The Arctic cruise ship Captain Arctic features five large sails standing 35 meters tall, covered by 2,000 m2 of solar panels that harness clean energy.
The French company Selar has introduced the Captain Arctic cruise ship, equipped with solar panel-covered sails that can be retracted, allowing the vessel to utilize both wind and solar energy, as reported by Design Boom on November 7. When both energy sources are unavailable during the journey, the ship’s twin propeller shafts can generate power and function as hydroelectric turbines.
Captain Arctic ship with 5 solar panel-covered sails. (Photo: Design Boom).
On the outside, the Captain Arctic boasts five sails that rise 35 meters high. They are constructed from aluminum, enabling them to withstand harsh weather conditions and are covered with 2,000 m2 of solar panels. Thanks to these energy sources, the ship is expected to significantly reduce, or even eliminate, carbon emissions.
Selar’s cruise ship measures 70 meters in length and can accommodate 36 passengers and 24 crew members. This vessel travels at a relatively low speed and aims to achieve emissions that are over 90% less than most ships in the region. This is partly due to specialized onboard systems such as organic food waste processing and tanks that convert dirty water into drinking water. The Captain Arctic is also equipped with an automatic water production system for passengers, meaning the ship generates fresh water from seawater using reverse osmosis.
True to its name, the Captain Arctic will take passengers on expeditions to Arctic regions, specifically Norway, Svalbard, and Greenland. While exploring these areas, the ship’s interior can keep passengers and crew warm, from the natural light streaming through the bedroom windows to the solar-powered showers in the bathrooms. In extremely cold areas, the ship will use recycled wood waste for its boilers to provide heating inside.
The ship’s amenities are quite comprehensive. There is a gym and sauna available for passengers to use at any time of the day. They can also participate in various activities such as navigating through sea ice with the captain, practicing yoga, fishing with the chef, cold-water diving, whale watching, and even viewing the northern lights if the timing is right. The dining area resembles a vintage eatery with comfortable benches and subtle colors.
Each expedition lasts between 7 to 13 days. Selar has already opened bookings for trips starting in November 2026.
