Luxury charters to the frozen south

When you have explored the Greek Islands, lazed around the Caribbean and looked at the polar bears in Alaska, where do you go next?

With tourism now one the largest businesses in the world, everyone is looking for somewhere new -- particularly with the well-heeled baby-boomer generation retiring and looking for somewhere to spend the kids' inheritance.

In Auckland last week McMullen & Wing launched the 45 metre Argos superyacht Big Fish, which is sure to meet the adventure cravings of the idle rich.

Once sea trials are complete and the yacht has done a tour of the Pacific, South and North America and a lap of the southern polar regions, Big Fish will be available for charter to those wishing to undertake an Antarctic adventure is absolute luxury.

While there are a number of converted icebreakers and offshore supply vessels now making the trip south every summer, most are far from being five star. No matter how much you pretty-up a working ship, it still looks and feels like a working ship.

Big Fish should overcome all these problems. With rather angular topsides to deflect ice, show and raging winds, the yacht cannot be called beautiful -- but she is functional.

The day after she was tied up in Auckland's Viaduct Harbour, the elements-proof observation pod was lowered into place above the flybridge. In her first sea trials she reached the planned hull speed of 14 knots with the engines turning at just 1625rpm.

Sea trials will continue until the end of this month when the yacht will be handed over to her new owners. In December she will start offering the first fly-in, fly-out luxury charters of the Antarctic continent -- ending the long and uncomfortable boat trip from South America or New Zealand that tourists to those icy regions now have to endure.