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 SHIPBOARD INFORMATION
The Kapitan Khlebnikov was built in Finland in 1981 and is one of
three vessels of this class. Not simply an ice-reinforced ship, the Kapitan
Khlebnikov is a powerful polar class icebreaker, which has sailed to
extremely remote corners of the globe with adventurous travelers since
1992. No other expedition vessel has navigated more polar waters. It was
the first ship ever to circumnavigate Antarctica with passengers in
1996-97.
The ship's interior provides passenger facilities necessary for excellent
comfort, with accommodations in 54 first class outside cabin and suites.
The vessel carries a maximum of 112 passengers.
The atmosphere on board is relaxed and informal!
Announcements
All announcements while on board will be made in English and will
be relayed over the public address system including wildlife sightings,
disembarkation announcements and itinerary and weather updates.
Bar & Wine Service
There is a well stocked bar on board, staffed by a European
bartender, in the late morning, afternoon and evening. All drinks,
liquors, spirits and beverages are imported through international ship's
chandlers - and every effort is made to maintain reasonable prices. A
varied list of good wine and champagne will be available in the dining
room and bar.
Bridge Visits
As often as maritime regulations and weather conditions allow, the
Bridge is open for visits. This is an excellent place to watch ship
operations and maintain a lookout for wildlife. To enable our officers to
navigate the ship, we ask that passengers keep noise levels down, stay
clear of the working areas and do not eat or drink.
Briefings/Recaps/Lectures
Regular sessions will be scheduled when the Expedition Leader and
staff will update passengers on plans and provide information about
landings. Recap sessions offer an opportunity for passengers to recount
their experiences ashore and question the staff.
An extensive lecture series by our diverse team of expedition staff will
be provided in the lecture hall, and will cover all features of our voyage
and on the surrounding environment. This may include slide-illustrated
presentations, videos and other educational programs. Video programs will
include documentary and general entertainment films.
Cabins
All cabins are outside, with windows that can be opened for fresh
or cooler air. In addition, passengers may control the flow of air into
the cabin by adjusting the vent. Each cabin has a private bathroom with
shower, toilet and wash-basin. Cabin floors are carpeted. The cabins have
ample cupboard and drawer space, and a large desk. The second bed in each
cabin is a convertible sofa bed, which is made up each night by the
stewardess and converted back into a sofa during the day. Triple cabins
have two lower berths and one upper berth. Each cabin is equipped with an
'in-cabin' music system. All cabins have robes for use while on board,
which will be collected on the last day of the voyage. These are available
for purchase if passengers wish to take one home.
There is ample storage space under the bed/berths to store most luggage.
If not, passengers should alert the cabin stewardess who should be able to
store it for the duration of the voyage. Hair dryers, quality soap and
shower gel are available in each cabin.
Cabin Service
All cabins will be cleaned on a daily basis by the Russian
attendants. Towels will be changed as desired but, for environmental
reasons, we ask passengers to change towels only if necessary. Bed sheets
will be changed every third day. There is no cabin food or drink service
available.
Communication
The vessel (radio room) is equipped with both direct satellite A
phone, facsimile and e-mail systems (for TEXT messages only). Full details
on contacting the ship will be included in passengers' final documents.
Although very reliable, charges for telephone calls are quite expensive.
At some latitudes, service may be temporarily unavailable. The Kapitan
Khlebnikov is also equipped with an Iridium Satellite phone which can be
used at any position. The radio officer answers all incoming calls and
receives and distributes any fax messages. In general, passengers
receiving calls/messages will be paged and the caller is often requested
to call back at a time when they are aboard.
Daily Program
A daily program or itinerary is published each evening and
distributed to cabins. It lists lectures, meal hours and all planned
activities.
Dress On Board
In keeping with our expedition atmosphere, the dress code on board
stresses informality. Passengers should plan to bring comfortable, casual
clothing for all inside activities, and good footwear. Gentlemen may wish
to bring a coat and tie, and ladies a cocktail dress for the Captain's
Welcome and Farewell parties but this is certainly not necessary.
Electric Current
The electrical supply on board is 220 volts, 50 hertz. The
electrical outlet sockets are the standard European two round pin system.
Passengers coming from countries with a different system will need to
bring a suitable adapter.
Elevator
There is an elevator on board for passenger use. However, the
elevator will not be working when the vessel is in rough seas.
Engine Room Visits
For safety reasons and international restrictions, engine room
visits are allowed only when the vessel has stopped engines (e.g. when at
anchor or parked in the ice).
Facilities
Bar; Two Dining Rooms; Lounge/Library; Lecture Room; Sauna;
Swimming Pool; Exercise Room; Infirmary and Shop.
Gratuities
As the customary gratuity to the ship's personnel is divided
amongst the entire crew/hotel staff, the following suggested guidelines
are for our passengers convenience: US$9.00 - US$12.00 per person, per
day. As stated, this is only a guideline and the amount passengers wish to
give is at their discretion and can be added to their shipboard account.
Hairdresser
There is no hairdresser on board and ladies should come prepared to
do their own. There are hairdryers in each cabin.
Hotel Department
Our highly experienced professional Hotel Manager is responsible
for all passenger services and administrative matters while on board, as
well as for shipboard accounts. The Hotel Manager has regular office
hours, which will be posted and listed in the daily program. The Hotel
Manager also supervises the catering personnel - a combination of
international staff and Russian crew. Our team of professional chefs,
dining room staff and bartender have worked for us for many seasons.
The Hotel Manager also supervises the catering personnel - a combination
of international staff and Russian crew. Our team of chefs, dining room
staff and bartender are mostly of Austrian, German and Scandinavian
descent. Most have worked for us for many seasons.
Laundry
Laundry service will be available, similar to that of a hotel,
provided by the cabin attendants. Laundry request forms and bags will be
in each cabin and laundry is collected each morning. Generally it will be
returned in 48 hours. A complete laundry list with prices will be provided
on board. Ironing services are also available at a minimal charge.
There are no facilities for dry cleaning or a self-service laundry.
Library
There is a small library on board that has a selection of polar
books, reference materials and general reading material along with board
games and playing cards.
Life Boat Drill
By international law, passengers must participate in an emergency
exercise within 24-hours of sailing. Upon embarkation, they will be
requested to locate their lifejacket in their cabin and note their life
boat and muster station. This mandatory life boat drill will be scheduled
as soon as convenient by the Expedition Leader/Captain.
Mail
Mail may be posted from the ship and will be charged to passengers'
individual shipboard accounts. The cabin number and name should be clearly
noted in the upper right hand corner of each card or letter when
deposited. Please take note that very few of the stations we visit accept
mail - and delivery can be quite slow and erratic.
Meal Service
There are two dining rooms on board. Seating is not reserved and we
encourage passengers to sit where and with whom they like. Hours will be
posted in the daily program. Breakfast is served buffet style while for
lunch and dinner there is table service with a choice of main course from
the menu, featuring international cuisine prepared by international chefs.
Coffee and tea are available all day and cakes are served mid-afternoon
daily.
Service aboard all our vessels is personal - a combination of
international staff and experienced Russian crew. Should passengers have
any special dietary requirements, we request that they inform us as far in
advance of their voyage as possible so the necessary arrangements can be
made. The kitchen is not set up for Kosher meal preparation.
Medical Facilities
The vessel has a small medical clinic with a basic supply of
western medicines and equipment. However, we cannot guarantee to have
every drug or piece of equipment for every medical problem. If passengers
are under regular treatment for any ailment, they must bring a more than
adequate supply of medicines for the duration of their voyage. We cannot
accept responsibility for not having a specific brand or type of drug on
board. If passengers suffer from any potentially serious illness, they
should inform us prior to the voyage so that we can alert the doctor to
their condition.
Name Badges
A name badge will be sent to passsengers along with their final
documents. We encourage you to wear this so our staff and your fellow
passengers can get to know you better.
Officers And Crew
The Russian Captain, officers and crew are considered to be the
world's leaders in icebreaker operations. All are experienced in
navigation under severe conditions in the Polar Regions. Many of them
speak good - or at least basic - English.
Payment System
Upon embarkation, an account will automatically be opened for each
cabin for purchases aboard ship - including bar services, laundry, postage
and communication charges. If passengers are sharing a cabin and would
like separate accounts, they must advise the Hotel Manager. A 'chit'
system will operate for on board payments and all purchases should be
signed for. An account for payment will be presented to each passenger on
the final day of the voyage. Final payment can be made using cash,
travelers checks or major credit cards - Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club or
American Express. All prices are in US dollars. Personal checks are NOT
accepted on board.
Sauna/Exercise Room/Indoor Pool
The vessel is equipped with a sauna, small exercise room and indoor
pool. The sauna can hold up to five passengers and hours will be divided
between men, women and mixed groups, and listed in the daily program. The
sauna is generally open throughout the day on a self-use basis - not
supervised. The exercise room has limited equipment, such as two exercise
bikes, a stepper, some weight lifting gear, a rowing machine and various
hand held weights. It is open 24 hours.
Shop
There is a small shop on board, carrying various logo items
(T-shirts, sweatshirts and caps), postcards, drug store items and film.
The shop is operated by a separate concessionaire and shop purchases
should be settled directly with the shopkeeper. Settlement can be made by
cash (US Dollars), travelers checks or major credit cards - Visa,
MasterCard or American Express. The shop hours will be listed in the daily
program.
Smoking
Smoking is permitted in designated areas only. Smoking is not
permitted in cabins, the bar, dining rooms, lounge, nor on the helicopter
and Zodiac decks.
Valuables
Valuables should not be kept in the cabin. Deposit envelopes will
be available from the Hotel Manager and kept in a locked safe.
Video Screening
A multi-system video recorder and television is available upon
request if passengers wish to view their own videos in progress.
Viewing Areas
Views are excellent from the large open decks and Navigation
Bridge. Passengers are welcome nearly everywhere on the ship, including
(conditions permitting) the bow and stern. However, the helicopter deck is
off limits at all times, as it does not offer any protective railings.
Zodiacs & Helicopters
Essential for navigation in the ice, the Kapitan Khlebnikov
normally carries helicopters for reconnaissance and passenger excursions.
In addition, the vessel carries a fleet of sturdy Zodiac craft for
leisurely cruising and beach landings.
SHIP SPECIFICATIONS
- Staff & Crew: 70
- Passengers: 108
- Length: 122.50 m
- Breadth: 26.50 m
- Draft: 8.50 m
- GRT: 12,288 tons
- Propulsion: diesel-electric engines ^ 24,000 total hp
- Ice Class: LL3
- Cruising Speed: 15 knots (open water)
- Registered in Russia, Far Eastern Shipping Company
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