ARCTIC: The Legend Reimagined

Ask anyone who has spent time aboard ARCTIC, and they'll tell you, she's different. Not just in design or capability, but in feeling. "It's the family that makes her what she is," the Captain explains. "There are no egos here, just a close-knit crew who love what they do."

Her rugged exterior tells a story of decades at sea, unapologetic in its dents and dings. Beneath that steel, though, lies the heart of a yacht that has been to the ends of the Earth and back. From the bridge, the Captain has guided her through some of the most breathtaking approaches in the world, while guests gather on the Monkey Island above, sharing the excitement of each arrival.

In her working days, ARCTIC earned renown for courage and capability. In the 1970s, she played a vital role in the rescue and salvage of the cruise ship Lindblad Explorer in Antarctica—an episode that remains part of maritime history.

When she returned to Germany in 2024, her heritage came rushing back. "We were inundated with messages from old sailors who had worked on her," the Captain recalls. "And then we walked into the International Maritime Museum in Hamburg and saw multiple models of ARCTIC on display—complete with footage of her rescues. That's when it really hit home."

Her adventurous spirit continued into the modern era. Under a previous captain, ARCTIC and her crew set a Guinness World Record by reaching the Bay of Whales in the Ross Sea, an extraordinary feat in one of the most remote corners of the planet. "We didn't know if it would be possible," says the Captain. "But we made it and started a trend. Others followed, but we were the first to do it in over a century."

Today, ARCTIC attracts families seeking more than luxury, they come for experience. "Our guests want to explore together," the Captain says. "They dive, they play, they enjoy the freedom our toys and tenders offer."

Whether cruising through New Zealand's dramatic fjords or navigating the ice fields of Antarctica, each journey is personal, comfortable, and completely unforgettable. Guests consistently remark on the warmth of the crew, a team that works seamlessly, without ego, and with genuine care for every detail. "The majority of comments we get are about the friendliness of the crew," says the Captain. "That's what people remember."

Over the years, ARCTIC has undergone several major refits, each designed to modernise her systems without erasing her character. The 2013 addition of a stern platform and beach house brought new life to her exterior. Two years later came a bridge rebuild, a new engine control room, and a reimagined galley and pool area.

Her most recent refit in 2025 represents a true transformation, new galley and crew areas, upgraded systems and machinery, and extensive steelwork throughout. For guests, the biggest impact has come from the redesigned beach house and swim platform. Welcoming, relaxed, and the perfect introduction to life aboard.

"Keeping up with modern technology on a 60-year-old ship isn't easy," the Captain admits, "but as long as her hull lines remain, her character shines through."

ARCTIC's design gives her a freedom few yachts can match. She thrives off the beaten path places where no one else goes. With vast fuel and storage capacity and the comfort to sustain long-range voyages, she is built for those who want to see the world from a different angle.

"The Ross Sea was the most remote I've ever been," says the Captain, "but New Zealand's southern islands come close. Stewart Island, especially. It's raw, isolated, and stunning. I'd go back in a heartbeat."

With a crew whose combined service time totals more than 300 years, ARCTIC stands apart for loyalty and camaraderie. "We have a laugh, we trust each other, and no one lets ego get in the way," says the Captain. "That's why people stay."

Even the retirement of their Bosun after 33 years barely dents the legacy of a team bound by respect and shared adventure. It's a rare culture in yachting, one that guests feel the moment they step onboard.

Now open to more charters than ever before, ARCTIC's next chapter promises to be as bold as her past. The Captain is eager to share her story with a new generation of explorers.

"We want guests to experience something unique, something real," he says. "Adventure, discovery, and comfort in equal measure. Away from the usual routes, but always safe, always extraordinary. That's ARCTIC."

ARCTIC isn't just a yacht. She's a living legacy, proof that true exploration never goes out of style.