The Polar Star

The Polar Star was launched October 1, 1969 as a Danish icebreaker. She was completely refurbished and converted to a passenger ship November 1, 2000. She weighs 5,000 gross tons, and is licensed to carry 105 passengers and 50 crew. She's 195 feet long and has a beam of 88 feet. She moves along at 11.7 knots in fair weather. Not fast, but adequate.

Her history has given her a slightly funky configuration. To move between fore and aft, you must use the third deck, or walk out of doors. To move between the observation deck, at the stern on Deck 5, and the library, near the bow on Deck 5, you must descend two ladders (stairs), walk the length of Deck 3, and then climb two ladders. It makes it mighty easy to get confused about where you are in the ship the first few days aboard.

She's very well equipped for polar waters, with covered lifeboats, an ice-breaker rating of 1A, modern electronics and a terrific observation lounge. I'd ride her again in a moment. She handled a pretty strong storm (10-11 meter winds, Force 9 winds) with aplomb. That same storm sent the Clelia II limping home.

If you possibly can, take the Big Tour: the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island and the Antarctic Peninsula. It's worth it; trust me.

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