Ship

Ocean Nova

4.6/5 From 131 Reviews

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Ship overview:

Built in Denmark in 1992 to ply the ice-choked waters of Western Greenland, since then she's undergone extensive upgrades in 2000 and 2006 to become the comfortably compact first-rate expeditionary-style ship she is today.

Prices per person

From $5,995

Prices based on two people sharing
Ship Capacity

67 passengers

Year built

Constructed in 1992

Expedition staff to guest ratio

1:6

Optional activities

Kayaking and snowshoeing

Last Inspected
  • Lizzie, Polar Product & Partnerships Manager
    December 2022

    Lizzie, Polar Product & Partnerships Manager

Why we like the Ocean Nova

  • A maximum of only 67 passengers ensures a very intimate polar experience and that everyone can get ashore together
  • Combines clean, comfortable Scandinavian styling, with a true expeditionary spirit
  • Ocean Nova's large expeditionary staff of 12 means the highest passenger to staff ratio of any Antarctic ship
  • A high ice class rating, outstanding manoeuvrability and a first rate captain allow Ocean Nova to access places other ships simply can't reach
  • Her Panoramic lounge with its 200 degree views is a popular place for wildlife viewing while keeping warm
  • Delicious hand picked Chilean Wine is complimentary with meals
  • One of the few small ships with dedicated Single cabins, as well as Twins and Triple cabins, all with a picture window and en-suite bathroom

Watch our ship video

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What our customers think of Ocean Nova

Ocean Nova trips scored 4.6/5 from 131 reviews

It was a little on the older side, but had character - loved the small size. The expedition team were amazing - knowledgeable and had our safety and interests in mind at all times. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2024

Shari Rosenberg - USA

Cabin was excellent, as was the food. I would certainly recommend this ship to friends. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2024

Lorraine FitzGerald - Australia

The cabin was comfortable and spacious. The hospitality staff were very professional and personable. The food was great - good variety and excellent quality. I loved the library. Such a fun viewpoint. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

Rebecca Archer-Knepper - USA

The staff really made the trip! They were so organized and really wanted us to get the most out of our trip. I also loved that it was a smaller ship so that we got to go on all the excursions together. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

Sabrina McCarthy - USA

The small boat (less than 100 people) is the perfect option compared to larger vessels where daily disembarkation would be more limited. Ocean Nova was perfectly adequate - although don’t expect the luxuries of more modern cruise ships. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

Nigel Seymour - UK

The expedition team were extremely knowledgeable and you could tell they put the right things first - safety and protection of the environment. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

Patrick Moore - USA

Awesome ship. The expedition team were very knowledgeable and nice. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

Nikki Spears - USA

I liked the ship, food was good. The expedition team were very knowledgeable, personable and interacted with the passengers. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

Susan Richey - USA

Ship and crew were great. I would choose it again. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

Bobbi Lentz - USA

Cabin was good, clean and very nice cleaning staff. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2024

William Robert Keller - Switzerland

I will miss the Ocean Nova. While our rooms were small, they gave us the ambiance of being Antarctica explorers. I especially liked the forward observation lounge, where we could readily observe our surroundings in comfort, while having ready access to a forward deck for photography. The observation lounge also served well as a room for lectures about Antarctica and its environs. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were great! Read the full review

Travelled: December 2023

Stephen Rathbun - USA

The ship was perfect for our family. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2023

Howard Crothers - USA

The cabin was great. Super cozy! The food exceeded all expectations! Read the full review

Travelled: December 2023

Wes Westbrooks - USA

Ocean Nova was a great vessel. The food was delicious. The other travelers/passengers were interesting people. Amazing experience! Read the full review

Travelled: December 2023

Tamra Anne Westbrooks - USA

This is an older ship relative to all the fancier ships launched in recent years. It was totally fine and comfortable. The shower in the bathroom is pretty tight and perhaps the only negative. I was glad to be on a small ship that allowed us all to go on expeditions twice a day. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2023

Robin Rocchi - USA

10/10 - The staff was great from the excursions to the wait staff to the housekeeping staff. Everyone was extremely hospitable, smiling and greeting. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2023

Arnold Ming - USA

We would definitely choose to tour on the Ocean Nova again. The accommodations were clean and comfortable. The housekeeping staff were so efficient and did a wonderful job. And, my goodness, the food!! Chef and galley staff fed us so well - a broad assortment of choices at each meal and excellently prepared and presented. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2023

Jeff Zumhofe - USA

10/10 - Really well run ship with the best crew. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Jesse Kehoe - USA

We did NOT want a cruise experience. It's an older boat but just what we wanted. The library is amazing with its Antarctic collection. Stern lounge and Panarama room comfortable and good views. I would definitely choose Ocean Nova again. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Inge Fryklund - USA

All of the expedition team were friendly, knowledgeable, engaging and fun to be with. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Daniel Alsaker - USA

Great small ship able to navigate narrower channels. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Denise Yee - Canada

10/10 - The crew and educational staff were the best. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Nicole Wallace - USA

The ship was perfect, food was awesome I would recommend Ocean Nova to anyone thinking of going to Antarctica Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Nicole Wallace - USA

I really enjoyed the smaller group size. It was very intimate and you really got to know your fellow passengers and the staff. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Tiana Devoe-Price - USA

Enjoyed the ship. Cabin was acceptable and you don’t spend too much time in it anyway. Food was incredible. I would definitely choose this ship again. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Rick De Feo - USA

The ship was great! The service teams were nice, everything is clean and well maintained. My favourite lectures were from Beate Zein and Marcelo Flores. But overall I knew the team worked hard, they did their best, super friendly and nice! It's so special to get to know each one of them. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Fiona Sukanta - Indonesia

Very comfy! I felt at home and did not have any episode of "claustrophobia!" I honestly prefer this kind of ship, not luxurious, but very comfy and fit for the expedition. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Rich Manalad - Philippines

I would highly recommend Ocean Nova. The cabins are perfectly adequate, the food and service was excellent. I did not want to experience Antarctica from a distance, and Ocean Nova is the only vessel that allows you to get up close and personal with the continent, its wildlife, and its feel. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Marg Macleod - Canada

10/10 - The expedition approach to me, is the best, and the Expedition and Hotel staff on Ocean Nova excelled. I can't imagine how disappointed I would have been had I needed to sign up for each and every excursion. The ship is smaller so can get into areas larger ships cannot - and kudos to our Captain for navigating through some tight spaces. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Marg Macleod - Canada

The ship is the perfect size and atmosphere for this type of trip Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Michael Hoffer - USA

10/10 - It was very well organized. It was also very enjoyable. The guides were very enthusiastic. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

James McHugh - USA

Great team, committed, focused, fun, inspiring Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Roger Westerlind - USA

The entire expedition team and hotel staff on Ocean Nova was top notch. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2022

Akilah Hugine - USA

The Ocean Nova ship was great, I would 10/10 do it again. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2019

Katie Salva - United States Of America

The ship was very comfortable, food excellent with a variety of menus including a barbeque on deck. The crew and expedition staff were excellent and extremely knowledgeable.

Travelled: December 2016

John - UK

The Ocean Nova was excellent and the perfect size. The ship’s crew and the expedition crew were both first class. Swoop did a terrific job in putting it all together.

Travelled: February 2016

Mark - Australia

We had time of our lives! I would give the overall experience a 10/10.

Travelled: January 2016

Peace - California

Review:

Voyages aboard Ocean Nova

Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.

Original Fly & Cruise Expedition Cruise

Travel with the pioneers of fly & cruise Antarctic voyages, flying in both directions and bypassing a 2-day sail on the Drake Passage. Regular departure dates (Dec - Feb) to choose from. Explore Antarctica aboard a trusty 67 passenger expedition…

  • 8 Days
  • $11,495
66 Degrees South Fly Cruise

By offering time saving flights, extended time in Antarctica and the chance to reach the Polar Circle, this 10-day voyage maximises the polar experience. Minimum travel time and maximum exploring time and all the benefits of only 76 people…

  • 10 Days
  • $15,995
Express Tour of Antarctica

A cost-effective Antarctic adventure. This itinerary is also ideal for those with limited time wanting to combine Antarctica with time exploring Patagonia. Sailing one way and flying back, you get to combine two iconic places: Antarctica and Cape Horn. Note,…

  • 6-7 Days
  • $5,995
Swoop Says background image

Alex says

I really like Ocean Nova and not just because she carried me across the Antarctic Circle. Hanging out in the panoramic lounge conveniently close to the killer coffee machine watching icebergs slip by, or a pod of orcas on the hunt one morning, was my idea of heaven.

Alex Mudd Head of Swoop Antarctica

Exclusive access to Explorers House

Guests aboard the Ocean Nova have exclusive access to Explorers House while in Punta Arenas, a private club in the centre of this Antarctic gateway city. It’s an ideal place to relax, whether you’re winding down after a flight or preparing for the adventure ahead. Drink a coffee while flipping through a book from the polar library, deepen your knowledge of Antarctica during insightful lectures and savour Chilean cuisine at the welcome dinner.

Set in a wonderfully restored heritage building, Explorers House is a comfortable – and interactive – environment.

The staircase and ground floor of Explorers House, an exclusive base for travellers in Punta Arenas, Chile

Two floors of facilities

Onboard Communications & Facilities

If you wish to stay in touch, even in Antarctica, you can choose from the options below:

  • VoIP telephone card: $23 per 60min to the USA (will be less to other countries)
  • Iridium card: $78/45min

Please note that satellite phone works at all times, VoIP requires internet connection. 

Standard internet is provided on a complimentary basis.

Other facilities include:

  • Plugs: European 220V two-round-pinned sockets
  • Towels, toiletries and hair dryers
  • Laundry service (additional cost)

Find Your Antarctic Ship

Choosing the right ship is crucial, given the amount of time you'll spend on board. Swoop is experienced at helping match our customers to exactly the right ship.

Find your Antarctic ship

Ready to plan your Antarctic adventure?

1
Listen

Listen

We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.

2
Match

Match

Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.

3
Reserve

Reserve

We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.

With over 100 years of Antarctic experience between us, we can help guide you to exactly the right trip for you.

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