Kapitan Khlebnikov

The Kapitan Khlebnikov was completed in Finland in 1981as one of five Kapitan Sorokin class icebreakers. In 1990 she was refurbished and passenger accommodation added.

The ‘KK’ as she is often referred to has many firsts to her name; the first ship to circumnavigate Antarctica with passengers in 1996-97, in February 2006 she reached the Bay of Whales in the Antarctic, reaching 78° 40.871' south and equalling the record set by Roald Amundsen in the Fram in 1911.

As a polar-class icebreaker, the KK combines power (24,000 horsepower) and technology with creature comforts. Passenger accommodation is in 54 cabins and suites (maximum 112 guests), with 2 dining rooms, a lounge and bar. Facilities include a heated indoor swimming pool, exercise room and sauna, theatre-style auditorium and shop. The library has a collection of polar-themed books.

The double hull has water ballast between, with pumps that can move ballast water at up to 74 tonnes a minute to aid ice breaking. The hull thickness is 45mm at the ice skirt and 25-35mm elsewhere. Friction between the ship and the ice is reduced by a polymer-paint coating at the level of the ice skirt. An air bubbling system helps ice breaking. Air can be forced under pressure from 2m above the keel from the bow to half way down the ship.

Combine this with world leading crew and expert expedition staff, two Mi 2 helicopters and a fleet of zodiacs and you have an idea of what you can expect when joining an Icebreaker Expedition on the Kapitan Khlebnikov.

Summary of voyages

Ellesmere Island & Greenland – 16 Days

Northwest Passage – 19 Days

Tanquary Fjord – 19 Days

Cabin Description