The ship star rating refers to the overall level of comfort onboard. This includes cabins, common areas, and amenities like cuisine and also takes into consideration overall customer service from staff. North South Voyages only features and offers ships that meet a minimum 3* star overall rating.
Expedition Ship Star Rating Comparison
Luxury Ships – 5* Stars
These 5* luxury ships provide a very high level of service and comfort on board. Gourmet cuisine, stunning cabins and common areas make your Antarctica trip an experience to remember.
Some 5* ships offer butler service, private hot tubs in suites and unlimited in-room dining. Amenities can include luxurious spa facilities like on Le Commandant Charcot which even has a ‘snow bath’ room you can experience after leaving the sauna.
Our travellers have highly rated their 5* experiences aboard the Silver Endeavour (pictured) by Silversea, Ultramarine from Quark Expeditions, and Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot.
Comfort Ships – 4* Stars
Mid range 4* Star ships mean comfortable cabins, great cuisine and amenities onboard that cater to guests wanting to enjoy time on board with wonderful service. These ships have comfortable common spaces and relaxed restaurants with laid back feel that many travellers on expedition to Antarctica prefer.
Some fantastic 4* ships include the National Geographic Explorer, the M/V Hondius from Oceanwide Expeditions, and the World Explorer with Quark.
Standard Ships – 3* Stars
Standard ships have basic, but comfortable, cabins and common areas. The 3* ships we offer provide a relaxed but wonderful service.
The main trade off is the older decor, less comfortable shared areas and more basic food options. Meals still provide quality and variety, but they are less gourmet than 4* and 5* ships.
We can recommend the M/V Ortelius by Oceanwide, G Adventure’s ship the G Expedition, and Antarctica21’s ship the Ocean Nova.
