Pioneering female polar expeditioner will set sail on a wind- and solar-powered ship to show ‘a different model is possible’ in a $12.7 billion market

“I have spent more than a decade navigating the Arctic, from icebreakers to expedition cruise ships, and I fell completely in love with these regions,” Galvagnon told Moneywise. “The Arctic is one of the last places where you still feel that nature is stronger than us, but over time, I felt a growing disconnect between how fragile these environments are and the way tourism is developing there. Bigger ships, more logistics, more emissions, more standardization. Exploration was becoming less exploratory. Captain Arctic was our answer to that.”

The ship aims to dramatically reduce the environmental impact of Arctic tourism while also lowering operating costs associated with traditional expedition cruising. However, the vessel itself — because of the investment in technology it requires — costs 40% more than a conventional ship.

But the project “has never been about short-term economics alone,” Galvagnon says. Rather, “it is about demonstrating that a different model is possible,” and accelerating “the transition toward a more sustainable maritime industry.”

Meet Galvagnon’s solar-powered ship, the Captain Arctic

According to Selar, Captain Arctic is “the first polar vessel of its kind: an expedition ship powered entirely by wind and solar, engineered from the keel up to operate in extreme environments without the noise, vibration, scent or emissions of conventional cruise vessels.”

Approximately 90% of the ship’s operations will be powered by renewable energy sources: 20,000 square feet of solar-clad sails standing roughly 35 meters high. The five aluminum sails can rotate to maximize wind capture and even fold down when necessary.

Meanwhile, solar panels integrated into the sails generate electricity that can either power the ship directly or be stored in onboard batteries. Sustainable biofuel serves as backup when conditions require additional power.

The result: a vessel capable of operating quietly and efficiently in some of the planet’s most environmentally sensitive regions.

“We did not want to build another cruise ship, so we designed it from the ground up as a lower-emission alternative, using wind propulsion and solar energy to significantly reduce fuel consumption,” Galvagnon says.

Captain Arctic will also generate its own fresh water, use an organic heating system instead of traditional fuel-intensive boilers and implement a comprehensive zero-waste policy aimed at eliminating food waste and reducing wastewater discharge.

The ship will also incorporate citizen science programs through collaborations with environmental organizations, host environmental monitoring equipment and scientific sensors from research institutions, and provide logistical support and supplies to remote scientific bases. In 2027, the team plans to equip the ship to collect plastic waste in partnership with Clean Up Svalbard, an environmental initiative within the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators. It plans to remove a minimum of five tons of plastic from the shores of the Norwegian archipelago every year.

“Our year-round presence in the Arctic puts us in a unique position to make the vessel genuinely useful, and to build long-term partnerships with local institutes rather than simply pass through,” Galvagnon told Moneywise, adding that the goal is to be part of regenerating the Arctic’s ecosystems, not just observing them. “The Arctic looks pristine from a distance, but its coastlines carry the debris of the entire planet, and we wanted the ship to leave these places cleaner than we found them.”

Guests can enjoy Scandinavian-inspired interiors by designer Joséphine Fossey, an Arctic-influenced menu and activities like kayaking, paddling, snorkeling, snowshoeing, fishing and yoga. There is a gym, sauna, library, science lab, and outdoor deck onboard, but no WiFi, so guests can truly unplug. Beyond that, some expeditions host an artist in residence.

“Every detail, from the interiors and materials to the food and the service, was imagined to feel warm, intimate, and intentional rather than excessive,” Galvagnon adds.

Unlike large cruise ships that carry thousands of passengers, Captain Arctic is small. The vessel will accommodate just 36 guests and 24 crew members, which the company says will minimize its footprint on delicate Arctic ecosystems.

“The ship is not a floating entertainment platform; it is a moving basecamp, a shelter you return to after adventures in the wild,” Galvagnon says.

When Captain Arctic sets sail in January 2027, Selar’s itineraries will focus on destinations including Norway, Greenland and Svalbard. Rather than following rigid schedules, each voyage will adapt to weather conditions, wildlife sightings and environmental opportunities.

“Expect bold, unforgettable adventures with no set itineraries that allow for the in-the-moment intrigue of nature, inspiring expert guides, and one’s own intuition to lead the way,” Galvagnon said in a press release shared with Moneywise.

Trips range from about $8,000 to $24,400 per person.

Polar expeditions are gaining popularity

Captain Arctic comes at a time when polar tourism is gaining steam. The number of passengers sailing on expedition cruises — everywhere from the Arctic, Iceland, to the Galápagos Islands to the Amazon River and the Patagonia and Chilean Fjords — increased 70% from 2019 to 2023, according to Expedition Cruising.