World leaders in adventure travel, G.A.P Adventures, has announced the purchase of a new ship, the M/S Expedition, and the relaunch of its polar expedition program, commencing on January 4, 2009.

World leaders in adventure travel, G.A.P Adventures, has announced the purchase of a new ship, the M/S Expedition, and the relaunch of its polar expedition program, commencing on January 4, 2009.

“We have been scouring the globe to find the ideal replacement ship for our polar expedition program,” said Bruce Poon Tip, CEO of G.A.P Adventures. “I am delighted to say that we have succeeded with our aim with the acquisition of a world class ship, M/S Expedition.

Built in Denmark in 1972, the ship has been operating in coastal waters around Scandinavia for 15 years. The 105 metre long ship can accommodate 120 passengers and will undergo a multi-million dollar refurbishment and refit in order to offer travellers a unique and comfortable way of exploring the Polar Regions. This will include the installation of brand new cabins with ensuite bathrooms, a refurbishment of the dining room - large enough to accommodate all passengers in one sitting - the pub, lounge, gym and sauna.

Guests will have the choice of five categories of cabins ranging from triples to suites. Each cabin will be outside facing featuring either portholes or windows and the ship will boast multiple viewing areas, including a 360-degree observation deck for wildlife spotting. M/S Expedition will be fitted with state-of-the-art stabilizers to ensure as smooth a passage as possible. With a top speed of 16 knots, passengers will be able to spend less time travelling from A to B and more time exploring the destination. The ship will also be outfitted with all the latest safety equipment including brand new covered lifeboats and a fast rescue boat from Norsafe.

An elite team of 10 expedition staff, consisting of expedition leaders, naturalists, historians, geologists and marine and avian biologists, will accompany every cruise in order to share their knowledge of the destination’s history, unique environment and wildlife.

The sail plan will include Antarctic and Arctic programs. Tours in Antarctica will cover the Falkland Islands and the South Shetland Islands. Following the end of the Antarctic season in March, M/S Expedition will head north toward the Arctic, stopping along the way for dedicated trips around the Azores and Great Britain. The ship will launch from Scotland, travelling via the Norwegian Fjords towards Spitsbergen to finish its polar program for the 2009 season.

“I would like to thank our travellers for their support while we searched for the right replacement ship and we look forward to welcoming them on board in January,” said Bruce Poon Tip. “M/S Expedition will offer the adventurous traveller a unique, comfortable, and rewarding way to visit the great wilderness that are the Polar Regions.”

M/S Expedition Technical Specifications:

• Built: Helsingor Skibsvaerft, Denmark 1972
• Ice class: Swedish/ Finnish 1B Length: 105.23 metres (345 feet)
• Breadth: 18.63 metres
• Max Draft: 4.71 metres
• Gross Tonnage: 6336 grt

For more information, please visit www.gapadventures.com/expedition.

About G.A.P Adventures
G.A.P Adventures is a world leader in the adventure travel industry offering small group adventures on all seven continents and beyond to more than 70,000 global travelers annually. The award-winning trips, which focus on culture, nature and active travel, are ideal for those with a sense of adventure – people who want to leave the beaten path and authentically immerse themselves in a local culture or environment to experience the real world in a sustainable manner. Demonstrating its ongoing cultural, social and economic commitment to responsible tourism, G.A.P Adventures established the Planeterra Foundation, as a way the company and its passengers can give back to the communities visited.