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Introducing Polar Athena: Why Expedition Micro Cruises and Small-Ship Tourism Matter
At first glance, travelling to fragile environments may seem contradictory. Yet when done with humility, responsibility, and purpose, Expedition Micro Cruises can build global awareness rather than damage the ecosystems they visit.
At Secret Atlas, micro cruising means travelling in genuinely small groups, aboard ships designed for a minimal environmental footprint and maximum educational engagement. Our newest vessel, Polar Athena, carries just 44 guests and offers generous space, originally being designed for over 50.
Because of their scale, micro expeditions:
Use significantly less fuel and create less disturbance to wildlife
Allow flexible routing, responding to weather, ice, and wildlife rather than rigid timetables
Give guests far longer ashore to explore, learn, and photograph alongside polar experts
Enable meaningful connections between guides, scientists, and fellow travellers
Encourage stewardship, science engagement, and responsible exploration over spectacle
On these voyages, travellers witness glacier calving, track seabirds, support scientific sampling, take part in shoreline clean-ups, and join daily briefings linking their experiences to the wider climate story.
“Once you’ve stood on sea ice that may not exist next decade, you can’t go home unchanged.”
— Bob Gilmore | Polar Educator
Ready to explore the polar regions in a small group?
Join a micro expedition on Polar Athena and experience the Arctic and Antarctica without the crowds.
Climate, Exploration, and Responsibility: The Expedition Journey
Joining a Secret Atlas micro cruise is not simply a holiday — it’s a participation in Earth’s evolving story. Imagine stepping ashore on a remote Antarctic island: penguins chattering at your feet, pastel light colouring the horizon, the stillness almost otherworldly. It’s in these quiet moments that the enormity of planetary change becomes personal, powerful, and real.
Polar Athena: A Vessel Built for Exploration
Some expedition ships carry a long legacy of successful exploration — Polar Athena is one of them.
Origins and Early Research Work
Built in 1982 in Turku, Finland, by Laivateollisuus Oy, the vessel was originally named Akademik Shuleykin and designed as an ice-strengthened oceanographic research ship for the USSR. It operated along the northern coasts, navigating polar ice, enduring long winters, and supporting remote scientific work.
She’s not just a ship; she’s a legend. The 1st of the Shuleykin-class (10 units built) research vessels and proven across decades of polar exploration, she carries 44 guests into the heart of the world’s most remote waters with unmatched freedom, comfort, and safety.
Conversion into a Passenger Expedition Vessel
Around 2000, the ship was refitted in St Petersburg and transformed into the expedition vessel Polar Pioneer, accommodating up to 53 passengers. Over the following years, it became respected among polar operators for its manoeuvrability, ice capability, and ability to create intimate, authentic expedition experiences.
Every deck tells a story, every voyage is an adventure, and every moment aboard brings you closer to the wild wonders of the Arctic and Antarctic.
Join a micro expedition
Discover how travelling with fewer than 44 guests leads to deeper experiences, more time ashore, and a lighter footprint.
Technical Strength and Expedition Capability
Key characteristics from this period include:
Length: 71 metres
Beam: 3 metres
Draft: 4.5 metres
Ice Class: 1A Super — the highest for non-icebreakers
Current capacity: 44 guests
Features: large open decks, lounge/bar areas, sauna, library, lecture space, medical clinic, and a fleet of Zodiacs
This robust design enabled the vessel to operate deep in the pack ice and reach sites inaccessible to larger ships.
A Trusted Expedition Reputation
For decades, the ship travelled extensively in the Arctic and Antarctic. Travellers valued its smaller size, strong expedition pedigree, and the opportunity to explore without crowds. In 2019, new Scandinavian ownership invested in significant upgrades — from interiors to environmental systems — while preserving the vessel’s character.
From Polar Pioneer to Polar Athena
The vessel has now been renamed Polar Athena and serves as a key ship in Secret Atlas’s Antarctic, South Georgia, Falkland Islands, and Arctic programmes.
With room for only 44 guests, Polar Athena offers:
No waiting for Zodiacs — every guest can land at the same time
Genuine small-group exploration with maximum time ashore
A more intimate, low-impact experience than larger vessels
Excellent stability thanks to an integrated dynamic water ballast system
Enhanced comfort during open-water crossings and while at anchor
Modern Enhancements and Sustainability Upgrades
Recent and ongoing upgrades include:
Machinery and technical system overhauls
Modern bridge equipment and advanced navigational systems
24/7 monitoring by crew and owners
Scandinavian-inspired interior improvements
More environmentally friendly fittings
Enhanced cabin comfort and updated guest facilities
The open-bridge policy allows guests to see expedition navigation first-hand — a hallmark of authentic small-ship travel.
Why Polar Athena Matters Today
The ship’s combination of research heritage, small size, and modern upgrades makes it uniquely suited to today’s expedition landscape. With fewer guests and strong ice capabilities, it can:
Access remote landing sites large ships cannot reach
Operate safely in heavier ice conditions
Deliver more time ashore with minimal environmental impact
Offer a genuine expedition atmosphere rooted in science, exploration, and responsible travel
In an era where sustainable tourism is essential, Polar Athena stands as an example of how heritage expedition ships can be modernised to continue exploring responsibly for decades to come.
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