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Polar Latitudes and Albatros Expeditions to merge under new title Polar Latitudes Expeditions
Combined fleet and itineraries to roll out in October ahead of full integration by 2026
Two established names in expedition cruising have joined forces to launch a new brand in the polar travel sector.
Albatros Expeditions and Polar Latitudes will merge operations under a single brand, with Polar Latitudes Expeditions set to debut officially in mid-October.
The new operator will combine the two companies’ deep expedition expertise to deliver a broader, more flexible product for travellers and trade partners, promising “greater choice” of itineraries, ship experiences, cabin options, amenities and adventure programmes.
The combined fleet will include the Ocean Albatros, Ocean Victory, MS Seaventure and Ocean Nova.
“Our aim is to create the most trusted and reliable brand for all of our customers and business partners by learning from, and building on, each other’s strengths,” said Patrick Shaw, incoming CEO of Polar Latitudes Expeditions.
Shaw, currently CEO of Albatros Expeditions and COO of Polar Latitudes, will lead the new company, which will have dual headquarters in Vermont, USA and Copenhagen, Denmark, supported by regional offices in Germany, China, Australia and the UK.
Leadership will also include Polar Latitudes founder and CEO John McKeon, who has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors to guide the direction and long-term growth strategy of the business.
Albatros confirmed that existing bookings will remain unchanged. Both Polar Latitudes and Albatros Expeditions will continue to operate independently through the 2025/26 Antarctica season before transitioning to a single operational structure in March 2026.
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From the 2025/26 season, Albatros Expeditions is also set to introduce new activities and meal options at no additional cost, which will continue under the merged brand.
Voyages for the 2026 Arctic season will operate as scheduled, rebranded under Polar Latitudes Expeditions, with the new identity gradually introduced through joint onboard branding before full adoption in March 2026.
The Polar Latitudes Expeditions logo has been designed to reference both companies’ heritage, incorporating the Albatros Expeditions waves into the ‘P’ of Polar Latitudes.
Itineraries and booking details can be found on the new website, www.polar-latitudes.com. Albatros itineraries for the 2025/26 season will remain listed on the Albatros Expeditions site until the phased transition is completed in March 2026.
For more information, visit www.polar-latitudes.com and albatros-expeditions.com or email sales@albatros-expeditions.com
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