Arctic Holidays: Arctic expedition vessels information

Keep in mind that the smaller the ship is and the less passengers it carries, the more interesting the cruise will be.
- When you are between 40-60 people, social areas are usually wide enough to accommodate everybody, while on larger ships you may have to wait your turn to enter the restaurant, or the conference room may not have enough seats for all.
- During landing, normally a maximum of 100 people is a rule. If you are more people, two groups will disembark consecutively, thus shortening the length of excursions for all. Besides, weather and ice conditions changing fast in Antarctica, one group may disembark and enjoy a wonderful experience, whereas the others may not be able to do anything. Besides, the bigger cruise ships usually do not organise landings.
- During excursions, smaller groups gets more freedom.
- If you spot some Humpback Whales, Orcas or lost Emperor Penguins far away, you will probably expect the captain to order the ship to move towards them and organise a zodiac excursion around the whales? Well, small ships with friendly atmosphere such as the Grigoriy Mikheev, are much very flexible and quick to react, whereas massive ships just do not or cannot.
- We make landing in zodiac, each of them with room for 8-10 people. Huge groups means longer queuing time to board the zodiac (on a 50 passengers ship, the disembarking is carried out in 10-15 minutes)
- Huge cruise ships are not as safe as they seem to be. Captains are usually not polar experts unlike expedition ships captains.

Ourt vessels were either built in Finland or Russia and designed for polar and oceanographic research. They are all World Class Icebreaker with comfortable accommodations. The ships have been continuously refurbished since their conversion for passenger use and are ideally suited for expedition cruising. The ships are staffed by Russian officers and crew, all highly experienced in ice navigation. Russian captains are recognised experts in polar operations.
Unlike the huge cruise ships, the atmosphere onboard is relaxed and informal, more like a private expedition than a cruise. To explore such a region with just a small number of fellow passengers is a real luxury, and will help make your Antarctic voyage of discovery and adventure a truly unforgettable experience.
Our team of naturalists and lecturers from all over the world will offer a unique educational program for passengers onboard covering subjects such as natural history, ornithology, marine biology, geography, geology, history and the environment.
We maintain an 'open bridge' policy which means that you are almost always welcome to visit the Bridge with its sophisticated communication and navigation equipment at any time (subject to weather conditions).

The Professor Multanovskiy was built in Finland for polar and oceanographic research and carries a maximum of 49 travelers in comfortable triple, twin and superior cabins, and suites. All cabins are outside, with a desk, ample storage space and windows.
Cabins on Decks 4 and 5 have private facilities with upper and lower berths. There are a few exceptions on Deck 4 where some of the cabins with private facilities have two lower berths. The cabins on Deck 3 have two lower berths and convenient shared facilities.

The 72 metre, 1753 ton Professor Molchanov was built in Finland in 1983 for polar and oceanographic research. Continuously refurbished since its conversion for passenger use, the vessel is ideally suited for expedition cruising, carrying a maximum of just 52 passengers in comfortable twin and triple cabins, all outside and each with a desk and ample storage space.
Public areas include a lounge and bar, small library, infirmary (there is a doctor on board) and a sauna. Views are excellent from the large, open decks and the navigation bridge, where we are almost always welcome. The European chefs produce a varied menu and the comfortable bar is stocked with a good selection of wine.

The Grigoriy Mikheev and Aleksey Maryshev carrie a maximum of 46 travelers in comfortable, twin and superior cabins.
Type A Cabins have two berths on top of each other. Passengers of these cabins will use showers and toilets outside the cabins. These cabins have wash basins and windows (2).
Type B Cabins have two berths on top of each other as well as their own shower/toilet unit and windows (14).
Type C Superior cabin have windows, double berth and single berth on the same level. This cabin has its own shower-toilet unit (3).
The "Grigoriy Mikheev" is well suited for expedition cruising, and has a large bridge and good open deck-viewing areas. A dining room, serving international cuisine from European chefs, also serves as a lecture room. The ship has a lounge with bar, sauna, laundry and a small hospital with a doctor.

Kapitan Khlebinov

The Kapitan Khlebnikov was constructed in 1981 by the Wartsila Company, Finland - the world's leading builder of icebreakers. Not simply an ice-reinforced ship, the Kapitan Khlebnikov is a hard working icebreaker designed for the challenging conditions in the seas of northern Siberia. Russian icebreakers are considered to be among the best and most powerful in the world. The Kapitan Khlebnikov 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 1997.
Refurbished to accommodate passengers in 54 first class outside cabins and suites, our ship is thoroughly comfortable. All cabins feature private facilities, two lower berths (one fixed berth and one convertible sofa bed), a desk, and large closets. Public areas include two dining rooms, a lounge and bar, well-equipped auditorium, indoor swimming pool, gymnasium and sauna. Views are excellent from the navigation bridge (where we are almost always welcome) and large open decks on several levels. Our ship also has a library of polar books and videos, a shop, a passenger elevator

Yamal

One of the world's most powerful and sophisticated ships. The Yamal is one of few surface ships to have ever reached the North Pole.
With a displacement of 23,000 tons, 75,000 total horsepower and a 48cm thick armour steel icebreaker hull, the Yamal is among the world's most powerful and sophisticated ships. Designed as a working vessel to keep shipping lanes open along Russia's Northern Sea Route, the Yamal meets the challenge of the heaviest ice. The ship is a model of technology - and of passenger comfort. One of five icebreakers in this class operated by Murmansk Shipping Company, the Yamal has taken adventurous travelers to the North Pole since 1993.
The vessel accommodates passengers in 50 first class outside cabins and suites, all with private facilities, large windows, desk, television and other comforts. Public areas include a large dining room (accommodating all passengers in one seating), library, lounge, theatre style auditorium, volleyball court and gymnasium, heated indoor swimming pool and sauna. Views are excellent from the navigation bridge (where we are almost always welcome) and the large open decks on several levels. The Yamal has a good polar library and a small infirmary.
Essential for navigation in the ice, the Yamal carries a helicopter for reconnaissance and passenger excursions. This versatile machine takes us to inland sites and otherwise inaccessible shores. The aerial views of polar landscapes and of our ship as it crashes through meters-thick ice are unique features of the expedition. In addition the Yamal carries Zodiac landing craft which we may use if ice conditions allow.

Noorderlicht

Our sailing expeditions to Bear Island and Spitsbergen are based on board the two-mast sailing schooner, Noorderlicht. Originally built in 1910 in Flensburg, for most of her life she served as a light vessel on the Baltic. Then, in 1991 the present owners purchased the ship and re-rigged and re-fitted her thoroughly, under the rules of 'Register Holland'. Noorderlicht is 46 metres long and 6.5 metres in breadth, a well-balanced, two-masted schooner rig that is able to sail all seas.
Below deck the ship has a spacious saloon, while in the deckhouse there is a cosy seating area, from which passengers can enjoy the views in comfort. All 10 double cabins have upper and lower berths, a wash basin with hot and cold running water, and a cupboard. The ship has four showers and five toilets. The modern galley is equipped with a microwave and dishwasher and the ship is both well insulated and centrally heated.
Crew and passengers Noorderlicht has a Dutch crew of three, plus a cook and an expedition leader, who has a thorough knowledge of the area. Though the crew are in charge during sailing and will bring us ashore, passengers are expected to help with handling the sails and taking the helm. Duties will also include being on watch during night sailing. On board there are a maximum of 20 passengers of different nationalities but the main language used is English.

Arctic & North Pole Vessels

"Arctic"