Arctic Expedition Cruises - Professor Moltonovskiy Icebreaker

SHIPBOARD INFORMATION
 
The Professor Multanovskiy was built in Finland in 1982-83 for polar and oceanographic research and carries a maximum of 48 passengers in comfortable outside cabins. With an ice-strengthened hull and passive stabilizers it is able to navigate scenic areas for smooth sailing where many other vessels cannot.
 
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 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 standard cabins are outside with a sofa, desk, chair and windows/portholes that open. Suite 513 has one lower berth and one sofa bed, VCR and monitor, refrigerator and four windows. Superior cabins 510 and 517 have two lower berths, VCR and monitor, refrigerator and three windows. All standard cabins on Deck 4 and 5 have one porthole, one upper and one lower berth. Cabins 411 and 421 have two lower berths and one sofa bed. All Deck 4 and 5 cabins have private facilities. Twin and triple cabins on Deck 3 have one porthole, two lower berths (triple cabins have an additional fixed upper berth) and a wash-basin with shared facilities. There are ample showers and toilets located on Deck 3.
 
All cabin floors are carpeted. Each cabin has a loudspeaker for general announcements and music piped in from the radio room. 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. 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.
 
Cabin Temperature - Climate Control
In all cabins the windows may be opened for fresh air. In addition, passengers may control the flow of warm air into the cabin by adjusting the vent. If passengers do open their window/porthole, they must remember to close it before they leave the cabin. As throughout the vessel, the average temperature in your cabin is approximately 70°F to 75°F or 21°C to 24°C.
 
Communication
The vessel (radio room) is equipped with both direct satellite M phone and facsimile systems. There is no e-mail system on board. Full details on contacting the ship will be included in passengers' final documents. Although very reliable, the system can be slow and 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.
 
Elevator
There are NO elevators aboard this vessel.
 
Engine Room Visits
Engine room visits are NOT allowed.
 
Facilities
Lounge, well-stocked bar, a small library, infirmary, sauna, dining room and lecture room.
 
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: US$7 to US$9.00 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
Hairdryers are available for use whilst onboard however there is no hairdresser and ladies should come prepared to do their own.
 
Hotel Department
Our highly experienced, professional Hotel Manager, is responsible for all passenger services and administrative matters while on board, as well as for ship board 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 stewardesses. Laundry request forms and bags will be in each cabin and laundry is collected each morning. Generally it will be returned in 48 hours. Average prices: Men's shirts/sweaters, US$2.50 - 3.00, Women's blouses/slacks, US$3.00. 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 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 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 midafternoon 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, communication charges and purchases made at the bar/shop.
 
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.
 
Sauna
The vessel is equipped with a sauna that can hold up to five passengers. Sauna hours will be divided between men, women and mixed groups, and listed in the daily program. The sauna is normally open throughout the day on a self-use basis and not supervised. Passengers use of the facility is of their own volition and at their own risk.
 
Shop/Souvenirs
There is no shop on board, however, the bartender will have a limited stock of souvenirs (T-shirts, sweatshirts, caps, stuffed animals, films, drugstore items, sweets, etc.) on sale in the bar. Payment for items purchased can be made by cash, travelers checks or Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club and American Express, or added to passengers' shipboard accounts.
 
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
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 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 Professor Multanovskiy carries a fleet of sturdy Zodiac craft for leisurely cruising and beach landings.

SHIP SPECIFICATIONS

Staff & Crew: 32 Passengers: 48 Length: 65.09 m Breadth: 12.80 m Draft: 4.50 m GRT: 1,753 tons Propulsion: 2 Diesel ME ^ 3,076 hp engines Ice Class: UL Cruising Speed: 10 knots Registered in Russia Deck 5     Deck 4     Deck 3