ARCTIC 2010 : Spitsbergen | Greenland | North Atlantic | Russian Far East | Icebreaker Voyages

ANTARCTIC 2010-2011 : Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and Falkland Islands | Icebreaker Voyages

Voyages - THE SHIPS

Almost the only way to explore the Arctic or Antarctic is to join a small group of people on an icebreaker or ice-strengthened expedition ship. While at sea you can view the dramatic frozen landscape from the comfort of the bridge or on deck and enjoy the passing scenery of magnificent mountains, glaciers and icebergs whilst scanning for dolphins, whales and birds. The ships can navigate fjords, passages and ice floes to visit seabird colonies and possibly find polar bears and walruses. Zodiac rigid inflatable boats are used to transfer us to the shore for excursions - they are guided by the ship's expedition staff and cater for all levels of fitness. There is also a comprehensive programme of lectures.

We work with almost all of the smaller ships currently operating in the Arctic and Antarctic and specialise in tailor-making holidays all over the world so, whilst the quoted prices include economy class air fares and any necessary arrangements to and from the voyage, we will be delighted to add on pre or post-tour arrangements as required.

50 Years of Victory

50 Years of Victory is a nuclear-powered polar-class icebreaker and the newest Arktika class icebreaker to be commissioned by the operator. She took 20 years to complete and is the largest fitted for passenger travel to the North Pole. The ship sails from her home port of Murmansk, Russia and has a steel ice belt five meters (18 feet) wide which enables her to crush through ice up to 2.5 meters (more than nine feet) thick.

accommodation 128 passengers in 64 en-suite cabins of five categories, all with ocean views

itineraries Arctic

operator Quark

Akademik Ioffe

Akademik Ioffe is a comfortable, modern, ice-strengthened adventure vessel ideally suited for polar exploration. She has the feel of a cruise liner - albeit an ice-strengthened one. Registered at 6450 tons, her bow and stern thrusters provide maximum manoeuvrability, while a shallow draft enables passage through channels impassable by larger ships. There is a separate bar, lounge, library, video room, and dining space, gymnasium, sauna and swimming pool and she is equipped with zodiacs for ocean level exploration and kayaks for optional paddling among ice floes.

accommodation 110 passengers

itineraries Antarctic

operator Quark

Akademik Sergey Vavilov

Akademik Sergey Vavilov is equipped with zodiacs for ocean level exploration and kayaks for optional paddling among ice floes. She is powered by a 5,000 kW diesel twin engine. Bow and stern thrusters make her highly manoeuvrable, while a shallow draft permits passage through channels impassable by larger ships.

accommodation 110 passengers

itineraries Antarctic

operator Quark

Antarctic Dream

Antarctic Dream is a Dutch-built ice-reinforced vessel which was originally a part of the Chilean Navy. She was rebuilt as an unrestricted, worldwide passenger vessel and completely refurbished in July 2005. She has a spacious dining room/observation lounge, bar, lecture room, fitness room plus sauna, boutique and passenger bridge.

accommodation 83 passengers in the Arctic and 80 passengers in the Antarctic, in twin cabins with private facilities, most with portholes or outside windows

itineraries Spitsbergen and Northeast Greenland / Antarctic

operator Oceanwide / Antarctic Shipping

Clipper Adventurer

Clipper Adventurer is a reliable and comfortable expedition ship with well-appointed public spaces and covered outside promenades. This A-1 ice-class vessel was built in 1975 and underwent a US$13 million renovation in 1998. Recent enhancements include the installation of a state-of-the-art Internet system offering guests onboard wireless connection.

accommodation 122 passengers. All cabins have private facilities and outside views

itineraries Antarctic

operator Quark

Kapitan Khlebnikov

Kapitan Khlebnikov is a diesel-powered icebreaker which has transited the Northwest Passage more often than any other passenger vessel. Powered by 24,000 horsepower engines, its advanced icebreaking technology takes you to regions where no other passenger vessel can sail. The ship is equipped with two helicopters and zodiacs for inland and shore landings. This means that despite Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea being surrounded by ten-tenths pack ice in October and November when the Emperor Penguins are still caring for their young, you can make visits to the rookery thanks to the ship's ice-crushing power and onboard helicopters. The ship's special guests this season will be Alexandra Shackleton during Epic Antarctica, a semi-circumnavigation that follows the Phantom Coast and cartoonist Adrian Raeside during the exploration of the Ross Sea.

accommodation 108 passengers

itineraries Canadian Arctic and Antarctic

operator Quark

Kapitan Khlebnikov - the End of An Era

As of March 2012 the Kapitan Khlebnikov will be under contract with the Russian government for icebreaking duties and will no longer be operating as an expedition vessel. There are therefore only a few remaining opportunities for you to experience an icebreaker voyage - two Arctic seasons (2010 and 2011) and two Antarctic Seasons (2010/11 and 2011/12). Please ask for more details about the dedicated 'End of An Era' voyages.

Lyubov Orlova

Lyubov Orlova is an expedition ship that provides softer adventures in a comfortable environment. Her public spaces were recently renovated and there are covered outside promenades for open-air viewing.

accommodation 110 passengers

itineraries Antarctic

operator Quark

Noorderlicht

Noorderlicht was originally built in 1910 in Flensburg, Germany as a three-masted schooner and for most of her existence served as a light vessel on the Baltic. In 1991 the present owners purchased the hull and re-rigged and refitted her thoroughly as a two-masted schooner. For would-be sailors there is the option to help the crew of five to sail the vessel.

accommodation 20 passengers in centrally-heated double cabins

itineraries Spitsbergen and Lofoten Islands

operator Oceanwide

Ocean Nova

Ocean Nova has clean, crisp Scandinavian styling and a reputation for being excellent for Antarctic exploration. Purpose-built to sail ice-choked waters, Ocean Nova's specially strengthened hull has enabled her to park in the ice of the Weddell Sea!

accommodation 68 passengers

itineraries Antarctic

operator Quark

Plancius

Plancius started her life in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and was purchased by the operator in 2006. She has been completely rebuilt and is now a comfortable and nicely decorated vessel highly suited to exploratory educational voyages where you spend as much time ashore as possible. Manned by 30 international crew members, she will fly the Dutch flag and complies with all the latest SOLAS regulations.

accommodation 110 passengers. All cabins have private facilities in triple and twin formation

itineraries Antarctic, Spitsbergen, North East Greenland and Scottish Islands

operator Oceanwide

The Spirit of Enderby

Fully ice-strengthened, the polar research vessel, The Spirit of Enderby is perfect for expedition travel. Its comfortable accommodation was refurbished in New Zealand in 2004. Excellent cuisine is prepared by top New Zealand and Australian chefs. The focus and emphasis of its voyages is getting you ashore as often as possible for as long as possible with maximum safety and comfort. All voyages are accompanied by experienced naturalists and guides, who have devoted a lifetime to field research in the areas that you will visit. The ship is crewed by a very enthusiastic and most experienced Russian Capitan and crew. As well as a fleet of zodiacs, it also carries specially designed and built Hovercraft which give unprecedented over ice capability in Antarctica allowing landings in places that are inaccessible to other ships.

accommodation 48 passengers

itineraries Russian Far East

operator Heritage

Polar Star

The M/V Polar Star is a 48 cabin ex working icebreaker. She is the ideal expedition ship with experienced and friendly staff, good facilities, spacious on-deck viewing, unique open bridge policy and a fleet of ten 12-man Zodiac inflatable landing craft to take you ever closer. In addition, she has a cozy bar, sumptuous library, gym and onboard shop. In 2000 the ship was completely refitted and upgraded specifically for expedition cruising and her operators draw their experience from over 100 years of vessel operation in the Polar Regions.

accommodation 105 passengers

itineraries Greenland

operator Polar Star

Polar Pioneer

Polar Pioneer was built in Finland in 1985 as an ice-strengthened research ship, and for many years she plied the treacherous waters of the USSR's northern coast. In 2000 she was refurbished in St Petersburg to provide comfortable accommodation for 56 passengers. A combined bar/lounge/library area (stocked with a good collection of polar books) was created and all cabins have outside portholes plus ample storage space.

This class of vessel has a fine reputation for polar expedition cruising, due to its strength, manoeuvrability and small number of cabins. The Russian captain and crew are among the most experienced ice-navigators in the world and their enthusiasm is legendary. The spacious bridge is always open to us and the decks are ideal for viewing. The chefs are European. Polar Pioneer is not a luxury vessel as such, but the accommodation is simple yet comfortable, and the meals are wholesome and uncomplicated. It has a small fleet of inflatable Zodiacs with outboard motors.

accommodation 56 passengers

itineraries Arctic

operator Aurora

Many of the vessels shown here offer a variety of cabins. Our guide prices are based on twin or triple cabins with shared or private facilities, but we will be happy to quote for single occupancy or superior cabins and suites (where available) on request.