Polar cruises

Originally built in Poland in 1989 as an ice-strengthened passenger vessel, the 298-foot-long Ortelius spent many years plying the frozen waters of the Arctic and Northern Pacific before being totally refurbished in 2005. Sleeping a total of 108 passengers, the vessel provides comfortable (but not luxurious) cabins that range from quads to suites, each with a private bathroom. She carries a fleet of zodiacs for landings, and on some Antarctic departures helicopters are even used.

An 100-passenger expedition ship launched in 2019, Magellan Explorer specialises in fly-cruise itineraries to Antarctica. With a minimised carbon footprint, including state-of-the-art low emission engines, Magellan Explorer is renowned for its eco-credentials.

Re-launched in early 2016 having undergone a comprehensive refit and upgrade, Hebridean Sky is a 295-foot-long expedition ship that accommodates up to 112 passengers. With the addition of dedicated single cabins, a well-stocked library with computers and internet access and a lounge with panoramic views, there is plenty of outdoor deck space and a panoramic top deck observation platform. The suites all offer exterior views, en-suite facilities and a sitting area along with ample storage.

Launched in October 2019, the Greg Mortimer is a purpose-built expedition vessel that features a revolutionary X-Bow design. One of the most dynamic and state of the art ships on the seas, it is designed to slice through the water rather than riding over the waves making for comfortable and fast travels through the polar seas.

Originally built in Denmark in 1992 to serve as a ferry on the west coast of Greenland, the MS Quest underwent a complete refurbishment in 2005 that saw her be converted to a comfortable ice-strengthened expedition ship. Accommodating a maximum of 53 passengers in 26 Scandinavian-style cabins, each with outside views and private facilities, the vessel is made up of superior cabins and spacious owner’s cabins. There is a spacious observation lounge and a panoramic lecture room where guides discuss the flora, fauna, history and glaciology of the region. The outer decks and forward observation area of the 161-foot-long vessel allow for plenty of outside viewing, and five zodiacs allow everyone to disembark and explore easily.

A 153-foot-long steel-hulled sailing yacht, Noorderlicht (meaning Northern Lights) was originally built in Germany as a three-masted schooner before being completely remodelled and refitted with two masts. Offering ten simple but comfortable double-occupancy cabins on both the upper and lower berths, there are four shared showers and toilets. Up on deck, the sails are hoisted by brute strength and, while no one is expected to join in, it is always appreciated for passengers to get stuck in. The food is delicious and the smell of freshly baked bread is a sure way to lure you out of bed each morning. For anyone with a love of the sea and adventure, Noorderlicht is a wonderful way to explore.

Originally built in 1976 in Yugoslavia, Ocean Adventurer underwent extensive upgrades as part of a multi-million pound renovation in 2017. On this nimble, ice-strengthened vessel, facilities include a well-stocked library, a lounge area, a gym and observation decks. With major technical enhancements, including two new Rolls Royce engines, to increase fuel efficiency and minimise carbon footprint, Ocean Adventurer has the capacity to carry 128 passengers across 63 cabins. Ship-to-shore satellite communications allow for email and wireless internet access, and a stocked library houses a large collection of polar books.

Launched in 1982 as a purpose-built vessel for remote environments, Ocean Endeavour boasts a 1B ice-class that enables her to navigate freely throughout the Arctic summer. At 453-foot-long, she is a stable and spacious vessel with a shallow draft and impressive manoeuvrability that allows her to access isolated fjords, bays and secluded communities. Accommodating up to 199 passengers, Ocean Endeavour has cabins arranged over multiple decks and offers outdoor dining spaces, a swimming pool, a sauna, a hot tub and three lounges.

Originally built in 1984, the 236-foot-long Spirit of Enderby was fully refurbished as an ice-strengthened vessel in 2004 and now provides comfortable accommodation for just 50 passengers. One of the last of the former Russian small research vessels which still service polar waters, she is still run by a Russian crew and boasts a fine reputation for polar expeditionary cruising due to her strength and manoeuvrability. The 24 cabins are simple and vary both in size and amenities (only half have private bathrooms), and there is a bar, a library and lounge, a dedicated lecture room and a fleet of zodiacs for shore excursions.

Built in 1992 in Denmark and designed to navigate the ice-choked waters off Western Greenland, Ocean Nova has since undergone an extensive refurbishment of cabins. There is an upper glazed observation deck which is perfect for wildlife viewing, a large dining room, a library and a small gym. She carries a fleet of seven zodiacs and offers easy zodiac access from her side step rather than a gangway. The 240-foot-long vessel has capacity for 78 passengers accommodated in comfortable outside cabins over two decks, and all cabins have a picture window and private bathrooms.

Built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy she was fully refurbished after her decommission to become a very comfortable, but not luxurious, 108 passenger expedition vessel. The cabins all have television screens that alert passengers to wildlife sightings, and there is a superb observation lounge along with a bar that offer spectacular views. Equipped with kayaks, ten zodiacs and eight expedition leaders, guests can embark on anything from show shoeing expeditions and mountaineering trips.

A 184-foot-long traditional vessel, Rembrandt Van Rijn was originally built as a herring lugger and later rebuilt as a three-mast passenger sailing schooner. In 2011 she underwent a complete rebuild and refurbishment program including reinforcing the bow to make her suitable to sail in Greenlandic waters. Accommodating 33 passengers in 17 mostly en-suite cabins, she offers ample deck space for wildlife viewing, a small bar area and a dining room. Rembrandt Van Rijn has two zodiacs for excursions and access to landing sites.

Most Arctic and Antarctic ships have ice-strengthened hulls to protect them from loose pack ice, but 50 Years of Victory is a Russian nuclear-powered ice breaker capable of penetrating 2.5-metre-thick ice. The most sophisticated and powerful ice breaker ever built, the 525-foot-long ship has a top speed of over 20 knots and accommodates 128 passengers in outward-facing and en-suite cabins. Aside from a fleet of zodiacs, 50 Years of Victory also boasts a helicopter to fly passengers to areas that the ship cannot reach, the ultimate destination being the North Pole. The addition of a bar, a library, massage services, a gym, a pool and two saunas make sailing time just as enjoyable as time spent off the vessel.