
The Polar Pioneer
Capacity
50 passengers
Ice class Rating
KM*ULA2
Capacity
71.6m long x 12.82m wide











The MV Polar Pioneer has been reborn and has been reintroduced to the polar waters of Svalbard in 2022.
The MV Polar Pioneer was built in Finland in 1982, and the ship was originally an ice-strengthened research vessel with ice class 1A Super, which is perfect for navigation in polar regions with heavy sea ice.
The Polar Pioneer is one of 10 Akademik Shuleykin-class Russian ships built in the mid-1980s in Finland for the Soviet Union’s oceanographic research purposes. Around half of these vessels ended up as chartered polar expeditions ships.
Today, only three are still in operation, with Polar Pioneer being the only one in the Atlantic, Arctic and Antarctic Peninsula.
A SNEAK PEeK OF HER INTERIOR REFIT
The reborn Polar Pioneer is one of the only classic expedition vessels of her kind that remain, now with a fresh new look and feel.

The upgraded bar/lounge area includes more open and comfortable seating, flat-screen TVs for ease of presentation viewing, and windows with views in three directions so that you don’t miss a thing.

Triple Cabin

Twin Private

All cabins have been refreshed with functional Scandinavian style in mind and a special attention to small details like extra hooks and optimized storage ideal for polar expedition cruising.

Mini Suite

Captain’s Suite
Three Reasons to love her
in a growing marketplace of increasingly comparable vessels and experiences, the Polar Pioneer is in a class of her own.
1) UPCYCLED WITH A FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY
Instead of a resource-heavy new build, we’ve chosen to sustainably upcycle this beloved polar vessel that comes with a rich history. We’re keeping as much of her original materials as possible, repurposing and refinishing where we can in order to minimize waste and maintain her unique character.
Moreover, all decisions about new materials brought in to the refit are through the lens of environmental sustainability. From cleaning materials that are biodegradable, to ropes made with recycled plastics, to low-impact staff clothing and an aim to reduce single-use plastics on board to zero, no stone is being left unturned.
2) Lower-impact encounters
Our passenger capacity and company ethos drive low impact ecosystem visits and wildlife encounters.
Less feet on shore at a given time equals less impact to vegetation and less impact to tracks and paths. Smaller group size means less disruption to wildlife behaviour on shore – less noise, less movement and less space occupied as well as on water as she operates with fewer zodiacs than vessels twice her size.
3) Environmentally immersive experiences
From passenger capacity to itinerary-design and operational decisions, Polar Pioneer prioritizes immersive polar experiences over highlight tours and box-ticking.
Smaller group size means less time required to complete full operations which allows for more operational flexibility including longer visits, more sites reached, and the possibility of early morning or evening operations. This also allows for development of more unique itineraries such as themed trips or South Georgia-only trips which provide a more in-depth learning experience.
Trips on the Polar Pioneer
Array
Greenland Expedition Cruise
Departing northern Iceland it is only a short journey to the otherworldly landscapes of Scorsby Sund in East Greenland. Greenland is well known as the home of the sea kayak and it is no wonder the inuit developed this mode of transport as there are few better places on earth to travel by water.
Array
Antarctic Expedition Cruise
Since our first expedition to Antarctica in 1998, we have been a world leader in facilitating intimate and immersive experiences in this spectacular area of the world. We introduced and ran the first kayaking programs in Antarctica, much of that aboard the sturdy explorer, the Polar Pioneer.
Array
Svalbard Expedition Cruise
Situated approximately 150-200 kilometres above the Arctic Circle, the Lofoten Island archipelago is renowned for its stunning scenery and rich culture, steeped in history. Sea kayaking through the Lofoten fjords is an incredible experience; the Lofotoen Wall, a dramatic collection of mountain peaks, surge straight out of the ocean providing spectacular paddling.
Array
Svalbard to Greenland Expedition
Explore the raw and remote Arctic wilderness of Svalbard and Greenland on our 14-day Arctic expedition cruise.