Today, Quark Expeditions announced the addition of a new Russian icebreaker, Kapitan Dranitsyn, to the company’s fleet. 

Built in Finland in 1980 and upgraded in 1999, this vessel is a powerful icebreaker designed for reaching the most remote and raw Arctic landscapes. 

The Kapitan Dranitsyn is virtually identical to her sister ship, the famous Kapitan Khlebnikov.

In addition, Quark has announced two unique itineraries aboard the ship. Discovered less than 150 years ago, the foreboding landscapes of Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya are only accessible to independent travelers by icebreaker. Dotted with relics from famous expeditions of the past, the archipelago is home to the walrus, polar bear, seals, Arctic Fox, Beluga Whale, seabird nesting areas, and the elusive narwhal.

“Quark’s voyages aboard the Kapitan Dranitsyn offer exclusive access to the traditionally inaccessible regions of Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya,” stated Hans Lajerweij, President of Quark Expeditions. “The experience is coupled with briefings on the history, geography, and wildlife of the region.  The rugged Arctic beauty can be enjoyed through Zodiac landings, helicopter rides, and on deck sightings of Polar wildlife in its natural habitat.”