With the exception of our Drake crossing days, our daily schedule on the Akademik Ioffe looked fairly similar each day.
We usually followed a schedule similar to this:
7:00 am - Kayaker meeting in the library
7:15 am - Smoothies with Dave
7:30 am - Breakfast Served
9:00 am - Morning excursion
12:30 pm- Lunch Served
3:00 pm - Afternoon excursion
6:00 pm - Happy Hour
7:00 pm - Dinner Served
8:45 pm - Fireside chat
Dining room on the Akademic Ioffe. (Molly Stanko)
We had no trouble staying busy during our time on the ship. Each morning we’d wake up and meet with the kayakers to hear about our options for the day. Once we were briefed we’d head to the bar to grab our delicious smoothies and chug them on our way to breakfast. I even noticed our smoothie man, Dave adding ginger, known to help with motion sickness, to the smoothies during our Drake crossing days. Smart! Breakfast was a buffet style with coffee, tea, and water available at each table. We’d usually try to get through breakfast fairly quickly so we could get a head start on getting our kayaking gear on. We’d spend the morning paddling around one beautiful location or another. Every stop was breathtaking. We’d return to the ship for a buffet lunch, announcements, and a bit of downtime before heading out for our afternoon excursion. Often times on our afternoon return they’d have some sort of hot beverage waiting for us on deck. This always made for a nice transition to the bar for happy hour drinks and pre-dinner conversation. Somewhere in there, we’d usually manage a shower and a quick change for dinner.
Our cabin on the Akademic Ioffe. (Molly Stanko)
During dinner, there was always soup on the table and a well-stocked salad bar available. We had our choice of three main dishes, meat, fish or vegetable. I tried all of the options at various times and was always happy with the meal. Meal times were used for announcements since this was one of the few times we were all in one place. After dinner, we’d head back to the bar for our evening entertainment. The staff did an excellent job of keeping our spirits high with stories, a staff talent show, and even a hula hooping show. We’d head to bed exhausted and thoroughly happy every night ready to start the next morning bright and early!
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
