Swedens polar specialist since 1999 +46 31-333 17 30 info@polar-quest.com

The ship M/S Balto 12 passengers

About the ship

Passengers

12

Crew

7

Built

1975

Flag

Saint Kitts & Nevis

Cruising Speed

9 kn

Draft

3,2 m

Length

39,75 m

Beam

9 m

IMO Number

7392854

Ice class

1A

Inflatable boats

2

The ship M/S Balto is named after the lead sled dog of the 1925 Nome serum run. Built to the highest ice class standards in Rauma, Finland, she originally served as a government service ship in the Baltic Sea. Between 2019 and 2022, she underwent a complete refurbishment and is now one of the most spacious and elegant small polar expedition yachts in service.

M/S Balto offers relaxed luxury accommodation for 12 guests in 7 spacious cabins, all with private facilities and lower beds. The spacious cabins include 1 Owner’s Cabin, 1 Superior Cabin, 3 Double Cabins, and 2 Single Cabins. The Owner’s Cabin is 30m², features 6 windows and a queen bed, while the Superior Cabin has two twin beds. The three Double Cabins each feature a queen bed. Both the Owner’s Cabin and the Superior Cabin also offer a separate seating area. All cabins are equipped with a desk, a chair, and a wardrobe for storage.

One of the most elegant polar expedition ships.

On the guest deck, there is a small sauna with a cold shower. The richly appointed saloon and beautiful dining messroom feature crotch-mahogany panelling, a bar, a library, and coffee and tea stations. There are several open and semi-enclosed deck spaces where you can enjoy the stunning Arctic scenery. You are welcomed by an international crew, and the bridge is open to visitors.

With our two Zodiacs, we will explore the wilderness and go ashore in settlements and breathtaking natural landscapes. M/S Balto is truly one of a kind among small polar expedition ships. Travelling aboard this unique 12-passenger ship offers a completely different and much more intimate experience of Greenland compared to a larger ship.

A small group of just 12 passengers allows for greater flexibility, unique itineraries, and more time ashore. Moreover, the environmental footprint we leave behind is significantly smaller. M/S Balto is designed to explore the most remote fjord systems, visit Inuit settlements, reach secluded anchorages, and maximise each guest’s experience in the pristine wilderness.

  • Several open and semi-enclosed decks

  • Accommodates only 12 guests

  • Sauna onboard

  • Big spacious cabins

  • Brass fittings and wooden deck

  • 2 Zodiacs for excursions

  • © Sebastian Lehrke
  • © Gunilla Lindh
  • © Ida Olsson
  • © Gunilla Lindh
  • Salon
  • Bar
  • Dining room
  • Sauna
  • Owner's cabin
  • Owner's cabin
  • Superior cabin
  • Double cabin
  • Single cabin
  • Bathroom
1 by 17

Trips with M/S Balto

Said about the trips

  • Anne Livingstone & David Park

    Great small party trip. Well organised and run by enthusiastic capable guides on a comfortable ship with an expert crew.

  • Ulla Randén

    Amazing region and culture in West Greenland! What an experience! Very friendly and skilled guides! Yes, all the staff were so kind and helpful.

  • Nils & Eva Kinch

    Great guides. Majestic icebergs. Interesting flora

  • Barbara Byrd

    Excellent accommodations, great guides and crew. Good activities. Excellent food.

  • Åke & Gunilla Andrén-Sandberg

    The combination of nature and culture suited us well.

  • Peter & Beth Hergesheimer

    Of the two PolarQuest trips we have been on, we have experienced excellent guiding and ship board services. Each trip had an element of exploration, exposure to a natural world new to us, and education. Also we appreciate PolarQuest’s office services. Their personnel are always very polite and responsive. If you have an interest in arctic expedition cruises, PolarQuest is a premier solution.

  • Richard Guida

    Exceptional care, attentiveness to each individual via small groups, accommodations of the highest standard in adventure travel, unique and extraordinary land and seascapes in regions largely inhospitable to large vessel, excellent meals and service by the seasonal ship crew, informative lectures and expert leadership by the guides and a tightly knit office staff that is available to answer all questions and solve most problems and/or concerns. POLAR QUEST is a very unique company that few larger ones can equal in all aspects of polar adventure

  • Bill Wheatley

    Great small party trip. Well organised and run by enthusiastic capable guides on a comfortable ship with an expert crew

  • Johan Linder & Katharina Manntz

    Professional guides and excellent planning, with the ability to adapt the trip to changing weather and ice conditions. Additionally, always great food and a friendly crew.

  • Gunnel Ragnhult

    The stunning nature around Sermilik Fjord, with its towering mountains and countless icebergs, as well as the exciting and varied hikes. I enjoyed every second of the journey. Skilled and dedicated guides. The trip far exceeded my expectations. It was amazing to experience true wilderness.

  • Mari-Louise Halldén & Anders Stener

    A fantastic experience, with skilled and dedicated guides, well-organized, a pleasant ship, and a friendly and accommodating crew. More people should visit places like this to see the amazing environment and understand what we need to protect.

  • Lars Ekberg

    Knowledgeable guides, well-planned and thoughtful excursions. Every day included a workout.

  • Ann-Cathrin Hammarström

    Good information before the trip. Great, knowledgeable guides. Amazing destinations.

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