New technologies on expedition cruises are making it possible to have completely different experiences with less environmental impact. Jeremy Clubb, founder and expert at Antarctica Cruises, explains which tools and technologies are changing the way we explore polar regions, from energy reuse to silent Zodiacs.
The new generation of expedition cruise ships intelligently produces, stores, and reuses energy
A benchmark for the new era of expedition cruises is the innovative technology of the Captain Arctic, a ship operated by Selar. This vessel features five rigid sails covered with solar panels that harness wind and solar energy to propel the ship and reduce fuel consumption. It also boasts a reinforced hull for navigating through ice. According to the company, this system can reduce carbon emissions by up to 90% compared to traditional yachts. This ship, which will begin its voyages in northern Norway in November 2026 and travel to Svalbard from March to August 2027 and Greenland from September to October 2027, is a leading example for the next generation of expedition cruises.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, another benchmark is the hybrid-electric expedition vessel Magellan Discoverer, from Antarctica21. Built at the ASENAV shipyard in Valdivia, Chile, the ship features ABB Azipod propulsion units that can rotate 360 degrees, improving maneuverability and efficiency. Its hybrid propulsion system, powered by onboard batteries, is designed to reduce fuel consumption, emissions, and noise, among other benefits, by allowing the engines to shut down to ensure quiet operation in environmentally sensitive areas. The ship will debut during the 2026-2027 Antarctic season, with a capacity for 76 passengers, and will operate expeditions that combine flights to Antarctica with exploration cruises.
"The expedition cruise industry is undergoing a major transformation. Today, innovation is focused on reducing environmental impact through technologies such as hybrid propulsion, solar-assisted sails, heat recovery from engines, and dynamic positioning systems that avoid anchoring in sensitive areas. These solutions are making Arctic and Antarctic expeditions increasingly efficient and environmentally friendly.".
"Innovation is no longer just about going further, but about doing so in a more responsible way, preserving the environment for future generations of travelers and wildlife," says Jeremy Clubb.
The new era of silent Zodiacs
One of the technological advances with the greatest ecological impact is the introduction of electric Zodiacs. Zodiacs are smaller, rigid inflatable boats designed for navigating shallow waters. Expedition cruise ships use them to navigate bays and facilitate shore landings, offering passengers a more immersive experience in polar regions.
The technology behind these silent Zodiacs is found in the RAD 40 motor, which was designed from the ground up to maximize the benefits of electric propulsion, offering 40 kW of continuous power and a 400 W architecture compatible with fast charging. It stands out for its compact design, ultra-low maintenance, and ability to withstand extreme conditions such as those found in the Arctic and Antarctic. In October 2025, HX Expeditions became one of the first polar operators to use fully electric Zodiacs for scientific research.
The main objective is to reduce the vibrations and noise pollution that traditional Zodiac boats can cause. Marine mammals rely on sound to feed and communicate; therefore, cruise operators are committed to reducing noise to protect the marine ecosystem and offer travelers a more natural viewing experience.
“With less noise, travelers and scientific researchers can have a better experience by being able to hear everything from the sounds of nature to ice breaking up and observe birds and whales behaving more naturally. While most Zodiacs are still gasoline-powered, in the coming years we will see cruise companies gradually invest in and adopt this new and necessary technology of silent Zodiacs,” explains Jeremy Clubb, founder and expert at Antarctica Cruises.
Hydrophones and sensors as exploration tools
Improving navigation practices is a primary goal for cruise ships, and one way to achieve this is by studying the sounds of the sea. With the rise of exploration cruises and growing concerns about marine environmental impact, the cruise industry, researchers, and marine scientists are working together to employ the latest technology and identify ways to mitigate environmental damage.
Hydrophones on ships, beyond allowing us to hear whale songs, make it possible to measure noise pollution and analyze how marine mammals react to passing vessels. One of the most innovative and sustainable projects is Sound Cruising, organized by HX Expeditions, the Norwegian Polar Institute, and Aarhus University.
As part of the project, two acoustic recording stations were installed last summer in the Smeerenburg and Hornsund fjords in Norway's Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic. Researchers used handheld hydrophones in various operations at different locations and combined the recordings with ship location data to analyze the impact of maritime traffic. The goal is to design practical measures to reduce underwater noise and thus protect Arctic marine ecosystems. These advancements allow operators to continue offering travelers unique experiences and connections while respecting the marine ecosystem with less environmental impact.
Another use of hydrophones on exploration cruises is in Ponant's Blue Eye rooms, located underwater at a depth of 3 meters. These rooms allow travelers to listen in real time to whale songs, fish sounds, and the movement of ice. They remain one of the most recent innovations for getting closer to marine life in remote locations.
Submersibles descend 300 meters into the twilight zone in search of giant jellyfish
There's a desire to explore further, to delve into the ocean's depths, to access little-explored ecosystems. This desire is made possible by the submersibles operated by exploration cruise companies. Descending to depths of 300 meters or more as part of these exploration trips has become a viable experience for travelers and, above all, a more common way to gather valuable information for marine research.
Furthermore, a decade ago innovation focused on going further, but today polar exploration using modern submersibles centers on reaching greater depths, generating more scientific knowledge and allowing travelers to connect with the ocean through a unique experience. Some of the leading expedition cruise operators incorporating this new way of exploring with cutting-edge technology include Scenic, Viking Expeditions, and Seabourn. These next-generation submersibles are equipped with 4K and 8K cameras, high-powered LED lighting, environmental sensors, robotic arms, and systems for recording scientifically valuable images, but above all, they enable responsible exploration. The depth reached depends on the submersible: some models used on cruises have a limit of around 100 meters, while others can reach depths of up to 300 meters.
“Electric submersibles generate little noise, produce no direct underwater emissions, and allow exploration of the most unknown region of the planet: the mesopelagic zone, also known as the twilight zone, which lies between 200 and 1,000 meters below the sea. Those who can reach this depth will witness some of the most extraordinary species on the planet, from bioluminescent fish and giant jellyfish to colonies of siphonophores and cephalopod species,” explains Jeremy Clubb.
Interest in cruises to polar regions continues to grow, and it is increasingly important for the sector to adopt measures that contribute to protecting the environment and, at the same time, allow travelers to enjoy these destinations in a more responsible and respectful way towards local wildlife and ecosystems.
