Professor Molchanov - Antarctic Cruise Ship

Research ships

These Russian-owned, ice-strengthened ships were built in Finland in the latter part of the twentieth century for research purposes and have since been refurbished to accommodate paying clients. Carrying between 46 and 56 passengers, in comfortable twin or triple cabins both with and without private facilities, they pride themselves on their relaxed and informal atmosphere, more akin to private expeditions than conventional cruises. All cabins have a porthole or window and ample storage space.

Facilities include a dining room serving international cuisine, lounge with bar, sauna and infirmary. There is an enthusiastic and extremely experienced Russian crew. Each ship has a large navigation-bridge and open-deck viewing areas and a fleet of Zodiac crafts, affording spontaneous wildlife viewing opportunities in otherwise inaccessible areas. The small number of passengers allows speedy and hassle-free landings.

Professor Molchanov

48 passengers

The Professor Molchanov was built in Finland for polar and oceanographic research and has since been refurbished for use as an expedition cruiser. It is a small ship, which can accommodate no more than 49 passengers in comfortable twin and triple cabins. Only some of the rooms have private facilities but they all have a window, a desk and ample storage space. Public areas aboard the ship include a lounge, a bar, a small library, a sauna and an infirmary. The large, open decks and the navigation-bridge both offer impressive views.

The ship’s size and its ice-strengthened hull mean that it can navigate waterways which are inaccessible to larger vessels. The largely Russian crew is highly experienced in ice navigation, and the expedition staff and lecturers come from all over the world. The ship prides itself on its relaxed and informal atmosphere, more akin to a private expedition than to a conventional cruise. The ship meets all international environmental and safety standards and has sophisticated navigation equipment.

Our comment

"In such a small group, you quickly become immersed in the expedition, consulting charts with the shipboard team - becoming part of a relaxed and informal community. Very quickly, all passengers can board Zodiacs for an impromptu excursion."

Cabin types:

• Amundsen suite with double lower berth and private facilities.
• Twin superior cabins with lower berths and private facilities.
• Twin cabins with upper and lower berths and private facilities.
• Twin cabins with two lower berths, washbasin and shared facilities.
• Triple cabins with two lower berths and one upper berth, washbasin and shared facilities.