A mid-October launch has been confirmed for Polar Latitudes Expeditions, the merger between Polar Latitudes and Albatros Expeditions, with all operations to roll under the new brand from the start of the 2026 Arctic Season.

In April, it was revealed that Albatros Expeditions and Polar Latitudes would join forces under the same ownership group, to coordinate and combine their Arctic and Antarctic expedition cruise business.

The new entity will be led by CEO Patrick Shaw, who was appointed CEO of Albatros Expeditions in April this year, and historically held the President and CEO position at Quark Expeditions.

Shaw has been a Director of Polar Latitudes since shortly after the company’s formation by Founder John McKeon and is a long time admirer of the work of Albatros Expeditions Founder Soren Rasmussen, he told LATTE.

“Given this exposure and experience I have been in a unique position to appreciate the possibilities that this merger affords and I am honoured and delighted to be a part of this transformation,” he said.

“We are very excited about our future in the expedition cruise industry which we intend to lead through innovation, collaboration and leading responsible tourism initiatives, including operating the most fuel efficient fleet of vessels operating in the Polar regions.”

With his many years of experience working within the expedition cruising sector including his tenure at Quark Expeditions, Shaw brings valuable expertise to this new role.

“During my time at Quark we built the company into an industry leader with a laser-like focus on quality and innovation,” he said. “Polar Latitudes Expeditions will bring this same style of focus while leveraging the most experienced management team in Polar expedition travel, allowing us to provide industry leading experiences and the best value to our passengers.”

While Shaw admitted that much has changed in the years since he stepped down from the Quark helm, he sees that only as a positive. “The industry has become ever more sophisticated since the early 90’s and the beginnings of IAATO, and latterly AECO,” he explained.

“The ships we operate are more durable, more efficient and more expertly led. Our field staff are better trained and our integration with the communities where we operate is far more advanced. The industry itself in unparalleled in the cooperative approach of the companies within it and their shared goal of protecting these immaculate and pristine environments.”

Polar Latitudes Expeditions’ new website will launch in mid-October with a series of online events planned for both trade and customers, to answer any questions.

Albatros Expeditions will continue operating in Antarctica for the next season. Its website will point to the new brand’s website for bookings for the Arctic season and beyond.