Arctic and Antarctic Tourism Revived as Vestland Classic Cruises Acquires Former G Adventures Expedition Ship: All You Need to Know

Published on December 10, 2025

Arctic and Antarctic tourism are poised for a fresh chapter as Norway-based Vestland Classic Cruises emerges as the new owner of G Adventures’ former Expedition ship, with plans to return the classic vessel to polar regions under a new identity and livery. After leaving the G Adventures fleet, the ship completed a trans-Atlantic repositioning to Gdynia, Poland, where it now awaits its next phase as part of a growing small-ship expedition portfolio.

The move underscores the enduring value of intimate, heritage-style expedition vessels in modern  tourism, appealing to travelers seeking authentic maritime experiences far removed from mainstream mega-cruise operations in remote northern and southern latitudes.

From South America Layup to Gdynia Return

The former Expedition, originally built in 1972, was laid up in South America ahead of an Antarctic season when G Adventures confirmed it would be replaced by the more modern Ocean Adventurer for future polar programs. The transition marked a generational shift in expedition hardware but left open questions about the classic ship’s long-term role in tourism.

Following the arrival of its successor, the vessel embarked on a trans-Atlantic crossing to Gdynia, a key maritime hub on Poland’s Baltic coast. There, the approximately one hundred thirty-four-guest, more than six thousand-ton ship has remained docked alongside the Serenissima, preserving its readiness for a potential return to active service rather than immediate scrapping or static use.

Vestland Classic Cruises Steps In as New Owner

Norwegian operator Vestland Classic Cruises now lists the ship on its official website under the name Vestland Adventurer, highlighting the brand’s intention to continue operating the vessel in polar regions. The company states that it acquired the ship in 2025, positioning it as part of a curated fleet of classic expedition vessels designed for small-scale tourism rather than mass-market cruising.

Vestland Classic presents itself as a niche brand that differentiates from large cruise lines by prioritizing “wonderful ships with a homely onboard atmosphere”, emphasizing cozy interiors, maritime character and close-knit guest experiences. This philosophy aligns with rising demand for slow, experience-driven tourism, particularly in fragile environments such as the Arctic and Antarctic.

New Livery Reflects Fresh Tourism Identity

A dedicated fleet page showcases the former Expedition with a new livery: a dark blue hull and a white funnel emblazoned with the Vestland logo, signaling a visual departure from its previous G Adventures branding. This refreshed exterior supports the repositioning of the ship as a Norwegian-led classic expedition platform, steeped in maritime tradition while geared toward modern tourism expectations.

Updated branding plays a vital role in attracting travelers who romanticize heritage ships and associate deep-blue hulls with sturdy exploration vessels capable of navigating ice-choked waters and remote fjords. The aesthetic update thus becomes an integral part of the ship’s renewed tourism appeal.

Fleet of Classic Ships Anchors Boutique Polar Tourism

Alongside the renamed Vestland Adventurer, Vestland Classic lists the Serenissima and six additional small expedition ships within its fleet section, signaling ambitions to operate a multi-vessel program across northern waters. Among these is the 1956-built Nordstjernen, a storied ship that served  Hurtigruten on the Norwegian coastal route until 2024, before transitioning to new roles in heritage cruising.

This collection of vintage vessels positions Vestland Classic as a custodian of maritime history, using restored ships to deliver low-capacity, high-experience tourism that showcases Norway’s coastline, Svalbard and potentially Greenland and Antarctic regions. Such operations cater to travelers seeking the intimacy of traditional ships over the scale of contemporary expedition newbuilds.

Classic Maritime Voyages as a Tourism Differentiator

Vestland Classic frames its offering around the notion of a “classic maritime voyage”, explicitly rejecting the concept of carrying thousands of passengers aboard floating cities. Instead, the brand invites guests to embrace a more personal style of tourism, where shared spaces, shipboard camaraderie and direct interaction with crew and guides define the journey.

This approach resonates with seasoned expedition cruisers and first-time explorers who value authenticity, story-rich vessels and slower travel across sea lanes historically plied by working ships. As a result, the former Expedition’s architecture and scale become intrinsic selling points within the broader tourism narrative.

From Cruise Ferry Origins to Expedition Tourism Workhorse

Originally constructed as a cruise ferry for service in Northern Europe, the vessel was extensively converted into an expedition ship by G Adventures in 2008, adapting it for polar itineraries with reinforced hull capabilities, Zodiac boarding platforms and lecture spaces. For over a decade, it operated seasonal programs in both Antarctica and the Arctic, including Svalbard and Greenland, building a loyal following among adventure travelers.

These decades of experience have cemented the ship’s reputation as a reliable workhorse of expedition tourism, capable of navigating ice-strewn waters while delivering educational programming and wildlife encounters in some of the world’s most remote environments.

Transition to Ocean Adventurer Frees Up Classic Capacity

G Adventures’ decision to introduce the Ocean Adventurer as its new Expedition-branded ship reflects industry-wide trends toward upgraded tonnage with enhanced comfort, lower emissions and expanded balcony cabins. This change, however, did not diminish the original vessel’s fundamental suitability for specialized tourism in polar and subpolar regions.

By passing into the hands of Vestland Classic, the former Expedition can continue serving a niche clientele that prefers the atmosphere of a veteran ship, ensuring that valuable polar-operational know-how embedded in its design remains actively deployed in the tourism market rather than lost to retirement.

Northern Europe Poised to Benefit from Homeporting

With the ship currently berthed in Gdynia, future itineraries under Vestland Classic may leverage Northern European ports as gateways for Arctic tourism, including departures from Norwegian harbors such as Bergen, Tromsø or smaller coastal towns. Such homeporting would stimulate regional economies through hotel stays, port services and provisioning.

Northern Europe’s well-established maritime infrastructure allows classic expedition ships to integrate seamlessly into tourism circuits that blend fjords, coastal villages, wildlife hotspots and historical sites, widening the scope of experiences available to small-ship guests.

Potential Return to Antarctic Tourism Under Norwegian Flag

Vestland Classic’s stated intention to keep the ship in polar operations suggests a potential return to Antarctic tourism in future seasons, likely timed with broader fleet scheduling and demand patterns. Operating from Southern Hemisphere gateways such as Ushuaia, Punta Arenas or other ports, the vessel could offer classic-style voyages that emphasize heritage and simplicity over excess amenities.

A Norwegian-branded operator running a former G Adventures asset in Antarctica would contribute to the diversification of operators in the region, giving travelers more choices among small-ship tourism experiences while adhering to established environmental protocols.

Small-Ship Focus Aligns with Sustainable Tourism Trends

By maintaining capacities around one hundred thirty-four guests, Vestland Adventurer and its sister vessels inherently support lower-impact tourism compared to larger cruise ships, helping align operations with evolving sustainability and regulatory expectations in polar regions. Fewer passengers per voyage often translate into more controlled shore landings, reduced wildlife disturbance and greater educational engagement per traveler.

As global interest in polar tourism continues to grow, the resurgence of classic, small-scale ships like the former Expedition underlines a counter-trend: a desire for depth of experience, maritime heritage and environmental mindfulness over sheer size and spectacle.

Vestland Adventurer Set to Reframe Classic Polar Tourism

With ownership transferred, branding refreshed and a fleet context that celebrates heritage tonnage, the former Expedition, now poised to sail as Vestland Adventurer, stands ready to help define a new era of polar tourism centered on intimate ships and story-driven voyages. Travelers seeking Arctic and Antarctic journeys aboard characterful vessels may soon find Northern Europe and Norwegian operators at the heart of their next adventure.

Image Credit: Vestland Classic