MV Hans Hansson

MV Hans Hansson cruise ship was built in 1960 in Norway. The ship is owned by 60 South Ltd (a company based in The Falklands) and is currently operated under charter by Quixote Expeditions. Until 2018, the vessel was chartered by Quark Expeditions (USA-based polar cruise travel company).

Initially, the vessel served the Norwegian Lifeboat Association as Rescue Ship named "RS Skomvaer II". It was operated in the North Sea and Barents Sea (Arctic Ocean). For 25 years, it assisted a total of 704 ships in distress, saving 106 lives. In 1986, RS Skomvaer II was purchased by the Swedish Lifeboat Association and completely refitted. One of the modifications was the extra ice strengthening of the hull. In 1988, the ship was relaunched under its current name "MV Hans Hansson". In the following 10 years of service, it assisted 243 ships in distress and rescued 55 people.

In 1998, the vessel was decommissioned and sold to private owners. During the major refit in 2005, all its systems were upgraded and the superstructure was extended. The interior was refurbished (completely renewed) in order to provide comfortable accommodation for 12 cruise passengers and 6 crew. As the ship's original seakeeping qualities were not compromised, today MS Hans Hansson is ideally suited for extended cruises in safety anywhere in the world. The ship currently operates on itineraries departing from Chile to the Antarctic Peninsula islands (out of Punta Arenas and Valparaiso-Santiago), and also in the Falklands (Malvinas) leaving roundtrip from Port Stanley (East Falkland Island UK).

The vessel's draft is only 11 ft (3,4 m) allowing access to remote islands and unique coastal destinations. The hull is ice class ICE-C (light ice conditions), while the superstructure is .of aluminum The ship has all 4 lifeboats, which are partially enclosed. Ship-to-shore communications are via Inmarsat Capsat Fleet 77 (satellite phone and Internet).

Shipboard facilities

The interior of MS Hans Hansson has been rebuilt with contemporary lining materials. Where possible, the original fittings and doors were reused so as to retain the rescue cruiser's original character. Today, the cruise ship is equipped as a functional, yet comfortable polar expedition vessel. The layout places all staterooms in the forward half of the superstructure and separately from all the aft-located crew areas. Meals on board are offered family-style and due to her homelike atmosphere and intimate size, passengers are often compelled to help with setting the table and even clearing the dishes.

Hans Hansson ship's potential applications include polar expeditions, themed cruises (photography, diving, hiking, mountaineering, Northern Lights), making educational movie productions (filming crews with extensive professional equipment) scientific research (allowing access to polar regions).

Quark cruise deals

Quark Expeditions cruise deals are inclusive of:

• 1-night pre-cruise hotel stay, group transfers (airport-hotel on the day prior departure, and hotel-ship on embarkation day)
• onboard accommodation (daily housekeeping service)
• all onboard meals (breakfasts, lunches, dinners) - know that the ship's galley/kitchen can't prepare kosher meals
• all Zodiac landings (daily, weather permitting) and Zodiac transfers and cruising (daily)
• media presentations by Expedition Team members and special guest lecturers
• waterproof expedition boots (onshore landings)
• complimentary Quark Expeditions logoed parka
• lifejackets and immersion suits
• complimentary coffee, tea and cocoa (24 / 7)
• hairdryer and bathrobe (in all cabins)
• pre-departure materials (including maps)
• all service taxes and port fees
• all onboard luggage handling
• emergency evacuation (medevac) insurance to a max benefit USD 100,000 pp
• Fly-cruise deals are inclusive of complimentary house wines (by the glass), beers and spirits on the ship, also of all gratuities (staff and crew) and all domestic flights (prior to embarkation).
• Shipboard laundry and Ironing services are available at additional cost.
• Ship-to-shore communications are via Inmarsat Capsat Fleet 77 (satellite phone and Internet) and cost extra.