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 54 passengers.

A combined bar/lounge/library area (stocked with a good collection of polar books) was also created by simple internal restructuring.

This class of vessel has a fine reputation for polar expedition cruising, due to its strength, manoeuvrability and small number of cabins. All cabins have outside portholes plus ample storage space. 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, and the dining room is attended by Russian stewardesses.

Polar Pioneer is not a luxury vessel as such, but this is our most popular ship for travel to the Polar regions. The accommodation is simple yet comfortable, and the meals are wholesome and uncomplicated. A small fleet of inflatable Zodiacs with outboard motors enable us to travel from ship to shore. Perfect ship for the Antarctica peninsular cruise.

Itinerary Antarctica peninsular cruise

Day 1

Board our ship Polar Pioneer in the afternoon. Sail down the Beagle Channel in the evening.

Day 2 Antarctica peninsular cruise

Overnight, we enter Drake Passage. Lectures on the continent’s natural history and briefings about landing in Antarctica are scheduled through the day, allowing plenty of time to watch graceful albatrosses and other seabirds from the outer decks.

Day 3 Antarctica peninsular cruise

We cross the Antarctic Convergence, the biological boundary of Antarctica, and may see our first icebergs. In the evening we approach the South Shetland Islands, a possible location for our first landing.

Day 4 – 8 Antarctica peninsular cruise

For five days we will explore the deep bays and fjords of the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula in our extremely maneuverable ship. Using our Zodiacs, we make close contact with whales, penguins and seals in the vicinity of Deception Island, Gerlache Strait, Paradise Bay, Andvoord Bay and the Lemaire Channel. There is time to visit scientific stations and historic sites but our emphasis is on the natural wonders.

Day 9 Antarctica peninsular cruise

Cruising out beyond the South Shetland Islands, we head north into the Drake Passage.

Day 10 Antarctica peninsular cruise

At sea. Our last day of lectures and a final opportunity for reveling in the rich seabird life of the Southern Ocean. If the weather permits, we will cruise past Cape Horn before enjoying a farewell dinner.

Day 11 Antarctica peninsular cruise

We travel up the Beagle Channel in the early morning to disembark in Ushuaia where we farewell new-found friends as today is the end of Antarctica 11 day peninsular cruise.