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Nordic village<br />
82<br />
Polar Star<br />
Polar Star Expeditions operate a series of cruises,<br />
following the seasons from South to North poles.<br />
The intent of each voyage is to experience the<br />
magic of the Arctic, combining adventure and<br />
comfort with wonderful ocean and land based<br />
wildlife experiences as well as some truly fascinating<br />
cultural and heritage sites. On most days guests<br />
explore using a fleet of ten tough and stable<br />
inflatable zodiac landing craft. When not on zodiac<br />
excursions the on-board programme includes a<br />
series of lectures, presentations and films relating<br />
to the expedition itinerary, presented by the<br />
resident team of experts.<br />
MV Polar Star<br />
Viking Trail to the Americas<br />
This inspirational 18-day cruise sets out each<br />
September to follow in the wake of the Vikings<br />
who sailed in their longboats to Newfoundland<br />
1,000 years ago, keeping a permanent watch for<br />
polar bears, whales, seals, musk oxen and<br />
abundant birdlife. From Reykjavik in Iceland the<br />
Polar Star makes its way to Greenland’s Prins<br />
Christian Sund Fjord with its wonderful glaciers<br />
and icebergs. Visit local markets, ancient Viking<br />
ruins and museums of Nordic and Inuit history;<br />
including Brattahild where Erik the Red’s wife<br />
established the first Christian church in Greenland<br />
and the village of Qaqortoq with sculpture-lined<br />
streets and charming brightly painted houses.<br />
Polar Star then passes through ‘Iceberg Alley’ to<br />
Iqaluit, Inuit capital of Canadian Nunavut, where<br />
you can see beautiful displays of native art before<br />
continuing to Labrador’s Torngat Mountains,<br />
known to the Inuit people as ‘land of the spirits’.<br />
The final stages lead you to Newfoundland and<br />
L’Anse aux Meadows, thought to be Leif<br />
Eriksson’s settlement, before making land at<br />
Bonavista where John Cabot first sighted North<br />
America in 1497. The voyage ends when you<br />
disembark in St Johns.<br />
Exploring by zodiac<br />
MV POLAR STAR<br />
Polar Star was built as an ice-breaker to keep<br />
frozen shipping lanes clear of ice; as such she is<br />
able to embark on expedition cruises even in the<br />
most challenging conditions. The 86 metre vessel<br />
accommodates a maximum of 105 passengers in<br />
comfortable cabins that all have a window or<br />
porthole exterior view and all but the most<br />
modest cabins have private bathrooms. The dress<br />
code is casual and the dining room, with space for<br />
all passengers to eat in one sitting, is a sociable<br />
environment. The observation lounge is open-plan<br />
with panoramic views and excellent lecture<br />
facilities. There is also a library, a cosy bar, mini<br />
gym and the captain’s bridge, with 360 degree<br />
views, that is open to passengers at all times.