S/Y Noorderlicht

 

Arctic sailing is a unique and humbling experience, with only the sails and the wake of Arctic waters to break the silence. The sight of the Aurora Borealis from the deck of a sailing yacht amid a vast icy expanse provides moments which will be etched into the memory.

Noordelicht is a handsome 153 foot tall ship schooner, capable of sailing in the extreme arctic climate and evoking the spirit of the great historic polar explorations.  Built in 1910 originally as a three masted ship, she spent much of her early life as a light-vessel on the Baltic.

Life aboard the Noordelicht can be a relaxed or interactive experience depending on your preference.  Although the professional sailing crew is in charge, the assistance of the passengers  is welcomed in handling the sails, taking the helm or being on watch during the night shift.  With a maximum of 20 passengers, the itinerary of the vessel is flexible with more time available to spend hiking and exploring glaciers and icebergs by zodiac.

Accommodation
Accommodation is provided for 20 guests in 10 comfortable twin cabins. All cabins have upper and lower berths, a cupboard and a wash basin with hot and cold water. There are 4 showers and 5 toilets conveniently located on the ship.

 

Noordelicht has a spacious saloon and views are excellent from the cosy setee in the deckhouse.  She is a well insulated sailing vessel which has both central heating and air conditioning and is an excellent expedition vessel for sailing in polar areas.

Ship specifications:
• Length 46 metres (153 feet)
• Beam 6.5 metres (22 feet)
• Passengers capacity 20
• 3 Dutch crew
• 1 expedition staff
• 1 cook

Grigoriy Mikheev & Aleksey Maryshev

The ´Grigoriy Mikheev & Aleksey Maryshev´ are modern and comfortable research vessels. They were built for the Hydrographic Institute of St. Petersburg in 1990 in Finland, and designed as ice-strengthened vessels.

 

Both ships are run by an enthusiastic Russian crew of 19, all highly experienced in ice navigation. From the panoramic ship’s bridge there are excellent view points, as well as open deck viewing areas on the upper most deck and at the bow and stern. Both ships carry a full complement of Zodiac craft, excellent for landings and observing wildlife.

Accommodation
Accommodation is provided for 46 guests  in 23 comfortable twin and superior cabins.

All cabins are ‘outside’ with desk, porthole and ample storage space. The accommodation for each vessel comprises:
- 6 twin cabins with upper and lower berths and small washbasin. Shared shower and toilet facilities are conveniently located on the same deck
-14 twin cabins with upper and lower berths and private facilities
- 3 superior cabins with a double bed and a single sofa bed with private facilities. 
The onboard lecture room  hosts our international expedition leaders and lecturers.  It also doubles as the dining room where tasty and wholesome three course meals are prepared by international chefs. Fresh fruit, drinks and snacks are also offered throughout the day. Other public areas include a lounge and bar, small library, infirmary, and sauna.

Ship specifications:
• Length 66 metres (210 feet)
• Beam 12.8 metres (42 feet)
• Draft 3,5 metres (12 feet)
• Speed 12,5 knots
• Passengers capacity 46
• 19 Russian crew
• 3 international expedition staff
• 3 international hotel & catering staff and 1 ship’s doctor

Professor Molchanov & Professor Multanovskiy

The sister ships ‘Professor Molchanov’ and the ‘Professor Multanovskiy’ are oceanographic research vessels, built in 1983.  Built of steel with ice-strengthened hulls, these vessels have been converted for passenger use and are perfect for exploration of the polar seas.

Both ships are run by an enthusiastic Russian crew of 19, all highly experienced in ice navigation; Russian captains being recognised as World experts in polar navigation.

 

From the panoramic ship’s bridge there are excellent view points, as well as open deck viewing areas.  Both ships carry a full complement of Zodiac craft, excellent for landings and wildlife viewing providing opportunities in otherwise inaccessible areas.
 
Accommodation
Accommodation is provided for 52 travellers in comfortable triple, twin and superior cabins and suites cabins.

Level 5

Level 3-twins with shared facilites.

All cabins are ‘outside’ with desk, window and ample storage space. The accommodation for each vessel comprises:
- 9 twin and 2 triple cabins with upper and lower berths and small washbasin. Shared shower and toilet facilities are conveniently located on the same deck
-12 twin cabins with upper and lower berths and private facilites
- 2 superior cabins with a double bed and a single sofa bed with private facilities. 
The onboard dedicated lecture room hosts international expedition leaders and lecturers.  Other public areas include a lounge and bar, small library, infirmary and sauna.

Ship specifications:
• Length 71.6 metres (236 feet)
• Beam 12.8 metres (42 feet)
• Draft 4,5 metres (15 feet)
• Speed 12,5 knots
• Passengers capacity 52
• 20 Russian crew
• 3 international expedition staff
• 3 international hotel & catering staff and 1 ship’s doctor

Khlebnikov

The ship is a polar-class icebreaker, combining power and technology with creature comforts. It was originally designed for the rigors of northern Siberia, Kapitan Khlebnikov is one of a few vessels of its kind in the world and we will take comfort in its size and power.

Accommodation
Accommodation is provided for 108 travellers in comfortable triple, twin and superior cabins and suites cabins.

Cabins and Amenities
54 first-class outside cabins and suites, all with private facilities, large windows, desk, hair dryer, robes and large closets.
Twin cabins have one fixed berth and one convertible sofa bed.
Triple cabins are identical to twin cabins, with a third pull-down berth.
All suites have a sitting room separate from the bedroom, DVD player and television.
Dining rooms with unreserved seating: buffet-style breakfast with table service; table-service lunch and dinner with main course choices, from a menu that changes daily; cakes served in mid-afternoon; coffee and tea available 24 hours from a self-serve station.
Lounge and bar staffed by a professional bartender; open late afternoon and evening with a wide selection of wines and spirits.
Heated indoor swimming pool, exercise room and sauna.
Theater-style auditorium for Expedition Team presentations.
Shop and library with a collection of polar-themed books.
Ship-to-shore communications via satellite.
Clinic with licensed doctor.
Exercise room.
Please note: the passenger elevator between decks is operational when the vessel is stable.

Ship Specifications
• Staff & Crew: 70 
• Guests: 108 
• Length: 122.50 m 
• Breadth: 26.50 m 
• Draft: 8.50 m 
• Propulsion:  Diesel-electric engines - 24,000 total horsepower
• Ice Class: LL3 
• Cruising Speed:  14 knots in open water 
• Registered:  In Russia by Far Eastern Shipping Company

This vessel was originally designed and built in Finland for polar and oceanographic research.  It is a small, nimble ice strengthened ship capable of reaching more remote and otherwise inaccessible areas of the continent.

Accommodation
Accommodation is provided for 50 travellers in comfortable triple, twin and superior cabins and suites cabins.

Cabins and Amenities
26 outside cabins, featuring private or shared facilities, desk and a window or porthole.
Two dining rooms with unreserved seating: buffet - style breakfast with table service;
table-service lunch and dinner with main course choices from a changing daily menu;
cakes served in mid-afternoon; coffee and tea available all day.
Lounge and bar, open late morning, afternoon and evening with a wide selection of wines and spirits.
Sauna.
Library of books and reference material.
Ship-to-shore communications via Iridium phone and e-mail.
Clinic with doctor.
Please note: there is no passenger elevator between decks.

Ship Specifications
• Staff & Crew: 30 
• Guests: 50 
• Length: 65.9 m 
• Breadth: 12.8 m 
• Draft: 4.5 m 
• Propulsion:  2 Diesel ME 3,076-horsepower engines 
• Ice Class: AS 
• Cruising Speed:  10 knots in open water 
• Registered:  Russia

Ocean Nova AdventureShip

This ship will be reconfigured in 2008 to operate as an Adventure Ship with clean, crisp Scandinavian styling and a reputation as an excellent ship in the Antarctic. Built to sail the ice-choked waters of Greenland, Ocean Nova's ice-strengthened hull has enabled the ship to park in the ice of the Weddell Sea! It is a ship that offers more comfort than some but retains a relatively low passenger capacity.

Accommodation
Accommodation is provided for 68 travellers in comfortable triple, twin and superior cabins and suites cabins. 



Cabins and Amenities
37 outside cabins, all featuring private facilities.
Spacious dining room with unreserved seating: buffet-style breakfast with table service; table-service lunch and dinner with main course choices from a changing daily menu; cakes served in mid-afternoon.
Glass-enclosed observation lounge and presentation room.
Lounge and bar, open late morning, afternoon and evening with a wide selection of wines and spirits; coffee, tea available all day.
Library with collection of polar-themed books.
Ship-to-shore communications via satellite.
Clinic with licensed doctor.
Exercise room.
Dedicated single cabins.
Please note: there is no passenger elevator between decks.

Ship Specifications
• Staff & Crew:  38 
• Passengers: 82 
• Length: 73.0 m 
• Breadth: 11.0 m 
• Draft: 3.7 m 
• Propulsion: Diesel engines - 2,000-horsepower 
• Ice Class: 1B, EO (Hull Ice 1A) 
• Cruising Speed:  12 knots in open water 
• Registered: Bahamas

 


Antarctic Dream