Professor Molchanov and Professor Multanovskiy

Type of Ship: Oceanographic Research Vessels

Number of passengers: 53

Number of crew: 20

Number of cabins: 26

Type of Cabins: 2 x triple cabins and 9 x twin cabins with shared facilities, 12 x twin cabins with private facilities, 2 x superior cabins with double bed and single sofa bed, sitting area and private facilities, 1 x suite with double bed, single sofa bed, lounge area and private facilities.

Onboard Facilities: Dining room, which also acts as the lecture room, large bridge (where you are almost always welcome) and good open deck-viewing areas, lounge and bar, small library, infirmary, and sauna.

The Experts: Your well informed experts will give lectures before taking you out in the Zodiacs to explore otherwise in-accessible areas.

Our Opinion: The vessels are modern and comfortable while the international expedition leaders and lecturers are highly knowledgeable and dedicated in their passion for the Polar regions!

Grigory Mikheev

Type of Ship: Research Vessel

Number of passengers: 46

Type of Cabins: 6 x twin cabins without private facilities, 14 x twin cabins with private facilities, 3 x superior cabins with double sofa bed and private facilities.

Onboard Facilities: Dining room, lounge, bar, library, infirmary and sauna.

The Experts: Guides and Zodiacs used for wildlife watching onshore.

Our Opinion: A comfortable boat with modern facilities. Perfect for those looking for a smaller more intimate group of fellow adventurers.

Antarctic Dream

Number of Cabins: 39 double cabins on four decks

Type of Cabins: 4 x Suites (2 x 140 ft² and 2 x 159 ft²) with private bathroom with bath and windows, 19 x 94 ft² Staterooms offering either double or twin beds, private bathroom with bath and porthole, 16 x 98 ft² Superior Staterooms with either double or twin rooms, private shower and one window.

Onboard Facilities: Auditorium, bridge, dining room, bar, library, wet room, gym, heliport, boutique and onboard doctor.

The Experts: Onboard lectures and exhibits, plus trips ashore with the experts in one of their 4 Zodiacs.

Our Opinion: A luxurious ship with all cabins en-suite. Dine looking through a large picture window at the spectacular scenery. Drinks (including wine) are included with meals and the Chilean crew are delightful.

Akademik Ioffe

Type of Ship: Expedition Ship

Number of passengers: 118

Type of Cabins: Main Deck Triple - bunk beds, a sofa bed and shared facilities. Main Deck Twin - bunk beds and shared facilities, Upper Deck Twin - lower berth, sofa bed and semi-private (one bathroom between two cabins) facilities. Superior - sofa bed, and lower berth and private facilities. Superior Plus - two lower berths, sofa and private facilities. Peregrine Suite - double berth, sofa bed, separate sleeping quarters and private facilities, fridge, TV and VCR, writing desk, windows. Cook Suite - double berth, sofa bed, separate sleeping quarters and private facilities, bathtub, fridge, TV, VCR and windows overlooking the bow.

Onboard Facilities: Spacious dining room where presentations are also held, lounge and bar, library, video room, gymnasium, sauna and swimming pool, shop and clinic. The bridge is open virtually 24hrs and there is a spacious top deck for viewing. A passenger elevator operates between decks.

The Experts: Onboard presentations and frequent Zodiac landings with your onboard guides.

Our Opinion: Not luxurious, but comfortable and practical. This is a working scientific vessels boasting state-of-the-art technology. Extensive outside viewing areas and an open bridge where you can chat with the Captain and officers.

Akademick Sergey Vavilov

Type of Ship: Expedition Ship

Number of passengers: 118

Type of Cabins: Main Deck Triple - bunk beds, a sofa bed and shared facilities. Main Deck Twin - bunk beds and shared facilities, Upper Deck Twin - lower berth, sofa bed and semi-private (one bathroom between two cabins) facilities. Superior - sofa bed, and lower berth and private facilities. Superior Plus – two lower berths, sofa and private facilities. Peregrine Suite - double berth, sofa bed, separate sleeping quarters and private facilities, fridge, TV and VCR, writing desk, windows. Cook Suite - double berth, sofa bed, separate, sleeping quarters and private facilities, bathtub, fridge, TV, VCR and windows overlooking the bow.

Onboard Facilities: Spacious dining room, lounge and bar, library, gymnasium, sauna and swimming pool, shop and clinic. The bridge is open virtually 24hrs and there is a spacious top deck for viewing. A passenger elevator operates between decks.

The Experts: Onboard presentations and frequent Zodiac landings with your onboard guides.

Our Opinion: Similar to its sister ship before, these are perfect vessels for exploring any polar region and offer a good level of comfort to their passengers.

Ocean Nova

Type of Ship: Expedition Ship

Staff and crew: 38

Number of passengers: 82

Number of Cabins: 42

Type of Cabins: All single, twin and triple cabins are on the outside and feature private facilities.

Onboard Facilities: Spacious dining room, glass-enclosed observation lounge and presentation room, lounge and bar, library, exercise room and clinic. There is no passenger elevator between decks.

The Experts: In-depth education programme and frequent Zodiac landings with your onboard guides. 

Our Opinion

A perfect ship for tough expedition cruising, passengers tend to be adventurous 35-65 year old single internationals. You will not only be comfortable, but well looked after on your trip!

Clipper Adventurer

Type of Ship: Expedition Ship

Staff and crew: 72

Number of passengers: 122

Number of Cabins: 61

Type of Cabins: All twin, superior and deluxe cabins and suites have exterior views and offer private facilities, individual temperature controls, and in-room music.

Onboard Facilities: Window-lined dining room, Lounge/Presentation Room that can accommodate all guests, two bars, library, internet access, gift shop, exercise room, massage therapist and clinic. Please note there is no passenger elevator between decks.

The Experts: In-depth education programme and frequent Zodiac landings with your onboard guides.

Our Opinion: An adventure of a lifetime complete with the service and amenities of a classic passenger vessel. The fine dining may well vie with the landscape for attention.

Kapitan Khlebnikov

Type of Ship: Polar-class Icebreaker

Staff and crew: 70

Number of passengers: 108

Number of Cabins: 54

Type of cabins: All first-class outside cabins and suites 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.

Onboard Facilities: Dining room, lounge and bar, heated indoor swimming pool, exercise room and sauna, auditorium, library, ship, clinic. Passenger elevator between decks (operational when vessel is stable).

The Experts: Helicopter excursions will take you and your guides to the continent’s most secluded areas.

Our Opinion: Travel on a real expedition! One of only a few icebreaker’s in the world this ship will cruise comfortably through waters most would not attempt to visit. Helicopter trips enable the ultimate exploration opportunities.

Akademic Shokalskiy

Type of Ship: Adventure Ship

Number of staff and crew: 30

Number of passengers: 50

Number of Cabins: 26

Type of Cabins: All outside cabins featuring private or shared facilities (triple and some twin), desk and window or porthole. Superior Cabin offers double bed, sofa bed, private facilities and three opening windows. Amundsen Suite offers 5 opening windows.

Onboard Facilities: Two dining rooms, lounge and bar, sauna, library, clinic. Please note there is no passenger elevator between decks.

The Experts: Frequent Zodiac landings plus options to camp, kayak and mountaineer with our experts!

Our Opinion: You will be well looked after on this boat (the crew to passenger ration is one to 2.4). The ship is comfortable but not luxurious. The vessel is not suitable for disabled travellers.

Polar Star

Type of Ship: Expedition Ice-breaker

Number of passengers: 105

Number of Cabins: 46

Type of Cabins: 4 x 100 ft² Triple/Double Cabins with two lower and one upper, shared bathroom and portholes, 31 x 115 ft² Double Cabins with private bathroom and large windows (some of which open), 4 x 140 ft² Superior Cabins with double bed, private bathroom two side facing windows and one aft porthole, 5 x 180 ft² Mini Suites with double bed, private bathroom and large windows, 2 x 250 ft² Suites with separate living room, private bathroom with forward and side facing windows.

Onboard Facilities: Large observation lounge/lecture hall, spacious bridge with 360° viewing and open access bridge policy, numerous outside viewing areas, dining room, library, bar, mini gym, wet room, laundry service, shop and onboard doctor.

The Experts: Lectures, presentations and films relating to the itinerary, plus trips ashore with the experts in one of their 10 Zodiacs.

Our Opinion: Boasting an outstanding outdoor viewing area providing superb wildlife watching potential from anywhere on the ship. The ship is also environmentally kind, burning MGO fuel rather than bunker fuel.