Antarctica Cruises aboard the "Ushuaia" Ship

Quest

The MS Quest was built in Denmark in 1992 to serve as a ferry on Greenland’s west coast. In 2004/2005 she was completely refurbished into a comfortable expedition ship and in 2018 she underwent a renovation of the passenger areas. M/S Quest takes 50 passengers and all 24 cabins are outside cabins with private facilities. The triple cabins have upper and lower berths. All other cabins have two lower berths or a double bed. In your cabin you find a desk with a chair and a cupboard for storage. The superior cabins are spacious and have arm chairs and TV. The owner’s cabin has a double bed, two large picture windows, a separate seating area and TV. In the dining room you are treated to delicious meals in between landings and in the panorama lounge you can enjoy breath-taking views of the surrounding landscape. Here you can listen to entertaining talks on the area’s flora, fauna and history. In the lounge you also find a bar and a small library. The ship has spacious observation decks, where you can enjoy the beautiful vistas. Passengers are welcome on the bridge around the clock and there is always something to see or search for. You are welcomed by an international crew and the atmosphere is relaxed and very friendly. There are five Zodiacs and five guides on board M/S Quest.

Kapitan Khlebnikov

Welcome aboard the Kapitan Khlebnikov! The Kapitan Khlebnikov was constructed in 1981 by the Warstsila Company, Finland, the world’s leading builder of icebreakers. Not simply an ice-reinforced ship, the Khlebnikov is a powerful working icebreaker designed for the challenging conditions of frozen polar seas. The Khlebnikov was refurbished to accommodate passengers in 54 outside cabins and suites, all with en suite facilities. Cabins are spacious and comfortable. Public areas include a lounge, two dining rooms, a digitally equipped lecture room, a small heated indoor pool and gymnasium, library, and sauna. Views are excellent from the bridge and large open decks. In addition to its fleet of Zodiacs, the Khlebnikov uses two helicopters for ice reconnaissance and passenger excursions.

Ortelius

When a wildlife call sends everyone outside, Ortelius is exactly the kind of ship you want beneath your feet: compact, purposeful and surrounded by open deck. We recommend her to travelers who want their polar voyage to feel like an expedition, not a floating hotel. If polished contemporary interiors matter more to you than deck time, lectures and getting out into the landscape, one of the newer ships will suit you better. That character is real. Ortelius was built in 1989 as Marina Svetaeva, a special-purpose vessel for the Russian Academy of Sciences. The working-ship lines, sturdy corridors and practical cabins still carry that heritage. She is not design-led luxury, and some lower window views are partly obstructed by the gangway. What you gain is the honest atmosphere of a research vessel refitted for polar travelers. With 108 guests in 50 cabins, life on board becomes pleasantly communal. The observation lounge, bar and lecture room are places where conversations continue after briefings, while the broad outer decks and open-bridge opportunities are where this ship really shines. From our perspective, Ortelius is especially rewarding for curious travelers who would rather watch the ice and learn from the team than retreat to a spa. Her current onboard complement includes 24 nautical crew, 20 hotel staff, eight expedition specialists and a doctor. Ten Zodiacs support the landing programme, but—as on every serious polar expedition—the actual route, landings and wildlife encounters depend on weather, ice and the expedition leader's judgment. Ortelius has UL1 ice class, equivalent to 1A, which suits the remote, ice-focused voyages for which she is known. The rarest distinction is her helicopter capability. Two helicopters are carried only on selected eligible voyages, such as specialist Weddell Sea and Deep South programmes, where they can open access beyond Zodiac range. Flights and landings are never guaranteed: ice, weather, safety requirements and the captain's and expedition team's decisions always come first. Choose Ortelius for that adventurous possibility—and for a ship whose soul is exploration rather than polish.

Noorderlicht

The beautiful *Noorderlicht* was originally built in 1910 in Flensburg, Germany, as a three-masted schooner. For most of her existence, she served as a light vessel on the Baltic. In 1991 the present owners bought the hull and re-rigged and refitted her thoroughly under the Holland Ship Register’s strict rules. *Noorderlicht* is now a well-balanced two-masted schooner rig that’s capable of sailing anywhere in the world and is, therefore, the perfect expedition vessel for exploring small islands. Her open decks provide excellent views all around, even when she’s under sail. Offering an intimate and exclusive experience, *Noorderlicht* provides accommodation for only 20 polar explorers in small but comfortable twin cabins. All cabins have upper and lower berths, a storage locker, and a washbasin with hot and cold water. Shared shower and toilet facilities are conveniently located throughout the passenger deck. All cabins have a small hatch in the ceiling that varies in size, except cabin 6 which has a small, locked porthole in the ceiling but ventilation slots in the door. On occasion - and depending on the weather - the crew will open all hatches when passengers are ashore to allow fresh air ventilation of the whole lower deck. Her qualified captains have a great experience of the polar oceans. Together with the rest of the crew, they will do everything possible to ensure that you have a wonderful and unforgettable journey. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises, and your crew can and will change the itinerary to suit the conditions and give you the best possible chance to experience the most intense wildlife and nature experiences in the arctic and antarctic. A willingness to compromise on luxury facilities is a basic requirement on board a historic traditional sailing vessel - this is *true* exploration! *Noorderlicht*’s routes are designed to maximize your shore experiences. Weather, sea nd ice conditions permitting, you will have a land excursion every day. These will take between three and six hours and will be over untracked areas. You’ll have ample time to explore the unique wildlife, flora, geology, and human history of each area.