phytoplankton survey we had to record the temperature of the water, which was just a shade over freezing point. Later that day, our guides reminded us of that fact as we stripped down to jump into the Southern Ocean. For those few seconds it felt even colder! I was certainly thankful for the outside jacuzzi to warm up in.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"732\" src=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-Jacuzzi-View-in-Antarctica-1024x732.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7463\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-Jacuzzi-View-in-Antarctica-1024x732.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-Jacuzzi-View-in-Antarctica-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-Jacuzzi-View-in-Antarctica-768x549.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-Jacuzzi-View-in-Antarctica-1536x1097.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-Jacuzzi-View-in-Antarctica-1200x857.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-Jacuzzi-View-in-Antarctica-1980x1415.jpg 1980w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sylvia-Earle-Jacuzzi-View-in-Antarctica.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sylvia Earle&#8217;s outdoor jacuzzi with a view<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As on any polar cruise, the guides were the intangible extra that made the trip really sing. Sylvia Earle\u2019s team were exemplary, with an extraordinary depth of experience. One guide had been the photographer for an ascent of Everest in addition to years of Antarctic experience; another had been a research scientist and over-wintered with an emperor penguin colony in one of the harshest environments on the planet. On learning that, even the polar plunge didn\u2019t feel so cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Sylvia-Earle-traveller\">What type of Antarctic traveller should sail on the Sylvia Earle?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It was a fantastic experience to sail on the Sylvia Earle during her inaugural season. No end of thought has gone into its design, and the spacious balcony cabins with their enormous windows are a reminder that polar cruising has come a long way since the days of bunking down in converted research ships with no stabilisers to calm your passage through rough seas.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"731\" src=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rebecca-Sylvia-Earle-zodiac-Antarctica-1024x731.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rebecca-Sylvia-Earle-zodiac-Antarctica-1024x731.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rebecca-Sylvia-Earle-zodiac-Antarctica-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rebecca-Sylvia-Earle-zodiac-Antarctica-768x548.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rebecca-Sylvia-Earle-zodiac-Antarctica-1536x1097.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rebecca-Sylvia-Earle-zodiac-Antarctica-1200x857.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rebecca-Sylvia-Earle-zodiac-Antarctica-1980x1414.jpg 1980w, https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rebecca-Sylvia-Earle-zodiac-Antarctica.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rebecca on one of Sylvia Earle&#8217;s zodiacs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The guiding team brought vast experience and knowledge about Antarctica. They made the journey educational, fun, and enriched the whole experience. The size of the ship was perfect, allowing for plenty of deck space, and the like-minded people on board who were all there for a rich and immersive Antarctic experience. From the lectures to the efficient landings and zodiac cruises, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/cruises\/ships\/sylvia-earle\">Sylvia Earle<\/a> offered a smooth and memorable experience.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">*<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This blog was first published on 25 July 2023, and updated on 20 July 2026 to reflect Swoop\u2019s most recent voyage on Sylvia Earle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">*<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The polar fleet has always been at the forefront of innovation when it comes to expedition cruise ships \u2013 something that can be most visibly seen in its rapid adoption of X-Bow ship designs, with their unique profile designed to ease a ship\u2019s passage through rough waters. I recently experienced my first voyage aboard one [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":2058,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[68],"tags":[10,103,104],"class_list":["post-2009","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-planning-and-tips","tag-antarctic-cruise","tag-ship-review","tag-sylvia-earle"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.9.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Polar cruise ship review: What\u2019s it like to sail on the Sylvia Earle? - Swoop Antarctica Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We take an Antarctic trip on the expedition cruise ship Sylvia Earle to learn what makes this new addition to the polar fleet so attractive.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.swoop-antarctica.com\/blog\/whats-it-like-to-sail-on-the-sylvia-earle-ship\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Polar cruise ship review: What\u2019s it like to sail on the Sylvia Earle? 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