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Accommodation: Polar Star

Polar Star

from GBP 995 per room

MV Polar Star, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctic Peninsula & Weddell Sea, Antarctica

MV Polar Star spends most of her year voyaging in the Polar waters of the Arctic and Antarctic. Between these main seasons, she can be found in the Azores, the Macaronesia Islands, Norway, Atlantic Canada and around the coast of the UK.

The M/V Polar Star is an ex Swedish icebreaker and was converted in 2000 specifically for expedition cruising. She is an Ice 1A* class vessel, is 4998 GRT and has a fleet of 10 Zodiacs. She is owned by Karlsen Shipping Norway and operated by Karlsen Shipping Company in Halifax, Canada.

The M/V Polar Star can carry 105 passengers but in the Antarctic, we only carry a maximum of 100 passengers. IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators) regulations only allow 100 passengers ashore at one time so, unlike larger vessels, when you travel with us you don’t have to waste valuable time waiting to go ashore!

IATTO

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Brought to you by:
Polar Star Expeditions

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Details

Rates & Policies
Rooms
Property Services & Facilities
Food & Beverages
Activity & Leisure Services
Other Info

Prices

Any prices indicated are for guidance only and are subject to final confirmation at the time of booking with the local Travel Expert who provides the service. For any 'Great Places to Stay' displayed without an indication of price, a quotation can be obtained from the local Travel Expert through our enquiry system.

Title	Room Board	Start Date	End Date	Currency	Triple	Double	Single	Note

Rate Policies

Rates Include	Full board accommodation on board MV Polar Star as detailed in the chosen itinerary, port charges, lecture program, Zodiac cruising and shore excursions. Also included is our Polar Star Expeditions Maritime Expedition Shell Jacket (a gift to passengers) and complimentary onboard boot rental program.
Rates Exclude	Air transport and transfers to and from M/V Polar Star; visa, passport, vaccination charges and airport departure taxes; pre and post cruise activities; hotels and meals not included in the ship cruise itinerary, emergency evacuation charges, onboard gratuities; and personal expenses including laundry, postage, personal clothing requirements, medical expenses, personal travel insurance and items of a personal nature such as bar charges (alcohol, bottled water, sodas), communication costs (phone, fax, email) and shop purchases. Polar Star Expeditions reserve the right to levy a fuel charge should fuel prices increase by more than 5% over April 2007 levels.
Additional Meals	Meals as per the itinerary.
Seasonal Supplements	Full pricing is outlined with the individual itineraries.
Child Policy	MV Polar Star welcomes children onboard who are aged five years of age and older. The company offers a children’s discount for children aged five to sixteen inclusive. All children must be accompanied by and accommodated in a cabin with a parent or guardian.
Pet Policy	It is prohibited to take pets on board.
Operating Period	MV Polar Star operates year round in different regions of the world. The Trips and Tours pages detail available dates.
Payment Conditions	See Polar Star Expeditions Travel Expert Profile for full details.
Cancellation Policy	See Polar Star Expeditions Travel Expert Profile for full details.
Other Information	See Polar Star Expeditions Travel Expert Profile for full details.

There are 48 cabins onboard. All cabins are outside cabins with windows or portholes. We have 6 different types of cabins available as detailed below.

Type	No.	Description
K1 - Double	0	Two lower and one upper berths. Shares toilet, shower and washbasin with cabin next door. Approx 100 sq. feet/10 sq. metres. Portholes
K1 - Triple	0	Two lower and one upper berths. Shares toilet, shower and washbasin with cabin next door. Approx 100 sq. feet/10 sq. metres. Portholes
K2 – Double	0	Two lower beds. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Approx 115 sq. feet/11.5 sq. metres. Large windows. Deck 3 – partially obstructed view, one window opens. Deck 4 – unobstructed view, non opening windows.
K3 – Double	0	Two lower beds. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Approx 115 sq. feet/11.5 sq. metres. Large windows, one opens.
K4 (Superior)	0	Double bed. Couch can be made up as bed. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Approx 140sq. feet/14 sq. metres. 2 side facing windows (one opens) and 1 aft porthole.
K4 (Triple)	0	Triple cabin, with double bed and single bed. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Approx 140sq. feet/14 sq. metres. 2 side facing windows (one opens) and 1 aft porthole.
K6 (Mini Suites)	0	Double bed, some in alcove. Couch can be made up as bed in some cabins. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Approx 180sq. feet/18 sq. metres. Large windows, some with one that opens.
K7 (Suites)	0	Sleeping area in separate area. Couch in living room can be made up as bed. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Approx 250sq. feet/25 sq. metres. Forward and side facing windows, some open.

Room Facilities

Desk
Private WC/Basin (most rooms)
Shower (most rooms)
Towels

The M/V Polar Star is equipped with a panoramic observation lounge, dining room, bar, library, gym, gift shop, wet room and superb on-deck viewing areas.

The electrical supply onboard is 110/220 volt 50 Hz. The double electrical outlets in most cabins accommodate both standard US and some European plugs. You may need an international adapter for your particular equipment.

The Dining Room is located on Deck 3 and offers an intimate and informal dining experience by maintaining an open-seating policy, which allows you to sit wherever you like and with whom you choose.

International chefs prepare an impressive selection of different cuisines during the cruise and international wait-staff are there to assist you. Breakfast is usually buffet style with an assortment of hot and cold items. Lunch and dinner are set menus.

Vegetarian diets are easily accommodated at all meals. For any other dietary requests please check with the office (if you have not already done so) well in advance of your trip. The chef will do his/her best to accommodate but we cannot guarantee. Please note that the kitchen is not able to prepare kosher meals.

The Bartender will be on duty at the entrance to the Dining Room at lunch and dinner to take wine and beer orders as you enter.

In addition, and afternoon snack is generally served mid afternoon and there is a self-serve refreshment station available in the lounge 24 hours a day.

There are two bars onboard the M/V Polar Star.

The Polar Bar is located forward on Deck 4 and is a popular place, after dinner, to get refreshments and enjoy the company of other travelers. Hours of operation vary for each trip and will be posted onboard.

The other bar onboard is located in the Observation Lounge. It is utilized mainly for the Welcome and Farewell Reception, other special occasions and usually prior to dinner.

All liquor, wine, beer, soft drinks and bottled water purchased onboard will be charged to your shipboard account.

In support of our host countries we endeavor to buy local product whenever feasible.

Facility	On Site	Nearby	Description	Expand All	Collapse all
Excursions					Expand
There are regular excursions throughout your stay.
Films					Expand
Natural History and other films relevant to your trip may be shown during your stay.
Gym					Expand
There is a small gym facility on board the ship.
Happy Hour					Expand
Don't miss the daily special cocktail in the bar!
Lectures					Expand
Regular talks and lectures are offered by our expert on board team, as well as a daily review of what we have done or seen.
Zodiac Cruising					Expand
Regular excursions by Zodiac boat (or similar) allow us to truly encounter the regions we travel through.

See Polar Star Expeditions Travel Expert Profile for full details.

Check-in Time	Embarkation time will be advised at the time of confirmation of bookings.
Check-out Time	Disembarkation time will be advised at the time of confirmation of bookings.
Fair Trade Information	Whether sailing onboard M/V Polar Star, making one of our Zodiac landings or on shore excursions, we act in an environmentally sensitive way with respect to the fragile habitats we visit. Polar Star Expeditions is a member of IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators) and AECO (Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators). We are committed to following the mandates set by these valuable associations to ensure the protection of these fragile environments.
Typical Guests	Our passengers range in age from small children to people in their 90’s so age is no barrier! Generally speaking though, most passengers are aged in the age range of 45 – 65 years old.
Typical Duration	One to three weeks.
Languages Spoken	Polar Star Expeditions welcomes travellers from all over the world. The main language on board is English.
Child Friendliness	We welcome children onboard who are aged five years of age and older. We offer a children’s discount for children aged five to sixteen inclusive. All children must be accompanied by and accommodated in a cabin with a parent or guardian.
Nearest Airport	In Antarctica, Polar Star usually departs from Ushuaia which has an airport connected to Buenos Aires with regular domestic flights.
Nearest Shops	There is a small shop on board MV Polar Star. There are also shops in the main ports of Argentina, Falklands/Malvinas and South Georgia. Port Lockroy also has an excellent shop and Post Office.
Nearest Beach	MV Polar Star will make regular landings at beaches and bays throughout the Antarctic Voyage, but with the exception of the hot springs at Deception Island, you are unlikely to want to laze around in your bathing suit here!
Nearest Restaurant	There is a restaurant on board MV Polar Star where three meals are served each day. The main ports in Argentina and the Falkland Islands/Malvinas also have places to eat.