MV Polar Pioneer

The 1982-built Polar Pioneer cruise ship is among the most traditional-looking Arctic and Antarctica-based passenger vessels. She was designed and constructed with an ice-strengthened hull (classification "1A Super") and launched as a research ship (named "Akademik Schuleykin") in Turku, Finland.

The vessel (IMO number 8010324) is currently Cyprus-flagged (MMSI 210189000) and registered in Limassol. Her previous/original flag-state was Russia (MMSI 273454860).

In 2010, she was fully drydock-refitted and converted into a passenger ship. Polar Pioneer's sistership (by design), Professor Khromov, was also part of the chartered Aurora Expeditions fleet.

Polar Pioneer is one of ten Akademik Shuleykin-class Russian ships built in the mid-1980s for the USSR’s oceanographic research programs. About half of these vessels were later chartered for polar cruisetours. Other ships of the same class now operating as expedition cruise vessels include the RVs/research vessels Professor Molchanov (1982), Professor Multanovskiy (1983), and Professor Khromov (1984, fka Spirit of Enderby).

Polar Pioneer's shallow draft (4.5 m / 15 ft) allows safe, close-to-shore navigation. Carrying just 54 passengers, she operates in Antarctica, South Georgia Island (a UK overseas territory), as well as in Northern Europe and the Arctic, visiting ports in Svalbard, Norway (including Spitsbergen Island), Iceland, Greenland, and Scotland (UK).

Aurora Expeditions is considered a pioneer of expedition cruising and adventure travel in the Australian market. Over more than two decades, the company introduced travelers to numerous remote destinations. Established in 1991 by mountaineer Greg Mortimer and his partner Margaret Werner, Aurora was sold in 2008, with the new owners maintaining the original expedition ethos. Initially focused on small-group cruises to Antarctica, Aurora Expeditions later added voyages to Norway’s Svalbard Islands, Russia’s Far East, East Greenland, Papua New Guinea, and the Amazon River. In 2014, it expanded into Alaska’s Inside Passage and launched land, river, and sea expeditions in Ecuador.

In 2015, the company completed its first African expedition with a luxury safari cruise along the Chobe River in Botswana.

Decks and cabins, shipboard facilities

All Polar Pioneer staterooms (26 total) have outside portholes and ample storage space. The bridge is spacious and always open to passengers. There is a combined bar/lounge/library area stocked with an excellent collection of polar literature. The chefs onboard are European, and the dining room service is provided by Russian stewardesses. Meals are simple but hearty.

The vessel has 6 decks, of which 5 are passenger-accessible and 3 contain cabins.

MV Polar Pioneer is not a luxury vessel but has long been popular among travelers drawn to the polar regions. A fleet of inflatable Zodiacs (motorized RIBs with outboard engines) provides access to coastal areas and inland waterways.

Optional adventure activities such as kayaking and camping are available on many itineraries.

The enthusiasm of her Russian captain and crew—among the world’s most experienced ice navigators—is well known. As is traditional for a Russian vessel, Polar Pioneer features a Sauna Room and a spacious Saloon/Bar Lounge.

Note: In areas with poor AIS coverage, tracking the vessel’s current position may not be possible. CruiseMapper’s list of all icebreakers and ice-capable research ships is available in the "itinerary" section of our Icebreakers hub.

Polar cruise itineraries

Following the Coronavirus crisis and a major drydock refurbishment, Polar Pioneer resumed passenger operations in 2022.

For 2024, the ship scheduled a 12-day “Antarctica Cruise” (January 1), followed by a 12-day “Wildlife and Photography Small Group Expedition,” a 15-day “South Georgia Explorer” (February 24), and a 15-day “South Georgia Photo Tour – Small Group Size.” Fares started from USD 10,995 per person (triple occupancy on the Antarctica Cruise, Jan 1–12, 2024) and from USD 13,995 per person (South Georgia Explorer, Feb 24–Mar 9, 2024).

Departing on December 31, 2024, from Ushuaia, Argentina, Polar Pioneer was also chartered for Antarctic voyages in 2025.