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February 27 -
March 10, 2009
Max. No. of Guests:
Divers - 21
Non-Divers -23
Availability:
Divers - 12
spaces left
Non-Divers - 10
spaces left
March 8 - 19, 2009
Max. No. of Guests:
Divers - 21
Non-Divers -23
Availability:
Divers - 12
spaces left
Non-Divers - 10
spaces left
About the 'Aleksey Maryshev'
The ‘Grigoriy Mikheev’ is a modern and
comfortable research vessel of the Hydro-graphic Institute in St.
Petersburg. She was built in 1990 in Finland, was designed as an
ice-strengthened vessel, and is now under long-term contract by
Oceanwide Expeditions. She has been converted in the Netherlands
for passenger use and is ideally suited for expedition cruising.
The vessel measures 66 meters (210 feet) in length, 12.8 meters
(42 feet) in breadth, has a draft of approximately 3.5 meters (12
feet), and a displacement of 2000 tons. Powered by two 1700 horsepower
diesel engines, she is capable of speeds of 12.5 knots. She has
a range of 70 days of independent operation and is ISM certified.
The vessel is strongly built of steel with an ice-strengthened
hull, perfect for the polar seas. An enthusiastic Russian crew of
around 20, all highly experienced in ice navigation, operates the
‘Aleksey Maryshev’. Russian captains are recognized
experts in polar navigation.
- The ‘Aleksey Maryshev’ provides
accommodation for 46 travelers in comfortable twin and superior
cabins. All cabins are outside, with a desk, windows and ample
storage space
- Six twin cabins without bath have upper
and lower berths and washbasins. Shared shower and toilet facilities
are conveniently located on Deck 3
- Fourteen cabins with private facilities
are located on Decks 3 and 4 and have upper and lower berths
- Three superior cabins with private facilities
located on Deck 4 have a double sofa bed and a separate single
bed
The ‘Aleksey Maryshev’ has a large bridge
(where you are almost always welcome) and good open deck-viewing
areas. She carries a full complement of Zodiac craft, excellent
for landings and wildlife viewing opportunities in otherwise inaccessible
areas. Excellent cuisine prepared by international chefs is served
in the dining room, which also acts as the lecture room. Other public
areas include a lounge and bar, small library, infirmary and sauna.
Cost Details:
| Cabin Type |
Twin Non-Private |
Twin Private |
Superior |
| Non Divers |
$4,990 (US) |
$5,690 (US) |
$6,650 (US) |
Divers
(Including $950
diving supplement) |
$5,940 (US) |
$6,640 (US) |
$7,800 (US) |
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- Deposit: Minimum of $2,000
is required to secure your space on board the Antarctica Trip
- All rates are quoted per person in US$,
based on twin occupancy.
- Twin non-private and Twin private cabins
are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the share price
- US$ rates apply for all sales outside the
area of the European Union
Tour price includes:
- Voyage aboard the Aleksey Maryshev
- All meals throughout the voyage aboard the
ship including snacks, coffee and tea
- All shore excursions and activities throughout
the voyage by Zodiac.
- All diving services, tanks and weights
- Photography Presentation and Instruction
- Leadership by experienced expedition staff
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port
charges throughout the program.
- Comprehensive pre-departure material
Not included in Tour Price:
- Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter
flights
- Pre and post land arrangements; transfers
to/from the vessel
- Passport and visa expenses
- Government arrival and departure taxes
- Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance
( which is strongly recommended)
- Excess baggage charges on all flights
- All items of a personal nature such as laundry,
meals ashore, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges;
and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards
and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided)
- Additional costs incurred due to independent
travel arrangements
Payment Policy & Deposit:
When we receive your deposit, we will
send you a comprehensive and detailed Trip Preparation Bulletin
about the experience and the destination. All flights and trip costs
are subject to change without prior notice until confirmed reservation.
- A non-refundable deposit of $2,000
is required to secure a space on board
the Expedition
- Full payment is due no later than 90 days before departure.
- We reserve the right to sell any space that is not paid in full by 60 days before departure.
- Refund is made if replacement was found less unrecoverable costs of sales, administration special promotion.
- Cancellation must be made in writing, 90 days before departure.
- No refund is made for unused part of the itinerary.
What to Pack for the Land Excursions:
- Waterproof Back-pack for excursions
- Warm (thermal) underwear
- Warm trousers, such as ski pants
- Warm jacket, with good wind insulation ,
made of materials such as Gore-Tex
- Waterproof clothes (for our zodiac cruises)
- Warm sweaters
- Mittens, gloves, and a warm cap, warm socks
- Very important: warm, waterproof rubber boots.
No hiking shoes, because they will always leak on a wet underground,
when leaving the zodiacs ashore and when crossing a stream. We
do not supply any extra rubber boots onboard. You must bring your
own!
- Sun lotion (especially for the Antarctic)
and sunglasses.
Electric current:
220 V / 50 Hz. US passengers will need
a 220 V / 110 V converter.
Diving:
Plan on 1 to 2 dives per day "weather
and ice permitting".
Diving Equipment:
All divers must have at logged at least
20 dry suit dives. You will need the following equipment:
- Dry suit with hood
- Thick and warm underwater garment (2 sets),
dry gloves or extra under gloves
- Freeze protected regulator
- 2 separate regulators, because we dive with
special bottles with two separate outlets
- Stabilizing jacket, BC
- Depth and pressure gauges, watch or computer
- Knife
- Mask, fins and snorkel
- Weight belt (weights available onboard)
Equipment Onboard:
Onboard we have our own compressor (200 liters) and approx. 30 steel
bottles of 12 liters (DIN and Yoke connection) with two separate
outlets and weights. We do not have any rentals on board. Please
make sure you pack all your dive gear before leaving.
Travel Documents:
US citizens are required to have a valid passport and round-trip
air ticket.
Please note that the itinerary in the Antarctic is
always "weather and ice permitting.” It is always possible
that because of the pack and drift ice, a change in our sailing
schedule will result. It's also possible that certain bays or fjords
are closed because of ice. In such cases, we will re-route our voyage.
Possible alterations that relate to weather and ice conditions can
never be a reason for claims, reimbursements or whatsoever. When
changing the itinerary, we can assure you that we will do our utmost
to provide the best alternate plan.
Information current as of April, 2008. Dates and prices may be subject to change without prior notice.
For Booking and/or further
questions, contact Amos:
Phone: (415) 923-9865
Toll free: 866-423-4383
Email:
We look forward to you joining
us on this adventure of a lifetime!
To join us, please complete the Registration
Form
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NOTE: All itineraries
are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice
and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities
to see wildlife. The final itinerary for each voyage will be determined
by the Expedition Leader on board. Flexibility is paramount for
expedition cruises.
Day 1
In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina,
the southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel
and sail through the Beagle Channel.
Days 2 & 3
During these two days we sail across the Drake Passage. When we
cross the Antarctic Convergence, we arrive in the circum-Antarctic
up-welling zone. In this area we may meet Wandering Albatrosses,
Grey Headed Albatrosses, Black-browed Albatrosses, Light-mantled
Sooty Albatrosses, Cape Pigeons, Southern Fulmars, Wilson's Storm
Petrels, Blue Petrels and Antarctic Petrels. Near the South Shetland
Islands we glimpse the first icebergs.
Days 4 - 9
NOTE: A typical itinerary in the South Shetlands
and Antarctic Peninsula could be as follows. This is a sample only,
the final itinerary will be determined by the Expedition Leader
on board.
At Deception Island, we will try to land at Baily
Head with its colony of ten thousands of Chinstrap Penguins. Deception
Island is a huge volcano whose crater opens into the sea, creating
a natural harbour for the ship. Here we find hot springs, an abandoned
whaling station, thousands of Cape Pigeons and many Dominican Gulls,
Brown and South Polar Skuas and Antarctic Terns. Wilson's Storm
Petrels and Black-bellied Storm Petrels nest in the ruins of the
whaling station in Whalers Bay.
We will sail to Orne Islands with its large colonies
of Chinstrap Penguins and a beautiful view across the Gerlache Strait.
Later we continue to Cuverville Island, a small precipitous island,
nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Danco
Island. It contains a large colony of Gentoo Penguins and breeding
pairs of Brown Skuas. From there we sail through Paradise Bay with
its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, where there is a chance
we will see large whales. We will have opportunities for zodiac
cruising between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords.
We sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Petermann Island
where we can find Adelie Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags. We will also
try to land at Pleneau Island home to Elephant Seals. In this area
we have a good chance of encountering Humpback Whales, Minke Whales
and Fin Whales.
Sailing north through Neumayer Channel and Gerlache Strait we arrive
at Charlotte Bay with a very beautiful landscape and, again, possibilities
for zodiac cruising among the icebergs, where we may encounter Leopard
Seals, Crabeater Seals and Minke Whales.
Half Moon Island is a beautiful volcanic island with Chinstrap Penguins,
Gentoo Penguins, Blue-eyed Shags, Sheathbills and Brown Skuas. Weddell
Seals and Elephant Seals may also be spotted. The crew of the Argentine
station is very hospitable. We may also choose to land at Hannah
Point, which has a very rich wildlife featuring Elephant Seals,
Cape Pigeons, Southern Giant Petrels, Macaroni Penguins and Gentoo
Penguins.
Days 10 - 11
In the Drake Passage we have again a chance to see many seabirds.
Day 12:
We depart early morning in time to catch the connecting flight from
Ushuaia to Buenos Aires. This domestic flight to Buenos Aires is
scheduled to arrive in ample time to connect with the international
flights to the USA or to Europe.
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