A Russian icebreaker carrying more than 100 tourists, scientists and journalists on a cruise around Antarctica was struggling to free itself from sea ice about 5 miles from clear water on Tuesday, a shipping company said.

MOSCOW (AP)  A Russian icebreaker carrying over 100 tourists and scientists to see emperor penguins in Antarctica has been crunching through pack ice and should reach clear water soon, a shipping official said Wednesday. The Captain Khlebnikov icebreaker has been struggling to free itself from heavy sea ice near Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea. It was supposed to return to Ushuaia, Argentina, two days ago but now is not expected until this weekend at the earliest. Officials have said the people onboard weren't in any danger and were using the unplanned stop to take helicopter tours of the area. Snow Hill Island lies off the northern end of the Antarctic Peninsula, which juts up toward South America. Tatyana Kulikova, a spokeswoman for the Fareastern Shipping Company, which owns the ship, said the icebreaker has broken through three nautical miles of pack ice since Tuesday and is now just a half-mile from clear water. She spoke Wednesday to the ITAR-Tass news agency. The shipping company initially said the cruise ship was waiting for stronger winds to break up the huge ice pack, but Kulikova said the icebreaker was successfully freeing itself even though the winds remained light. "The icebreaker keeps moving thanks to the skills of its captain and the crew," she said. The cruise was advertised as a unique opportunity to watch emperor penguins in their natural habitat. Natalie Amos, a spokeswoman for Exodus Travel, said 51 British tourists were among the ship's 101 passengers. Two-week Antarctic tours aboard the Captain Khlebnikov range from $13,890 to $22,690 per person. The Finnish-built icebreaker has been used as a cruise ship for several years and carries two helicopters. Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more