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Ship Comparisons: Arctic
 |  | Spirit of Oceanus Ship Type: Luxury Expedition Ship This 120-passenger vessel is one of the most spacious and luxurious expedition vessels currently operating. The ship has two large lounges, library, gym and hot tub, elevator access to all passenger levels, and stabilizers to help provide smoother sailing. All cabins are outside suites with private facilities. View Ship Profile |
 |  | National Geographic Explorer (2010-2011) 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 (2010 - 2011) 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 |
 |  | Polar Pioneer Ship Type: Research Vessel 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 |
 |  | Stockholm Ship Type: Research Vessel The 12-passenger Stockholm is the sister ship of M/S Origo. She is a classic vessel built in 1953 at Finnboda shipyard in Stockholm for the Swedish National Maritime Administration. In 1999 she was totally refitted and started her career as a comfortable and ice-strengthened passenger ship. Like her sister Origo, she is a marvelous piece of maritime history with beautiful brass details and oregon pine decks and is loved by many. With a party of 12 on board it is like traveling on a private yacht and it offers an entirely different experience and perspective to that of a larger and more conventional vessel. The M/S Stockholm is also ideal for private parties who wish to explore the Spitsbergen archipelago. View Ship Profile |
 |  | Shokalskiy Ship Type: Research Vessel The 48-passenger Akademik Shokalskiy was built in Finland in 1982-83 for polar and oceanographic research. The ship has been continually refurbished since her conversion for passenger use and her ice-stregthened hull makes her ideally suited for expedition cruising. Public areas include a lounge/bar, library, sauna, dining room, and clinic. Views are excellent from the large open decks. The Shokalskiy is relaxed and casual and feels more like a private expedition than a conventional cruise. View Ship Profile |
 |  | Akademik Ioffe & Akademik Sergey Vavilov Ship Type: Research Vessel 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 |
 |  | Spirit of Enderby (2010-2011) Ship Type: Research Vessel The 50-passenger Spirit of Enderby is a sister ship to the Akademik Shokalskiy. This class of vessel is ideally suited for expedition cruising. Onboard, it is cozy and warm with passenger comforts well catered for. The Spirit of Enderby is still involved in Oceanographic Research work during the northern summer but will travel to New Zealand each October to work in the Sub Antarctic Islands and the Ross Sea region of Antarctica. View Ship Profile |
 |  | Quest Ship Type: Expedition Ship Built in Denmark in 1992 to serve as a ferry on Greenland's west coast, Quest was completely refurbished in 2004/2005 and has since started her career as a small and comfortable expedition ship. The ship has Scandinavian officers and there is a friendly and informal atmosphere on board. Her panorama lounge offers breathtaking views of the surrounding polar landscape as well as a well-stocked bar and a small library; and in the dining room, guests are treated to delicious meals, View Ship Profile |
 |  | Clipper Adventurer (charter) 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 |
 |  | 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 |
 |  | 50 Years of Victory Ship Type: Icebreaker The largest, most sophisticated and powerful icebreaker ever constructed, 50 Years of Victory was launched in 2008. She offers 64 cabins accommodating 128 passengers and has ample public space including Aft Saloon and Forward Lounge, bar and library. The Aft Salon converts from a presentation room during the day to a place to dance and socialize in the evening. For relaxing, there is an indoor pool and two saunas. An onboard gym offers windows so guests can enjoy the scenery while exercising. A shop and massage services are also available. This ship is also equipped with a helicopter for aerial sightseeing and shore transfers. View Ship Profile |
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