Polar Icebreaker
icebreaker and sea ice image by antoine perroud from
Fotolia.com
The icebreakers are the ships that can take you into uncharted territories of the icy waters of the Antarctic. Travelers who want the most interactive experience on their trip should choose a icebreaker that has a helicopter to go ashore. Be certain to check the numbers of passengers that can go ashore each day. If your ship has more than that, find out how it will be handled.
The Kapitan Khlebnikov is utilized throughout the year by companies that lead voyages to the Antarctic. Each equips it with their own scientists, staffs and professional guides. Some are more attentive than others. Some have better food than others. Each boasts its distinctive attributes; taking you to different locales and activities.
As for the ship itself, its looks from afar are industrial, not at all elegant. But up close, this vessel, originally designed for the icy waters of northern Siberia, has all one could ask for on a standard cruise. Deemed an expedition, this 24,000-horsepower forges thru icy waters.
You are invited to informative presentations by the professionals in the fields of exploration and science in the ships theater throughout your journey. Helicopter flights take passengers ashore to visit areas unreachable by ship.
Excellent dining on board, successful and exciting expeditions and friendly staff are markers of this reputable company that does, in fact, own this ship.
Quark Expeditions
93 Pilgrim Park, Suite 1,
Waterbury, VT 05676
866-961-2961
quarkexpeditions.com
Oceanwide Expeditions
Oceanwide Expeditions is a well-seasoned company that owns its own ship. It's a brand new vessel, the Plancius, and is small enough to go places the larger ships can't. It creates greater intimacy with the crew and land. The crew takes great pride in itsvessel and travels year-round. Thoroughly professional and worth your while, and definitely for the adventurer at heart. These expeditions won them the highly coveted 2009 World's Leading Polar Expedition Operator award.
Oceanwide Expeditions
15710 JFK Blvd., Suite 285
Houston, TX 77032
800-453-7245
oceanwide-expeditions.com
La Boreal--A Classy Vessel
This vessel is the sleekest one on the water. First class all the way, there is all the panache anyone could ever want on this boat built in 2010. Adventurers can choose to got to the Antarctic with the parent company that owns the boat, Ponant, or they can travel with a reutable adventure company that has been around since 1990, Abercrombie & Kent, that rents the boat for their expeditions.
888-400-1082
From UK: 0808-234-38-02
From anywhere in the world: 33-4-88-66-6400
ponant.com
Amercombie and Kent
1411 Opus Place, Executive Towers West II
Suite 300
Downers Grove, IL 60515-1182, USA
800-554-7016
630-725-3400
abercrombiekent.com
