Ioffe

(110 Passengers)

Introduction

The Ioffe was built in Finland in 1989 as a state-of-the-art research vessel. The 382 ft., 1A2 Ice Rated, ship has been converted to a very comfortable passenger vessel carrying only 110 passengers, all in outside cabins. The ship is certainly no newcomer when it comes to the Antarctic, having traveled there for many seasons.

Combination Dining room/lecture room, bar, library, lounge, sauna, gift shop, hospital, and laundry, complete the picture. World-class chefs prepare an International menu, and an expert staff from Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, and USA make sure passengers have a total experience. There is a fleet of Zodiac inflatables onboard. The Ioffe and her sister ship, the Akademik Vavilov are two of the most stable, advanced vessels in the expedition cruise business.

Chuck's Comments:

"The Ioffe and it's sister ship, the Vavilov, are 2 of the most advanced research vessels afloat. The Ioffe is impressive and neat as a pin,..which is refered to as 'Bristol Condition' in sailing terms. The ship is operated by one of the largest and oldest shipping companies. Polar Cruises have sailed on this ship many times and are always impressed with the service and the ship."

Ship Specifications

Staff & Crew: 53
Guests: 110
Length: 117.04m
Breadth: 18.28 m
Draft: 6.09m
Propulsion: 5,000 KW diesel twin engine
Ice Class: KM*L1(1)A2, Canadian Type B
Cruising Speed: 14.5 knots in open water

Rates Include:

* All cabins have exterior views.
* Cabins have either shared, semi-private or private facilities (See deck plan).
* One dining room with unreserved seating.
* Theater-style presentation room.
* Lounge and bar, open late afternoon and evening with a wide selection of wines and spirits.
* Library with a collection of polar-themed books.
* Ship-to-shore communications via satellite.
* Clinic with licensed doctor.
* Gym, sauna and swimming pool.
* One elevator between passenger deck levels and to the Bridge level.

Included.

• Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping.
• All breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage. (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)
• All shore landings per the daily program.
• Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities.
• All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program.
• Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled.
• Photographic Album on DVD, documenting the voyage.
• A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings.
• A Quark Expeditions parka – yours to keep.
• Coffee, tea ,cocoa available around the clock.
• Hair dryer and bathrobe in every cabin.
• Comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Arctic Reader.
• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.
• All luggage handling aboard ship.
• Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of $100,000 per person.

Plus:
• For all voyages embarking in Svalbard -
o If arrival is after noon the day prior to embarkation, group transfer to a hotel, then on the day of embarkation from hotel to the ship.
o If arrival is on the day of embarkation, group transfer to the town of Longyearbyen for independent exploration, then at 16:00 (4 PM) local time, a group transfer from a pre-arranged location to the ship. (Luggage will be delivered to the ship directly from the airport.)
o On the day of disembarkation, group transfer from the ship to the airport.
• For the Spitsbergen, Eastern Greenland, Iceland voyage –
o On the day of disembarkation, group transfer from the ship to the Reykjavik airport.
• For the Iceland, Greenland and the Canadian Arctic voyage –
o 1 night pre – and 1 night post-expedition hotel accommodation.
o On the day of embarkation, group transfer from Reykjavik host hotel to the ship.
o On the day of disembarkation, group transfer from the ship to the airport and from the airport to the Ottawa host hotel.

Not Included.

• Any airfare. For some departures, economy seats on our charter flights must be purchased in conjunction with the expedition. The applicable per-person cost is indicated on the dates and rates and pages.
• Optional kayaking.
• Passport and visa expenses.
• Government arrival and departure taxes.
• Any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel before embarkation.
• Baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance.
• Excess baggage charges.
• Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges.
• Telecommunications charges.
• The customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for Hospitality Team members, ship’s crew and Expedition Team members.

Itineraries may be subject to change.

Click on the thumbnails to view a larger image.

Click on the thumbnails to view a larger image.

Ioffe Deck Plan