Polar cruise specialist Quark Expeditions is adding a new Russian icebreaker, the Kapitan Dranitsyn, to its fleet. Built in Finland in 1980 and upgraded in 1999, the icebreaker was designed for reaching remote Arctic landscapes. The Kapitan Dranitsyn is virtually identical to its sister ship, the Kapitan Khlebnikov.

In addition, Quark has announced two new itineraries to Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya, which are only accessible to independent travelers by icebreaker. The archipelago is home to the walrus, polar bear, seals, arctic fox, Beluga whale, seabird nesting areas, and the elusive narwhal. The Franz Josef Land itinerary takes place July 17 to 29 and is priced from $12,995. The Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya itinerary takes place July 27 to Aug. 10 and is priced from $15,995. For more information, call 888-892-0171 or visit www.quarkexpeditions.com.