Sylvia Earle

Let's face it – you don't want windowless rooms when travelling around some of the most beautiful locations around the world. This is why the Sylvia Earle is designed with plenty of dedicated observation spaces – ideal for keen bird spotters, wildlife watchers and those wanting to watch the scenery go past.

From the indoor 180-degree lounge and outdoor 360-degree open deck, both on deck 8, to the 270-degree open sundeck on level 7, there are plenty of observation points to share around the ship! 

Communal meeting areas have always played a major role in fostering the warm camaraderie on board our ships. They are the heart of the expedition, where people meet to share tales from the day, swap photos, keep an eye out for wildlife and watch the sun go down.

The bars and lounges on board are refined yet inviting places to gather, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning views, and of course friendly bartenders to shoot the breeze with.

With floor-to-ceiling windows, the library is a peaceful sanctuary where you can find non-fiction books to read up on the day’s destinations, plug in and organise your photos or play board games with newfound friends.

Choose from our range of informative non-fiction titles, wildlife guidebooks, travel journals, novels and a selection of children’s books and board games.

Wildlife guides, books and binoculars can also be found on the observation lounge on Deck 7.

The Observation Lounge can be located on deck 8.

You are welcome to visit the wellness centre during your voyage where you can use our sauna (which we highly recommend after the polar plunge!) or book a massage (additional cost applies).

In between landings, enjoy complimentary access to the onboard gym.

There are also two jacuzzis on the top outside deck with amazing views of the world outside.

Although the ship is fun, the real enjoyment comes from the many shore excursions that are available. Depending on weather conditions, it may be possible for multiple landings, taking a look at everything from rock formations and ancient ruins to cute groups of penguins. We know time is of the essence in these wild locations, so the Sylvia Earle has been designed to carry 15 Zodiacs, which means you can maximise your time on shore.

From four dedicated sea level launching platforms, transfers are quicker, safer and enable you to get closer to the action for a longer period of time. Just remember to charge your camera before you step onto the Zodiac!

On all expeditions you will meet naturalists and local specialists, who offer presentations on their area of expertise to deepen your understanding of the region you’re visiting.

Join the team in the lecture theatre for presentations covering topics as broad as history and culture, biology and climate change, but they have one thing in common: they all aim to engage, educate and entertain.

No need to take your wet expedition gear back to your cabin to dry. Keep your cabin warm and cosy by leaving your outer jackets and pants in the mudroom.

The mudroom is your launchpad for all shore excursions and activities. Here, you will have access to a locker when you can hang your gear up to dry, and store your boots between excursions.

Zodiacs are a vital part of getting up close and personal on your adventure – sneaking into areas that the Sylvia Earle can't reach. On this new ship, there are specially designed launching platforms that enables us to load Zodiacs easily and quickly, allowing you to spend more time exploring on the two to three daily landings.

There are 15 Zodiacs that are boarded from either side of Deck 3 (sea level), perfect for when there is a group of fluffy cute penguin chicks that we need a photo of! 

Our commitment
AE Expeditions is committed to travelling respectfully and providing a trip of a lifetime experience, while aiming to create lifelong ambassadors for the protection of our planet and the diverse places we visit around the world.

Our fleet
Our fleet boasts the lowest polluting marine engines in the world, and our state of the art engines deliver an 80% reduction in emissions.*

The revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW® cuts through the swell, reducing vibrations and making quicker transits through waves, which helps reduce our fuel consumption by up to 60%.

Our onboard desalination plant converts seawater to freshwater that’s safe to drink. This means we can carry less freshwater on sea crossings, further reducing our fuel consumption.

Our fleet uses virtual anchoring, a combination of GPS, steering technology, propellers and thrusters, which allow the ship to hold position. This protects the sea floor and minimises the damage caused by conventional anchors.

*Tier 3 compared to the older Tier 1 engine

Plastic: towards zero
On board we’ve replaced many single-use plastic products with sustainable alternatives and our aim is to eliminate them altogether.

Responsible dining
All of our seafood onboard is sustainably sourced in accordance with the Marine Stewardship Council guidelines. We also cater for vegetarian and vegan diets (please mention this when booking).

Gentle cleaning products
For our onboard cleaning products, we aim to use biodegradable, phosphate free and non-bioaccumulative products as much as possible.

We are proud to provide Stream2Sea’s mineral-based sunscreen, tested and proven safe for fish and coral larvae onboard – available for passenger use.

Recycling
We use recycling bins onboard to separate waste and reduce our landfill, and aim to recycle our waste at every port.

We are proud to be a member of the SeaGreen recycling initiative in Ushuaia, and participate in beach clean-up initiatives such as Clean up Svalbard.

Carbon Neutral

We are certified 100% Carbon Neutral as part of an ongoing active sustainability plan to help make a positive impact on the planet.

Citizen Science Program

Travel is always the best educator and we offer the chance to enrich your curiosity and expand your knowledge and understanding of the places we travel to. There is no better learning opportunity than being in the field with subject matter experts. 

Our Citizen Science Program is designed to be an interactive forum of like-minded travellers to share new discoveries and deepen their connection to the natural world in a relaxed, informal and fun environment – both on board our ships, on our fascinating shore expeditions and in our zodiacs. 

You can make a difference as we can provide invaluable data to the scientific community through you taking part. You too can become an ambassador for the protection of our majestic but fragile blue planet when you return home by sharing what you have learned. 

Our seven dynamic and diverse Citizen Science Projects – focusing on whales, seabirds, microplastics, weather patterns, phytoplankton, polar fjordlands and marine biodiversity – have been hand-picked for their ground-breaking work and global achievements.

Shipboard clothing is informal and casual Jeans, jumpers and long-sleeved shirts are ideal for indoors in the polar regions; however be sure to keep your jacket close for unexpected wildlife sightings! Some people∘ like to take a nicer outfit for the captain's welcome and farewell drinks but formal clothing is not necessary. For health and safety reasons, we do request you wear enclosed shoes in public areas while on board the ship. AE Expeditions will provide you with a complimentary, insulated polar jacket that includes an inner down jacket and an outer waterproof shell.

All passengers travelling to Antarctica, the Arctic, or Scotland, will have access to complimentary use of gumboots during the voyage. If you have concerns regarding extra-small or large sizing, or hard-to-fit feet, we recommend you bring your own pair. Gumboots are to be worn on all shore visits unless advised otherwise by the expedition team.

Our expeditions to the polar regions operate during the summer months in the Antarctic and Arctic. During the summer months in Antarctica∘ the temperature can range from -2°C (28°F) to 8°C (46°F). Big storms are rare, but if one comes through the temperature could drop to -8°C (17°F).

In the Arctic the temperature can range from -3°C (26.6°F) to 7°C (44.6°F).

Onboard wi-fi internet packages are available for purchase during the voyage. Telephone access for personal use is not available on board. In case of an emergency, our expedition team can facilitate communication∘ with your family members if necessary. 

There is a ‘No Smoking’ policy throughout the interior of our ships.

Our travellers have ranged from 8 to 92, so as long as you have a thirst for adventure, you’re welcome to join us in Antarctica. Any person under 18 years of age must travel with their legal guardian.

Medical Form

It is compulsory for each passenger to return a signed medical from their general practitioner. Your Medical Form is required to be signed by your general practitioner and returned to AE Expeditions no later than three months and no earlier than six months before your voyage departure date.

If you become aware of any change in your health and fitness that may be likely to affect your participation on the trip (e.g. pregnancy, mental illness, heart or bronchial disorder, broken limbs, etc.), you should notify us in writing immediately.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

It is your responsibility to advise AE Expeditions of any pre-existing medical conditions and /or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of you requiring medical attention. Travelling when pregnant is not recommended.

Standard Inclusions

We offer a number of standard inclusions on our voyages. Please see full list below:

• Fully-serviced accommodation in your chosen stateroom or suite
• Daily shore excursions, guided walks, Zodiac cruises and some activities^
• Entry fees to historic or tourist sites
• An experienced team of destination specialists, activity leaders, and local guides*
• An informative and entertaining lecture program by our team of experts
• Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon tea and snacks. House wines, beer and soft drinks included with dinner
• Captain’s Farewell drinks including four-course dinner, house cocktail, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages
• Complimentary 3-in-1 polar jacket on polar voyages
• Complimentary use of Muck boots during the voyage
• Complimentary use of fitness centre
• Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consult)
• Complimentary Starlink wifi onboard
• Comprehensive pre-departure information and Antarctic or Arctic Primer booklet
• Port surcharges, permits and landing fees

The following inclusions are also part of selected voyages. Please refer to the specific voyage Trip Notes for inclusions pertaining to the voyage of your choice:

• All Antarctic voyages include one night’s pre-voyage accommodation and arrival airport transfer (on selected preferred flights)
• Selected voyages include one night’s pre-voyage accommodation
• Flights mentioned as per itinerary
• Guided town/city tour and activities as per voyage itinerary
• Luggage transfers to/from ship

* on selected voyages ^ weather permitting

Suite Benefits

Additional benefits for those who book Junior and Captain’s Suites:

• One free pair of binoculars per suite
• Free stocked mini bar^
• 1 free bottle of champagne per suite

^Junior Suites stocked once only, not replenished. Captain’s Suite replenished as needed.

When packing for your holiday, do you have trouble deciding between what to take versus leave at home? If so, you’re certainly not alone – it can be tricky deciding what makes the cut into your luggage.

Of course, what often helps is knowing the environment that you’re entering into. With Antarctica and the Arctic – known as the coldest, most isolated and remote landscapes in the world – there might be a tendency to pack your suitcase with all the winter gear under the sun.

Polar temperatures in summer are similar to most ski fields in winter. If you are a skier, your ski clothing will be perfectly adequate; as long as it is thoroughly waterproof. Under your waterproof layer, you will need between two to four insulation layers depending on the day.

Our vessels are air-conditioned and the temperature on board is generally between 15°C (59°F) and 25°C (77°F). When on board, dress is informal. Normal clothing usually consists of jeans or casual trousers, and light long-sleeve T-shirts or jumpers.

So, here is what you’ll need to pack for a trip to the polar regions:

The Layer Principle:

The layer principle has been proven to demonstrate that wearing several light layers of clothing is recommended over wearing one heavy layer. Between each layer there is trapped air which when heated by your body acts as an excellent insulator. See information below.

Layer 1: The Thermal Layer - Fast-drying, rapid transport of moisture away from the body, forwarding to the next layer. e.g. Thermal underwear.

Layer 2: Insulation Layer - Warming layer for cold temperatures. e.g. Fleece or down jacket

Layer 3: Waterproof / Protection Layer - Provides reliable protection from wind and water. e.g. Hard-shell jacket.

Tips for an effective layering system

Several thin layers work better than one thick layer.

Avoid tight clothing since it leaves no room for trapped air. Wool and silk are superior to cotton because they can trap warm air.

The important layer is the outer waterproof and windproof shell. A small wind of six kilometres per hour can carry away eight times more body heat than still air!

Being wet accelerates the loss of body heat. If your skin or clothing gets wet, your body will lose heat much more rapidly. Even at 10°C (50°F) you can suffer ill effects of cold if you are wet. Avoid over dressing as this leads to perspiration; and in wet weather, wear waterproof outer garments that will keep you dry on the outside but still ‘breathe’ enough so that moisture from your body can escape.

Body heat is most likely to be lost from your head, hands and feet so they need to be kept warm and dry. Even if the rest of your body is covered, as much as 90% of the heat you lose is from your head, so be sure to wear a beanie, woollen hat or something similar to keep your head warm.

Other recommended items:

• Waterproof daypack for landings
• Dry bag or plastic bag for camera
• Binoculars: to get the most out of the incredible wildlife-viewing opportunities during the voyage. Please bring your own binoculars. You are welcome to use AE Expeditions’ supply of binoculars on board the ship, but they are limited to use on the Observation Deck
• Camera and accessories
• Spare batteries and memory cards for camera
• We suggest you bring a laptop for image processing; there are limited public computers to use
• External hard drive for storing downloaded images and other data
• USB stick to share photos with fellow passengers
• Collapsible hiking poles, depending on individual needs
• Sunscreen and chap stick
• Moisturiser for wind and / or sunburn
• Glasses cord for prescription glasses and sunglasses
• Extra prescription glasses or contact lenses
• Ear plugs (especially if you are sharing a cabin)
• Sleep eye mask (great for plane travel and for ice camping)
• Watch – to keep track of landing return times
• Swimsuit (for the sauna, jacuzzis and Polar Plunge)
• Double-adapter for multi-charging
• Personal toiletries (Body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and handsoap is provided in each cabin and refilled throughout the voyage)
• Sea sickness medication
• Personal medication – we recommend carrying this in your hand luggage at all times
• Personal first aid kit. An onboard medical clinic is available whenever you need it
• Small flashlight
• Pocket-sized notebook and pen
• Pack of playing cards or other travel games