 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
More Minerva insights for your Antarctica cruise |
|
|
Additional
About the ship
The hull was built in 1989 in Kiev, Ukraine by the Russian Navy as a Nordic spy ship (which explains the ice-strengthened ship bottom). After the project was cancelled, the hull was moved to Genoa, Italy, where the vessel was completed in 1996 for use as a passenger ship.
It was originally called the Minerva, then underwent some name changes, which included "Explorer II". The ship reverted to "Minerva" so that the public would not confuse it with the smaller Antarctica cruise ship "Explorer I" that sank in 2007. The latter did not have the Minerva's ice-strengthened hull.
Other insights
They come from all quarters of the world, but most are Americans, followed by the British, Canadians and Germans.
They range from 3 to 90. Most passengers are in the broad 30-something to recent-retiree bracket.
You won't be alone. On my cruise, over a dozen were traveling solo, either because they were unmarried or their spouses could not make the trip.
There is no dedicated program or facility for kids. But a child with a keen interest in wildlife might find this cruise awesome despite its length and scarcity of playmates.
It's slipped under your cabin door each morning.
You can send and receive emails through the ship's radio operator for a reasonable fee. However, phone and fax calls are high - the ship-to-shore phone company charges as much as $15 per minute ($900 per hour) when you are in Antarctica.
A doctor and nurse operate it. The facility has basic emergency medical equipment and a stock of standard proprietary medicine.
The ship's laundry, dry cleaning, and tailoring department does quality, moderately priced work. And there is a small self-service launderette with two washing machines and driers.
One is near the front of the ship, the other, in the rear. They are in good condition, but some passengers (including me) ignored them, preferring the stairs to work off the dining room calories.
Lower your camera's exposure setting on bright, sunny days in Antarctica. Otherwise, the vast, overwhelmingly white vista of icebergs, glaciers and mountains would cause those objects to lose textural contrast.
At first, it seems comical to see chairs, tables and even the piano chained to the floor. But once the sea acts up, you understand the reason.
Click these buttons
Pages specific to the
Antarctica cruises
wonder map
My "What it's Like"
My general
Click the button below for Regent's website for Minerva itineraries with maps, a list of cruise-specialist travel agents near you, plus other useful trip-planning information.
|
Pages specific to the
Antarctica cruise
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
I hope your Antarctica cruise dreams come true - and that my tips and insights page helps you enjoy your Antarctica vacation, tour or trip Web page ©2008 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications
|
Construction
Length:
133 meters (436 feet)
