The former British Royal Mail Ship RMS St. Helena, given a $10.8M second life as Terra Nova's 98-guest Antarctic expedition ship — 1C ice-strengthened, all-inclusive, with a working science lab and single cabins at no supplement.
- Guests
- 98 guests
- Single cabins, no supplement
- Crew
- 81
- 1.2:1 guest-to-crew ratio
- Length
- 105 meters
- 344 feet
- Construction
- 1C Ice Class
- Built 1989 · UK
- Ice class
- Ice-Strengthened
- Starting price
- $9,000
- per person
Style Pure expedition · Basic comfort
- Wildlife Encounters
- All-Inclusive
- High staff-to-guest ratio
- Solo-Friendly
- Onboard Science Lab
RMS St. Helena has one of the best backstories afloat. Built in the UK in 1989, she spent nearly three decades as a genuine Royal Mail Ship — the lifeline that carried mail, cargo, and passengers to St. Helena, one of the most remote inhabited islands on earth, until the island’s first airport retired her in 2018. After a stint supporting the Extreme E racing series, Terra Nova Expeditions chartered her, poured in a reported $10.8 million refit, and pointed her south.
The refit cut her capacity from 150 down to 98 guests, which tells you the priorities: more room, fewer people, and a 1C ice-strengthened hull built for remote coastlines. Onboard is all-inclusive in the truest sense — kayaking, camping, snowshoeing, the polar plunge, gratuities, and beer and wine at dinner are baked into one flat price — plus a working science lab, a gym and spa, two Jacuzzis, and a genuinely rare perk for solo travelers: single cabins at no supplement. On select departures you can add a day sail aboard the Icebird yacht for a closer look at the ice.
We’ll be straight about our vantage point: Terra Nova is a young line and St. Helena a freshly reimagined ship, so our read leans on her specs, her heritage, and the relationships behind the brand as much as on time aboard. But for travelers who want authentic expedition character over polished luxury, she’s one of the most intriguing ways to reach the ice. Worth stacking against the rest of the Antarctica fleet.
On board + on site
What makes RMS St. Helena the ship
All-Inclusive Dining
Flat-priced, no upsells
Hearty, expedition-style meals with beer, wine, and soda included at lunch and dinner, plus a daily happy hour. No extra upsells — it’s all folded into the flat fare.
Observation Lounges + Open Decks
Wildlife viewing from the warm side
Generous observation lounges and open decks built for wildlife viewing and big Antarctic panoramas. The social heart of the ship between landings, with sweeping views from the warm side of the glass.
Spa, Gym + Two Jacuzzis
Wellness for sea days and post-landing
The ship’s wellness corner: a spa for post-landing recovery, a gym for sea days, and two Jacuzzis for soaking in the polar air. Earned relaxation after a day on the ice.
Onboard Science Lab
Scientists in residence every sailing
A working science laboratory with researchers in residence all season. Guests can join citizen-science projects — real data collection that contributes to Antarctic research while you sail.
Icebird Sailing Yacht (Add-On)
Optional paid day sail on select departures
On select departures, St. Helena carries the Icebird — a 61-foot custom aluminium sailing yacht (Van de Stadt-designed, ice-strengthened for polar waters) you can board for an optional paid day sail. With a rigid inflatable, kayaks, skis, and dive gear in her aft garage, she brings a handful of guests closer to the ice and wildlife than any Zodiac can. It’s an extra-cost add-on, not a standalone voyage.
Onboard Medical Clinic
Doctor aboard every voyage
A medical clinic with a doctor aboard for every voyage — the reassurance you want when sailing to one of the most remote places on the planet.
Cabins + suites
Where you'll sleep.
King Bed
Owner's Suite
40 m² (430 sq ft) / Window / Sleeps 2
The flagship cabin — roughly 40 m² on the Boat Deck with a separate sitting area, walk-in closet, king bed, and ensuite. The most private, spacious way to sail St. Helena.
Twin Beds
Premium Cabin
18 m² (194 sq ft) / Window / Sleeps 2
One of the larger cabins aboard, on the Promenade Deck with a king-or-twin setup, window, and ensuite. Extra breathing room for the long sea days between landings.
King Bed
Premium Cabin
18 m² (194 sq ft) / Window / Sleeps 2
One of the larger cabins aboard, on the Promenade Deck with a king-or-twin setup, window, and ensuite. Extra breathing room for the long sea days between landings.
Twin Beds
Deluxe Cabin
15 m² (162 sq ft) / Window / Sleeps 2
A Promenade Deck cabin with a king-or-twin configuration, window, and ensuite — more space and a better position on the ship. The category most couples settle on.
King Bed
Deluxe Cabin
15 m² (162 sq ft) / Window / Sleeps 2
A Promenade Deck cabin with a king-or-twin configuration, window, and ensuite — more space and a better position on the ship. The category most couples settle on.
Single Male Shared, Twin Bed
Superior Cabin
14–16 m² (150–172 sq ft) / Window / Sleeps 2
A step up in comfort with two proper single beds, a window, and ensuite. The Deck B versions run slightly larger and add a sofa.
Double occupancy, Twin Beds
Superior Cabin
14–16 m² (150–172 sq ft) / Window / Sleeps 2
A step up in comfort with two proper single beds, a window, and ensuite. The Deck B versions run slightly larger and add a sofa.
Single Female Shared, Twin Bed
Superior Cabin
14–16 m² (150–172 sq ft) / Window / Sleeps 2
A step up in comfort with two proper single beds, a window, and ensuite. The Deck B versions run slightly larger and add a sofa.
Double occupancy, Twin Beds
Odyssey Twin Cabin
10 m² (107 sq ft) / Window / Sleeps 2
The entry twin — an efficient window cabin with ensuite and a Pullman berth layout. Some interconnect, making them a smart pick for friends or families sharing.
Single Female Shared, Twin Bed
Odyssey Twin Cabin
10 m² (107 sq ft) / Window / Sleeps 2
The entry twin — an efficient window cabin with ensuite and a Pullman berth layout. Some interconnect, making them a smart pick for friends or families sharing.
Single Male Shared, Twin Bed
Odyssey Twin Cabin
10 m² (107 sq ft) / Window / Sleeps 2
The entry twin — an efficient window cabin with ensuite and a Pullman berth layout. Some interconnect, making them a smart pick for friends or families sharing.
Single Male Shared, Twin Bed
Discovery Quad Cabin
14 m² (150 sq ft) / Window / Sleeps 4
The four-berth option — two Pullman bunk setups, a window, and ensuite. The most economical way to get a whole crew to Antarctica under one cabin number.
Single Female Shared, Twin Bed
Discovery Quad Cabin
14 m² (150 sq ft) / Window / Sleeps 4
The four-berth option — two Pullman bunk setups, a window, and ensuite. The most economical way to get a whole crew to Antarctica under one cabin number.
Single Female Shared, Twin Bed
Discovery Triple Cabin
14 m² (150 sq ft) / Window / Sleeps 3
A roomier window cabin for three, with one Pullman berth plus a single bed and an ensuite. Good value for small groups who’d rather bunk together and bank the savings for the ice.
Single Male Shared, Twin Bed
Discovery Triple Cabin
14 m² (150 sq ft) / Window / Sleeps 3
A roomier window cabin for three, with one Pullman berth plus a single bed and an ensuite. Good value for small groups who’d rather bunk together and bank the savings for the ice.
Twin Bed
Odyssey Single Cabin
8 m² (85 sq ft) / Window / Sleeps 1
The solo traveler’s dream — a private single cabin with window and ensuite, and Terra Nova charges no single supplement for it, a genuine rarity in expedition cruising. Compact by design, because you’ll be ashore or on deck anyway.
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