Ship: Polar Star
Itinerary: Islands on the Edge: UK, Eire & Hebrides
* Great Discounts! [click here] *cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy | Testimonials
| Day 1 : | England |
|---|---|
| Day 2 : | Isles of Scilly |
| Day 3 : | Ireland |
| Day 4 : | Ireland |
| Day 5 : | Ireland |
| Day 6 : | Northern Ireland |
| Day 7 : | Scotland, Inner Hebrides |
| Day 8 : | Inner Hebrides |
| Day 9 : | Inner Hebrides |
| Day 10 : | Inner Hebrides |
| Day 11 : | St. Kilda |
| Day 12 : | Outer Hebrides |
| Day 13 : | Scotland |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | |||||||
| K1-Triple | K1-Double | K2 | K3 | K4-Triple | K4-Double | K6 | K7 | ||
| 13 | May 4, 2010 | $4,335 | $5,245 | $6,150 | $6,455 | $5,545 | $7,060 | $7,425 | $7,995 |
Book 15 or more months prior to departure to receive 5% discount.
Destinations : Europe, Ireland, Scotland, United Kingdom |
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| Savings | Dates | |
|---|---|---|
| $3735-$7395 | May 4, 10 |
-Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
-Standard Twin Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.6 times the shared price.
-Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a minimum of US$50,000 per person required. Contact us for details on arranging travel insurance.
-All onboard gratuities are included through the 2011 season.
15+ months prior to departure - SAVE 5%
From the south of England to the Hebrides – this is a journey of culture and natural history delights. For the avid birder there are many opportunities to see large numbers of gannets, fulmars, kittiwakes, cormorants, guillemots and puffins. Almost daily are new archaeological experience from Bant’s Carn to blackhouses in St. Kilda. The rugged coast was a challenge for man and nature alike to eke out an existence and shows the adaptability of both man and nature. This expedition cruise takes place in spring – a time of abundance, hope and growth.
Day 1 : England
Embark in picturesque Dartmouth
Day 2 : Isles of Scilly
These surprising sub tropical islands are located southwest of England's mainland and here you will find the amazing Abbey Gardens of Tresco, Iron Age Halangy Village, charming island of St. Mary's and Bant's Carn, a Bronze Age village site.
Day 3 : Ireland
Skellig Rocks, a UNESCO site, is a remote formation of pinnacle rock, home to an abandoned Cliffside beehive monastery and fantastic Gannet colony. From there the ship heads to Dingle Peninsula for a tour ashore that provides spectacular views and relics that speak of the Potato Famine, Celtic and early Christian times.
Day 4 : Ireland
The ship cruises along the Cliffs of Mohar in the early morning en route to the Aran Islands. Land at Killronan on Inishmore. Dramatic limestone pavements, charming stone walled fields and a Bronze Age fort, Dun Aengus, dramatically perched atop a 90 metre cliff are found on this island.
Day 5 : Ireland
In County Donegal first set off to Glencolmcille to see examples of rural Irish homes throughout the ages and then back to explore Killibegs independently – perhaps the carpet factory or a music session in the local pub.
Day 6 : Northern Ireland
The Giant’s Causeway is an interesting formation of basalt rock formed by volcanic activity. The afternoon is spent exploring Rathlin Island, known for fantastic bird cliffs and sites of archaeological interest.
Day 7 : Scotland, Inner Hebrides
Enjoy the morning light in the gardens of Achamore House on
the island of Gigha. Time on the Isle of Islay is divided between a visit to the Ardbeg Distillery – a whisky noted for its “peaty” flavour and a visit to Kildalton Cross and Chapel. The cross is a wonderful eighth-century Celtic ringed
cross.
Day 8 : Inner Hebrides
One of the wildest and most mountainous islands of the Inner Hebrides, Isle of Jura is home to deer, mountain hare and eagles. Explore Loch Tarbert featuring intriguing raised beaches and caves. On the Isle of Colonsay plan to land in Kiloran Bay to enjoy the miles of sandy beach and a walk to Colonsay House whose original owner Malcolm MacNeil made his fortune building the Canadian Pacific Railway. Leaving the island, cruise along the sharp escarpment watching for kittiwakes, cormorants and guillemots.
Day 9 : Inner Hebrides
With high hopes for a calm day, the visit to Fingal’s Cave on Staffa could be on foot or by Zodiac. Nearby Iona is home to a grand abbey and burial ground for 62 Scottish Kings. It was the starting place for the spread of early Christianity through northern Europe.
Day 10 : Inner Hebrides
Tiree remains an excellent example of the traditional lifestyle of “crofting” and was once known as the breadbasket of the Inner Hebrides due to its abundant corn crops. “Pudding” or “Spotty” houses as well as white houses (tigh geal) and traditional blackhouses (tigh dubh) can be seen on this island.
Day 11 : St. Kilda
Once described as “the edge of the world” the remote island of St. Kilda has UNESCO World Heritage status for both natural and cultural significance. Inhabited since the Bronze Age, the resourceful St. Kildans lived by harvesting the seabirds in this harsh environment. Blackhouses and other remnants still remain. The St. Kildan archipelago is home of the world’s largest northern gannet population (65,000 breeding pairs) as well as St. Kilda wrens, Arctic skuas and Fulmars. Enjoy the afternoon cruise around the sea stacks to see this wildlife spectacle.
Day 12 : Outer Hebrides
Learn the story and see the real setting of the highly entertaining film “Whisky Galore” at Eriksay. Inhabited until 1912, Mingulay is now home to an abandoned settlement and impressive sea stacks and cliffs with a multitude of birds.
Day 13 : Scotland
Having navigated the Sound of Mull through the night, disembark in the charming highland town of Oban.
Ship Description: Polar Star
click to enlarge
Polar Star
The Polar Star was built in Finland and served in the Swedish Maritime Administration's fleet of icebreakers under the name of Njord. In 2000 she underwent complete retrofit and upgrades. She was renamed M/V Polar Star after her namesake that served Karlsen's Arctic cruise program. Karlsen Shipping, is an old Norwegian family business originally from the northwestern coast of Norway and now headquartered in Halifax, Canada. With over 100 years experience in many aspects of the marine industry, Karlsen has operated primarily in the Polar Regions.
The M/V Polar Star is one of the most safe and comfortable ice class vessels with safety standards exceeding requirements for several years to come. The ship is certified for worldwide international voyages, complying with the latest SOLAS and IMF regulations for safety and the environment. We take up to 105 passengers on expedition cruises that by definition are to remote destinations. For shore excursions, we are equipped with 10 16-man zodiacs.
The M/V Polar Star is large enough to voyage to remote areas in comfort and small enough to enter out of the way destinations that other vessels can only sail by. We explore nature's most breathtaking wonders up close and our voyages offer magnificent wildlife on a journey that is spirited with adventure.
Polar Star has some of the "industry bests" on board including a very spacious bridge with an open bridge policy, large observation lounge/lecture hall with seating for all passengers, one of the best standard cabins (our K3) and a superior amount of outside viewing areas. Additional common areas include a shop, sumptuous library, bar, fitness facility and a dining room that seats all passengers in one sitting. Our varied international menu is prepared fresh onboard. Our 45 cabins include 31 doubles, 4 superior cabins and 6 suites (all with private facilities), plus an additional 4 cabins with shared facilities.
Our Cabins
All cabins are outside cabins. K1 categories have shared facilities with the next cabin. Our K3s, K4s, K6s and K7s all have private facilities with sink, shower and toilet. Each cabin is equipped with a wardrobe for each person and a writing desk. (The figure in brackets below indicates the number of cabins in each category available for passengers.)
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K1-Triple Two lower and one upper berths sold as triple. Sharing toilet / showers shared with cabin next door. Approx.100 sq. feet/10 sq. meters. Windows or portholes. |
K1-Double Two lower and one upper berths sold as double. Sharing toilet / showers shared with cabin next door. Approx.100 sq. feet/10 sq. meters. Windows or portholes. |
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K2 Two lower beds. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Approx. 115 sq. feet / 11.5 sq. meters. Large windows. K2 cabins on deck 3 have a partially obstructed view and one window opens. K2 cabins on deck 4 have non-opening windows. |
K3 Two lower beds. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Approx. 115 sq. feet / 11.5 sq. meters. Large windows, one opens. |
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K4-Triple Double bed, couch can be made up as bed. Approx. 140 sq. feet / 14 sq. meters. Side and aft facing windows. |
K4-Double Double bed, couch can be made up as bed. Approx. 140 sq. feet / 14 sq. meters. Side and aft facing windows. |
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K6 Double bed in alcove, couch can be made up as bed. Approx. 180 sq. feet / 18 sq. meters. Large windows. |
K7 Sleeping area in separate room (double bed in 501 and 2-singles in 401), couch in living room can be made up as bed. Approx. 250 sq. feet / 25 sq. meters. Forward and side facing windows. |
