Expedition Cruise Demand Expected to Level as Prices Rise

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Expedition cruise executives say sector growth may slow as new shipbuilding eases, while fares are expected to move higher after several years of competitive pricing.

Demand for expedition cruising could begin to plateau over the next few years as new ship supply slows and operators move to restore pricing, according to industry executives speaking at the CLIA Expedition Showcase in Svalbard.

Pat Shaw of Polar Latitudes passes away suddenly

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Pat Shaw (source: LinkedIn)

While details are sketchy right now, ExpeditionCruising.com can confirm that high-profile executive, Patrick (Pat) Shaw, has passed away suddenly while in the Antarctic.

In April 2025, Pat was appointed CEO of Albatros Expeditions and formed a new entity with the merger of Polar Latitudes and Albatros Expeditions.

Prior to that, Pat led Quark Expeditions as President and CEO from 2001 to 2010.

A true leader and visionary in our industry, Pat will be sorely missed.

Everyone here at ExpeditionCruising.com extend our condolences to his family and many friends in the industry.

Read Polar Latitudes Official Statement

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Polar Latitudes Expeditions and Albatros Expeditions to merge

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Polar Latitudes Expeditions and Albatros Expeditions are merging to form a new brand in the polar travel sector, set to debut in mid-October. The combined fleet will feature four ships: Ocean Albatros, Ocean Victory, MS Seaventure, and Ocean Nova. This strategic partnership aims to provide travellers with a broader range of itineraries, ship experiences, cabin options, amenities, and adventure programs.

Former Hapag-Lloyd BREMEN under charter to Polar Latitudes as MS Seascape

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Swiss shipbuilder, Scylla, is the latest operator to enter the booming expedition cruise market having announced its acquisition of BREMEN from Hapag-Lloyd Cruises in January.

The Swiss company will take delivery of the expedition vessel in May of 2021 following the delivery of H-L's third Hanseatic-class ship, the Hanseatic Spirit.

Scylla owns 31 river ships, with most chartered to various tour operators including Tauck, and is now looking to make the transition to the ocean market. It seems likely that Scylla will in turn charter this vessel to another current operator, further expanding the inventory for expedition cruising.

ExpeditionCruising.com learns the vessel will concentrate on the Antarctic Peninsula with established operator, Polar Latitudes, under a long-term charter.

"The MS Bremen is perfect for that. Our nautical and technical expertise also comes into play here. What's more, we can offer our existing customers new options in Scylla quality and expand our customer base," said Arno Reitsma, CEO of Scylla.

"Although the Bremen is a very special ship in our fleet and has been very close to our hearts for more than 25 years, we want to focus on three modern expedition ships with the latest environmental technology in the expedition arena," said Karl J. Pojer, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

Source: Cruise Industry News

Adventure and Expedition Cruising