Princess Polar Code refitting?

[generichandle]

Does anyone know if any of the Princess ships have been refitted to the Polar Code specifics? We have been looking at Antarctica voyages, buy supposedly as of January, the new Code will be implemented. Need to know if the advertised sailings will REALLY be able to do the 'drive-by. Anyone heard of such refittings?

[chengkp75]

The new polar code requirements are such that it is pretty much economically not feasible to retrofit the ship, especially one the size of Princess' ships.  They may be able to get a classification for polar waters where there will be no chance of any ice, but that will likely still be far north of the Antarctic Peninsula.

[generichandle]

1 hour ago, chengkp75 said:

The new polar code requirements are such that it is pretty much economically not feasible to retrofit the ship, especially one the size of Princess' ships.  They may be able to get a classification for polar waters where there will be no chance of any ice, but that will likely still be far north of the Antarctic Peninsula.

And yet: Princess has Antarctica sailing for sale from Dec 2021 to February 2023. Are they seriously not intending on doing those? Makes no sense.

[chengkp75]

1 hour ago, generichandle said:

And yet: Princess has Antarctica sailing for sale from Dec 2021 to February 2023. Are they seriously not intending on doing those? Makes no sense.

If there is historically no ice near the peninsula at the times they are sailing, they may qualify for a class 3 certificate, but the wording is not clear on exactly what is going to be allowed.

[GeeDunk]

2 hours ago, generichandle said:

And yet: Princess has Antarctica sailing for sale from Dec 2021 to February 2023. Are they seriously not intending on doing those? Makes no sense.

 

59 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

If there is historically no ice near the peninsula at the times they are sailing, they may qualify for a class 3 certificate, but the wording is not clear on exactly what is going to be allowed.

The Chief is correct.

 

I was on an Antarctic cruise, with landings, in late Jan., early Feb.  several years ago.

It is summer at that time of the year in the southern hemisphere.

 

No ice on or  around the peninsula.

 

There was ice the further south as we cruised.

We had to turn around.

 

I was on a converted ice breaker.

Edited May 20, 2021 by GeeDunk

[gottagocit]

We were on the Coral in Antarctica Jan/Feb of 2020 when covid 19 was first being introduced to the world. It was an amazing experience. During the 4 days we were there we did see many ice burgs but the crew very carefully navigated (with extra officers on the bridge around the clock) to make certain we never got close to bumping into even the smallest ones. And yes some insists on calling these voyages a “drive by” (don’t get me started on that subject, lol) but it is truly an unforgettable voyage. We many whales and gazillions of penguins as well as other wildlife. We even sailed through the narrow opening and into the caldera of the dormant volcano known as Deception Island. 
Chris 

[Ride-The-Waves]

Not unlike "driving by" New York City in New York Bay and seeing the skyline but never getting off to experience New York City itself.  We did ten landings on Hurtigruten Fram while in Antarctic waters to include south the Antarctic Circle.  Sailed in between ice flows and through narrow passages surrounded by ice during Antarctic Summer (February).  Best cruise ever along with an Africa Safari and Galapagos experiences, neither suitable for a "drive by."

Edited May 23, 2021 by Ride-The-Waves

[RonPaula]

Many people have physical limitations or different financial situations which make the expedition cruises a bad fit. It’s a good thing that we have options for varying needs. I’m doing a Celebrity Antarctica cruise in January 2022 on Infinity.  It was just in Spain having work done on it’s hull and a few other things but didn’t upgrade any passenger areas. It was confirmed by Celebrity that the ship would be Polar Code ready. Let’s hope that Princess is doing the same.

[Ride-The-Waves]

11 hours ago, RonPaula said:

Many people have physical limitations or different financial situations which make the expedition cruises a bad fit. It’s a good thing that we have options for varying needs. I’m doing a Celebrity Antarctica cruise in January 2022 on Infinity.  It was just in Spain having work done on it’s hull and a few other things but didn’t upgrade any passenger areas. It was confirmed by Celebrity that the ship would be Polar Code ready. Let’s hope that Princess is doing the same.

Infinity is a great ship - we have sailed all four Millennium class and like Connie the best.  However, the new Polar Code is designed for the safety of both passengers and the environment.  Likely Infinity would have to be rebuilt from the keep up to meet basic standards for operating in Arctic or Antarctic waters.  See chengkp75's post above.  On our 2017 Antarctic we had several handicapped people on board, one requiring a wheelchair, as well as many "mature" passengers.  Cruise limitation was based on overall health and the possible need for shore-side medical expertise/attention, and based on your own doctor's certification and onboard review by the ship's doctor.  

Edited May 24, 2021 by Ride-The-Waves

[cruzsnooze]

The best cruise lines for these type of "expeditions" is National Geographic which are 300 passenger ships. They are pricey but it was a journey of a lifetime. They book under the Lindblad brand if you want to check it out.  I can't say enough good things about them. I'm looking to the Amazon River with them in a year or two.