Frequently asked questions
Please click on a question below. If you do not see your question here, please do not hesitate to ask one of our friendly experts at the Polar Star office.
OUR SHIP
What type of vessel is the M/V Polar Star?
How many people can the M/V Polar Star carry?
How many cabins are onboard the M/V Polar Star?
What type of cabins are onboard M/V Polar Star?
What facilities are onboard the M/V Polar Star?
I hear the M/V Polar Star has an open bridge policy. What exactly does this mean?
What nationalities are the Captain and Crew onboard the M/V Polar Star?
What electrical current is available onboard?
LIFE ONBOARD
What is the mode of dress on the ship?
I have never been in a Zodiac before. How difficult is it to get in and out of them?
Is there email access onboard the M/V Polar Star?
Is there internet access onboard the M/V Polar Star?
What phone number should I give as an emergency contact number while I am onboard the M/V Polar Star?
Do I need to bring my own rubber boots onboard?
What is a wet landing? How wet will I get?
Do you have a doctor onboard the M/V Polar Star?
In general, what are the age groups of passengers onboard the M/V Polar Star?
What nationality are most of the passengers onboard the M/V Polar Star?
What methods of payment are available whilst onboard M/V Polar Star?
OUR EXPEDITIONS
How much time do we spend ashore?
When is the best time to go to the Antarctic?
What is included in your pricing?
What is not included in your pricing?
Must I be in good health to take this trip?
Must I be really "fit" to join one of your expeditions?
RESERVATIONS
What forms of payment does Polar Star Expeditions accept for reservations?
How do I make a booking?
Can Polar Star Expeditions help me with my pre and post cruise arrangements?
Can Polar Star Expeditions book my flights to and from embarkation and disembarkation cities?
Do you accommodate single travelers?
Do you accommodate children onboard the M/V Polar Star?
OUR SHIP
What type of vessel is the M/V Polar Star?
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.
How many people can the M/V Polar Star carry?
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!
How many cabins are onboard the M/V Polar Star?
There are 48 cabins onboard the M/V Polar Star. All cabins are outside cabins with windows or portholes.
What type of cabins are onboard M/V Polar Star?
We have 6 different types of cabins available on the M/V Polar Star as follows:
Cabin Category |
Description |
K1 – Triple |
Two lower and one upper berths. Shares toilet, shower and washbasin with cabin next door. Approx 100 sq. feet/10 sq. metres. Portholes |
K1 – Double |
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 |
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 |
Two lower beds. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Approx 115 sq. feet/11.5 sq. metres. Large windows, one opens. |
K4 (Superior) – Triple |
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 (Superior) – Double |
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. |
K6 (Mini Suites) – Double |
Double bed, some in alcove. Couch can be made up as bed. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Approx 180sq. feet/18 sq. metres. Large windows, one opens. |
K7 (Suites) – Double |
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. |
What facilities are onboard the M/V Polar Star?
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.
I hear the M/V Polar Star has an open bridge policy. What exactly does this mean?
We like to share the full expedition experience with our passengers and invite you to join our Captain and Officers on the bridge to observe navigation and route planning and take advantage of its superb wildlife viewing opportunities. There are some restrictions at certain times of the day and in certain situations and the full open bridge policy can be found in onboard manuals in all cabins. So please feel free to join us on the bridge for a spectacular viewing vantage point and the opportunity to see our Captain and officers at work. Welcome.
What nationalities are the Captain and Crew onboard the M/V Polar Star?
In general, our stewards, stewardesses and crew are Filipino and our Captain and Officers are Polish. We have Hotel Managers from USA, Germany and England. All of our staff are English speaking.
What electrical current is available onboard the M/V Polar Star?
The electrical supply onboard M/V Polar Star 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.
LIFE ONBOARD
What is the mode of dress on the ship?
People dress casually onboard ship. Comfort is the prime factor. You may wish to include some slightly more dressy clothes for the Captain's parties at the beginning and end of your voyage, but that is strictly up to you.
I have never been in a Zodiac before. How difficult is it to get in and out of them?
Once you have been in a Zodiac you will never forget the feeling of being whisked ashore!! Our staffmembers are always available at every landing to give you a helping hand as you get into Zodiacs from our steel gangway and then once you arrive ashore. We just ask that you are comfortable with walking down the gangway and we can take care of the rest!
Is there email access onboard the M/V Polar Star?
Yes, when you arrive onboard you may set up your own email account which is for your sole use for the duration of the journey. There is a set up fee plus a fee for each email sent and received and this will be charged to your shipboard account. A computer terminal is available for your use 24 hours a day.
Is there internet access onboard the M/V Polar Star?
No, there is no internet access onboard the M/V Polar Star, only email access.
What phone number should I give as an emergency contact number while I am onboard the M/V Polar Star?
The number for the bridge on the M/V Polar Star is 011-881-63-181-4759. You may also give friends and family info@polarstarexpeditions.com for any urgent correspondence (no attachments please).
Do I need to bring my own rubber boots onboard?
No, we now carry rubber boots onboard in a variety of sizes so you do not have to worry about fitting them into your suitcase!
What is a wet landing? How wet will I get?
Often, especially in the more remote regions that we visit, there is no jetty or dock for the ship or Zodiacs to come alongside to. In these instances, Zodiacs will bring you ashore and often unload on beaches or shorelines. This may require walking through water to reach dry land but the water is always very shallow and we provide rubber boots onboard so you don’t have to get your shoes or feet wet! Many of our passengers bring walking shoes with them on landings and change into them once they are ashore.
Do you have a doctor onboard the M/V Polar Star?
Yes, we have an English speaking doctor onboard each of our expeditions who is available 24 hours a day for free consultation. We also have a treatment room with basic medical equipment and medications.
In general, what are the age groups of passengers onboard the M/V Polar Star?
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.
What nationality are most of the passengers onboard the M/V Polar Star?
Our passengers are from all around the world, but most commonly, USA, UK, Australia/New Zealand, Canada and Europe.
What methods of payment are available whilst onboard M/V Polar Star?
You may pay your shipboard account by Visa, Mastercard, traveller’s cheques or US Dollars.
OUR EXPEDITIONS
How much time do we spend ashore?
Each individual voyage is different. Although we like to go ashore as often as possible, much depends on factors like the weather, the distance between destinations, and ice conditions. On some cruises there may be two or three days at sea, followed by several landings; on others, you may do shore or Zodiac excursions two or three times a day. Your Expedition Leader, in consultation with the ship's Captain, will arrange your daily itinerary to maximize your experience. You may, of course, choose to skip an excursion. It is our intent to give you all the opportunities we can to see everything along our route.
When is the best time to go to the Antarctic?
Antarctica has something different to offer throughout the Antarctic season which runs from November to March. In November, you can witness the pack ice breaking up, huge tabular icebergs and the mating periods of penguins and other birds throughout the continent. December and January are the peak months in terms of temperature and light and is the time when you will see penguin chicks being hatched and nestled by their mothers. February/March brings opportunities to see penguin chicks making the first uncertain steps to independence and adult penguins flocking ashore to molt. It is also the best time for whale watching.
What is included in your pricing?
Accommodation onboard, meals, coffee, tea and juice throughout the duration of the cruise; onboard lectures and activities; port charges and all shore excursions unless specifically stated.
What is not included in your pricing?
Air transportation 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’s 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.
Must I be in good health to take this trip?
Because our trips may be somewhat strenuous at times, it is important that you are in good health. In addition, please note that the remote areas we travel to have no access to modern medical facilities. Please do not join the expedition if you have a life-threatening condition or one that requires extensive medical attention. The medical information form that you must sign will give you additional details.
Must I be really "fit" to join one of your expeditions?
No. While we do disembark the ship as often as possible - with the opportunity to hike and explore remote areas - your trip does not need to be physically demanding. You may, of course, remain on the ship and view the wildlife and landscape from the deck. On shore, we generally offer at least one easy walk that allows participants to experience the destination without going far from the landing site. We will also offer Zodiac cruises where you remain seated as you view the sights from the boat. Please be aware, however, that to get into the Zodiac you must be able to go down and up the ship's steep gangway. There will be staff available to assist you as you get in and out of the boat. Most passengers find that the procedure gets easier with each excursion.
RESERVATIONS
What forms of payment does Polar Star Expeditions accept for reservations?
We accept payment via Visa, Mastercard, cheque and wire transfer.
How do I make a booking?
To make a booking, please call our reservations department on 1800-509-1729 (toll free North America) or +1-902-423-7386 (rest of the world) or send an email to reservations@polarstarexpeditions.com. You may also submit an online booking enquiry form found on our “Book Now” page.
Can Polar Star Expeditions help me with my pre and post cruise arrangements?
Yes, we can book hotels, transfers and tours for you before and after your cruise. Just ask our reservations staff when you are booking your cruise or at any time prior to departure.
Can Polar Star Expeditions book my flights to and from embarkation and disembarkation cities?
Unfortunately, we are unable to book flights for you and we suggest you contact your preferred travel agent or book flights online. However, please do not hesitate to ask if you need clarification on which airports you need to fly in and out of.
Do you accommodate single travelers?
If you are traveling alone and prefer to have a cabin to yourself, you can choose to pay the single supplement rate of 1.6 times the double rate. Single passengers can be accommodated in K2, K3, K4 and K6 cabins.
Do you accommodate children onboard the M/V Polar Star?
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.