Polar Pioneer

Robust, manoeuvrable, and limited to only 50 passengers on board, Polar Pioneer is the perfect vessel for an expeditionary cruise in the polar regions.
Built in Finland in the early eighties, she was one of a fleet of ten ice-strengthened research vessels built for scientific research along Russia’s northern coast. Today, only two of these vessels are used for polar expeditions, so it is not surprising she is in such demand.

In 2022, Polar Pioneer received a major refurbishment to enhance the comfort and service on board. An upcycle approach was taken, with many of her original materials being repurposed and refinished to minimise waste and retain her expeditionary pedigree. All cabins have been refurbished in a functional Scandinavian style using the space available to optimise storage facilities ideal for polar expedition cruising.

With a maximum of 50 people on board, the Polar Pioneer offers a low-impact experience as a smaller group size means less noise, less movement and less disruption to wildlife and vegetation. Her small size means she is able to access areas the larger ships cannot reach.

Polar Pioneer comprises three decks with 26 cabins on board. 11 cabins on deck three have shared facilities while 12 cabins with ensuite bathrooms are spread between decks four and five. Three suites on deck 5 make up the full complement of accommodation.