These Sylvia Earle ship reviews come from my firsthand experience and that of our travelers. This modern expedition ship is a great choice for travelers wanting top-notch service and guides, sustainable practices and space to spread out. I also found it great for solo travelers and those with special interests like photography and conservation.
Key Takeaways
- Service shines with personalized attention and guest special requests
- Sustainability and a smooth ride make this ship stand out
- Solo travelers are welcomed and well cared for
- A variety of spaces enable quiet moments and stunning views
- Don’t miss the dedicated photo Zodiac(s) and Rockhopper Restaurant dining with a view
- Science lab is exciting but underutilized
- Consider a Deck 4 cabin for stability and convenience
ABOUT THE EXPERT: JENNIFER MORSE
• AdventureSmith travel expert since 2017
• Sailed 5k nautical miles (1.6k on Sylvia Earle)
• Experience aboard 10- to 132-guest ships
• Regularly works with Antarctica cruise lines
Overall Standout – Guest-Responsive Service
The level of service received aboard the Sylvia Earle from the hospitality team was above and beyond anything I’ve received in my travels. They always met me with a smile and hello, and quickly learned my drink and food preferences, including my omelette order and the fact that I always wanted chips/fries with my dinner. They even put together a trivia night, and provided space for a fellow guest to engage us with a karaoke machine he brought on board!
The service from the Expedition Team and onboard photographers was also next level: well organized, friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. They adapted their programming based on guest requests. For example, our guest photographer held an impromptu lecture on using Lightroom for photo editing, and our onboard historian offered a supplemental creative writing workshop.
Cruise Highlights – Befriending Fellow Solo Female Travelers
On my Antarctica cruise departure, the women outnumbered the men, and particularly the solo traveler women like me. On Day 1 at the hotel in Ushuaia many of us were grouped together, and we built a bond that lasted through the cruise. Like me, many of my new friends were seasoned world travelers with fun stories to share. We loved to get a cleanser after dinner and tuck away into one of the side seating areas to talk before heading off to bed each night.
The Sylvia Earle has a legacy that features females. The ship is named after a world-renowned marine biologist (we learned more about her in a lecture), and the hallways feature other prominent female researchers. Her operator, Aurora Expeditions, has a 70% female staff with 45% of its senior leadership roles held by women. On my departure, our female expedition team leader shared plenty of inspiring stories, including tales of leading guests on her own sailing ship in Antarctica.
What Sets Sylvia Earle Apart – Sustainability & A Smooth Ride
Sustainability is more than a word aboard Sylvia Earle. This ship reflects her operator’s B Corporation status. Everything is digital: The trip app (used ahead of and throughout the cruise), daily schedules and menus via QR code (reused paper menu upon request). Sign-ups are via whiteboard, recycling is carefully sorted, and even menus may be built around eco-conscious choices.
Sylvia’s X-Bow design and stabilizers also set this ship apart. This became clear as we cruised the Drake Passage en route to Antarctica. The sailor in me loved the thrill of the Drake! Open sea on the Sylvia Earle was much more pleasant than my 30’ Catalina sailboat. That said, both Drake crossings still made navigating the inside of the ship feel like a video game. This led to giggles from me, other passengers and crew alike as we walked to the lecture hall, dining room and library.
Favorite Spaces – Library, Observation Lounge & My Balcony
I really enjoyed tucking away into the library to read with some tea. The view out the bow windows is stunning, and the shelves are well stocked. Unlike the busier bars, this space was quiet (enough for a fellow guest to even nap nearby!) and I liked its open concept, adjoining the atrium and science center.
I also loved my cabin balcony. I was out there multiple times a day enjoying the views and taking great landscape and iceberg photos. My other favorite spot for photography was the Observation Lounge; its commanding view, wraparound windows and adjoining deck space enabled excellent sunset pictures.
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Find trip rates & dates, or see more Sylvia Earle details like cabin specs & the deck plan.
Don’t Miss – Dedicated Photo Zodiac & The Rockhopper Restaurant
For Zodiac cruises, guests can sign up daily (x7-8 people per boat) to join the citizen science Zodiac or 1-2 photography-focused Zodiacs. I always joined the photo Zodiac; its dedicated driver managed the entire fleet, so he was top notch at spotting wildlife, handling the boat and catering to photography interests. The photographer would give us tips as we cruised, and help us with our equipment (which added to the two photo lectures we enjoyed at the start of the cruise–one for phone photography and one for camera photography). These Zodiac experiences reignited my interest in photography, leading me to buy a new camera once I got home!
I also recommend dining at the reservation-required Rockhopper Restaurant when the ship is scheduled to sail through a particularly gorgeous landscape. The restaurant’s smaller size, wall of windows and higher deck gives everyone a front row seat. On my cruise, my dinner at the Rockhopper was overshadowed by the stunning Lemaire Channel at sunset. In warmer locations, the additional outdoor seating here should make for spectacular al fresco dining.
Look Out For – Underutilized Science Center
Modern expedition ships like Sylvia Earle are starting to take the citizen science concept one step further with an onboard science center. On my trip, this unique space disappointingly went unused. The guides confirmed this is common due to the busy excursion schedule. I appreciated the daily opportunities to conduct experiments by Zodiac, and wanted to further the experience once back on board. I learned that Aurora uses Sylvia Earle’s science lab more on certain departures, so destination and itinerary sea days may dictate how much this space is used.
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If I Booked Again – Lower Deck
My cabin was a Balcony Stateroom C (#628) located on the portside aft of the ship. For future trips, I would book a stateroom on Deck 4. This puts you closer to the water, which means less shake and roll when making ocean crossings. Deck 4 is also conveniently located. It has the expedition desk and mudroom access, and it’s only one floor down from the main dining area, bar, lecture hall and science lab.
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I describe my cruise on the SE to my friends and family as magical. It was breathtaking and I never imagined that it could be so amazing. We had plenty of opportunities to be outdoors with our surroundings and the wildlife. The photography zodiac was key to making this trip even more memorable while just having my phone as a camera. I was on the Deck 4 and I can vouch that it was a convenient and stable location The food was very good and I didn’t feel like it was recycled from other meals as is often the case on cruise ships. The number of solo travelers was surprising and comforting to those of us who were on our own. This is clearly a once in a lifetime experience and I feel joy that I had this opportunity aboard the SE and with the wonderful friends that I made.
Keller, this was a joy to read. Thank you for sharing such a lovely reflection. We agree, magical is a fitting word to describe a small ship Antarctic expedition. We are so glad the Sylvia Earle felt comfortable, welcoming, and memorable in all the right ways. We can’t wait to see which corner of the world calls you next!
This summary perfectly captures our cruise, Jenn! It was so great to meet you and share these unique experiences – we had too many fun times to mention! It was truly a magical trip of a lifetime and exceeded my expectations. I would sail again with Aurora on the Sylvia Earle in a heartbeat! Deb
Deb, thank you for your kind note. We’re so glad you and Jenn could enjoy such a great experience together, and Jenn has shared how much she enjoyed sailing with you. Excited to see where your next adventure takes you. A return to the Sylvia Earle, perhaps in the Arctic or Northern Europe, may be in your future.
We agree wholeheartedly with this review. We had an exceptional experience, from the activities to the positive spirit and expertise of all staff to excellent food. Loved the international composition of the guests and the crew. We cannot speak highly enough about our experience on the Sylvia Earle!
Jane and Steven, Lincoln, MA
Hi Jane and Steven,
We’re thrilled to hear that you had a wonderful experience aboard the Sylvia Earle – thanks for sharing! Where did you go? And where to next? Please reach out if we can help get you back on board for your next adventure.