The Hanse Explorer has been designed and built to the highest specification with a view to operating ‘real' expeditions. With a length of 48 metres, a draft of 4.3 metres and an E3 ice-class hull, she can cruise and land in areas where many vessels cannot. As opposed to many other expedition cruises already on the market the itineraries are flexible. The vessel carries two Zodiacs which, depending on the itinerary, are used for landings and also cruising around small bays and islands, as well as amongst the magnificent icebergs of Antarctica and the Arctic.

The yacht has been designed with five-star facilities for up to 12 passengers. A spacious owner's suite with adjoining lounge is situated on the upper deck. All of the six interior-designed guest cabins are luxuriously and tastefully appointed (no gold taps in sight) and come complete with powerful rain shower systems in the en-suite bathrooms and the most up to date electronics equipment including satellite phone and a large flat screen, ideal for working on digital photographs. The accommodation for the ship's crew is also of unusually high standard. The food served onboard is of the highest international standards.

The Hanse Explorer was officially launched at the end of 2006. She will cruise the Arctic (Spitsbergen, Iceland and Greenland) or the South Pacific between May and September each year, before moving down to South America and then on to the Antarctic Peninsula, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia for the Austral Summer(hence the requirement for the ice-class specification).