Polar Quest

Established in 1999, PolarQuest is a world leading operator of small ship expedition cruises in Svalbard. Our three expedition ships, built for Arctic waters, take a maximum of 12 or 50 passengers. Such small ships offer an entirely different experience compared to a larger cruise ship. Just imagine – viewing a seal on an ice floe in a group of 10 – 50 passengers, or to do so in a group of 250 – 500! Small ships can also reach some of the most remote areas and venture into narrow fjords. Sustainability is at the heart of what we do, we measure all our emissions and invest in climate projects that effectively reduce emissions.

POLAR QUEST SHIPS: MS Quest | MS Stockholm | MS Sjøveien

MS Quest

The ship was built in Denmark in 1992 to serve as a ferry on Greenland’s west coast. In 2004/2005 she was completely refurbished into a comfortable expedition ship and in 2018 she underwent a renovation of the passenger areas. M/S Quest takes 53 passengers and all 26 cabins are outside cabins with private facilities. The triple cabins have upper and lower berths. All other cabins have two lower berths or a double bed. In your cabin you find a desk with a chair and a cupboard for storage. The superior cabins are spacious and have armchairs and TV. The owner’s cabin has a double bed, two large picture windows, a separate seating area and TV.

In the dining room you are treated to delicious meals in between landings and in the panorama lounge you can enjoy breath-taking views of the surrounding landscape. Here you can listen to entertaining talks on the area’s flora, fauna and history. In the lounge you also find a bar and a small library. The ship has spacious observation decks, where you can enjoy the beautiful vistas. Passengers are welcome on the bridge around the clock and there is always something to see or search for. You are welcomed by an international crew and the atmosphere is relaxed and very friendly. There are five Zodiacs and five guides on board M/S Quest.

Cabins

All cabins are en suite, located on the outside and have large sea view windows. Windows on deck 4 can be opened. All cabins are equipped with separate air flow and temperature adjustment capabilities, hairdryers, personal safety box, 1 writing desk, 1 chair, 1 large mirror, 1 or more wardrobes with hangers, 4 big hooks for outer wear, 1 European 2-prong electrical outlet, 1 waste paper basket and 1 Marshall speaker.

Bathrooms

All cabins are en suite and the bathrooms are equipped with:

a safety handrail
shower
mirror
2 cupboards
2 towel hangers
3 button style hooks
retractable clothes line
soap cup in shower
electrical outlet for razor

To enter the bathrooms there is a step over a high threshold.

Owner's Cabin

CABIN SIZE (starting from): Approx. 3.27 x 3.30 metres
BED: Double (two fixed beds) 1.62 x 2 m equipped with 4 bed lamps and 2 nightstands with 2 drawers in each and headrest.
WINDOWS: 2/45 x 65 possible to open. Mirrored glass for privacy so no viewing can be done from the outside.
BATHROOM: Approx. 1.98 x 1.52 m, L-figuration.

STORAGE: 2 medium sized wardrobes, storage possibilities under the bed.
SEATING AREA: 2 armchairs, 1 small round table.
EXTRA SERVICE: TV, DVD-player, personal library, mini bar (first content complimentary), 2 pairs of slippers, 2 bathrobes, free fruit basket.

Double Cabin Superior

CABIN SIZE: Approx. 3.89 x 3.03 metres
BED: Double (two fixed beds) 1.62 x 2 m equipped with 2 bed lamps and 4 small shelves.
WINDOWS: 2 large windows 90x65 cm.
BATHROOM: Approx. 1.56 x 1.10 m, triangle configuration.

STORAGE: 2 wardrobes, storage possibilities under the bed.
SEATING AREA: 2 armchairs, 1 small round table.
EXTRA SERVICE: TV, DVD-player, 2 pairs of slippers, 2 bathrobes.

Double Cabin

CABIN SIZE: Approx. 3.05 x 2.82 metres
BED: Double bed 1.40 x 2 m equipped with 1 bed lamp and 1 storage pocket.
WINDOWS: 1 large window 90x65 cm.

BATHROOM: Approx. 1.56 x 1.10 m, triangle configuration.
STORAGE: 2 wardrobes, storage possibilities under the bed.
SEATING AREA: 1 armchair.

Twin Cabin Plus

CABIN SIZE: Approx. 3.24 x 3.09 metres
BED: 1 fixed bed 0.81 x 2 m, one foldable sofa 0.71 x 2 m equipped with 2 bed lamps, 1 storage pocket and 1 nightstand with 2 drawers.

WINDOWS: 1 large window 90x65 cm.
BATHROOM: Approx. 1.56 x 1.10 m, triangle configuration.
STORAGE: 2 wardrobes, storage possibilities under the bed.

Twin Cabin

CABIN SIZE: Approx. 4.20 x 2.10 metres
BED: 1 fixed bed 0.81 x 2 m, one foldable sofa 0.71 x 2 m equipped with 1 bed lamp for each bed and 1 nightstand with 2 drawers between the beds.

WINDOWS: 1 large window 90x65 cm.
BATHROOM: Approx. 1.56 x 1.10 m, triangle configuration.
STORAGE: 1 wardrobe, storage possibilities under the bed.

Triple Cabin

CABIN SIZE: Approx. 4.42 x 2.56 metres
BED: 1 lower fixed bed 0.81 x 2 m, one foldable sofa 0.71 x 2 m, 2 foldable upper beds 0.81 x 2 m equipped with 1 bed lamp for each bed, 1 nightstand with 2 drawers for lower beds and 2 storage pockets for upper beds (one each).

WINDOWS: 1 large window 90x65 cm.
BATHROOM: Approx. 1.56 x 1.10 m, triangle configuration.
STORAGE: 2 medium sized wardrobes, storage possibilities under the lower bed.

LOUNGE & BAR

In the panorama lounge on deck five you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Here you can listen to interesting talk on the area’s flora, fauna and history. Slideshows are presented on two 60 inch TV-screens. In the lounge you also find a bar and a small library with fact books, novels, board games and DVDs. Coffee, tea and cookies are available around the clock. From the panorama lounge you can also access the outdoor top observation deck.

RESTAURANT

The dining room is found in the aft on deck 2. Here you are treated to delicious meals in between landings. It is comfortable and spacious enough to accommodate all passengers and expedition staff in one seating and the portholes offers a nice sea view. The breakfast and lunch are buffet style and the dinner is a combination of starters and salad buffet and served main course and desserts. The meals offer choice of fish, meat, pasta and vegetarian.

LANDINGS

The ship has five Zodiacs, perfect for landings and shuttling. With these safe and sturdy rubber boats we navigate among icebergs, cruise along glaciers and go ashore to get unique nature experiences. The solution for getting in and out of the Zodiac is superb. Through a hatch in the hull you just take one step and you are in the Zodiac. For Zodiac operations M/S Quest is equipped with horseshoe style life jackets. All jackets have both manual and automatic inflation.

SAFETY

M/S Quest exceeds all SOLAS-requirements (Safety Of Life At Sea) and is equipped with the latest communication- and navigation equipment.

LIFE BOATS & LIFE RAFTS

M/S Quest has a total life boat and raft capacity of 160 passengers. It consists of two life boats with space for 45 passengers in each and 2 life rafts with space for 35 passengers in each. The boats and rafts are equipped with drinking water, survival equipment and survival food rations and sea-sickness pills. The diesel powered boats are also equipped with navigational equipment, medication, and communication equipment.

LIFE SAVING EQUIPMENT

For emergency situations M/S Quest has an overcapacity of life vests and the highest grade of Immersion Suits.

FIRE SAFETY

The ship is equipped with automatic smoke detectors, a sprinkler system and fire safety doors. Fire alarms and fire extinguishers are placed around the ship.

OBSERVATION DECKS

The ship’s two observation decks are located on deck 5 (exit from the Panorama lounge) and in front of the bridge on deck four (access via the passage on both sides of the Bridge). In addition, there is also access to outer deck 4. From the observation decks and deck four you can comfortably and safely observe the wildlife and enjoy the magnificent scenery. During certain weather conditions and situations the outer decks might be closed for safety reasons.

COMMUNICATION

For passenger use M/S Quest can offer an on board e-mail account charged by a set up fee and a data transmission rate. This e-mail account can be accessed from the passengers own laptop via a wireless network from almost anywhere on the ship. The passengers can also buy phone cards for the satellite phone available in the lobby on deck 4.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROCEDURES

The tap water is drinkable and of high quality. All fresh water is produced on board from sea water. The system is oversized and the purified and desalinated water is stored in buffer tanks in case the purification system should fail.

All sewage is taken care of on board the ship. The three stage cleaning system is based on the latest technology and before the sewage is released into the sea it’s completely decontaminated. The remaining waste products are emptied and taken care of by special vehicles or ships when the ship is in port.

All rubbish created on board is sorted and whatever is recyclable is handed over for recycling while in port after each expedition.

For the laundry they use organic detergent and in the shower there are organic protera body wash, shampoo/ conditioner and body lotion.

Back to MS Quest Voyages | Back to Ship List

MS Stockholm

A CLASSIC EXPEDITION SHIP LOVED BY MANY

The M/S Stockholm is a classic ship built in 1953 for the Swedish National Maritime Administration. In 1998 she was totally refitted and started her career as a comfortable polar passenger ship. The M/S Stockholm carries a maximum of 12 passengers in twin cabins with bunk beds. All cabins have private facilities and small windows (portholes). M/S Stockholm is a marvellous piece of maritime history with beautiful brass details and wooden decks. It is no wonder she is loved by so many! After 20 years of navigating the waters in Svalbard she has the experience and track record of being able to access difficult to reach sites that are inaccessible to other ships.

On board you will enjoy delicious meals in the company of likeminded travellers, who are all fascinated by the Arctic nature, wildlife and history. The food on board is of high standard and all beverages are included in the price. With such a small party on board, this is like travelling on a private yacht. The crew on board M/S Stockholm are also great enthusiasts of the unique wildlife and unspoiled nature. Their genuine curiosity is a prerequisite for expedition cruises of this kind. A trip on board M/S Stockholm in these northern waters, with its unique wildlife and pristine nature, is an experience of a lifetime! There are two Zodiacs and two guides on board M/S Stockholm.

Cabins

All cabins have bunk beds, are en suite, located on the outside and have portholes. All cabins are equipped with heaters, hooks, wardrobes, European 2-prong electrical outlets, waste paper basket and mirror. All cabins are en suite and in the bathrooms you find shower, mirror, towel hangers, hooks and glass holders. There’s ample storage space in each cabin.