Dear reader, Polar Latitudes and Albatros Expeditions have recently joined forces to form a new and more formidable polar operator, Polar Latitudes Expeditions, combining the very best of these two industry-leading operators.

This new partnership will result in an elevated experience for all polar travelers, as well as for our agent partners. While the official launch date of Polar Latitudes Expeditions is scheduled for Mid-October, 2025, we are sending this memo to our travel partners now to ensure the transition period is smooth and well communicated.

This new partnership will deliver a greater choice of itineraries, ship experiences, cabin options, amenities, and adventure programs.
 

Key Operational Updates

  • Existing bookings remain unchanged.
  • Moving forward, Polar Latitudes Expeditions will be based in both Vermont, USA, and Copenhagen, Denmark, with support offices in Germany, China, Australia, and the UK.
  • Albatros Expeditions and Polar Latitudes will continue their planned operations as two separate entities throughout Antarctica 2025/26 and will transition to one operational entity, Polar Latitudes Expeditions, from March 2026.
  • Albatros Expeditions will introduce new activities and meal options on board starting from Antarctica 2025/26, at no extra cost.
  • Branding on board all our vessels will evolve towards Polar Latitudes Expeditions. There will be a combined presence at first, then Albatros Expeditions will be phased out by March 2026.

Key Website Updates

  • From mid-October, our Arctic inventory and our Antarctic inventory from 2026/2027 onwards will migrate over to Polar Latitude's website
  • All web pages not related to our next Antarctic Season (2025/2026) will be migrated to Polar Latitude's website 
  • In March 2026, Albatros Expeditions' website will redirect to Polar Latitudes'
  • Our Agent Section will move to Polar Latitudes Expeditions' Agent Portal. We will maintain our agent pages for the duration of our next Antarctic Season

Our Timeline

  • October: Polar Latitudes Expeditions is launched. All information will be found at polar-latitudes.com, including Terms and Conditions, with one exception: The Albatros Expeditions itineraries for 25/26 will remain on the Albatros site through this initial period.
  • March: We unite as Polar Latitudes Expeditions. Albatros site visitors will be redirected to our new site, where all information can be found.
  • May: Starting with the '26 Arctic season, all expeditions begin running under the Polar Latitudes Expeditions flag. Note that all Arctic '26 voyages, itineraries, and programs will continue as planned, just under our new name.

Logo Transition

In developing the new PLX logo, both teams worked to honor their shared legacies. The Albatros Expeditions waves are incorporated into the ‘P’ of Polar Latitudes, while the Antarctica map has been removed to reflect operations in both polar regions. The result is a logo that represents the history, expertise, and spirit of both companies. Onboard, the rollout of the new logo will be gradual. During the Antarctica 2025–26 season, co-branding will be introduced (“AEX by PLX”) across onboard materials (Daily Program, menus, etc.). The full transition to the new PLX logo will then take place, starting with the Arctic 2026 season.

Onward and upward

On the 1st of September, after 14 years, the founder and CEO of Polar Latitudes, John McKeon, will move to the position of Chairman of our Board of Directors, which oversees the direction and continued growth of the newly formed company. Patrick Shaw, recently COO of Polar Latitudes and currently CEO of Albatros Expeditions, will take the reins of the newly combined company as CEO of Polar Latitudes Expeditions.

We’re looking forward to an amazing future together, for our passengers, and for all our travel and trade partners, as Polar Latitudes Expeditions.

For further questions, please do not hesitate to contact your Albatros Expeditions or Polar Latitudes representative, or send us an email at sales@albatros-expeditions.com

 

Facts about Becoming Polar Latitudes Expeditions