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Research Ship MV Akademik Ioffe Akademik Shokalskiy Aleksey Maryshev Grigoriy Mikheev Polar Pioneer Professor Molchanov Professor Multanovskiy Akademik Sergey Vavilov MV Ushuaia Ice Breaker Ship Kapitan Khlebnikov Expedition Cruise Ship Polar Star Antarctic Dream Clipper Adventurer MV Orlova National Geographic Endeavour Ocean Nova National Geographic Explorer MV Plancius Luxury Expedition Ship Corinthian II Minerva Clelia II

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Ship: Professor Molchanov

Itinerary: Atlantic Odyssey Part 1 (Ushuaia - Ascension Island)

click to enlarge
  Lemaire channel reflectionPhoto by: Franco Banfi

 cabins & deck plans  |  additional itineraries  |  cancellation policy

Day 1 :	Embark in Ushuaia
Days 2-3 :	Drake Passage
Day 4 :	Antarctic Continent
Day 5 :	Weddell Seals of Dundee Island
Days 6-8 :	At Sea enroute to South Georgia
Days 9-11 :	South Georgia
Days 12-16 :	Across the Antarctic Convergence
Day 17 :	Gough Island
Days 18-20 :	Tristan da Cunha Archipelago
Days 21-24 :	At Sea through Sub-Tropical Waters
Days 25-27 :	St. Helena and Napolean
Days 28-29 :	At Sea
Days 30-31 :	Ascension Island
	Click for full itinerary

Days	Dates	Deck + Cabin Type
		Triple Shared	Twin Shared	Twin Private	Superior	Suite
31	Mar 19, 2009	$6,750	$7,950	$8,990	$9,990	$11,350
31	Apr 2, 2010	$7,950	$9,390	$10,650	$11,890	$13,550
Destinations : Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica, South Georgia, Weddell Sea Activities : Cultural Activities, Nature Viewing, Photography, Whale Watching

Day 1 : Embark in Ushuaia

In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia and sail through the Beagle Channel.

Days 2-3 : Drake Passage

In the Drake Passage we witness a multitude of albatrosses, petrels and fulmars.

Day 4 : Antarctic Continent

At Hope Bay and Brown Bluff we hope to set foot on the Antarctic Continent. In this area chances are good for encounters with Gentoo Penguins, Weddell Seals, Leopard Seals and Orcas.

Day 5 : Weddell Seals of Dundee Island

On the north side of Dundee Island we have one of the scarce possibilities in this area to make an easy and long walk in an ice-free area along a coast with Weddell Seals drifting by on ice floes. At Paulet Island we will observe the last individuals of a large Adelie Penguin colony near the ruins of the Nordenskiold Expedition from the beginning of the 20th century.

Days 6-8 : At Sea enroute to South Georgia

At sea we will probably sail along the sea ice drifting north out of the Weddell Sea. On the floes we may see some juvenile Emperor Penguins. We sail by the South Orkneys, where the Scotsman Bruce once wintered.

At sea, on our way to South Georgia, witness a multitude of albatrosses, petrels and fulmars.

Days 9-11 : South Georgia

In South Georgia we will pay visits to the abandoned whaling settlements Grytviken, where now the penguins walk through the streets, and King Edwards Point with the grave of Shackleton. We will walk near the big King Penguin colony on Salisbury Plain and the breeding Wandering Albatrosses on Prion Island in the Bay of Isles. The last day in South Georgia we will spend in Cooper Bay where we will observe Chinstrap Penguins and Macaroni Penguins and breeding Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses. Later we intend to sail to Gold Harbour to visit another King Penguin colony and to see many Elephant Seals and Fur Seals. It is a good area for long walks. We conclude our visit with zodiac excursions in the magnificent Drygalski Fjord and Larsen Harbour.

Days 12-16 : Across the Antarctic Convergence

In the westerlies we have a pleasant tailwind. On both sides of the Antarctic Convergence, we observe many species and great numbers of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seabirds.

Day 17 : Gough Island

Today we plan to approach the unique Gough Island for zodiac cruising around the island, as always weather permitting. In 2003 we managed to circumnavigate all but four miles of the 33 mile circumference of the island in the ship, saw spectacular scenery and an unprecedented abundance of wildlife. We felt very privileged to be among the few visitors who have been able to experience Gough and in particular, to see it at such close quarters and in such favourable conditions. We hope to be lucky enough to repeat this unique experience with you on board.

Days 18-20 : Tristan da Cunha Archipelago

In the Tristan da Cunha archipelago we call at the settlement at the west side of the main island. We will also try to make landings at Nightingale Island with millions of seabirds ranging from Yellow-nosed Albatrosses to Brown Noddies. We allow one day in reserve for bad weather.

Days 21-24 : At Sea through Sub-Tropical Waters

At sea, we now enter sub-tropical waters with their own brand of seabirds and dolphins.

Days 25-27 : St. Helena and Napolean

St. Helena has a good anchorage and landing site. On this island, we will have ample opportunities to enjoy local culture, pleasant climate, and endemic plants and birds. We will visit the place where Napoleon lived in exile. There will be opportunities to explore the Island on your own and for snorkelling, in the shallow surf near a wreck we can find a lot of fishes.

Days 28-29 : At Sea

Days 30-31 : Ascension Island

Ascension Island is a dry volcanic island with a moist and richly vegetated top. The Sooty Tern (wide-awake) colony sometimes consists of more than 1 million breeding pairs. We will try to climb the moist summit of Ascension Island and make a zodiac-cruise around Boatswain Bird Island offering also great opportunities for snorkelling. We may witness egg-laying sea turtles coming ashore at night. Some of our passengers may disembark and fly with the scheduled RAF (Royal Air Force) flight to Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, UK.

In the evening the vessel will depart from Ascension Island.

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- Additional fuel surcharge of $20/night on ship, per person, for Antarctica departures
- Arctic Fuel Surcharge: $25/night for the 2009 season. If, 2 months before departure, the cost per barrel exceeds $130, we reserve the right to levy an additional fuel surcharge of $25/night.
- Sea Kayaking Option: US$700 per person
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
- Standard twin cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.8 times the shared price. Superior cabins and suites available for single occupancy at 2 times the shared price.

Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.

Ship Description: Professor Molchanov

click to enlarge
  Professor Multanovskiy safely traveling through ice-filled water

Small, ice-strengthened vessel offering an experience more like a private expedition than a conventional cruise during your polar travels.

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 49 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 ship is staffed by Russian officers and crew, all highly experienced in ice navigation. Russian captains are recognized as the world experts in polar operations.

The atmosphere aboard the Professor Molchanov 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 polar travel of discovery and adventure a truly unforgettable experience.

Triple Shared 2 Triple cabins on deck 3 with two lower and one upper berth, a desk, a small washbasin, storage and hanging space and portholes. Shared shower and toilet facilities are conveniently located on the same deck.	Twin Shared 9 Twin non private cabins with two lower berths, a desk, small washbasin, ample storage and hanging space and portholes. Shared shower and toilet facilities are conveniently located on the same deck.
Twin Private 12 Cabins with a private bathroom with shower,washbasin and toilet,upper and lower berths (2 cabins have lower berths),a desk,ample storage space and windows.	Superior 2 Superior cabins with a double bed and a single sofa-bed. A private bathroom with shower, washbasin and toilet. A sitting area with a desk, video player and TV, coffee and tea facilities, refrigerator, and windows.
Suite The large Suite has a double bed and a single sofa-bed. A private bathroom with shower, washbasin and toilet. A large lounge area with a desk, video player and TV, coffee and tea facilities, refrigerator and large forward and side facing windows.

Antarctica Articles & Information :
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