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 SHIPBOARD INFORMATION
The Lyubov Orlova was built in former Yugoslavia in 1976 and
further upgraded in 2002. This spacious, comfortable ice-strengthened
motor vessel carries a maximum of 110 passengers and has passive
stabilizers for smooth sailing.
Bar & Wine Service
There is a well stocked bar on board, staffed by a professional
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 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.
A unique lecture series by our diverse team of outstanding expedition
staff will be provided. This may include slide-illustrated presentations,
videos and other educational programs. An extensive lecture series will
cover all features of our voyage and on the surrounding environment. Video
programs will include documentary and general entertainment films.
Cabins
All cabins are outside, with private facilities; twins have 2 lower
fixed berths and triples have 2 lower fixed berths as well as 1 upper
berth. Captain's Deck twin cabins (Deck 6) have one square window that
opens and one fixed window. The Amundsen Suites on Deck 5, cabins 501 and
502, have a separate living room with a sectional couch and two square
windows that open along with two fixed portholes and VCR and monitor.
Superior cabin 503 has a sectional couch and three square windows that
open plus one fixed porthole and TV monitor. Cabins 501, 502 and 503 on
Deck 5 all open onto a promenade which has glass windows to the outside.
Superior cabins 505 and 506 have one square window that opens and one
fixed porthole plus a TV monitor, and open into Deck 5 hallway. Cabins on
Deck 3 have non-opening portholes. There is also a centralized VCR station
located in the Hotel Manager's office from which videos are piped into the
suites and lounge/bar.
All cabin floors are carpeted. Each cabin has a loudspeaker for general
announcements and music piped in from the radio room. Hairdryers, quality
soap and shower gel are available in each cabin.
All passengers will receive a robe for use whilst onboard which will be
collected on the last day of the voyage. These are available for purchase
if passengers wish to take one home.
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 M
phone, facsimile and email 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 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. 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.
Exercise Room
The vessel has limited exercise equipment on board for your use.
Facilities
Spacious forward lounge and bar, a window lined dining room, an
infirmary, exercise room and a well-stocked library.
Gratuities
As the customary gratuity to the ship's personnel is divided
amongst the entire crew/hotel staff, the following is suggested as a
guideline for our passengers convenience: we suggest US$9 to US$11.00 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 international chefs,
dining room staff and bartender 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, passengers will be
requested to locate their life vest 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.
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 few of the ports we visit accept mail -
and delivery can be quite slow and erratic.
Meal Service
There is one large dining room on board that seats everyone at one
sitting. 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 with table service. There is a choice of
main course from the menu at lunch and dinner featuring international
cuisine prepared by international chefs. Coffee and tea are available all
day and mid-afternoon snacks and cakes are served between 4:00 p.m. and
5:00 p.m. 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 well equipped medical clinic with an adequate
supply of western medicines and equipment. There will be a Western
physician on board. 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 passengers along with their final
documents. We encourage them to wear this so our staff and fellow
passengers can get to know them better.
Officers And Crew
The Russian Captain, officers and crew speak basic English. All are
experienced in ice operations and navigation under severe conditions in
the Russian Arctic.
Payment System
Upon embarkation, an account will automatically be opened for each
cabin for purchases aboard ship. This will include bar services, laundry,
postage and communication charges.
If passengers are sharing a cabin and would like separate accounts, they
must advise the Hotel Manager immediately. A 'chit' system will operate
for on board payments and any bar, wine, communication charges, laundry,
etc., should be signed for. An account for payment will be presented 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.
Shop/Souvenirs
On the Lyubov Orlova, there is a shop offering a range of
items. This shop is operated by a concessionaire and this account should
be settled directly with the shopkeeper. Payment for items purchased can
be made by cash, travelers checks, or Visa, MasterCard and American
Express. The shop hours will be listed in the daily program.
Smoking
Smoking in public areas is only allowed on the open decks. Smoking
is not allowed in the dining room or bar. If passengers have booked on a
'share basis', smoking in the cabin is not allowed unless both passengers
agree. Smoking is not permitted on Zodiac landing craft or when ashore or
on the ice.
Valuables
The vessel has small in-cabin safes on Decks 5 and 6 only.
Passengers on Decks 3 and 4 will be provided with a safe deposit envelope
in order to store their valuables. This should be given to the Hotel
Manager who will keep it in the main safe in his office.
Video Screening
A multi-system video recorder and television is available if
passengers wish to view their own videos or a selection from the video
library.
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.
Zodiacs
The Lyubov Orlova carries a fleet of sturdy Zodiac craft for
leisurely cruising and beach landings.
SHIP SPECIFICATIONS
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Staff & Crew: 70
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Passengers: 108
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Length: 122.50 m
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Breadth: 26.50 m
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Draft: 8.50 m
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GRT: 12,288 tons
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Propulsion: diesel-electric engines ^ 24,000 total hp
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Ice Class: LL3
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Cruising Speed: 15 knots (open water)
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Registered in Russia, Far Eastern Shipping Company
Observation
Deck
 
Captain's Deck
Upper Deck
Main Deck
Lower Deck
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