Artic - which ship?

We are planning a Cruise to Longyearben next July 2011. We would like to go with Prince Albert II, but she is fully booked for the last two weeks of month, so we have to find another cruise. We like small ships will lot of comfort plus an active vacation. Any suggestion?

We are planning a Cruise to Longyearben next July 2011. We would like to go with Prince Albert II, but she is fully booked for the last two weeks of month, so we have to find another cruise. We like small ships will lot of comfort plus an active vacation. Any suggestion?

How far north do you want to go??? That should be your deciding factor, as it means the difference between ice breaker, ice strengthened hull and cruise ship. Do you want to leave out of Russia or Iceland/Greenland??

Lots of things to decide.

I sooo want to go on the Yamal or the new 50 Years of Victory (nuclear ice breakers to the North Pole) but I spent 31 days on the Kapitan Khlebinov in Antarctica so the trip to the North Pole will wait for a few years. DH absolutely refuses to go and thinks it is a waste of money-"why would you go see nothing but ice/snow?". When the real estate market returns, I will sell another rental house and go to the North Pole.

Here is a website which lists a lot of unusual voyages. If you are looking for a cruise ship, I am no help. I look for the unusual, something few get to do.

http://www.discover-the-world.co.uk/en/types/Arctic/Voyages/

Hi Lirio,

Hurtigruten takes the Fram to Greenland in the northern summer as well as Longyearbyen.

The Chilean ship MV Antarctic Dream also travels to Svalbard/Longyearbyen.

So does Lindblad's Explorer.

To name but a few!

Many thanks. I request quotes to Lindblad, Hurtigruten, Le Ponant (Le Diamant) and Hapag LLoyd. Lets see.

How about Kapitan Khlebinov? I would love to go on this trip of 31 days in Antarctica in 2012. And I would love to go on the 50 yeras of Victory, but my husband thinks it is a waste of time.

Sorry for my silly question, but what DH stands for?

We went to Svaalbard and Longyearbyen on the HAL Prinsendam in 2007. LOVED it. We actually sailed into the polar ice cap and the ice closed around the stern of the boat for a few minutes. Great trip.

Sorry for my silly question, but what DH stands for?

DH = Dear Husband or sometimes Dumb Husband :D

Here's some info from when I was trying to decide between Arctic & Antarctic

Arctic Cruises departing in July-August 2011

NG Explorer

Plancius

Khlebnikov

Polar Pioneer

Adventurer

Vavilov

Ioffe

Shokalskiy

Clelia II

Polar Star

Quest

Stockholm

http://www.gapadventures.com/marine/expedition-cruising/

M/S Expedition

http://www.cruisenorway.com/spitsbergen.html

http://www.polarcruises.com

http://www.expeditiontrips.com

How far north do you want to go??? That should be your deciding factor, as it means the difference between ice breaker, ice strengthened hull and cruise ship. Do you want to leave out of Russia or Iceland/Greenland??

 

Lots of things to decide.

 

I sooo want to go on the Yamal or the new 50 Years of Victory (nuclear ice breakers to the North Pole) but I spent 31 days on the Kapitan Khlebinov in Antarctica so the trip to the North Pole will wait for a few years. DH absolutely refuses to go and thinks it is a waste of money-"why would you go see nothing but ice/snow?". When the real estate market returns, I will sell another rental house and go to the North Pole.

 

Here is a website which lists a lot of unusual voyages. If you are looking for a cruise ship, I am no help. I look for the unusual, something few get to do.

 

http://www.discover-the-world.co.uk/en/types/Arctic/Voyages/

Greatam I am counting down the days to my 30 days on the KK in Nov. How long ago was your big trip ??

We are booked with Lindblad for July 15 in 2011. This time our 21 daugher is going with us. Then I will compare SS (PAII) with Lindblad.