The MS Polar Star was built in 1969. She underwent major rebuilding and modernization in 1988. In the autumn of 2000, she was extended and upgraded to meet new SOLAS and IMF regulations on safety and environment for passenger ships. She is the first icebreaker to be fully converted for expedition cruising, and will therefore rank highly among the small fleet of Arctic expedition cruise ships. She is specially equipped for expedition cruising in Arctic waters. The ship has a comfortable restaurant, a large lounge, a lecture room, a library and a bar.

The MS Nordstjernen was built in 1956, and was until 1993 in service on the Norwegian Coastal Voyage. She was modernized extensively in 2000, but still has the special atmosphere of the old Atlantic cruisers. The ship is equipped with a bar, dininig room, café, and a panoramic lounge.

Both ships have a fleet of Zodiacs for excursions.

Cabins aboard the ships are comfortable and cozy. On the MS Polar Star all 45 cabins are outside and have a window or porthole. The majority of double cabins have two lower berths with private facilities. Two suites and four junior suites with queen-size berths are also available. A limited selection of double and triple cabins have upper/lower berths with shared facilities. The cabins are not wheelchair accessible. The MS Nordstjernen has 54 cabins: 10 inside cabins and 44 outside, the majority with upper/lower berths, and approximately two-thirds with private facitilies. The cabins are not wheelchair accessible.

A limited selection of double cabins is available for single occupancy.

A limited selection of triple cabins is available.

The ships are not equipped for physically-challenged guests.

There are designated smoking areas on board the ships. Smoking is not permitted indoors.

There is no doctor on board the MS Nordstjernen, however, there is access to rescue helicopter on ship in case of an emergency or serious illness. There is a medical doctor on board the MS Polar Star.

NCV considers it a priority to have well-qualified tour leaders and guides on board that coordinate every aspect of the tour and share their knowledge of Svalbard and Arctic conditions during shore excursions and onboard lectures.

The average temperature is approximately 41 degrees Fahrenheit with daylight around the clock. There is normally very little rain, but fog and low clouds can occur, especially early in the period. Even if there is very little rain the ground is often wet because of melting snow. Chilly winds are common, and early in the period there are still snow-covered areas at North-Spitsbergen.

Yes, as long as the weather is clear, the Midnight Sun can be seen in Spitsbergen from late April through August.

There is no dress code on board. To be adequately dressed on shore excursions, you should pack a pair of hiking boots, waterproof and windproof jacket and pants, a warm hat, a pair of windproof gloves, inner-gloves (we recommend wool), two sets of long underwear, a warm woolen sweater, warm socks. In addition we suggest two-three changes of indoor clothing, a pair of regular shoes to wear on board ship, a warm jacket (down), and a pair of solid rubber boots.

A small backpack for shore excursions is recommended And since it seldom rains around Spitsbergen during the summer, make sure you pack your sun glasses. There is limited goods in the gift store on board so you should bring whatever toiletries you might need during the voyage, as well as a supply of any medications you take. If you plan to use any electrical equipment, an adapter and converter are required. Should you suffer from seasickness, don't forget your remedies. And last but not least - binoculars and a camera is a must! (A limited supply of film is sold on board.)

The MS Polar Star is equipped with laundry facilities, while the MS Nordstjernen is not.

Most of the landings (approximately twice a day) are by Zodiac and the terrain on shore may be fairly rugged, so you should be reasonably sure-footed. Other than the landings, the tour does not make any special physical demands on the participants.

To protect and preserve the environment and animals on Svalbard, around 60 percent of the archipelago has been designated as national parks, nature reserves or as bird or plant sanctuaries. There are only three land mammals on Svalbard - polar bears, Svalbard reindeer and the Arctic fox, but there are a number of sea mammals, including walruses, ring seals, bearded seals, Greenland seals, hooded seals, white-nosed dolphins, and various whales such as narwhal and killer whales. More than 100 species of birds have been identified in the area, and the number of plants is far higher than might be expected so far north.

Polar bears are perhaps the principal symbol of Svalbard as a wilderness area, and it is quite something to see a polar bear in its natural habitat. Polar bears normally do not attack humans, but they can be extremely dangerous. Our tour guides have rifles and also carry safety equipment, such as signal pistols for scaring away bears. It is, however, very rare for tour leaders to have to chase away bears.

There is a non-tipping policy on board. However, if you feel that individual crew or staff members should be rewarded for providing exceptional service, tipping is at your discretion.

Luggage handling is available at embarkation and disembarkation.

Bus transfers are included in Spitsbergen between the ship/hotel and the airport. In Oslo, you'll get vouchers for the airport Express Train taking you between the airport and downtown.

The ships have an electrical supply of 220 volts. An adapter and converter are required. Electrical outlets in Norway and on board ships are recessed and with round prongs.

We do our best to meet special dietary requirements. All requests for special meals should be passed on to us well in advance of departure.

A current passport is required for U.S. and Canadian citizens to enter Norway. A visa is not necessary.

Inoculations are not necessary for travelers to Spitsbergen.

American Express, Visa, and MasterCard. The gift shop on board also accepts U.S dollars and Norwegian kroner.

The ships have a satellite phone and fax.

On the MS Polar Star you can be reached on the ship's satellite phone and fax (please note that it is very costly to facilitate satellite phones and fax machines): Access codes (872), (873) or (874) and phone numbers76 288 88 80 or 76 288 88 81; fax number 76 288 88 82. Email address to the ship: polarstar@stratosnet.com. On the MS Nordstjernen you can be reached on the ships' satellite phone 011 +88 16 31 45 29 23, Fax: 011 +47 94 80 33 55.

We strongly encourage passengers to purchase travel insurance. We offer an attractively priced policy through Trip Mate.

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