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  Akademik Sergey Vavilov (Quark Expeditions)

Akademik Sergey Vavilov | Quark Expeditions
Akademik Sergey Vavilov, departing from Svalbard, Arctic cruise 2009. (Svalbard is a northern European archipelago in the Arctic Ocean between mainland Norway and the North Pole).
Photograph by Graham Racher. Some rights reserved.  (view image details)



Akademik Sergey Vavilov | Quark Expeditions
Akademik Sergey Vavilov, Ushuaia, Antarctica and South Georgia cruise 2008
Photograph by Graham Racher. Some rights reserved.  (view image details)



Akademik Sergey Vavilov | Quark Expeditions
Akademik Sergey Vavilov, Ushuaia, Antarctica and South Georgia cruise 2008
Photograph by Graham Racher. Some rights reserved.  (view image details)





CRUISE SHIP FACTS

Description
The Akademik Sergey Vavilov is currently owned by the P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences. It travels worldwide for both cruise and research purposes. It bears the flag of the Russian Federation, and is the vessel to look for if you’re planning to go on a Polar expedition. Lauded for its stability, quiet performance and superior speed, it’s one of the world’s finest expedition ships. It’s certainly one of the few ships which are equipped enough to withstand the harsh Polar conditions.

Destinations
The Akademik Sergey Vavilov offered seven different cruises to both researchers and wildlife enthusiasts every year. The main destinations are the Antarctic, the Arctic, and Iceland. It crosses the Antarctic Circle from December to February, takes its passengers to Spitsbergen, the Arctic capital (overview cruises in June or July, in-depth travel in July or August), makes the Antarctic-Falklands-South Georgia, and explores Iceland, Eastern Greenland, and Spitsbergen throughout the year, depending on the research concern.

History
The Akademik Sergey Vavilov was built in 1988 by Hollming in Rauma, Finland. It currently belongs to Russia (during its maiden voyage, it belonged to the Soviet Union), and was initially used only as a research vessel. Between March 1989 and November 1999, it was able to complete five important research-related cruises to the South Atlantic Ocean, the Norwegian Sea, and the North Atlantic Ocean. Today, it’s still widely used for Polar researched, but it also cruises 107 guests to the Polar regions for educational research trips. Most of these cruises feature important speakers who specialize in the study of these Polar regions.

Dining
There is one dining room aboard the Akademik Sergey Vavilov with free seating. The meals are wholesome and simple - this isn’t intended to be a luxury cruise ship. You’re traveling with researchers who are more intent on scientific discoveries around the Polar regions than the gourmet meals they have onboard. There is a lounge and a bar in the ship, though, where passengers can mingle and socialize. The bar is open in the afternoon till late in the evening.

Entertainment
While you’re onboard the Akademik Sergey Vavilov, you can listen to seminars and talks held by the guest-of-honor—most of the time a researcher who specializes on the areas you’re exploring. During parts of the voyage, you may be allowed to kayak in groups and complete inland excursions to observe rare Polar wildlife. If you want to read up on the region, the Akademik Sergey Vavilov also has a library full of books about Polar explorations. There is a heated pool, a sauna bath, and an exercise room for passengers who would like to stay fit during the cruise.

Cabins
There are seven kinds of cabins at the Akademik Sergey Vavilov. The biggest one is the Cook Suite which has a double berth in a separate bedroom, private facilities, and a bathroom with a bathtub. The Suite is similar but it doesn’t have its own kitchen. Twin cabins with private and semi-private facilities have windows, while those with shared facilities have portholes. The Triple Cabin is the ship’s cheapest accommodations, good for three people, with shared facilities, a wash basin, and a porthole. Only the Suite and the Cook Suite have their own baths. The cabins only have wash basins.

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Ship Summary
Operator:Quark Expeditions
Built by:Hollming, Rauma, Finland
Date Completed:1988
Gross Tonnage:6450
Length:117.04 m
Width:18.28 m
Decks:5
Passengers:107
Crew:53
IMO:8507729