National Geographic Explorer Ship Type: Luxury Expedition Ship This 148-passenger ice-class polar expedition ship set sail in mid-2008. The Lyngen, purchased from the Norwegian company Hurtigruten, was renamed the National Geographic Explorer and was redesigned to become a state-of-the-art vessel, offering guests an intimate and educational environment with innovative tools for exploration. She is fully stabilized, enabling her to navigate polar passages while providing comfort. Services onboard include: Full-time doctor, Undersea Specialist, Wellness Specialist, LEXspa Therapist, and Video Chronicler. View Ship Profile

Prince Albert II Ship Type: Luxury Expedition Ship The luxurious 132-passenger Prince Albert II is a purpose-built expedition ship unlike any other. Designed specifically for navigating waters in some of the world’s most remote destinations, including both of earth’s polar regions, the 6,072-ton vessel boasts a strengthened hull with a Lloyd’s Register ice-class notation (1A) for passenger ships. With eight Zodiac boats, her privileged guests can visit even the most off-the-beaten path locations. Onboard, savor a convivial cosmopolitan ambience and many special amenities usually found only on larger ships, including a spacious library with an Internet Café, boutique shopping, a full-service spa, beauty salon, fitness center (treadmill, bicycle, skiing machine and multi gym), sauna and two top-deck whirlpools. Prince Albert II even features live evening entertainment and The Humidor, where connoisseurs can enjoy the finest cigars and cognacs—diversions offered by no other expedition ship. View Ship Profile

Le Boreal Ship Type: Luxury Expedition Ship The 199-passenger Le Boreal brings a new era of comfort and style to polar exploration. She strikes just the right balance between on-board amenities and full-fledged wilderness excitement and is outfitted with an advanced stabilizing system to minimize the effects of rough conditions. The vessel boasts a convenient layout, aided by three passenger elevators. Public facilities include two restaurants, a lecture theater, a library with extensive selection of books and DVDs, a full-service salon, steam rooms, spa and fitness center. She is staffed with an experienced expedition staff dedicated to planning imaginative itineraries, informative lectures and unique shore excursions that appeal to those who share a passion for adventure. View Ship Profile

Clipper Adventurer (charter) Ship Type: Expedition Ship This 122-passenger vessel, a handsome expedition vessel, was completely refurbished by Danish craftsman in 1998, in a fashion reminiscent of the days of the great ocean liners, "when ships were ships." Specifically designed for cruising on adventure itineraries to remote destinations, the Clipper Adventurer brings you close up to places of natural beauty and cultural interest. She is classified A-1 ice class for unrestricted passenger service by the Lloyd's Register. Ten Zodiac landing craft permit us to land anywhere nature or curiosity dictates. View Ship Profile

Ocean Nova Ship Type: Expedition Ship The 68-passenger Ocean Nova was built in 1992 at the Ørskov Shipyard in Frederikshavn, Denmark, to navigate the ice-choked waters off Western Greenland. The ship was upgraded in 2000 and was significantly refurbished once again in 2006 to include a glass-enclosed forward observation lounge on the top deck. Classified to operate in ice-filled waters, she is guided by Danish officers with extensive experience in polar navigation. The Ocean Nova offers outside cabins, a spacious dining room and a comfortable library. View Ship Profile

Clipper Adventurer Ship Type: Expedition Ship This 122-passenger modern and beautifully designed expedition ship, was completely refurbished by Danish craftsman in 1998, in a fashion reminiscent of the days of the great ocean liners, "when ships were ships." The two lounges, dining salon and library are window-lined--making sure you don't miss a single stunning view of the white continent--and the cabins are comfortable, with nautical styling. The food is excellent and the knowledgeable staff will expertly interpret everything you see along the way. Specifically designed for cruising on adventure itineraries to remote destinations, the Clipper Adventurer carries ten Zodiacs, permitting passengers to land anywhere nature or curiosity dictates. She is classified A-1 ice class for unrestricted passenger service by the Lloyd's Register. View Ship Profile

Polar Pioneer Ship Type: Research Ship This 56-passenger Russian Research Vessel was built in Finland in 1985 as an ice-strengthened research ship. 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 expedition cruising. This class of vessel has a fine reputation for polar expedition cruising, due to its strength, maneuverability and small number of cabins. All cabins have outside portholes, as well as ample storage space. View Ship Profile

Akademik Ioffe & Akademik Sergey Vavilov Ship Type: Research Ship This 110-passenger vessel* is a well-equipped research vessel, highly maneuverable and very stable. With ice-strengthened hulls and stabilizers, she is one of the most seaworthy vessels traveling to the Polar Regions. Onboard, the atmosphere is relaxed and informal; the interior is bright, clean and modern. While not luxurious, she’s very comfortable and kept in good condition. Both ships have ample outside viewing areas for spotting whales, seabirds, and the many spectacular icebergs. The Akademik Ioffe has a small lounge on Deck 3 with portholes; Akademik Sergey Vavilov has a lounge on Deck 6 with large windows. *The Akademik Sergey Vavilov carries 105 passengers. View Ship Profile

Marina Svetaeva Ship Type: Research Ship This 100-passenger Russian ship was built in a Polish shipyard in 1989 as an ice strengthened passenger vessel. She was built to transport people across frozen oceans in the Arctic. She was refurbished in early 2005 to provide comfortable, but not luxurious, accommodation. The Svetaeva has spacious cabins and large public area, including the bridge and outer decks, library, lecture room and bar. View Ship Profile

Fram Ship Type: Scenic Exploration Ship The 240-passenger Fram*, named after the ship used by famous Norwegian Explorer Fridtjof Nansen, is a purpose built 12,700-ton vessel that incorporates all the best of both practical and traditional design. The interior decor includes original artwork and superbly appointed interiors that have been inspired by the Arctic and Greenland regions. Items of the original Fram will also be displayed throughout the vessel, linking the present Fram with the rich history of its illustrious past. Common areas include a main reception area, restaurant and bistro, gift shop, a glass-enclosed observation salon and excellent leisure facilities, including gym, sauna and two-outdoor heated Jacuzzis. The panoramic lounges and wide deck spaces give every guest the opportunity to enjoy a fantastic view on this masterpiece of an Arctic/Antarctic cruise ship. An elevator provides access to all decks. This ship can accommodate 318 passengers, but limits its capacity to 230-240 guests in Antarctica and the Arctic. View Ship Profile

Kapitan Khlebnikov Ship Type: Icebreaker This 108-passenger ice breaker was constructed in 1981 by the Wartsila Company, Finland - the world’s leading builder of icebreakers. Not simply an ice-reinforced ship, she is a working icebreaker. Russian icebreakers are considered to be among the best and most powerful in the world. She has sailed to extremely remote corners of the globe since 1992 - no other expedition vessel has navigated more polar waters. She was the first passenger ship ever to circumnavigate Antarctica. Public areas include two dining rooms, a lounge/bar, auditorium, indoor swimming pool, gym and sauna, library, and elevator. View Ship Profile

Polar Star Ship Type: Icebreaker This 98-passenger vessel was built in Finland in 1969, and joined the Swedish Maritime Administration's fleet of icebreakers. She was refurbished in 1988, and served as a working icebreaker in the Baltic until April 2000 when she began her life as an expedition vessel. As a safe and comfortable ice class vessel, she is specially equipped for expedition cruising in polar waters and has a fleet of Zodiacs for shore excursions. The Polar Star has very spacious cabins as well as one of the best observation lounges in the expedition industry, with full height panoramic windows starboard, aft and port. Additional public spaces include superior exterior deck viewing areas, comfortable dining room, large lounge and bar, lecture room, library, shop, and fitness facility. View Ship Profile