case study
antarctica expedition cruise charter – full season deployment
Project type: Long-term charter – Expedition cruise
Charter duration: Full Antarctic season (three months)
Region: Antarctica
Client profile: Premium U.S.-based tour operator
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A premium U.S.-based tour operator secured a full-season (three-month) charter of an expedition cruise ship for Antarctica, following a structured ship selection, onboarding, and contract negotiation support by bancosta cruise.
the challenge
Long-term expedition charters require a different level of structuring compared to short-term event or partial charters.
They involve extended operational deployment, higher exposure to seasonal and operational risk, and contractual frameworks that must remain robust over time.
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In this case, a premium tour operator sought support to secure a reliable expedition cruise ship for an entire Antarctic season, aligned with both guest experience expectations and operational realities.
our role
bancosta cruise acted as independent broker and facilitator, supporting the project across all critical stages:
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Selection of the right expedition operator and vessel
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Introduction and alignment of the parties
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Support during the initial ship visit, ensuring early alignment
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Assistance in structuring and negotiating the charter agreement for a full-season deployment
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The focus was on creating a structure that would perform consistently across an entire Antarctic season.
outcome
and
key take aways
THE OUTCOME
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The project resulted in:
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A three-month full-season charter in Antarctica
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A successful seasonal program for the tour operator
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An outstanding expedition experience for guests
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A solid operational foundation for future seasonal deployments
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KEY TAKEAWAYS ​
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Seasonal expedition charters require:
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Deep understanding of expedition cruise operations
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Experience with long-term charter structures
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A trusted international network capable of aligning operators and charterers
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The ability to translate expectations into durable contractual frameworks
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This project benefited from the global network and long-standing relationships built by bancosta cruise across the cruise and expedition sector
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HOW WE CAN HELP YOU
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bancosta cruise supports tour operators and cruise owners with:
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Long-term and seasonal cruise charters
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Expedition ship selection and deployment strategy
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Charter structuring and negotiation for complex itineraries
about bancosta cruise
If you are exploring a themed cruise, large group program, or partial or full ocean charter, bancosta cruise can help you assess feasibility and structure the project correctly from the very beginning.
