Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2017 (Berlitz Cruise Guide) (2016)
Sea Adventurer
★★
Berlitz’s Ratings
Ship: 219 out of 500
Accommodation: 99 out of 200
Food: 190 out of 400
Service: 211 out of 400
Entertainment: 40 out of 100
Cruise: 186 out of 400
Overall Score: 945 out of 2000
Sea Adventurer Statistics
Size: Boutique ship
Tonnage: 5,750
Lifestyle: Standard
Cruise Line: Quark Expeditions
Former Names: Alla Tarasova
IMO Number: 7391422
Builder: Brodgradiliste Uljanik, (Yugoslavia)
Original Cost: n/a
Entered Service: 1976/2011
Registry: The Bahamas
Length (ft/m): 328.0/100.0
Beam (ft/m): 53.2/16.2
Draft (ft/m): 15.2/4.6
Propulsion/Propellers: diesel (3,884kW)/2
Passenger Decks: 5
Total Crew: 72
Passengers (lower beds): 122/122
Passenger Space Ratio (lower beds): 47.1
Passenger/Crew Ratio (lower beds): 1.4
Cabins (total): 61
Size Range (sq ft/m): 119.0-211.0/
Cabins (for one person): 0
Cabins (with private balcony): 0
Cabins (wheelchair accessible): 0
Wheelchair accessibility: None
Cabin Current: 220 volts
Elevators: 0
Casino (gaming tables): No
Slot Machines: No
Swimming Pools: 0
Hot Tubs (on deck): 0
Self-Service Launderette: No
Dedicated Cinema/Seats: No
Library: Yes
Onboard currency: US$
A hardy expedition ship suited to the Arctic and Antarctica
Overview. Sea Adventurer is a solidly-built small ship that rides well. It has an ice-strengthened (A-1 ice classification), and a royal blue hull and white funnel, bow-thruster, and stabilizers.
The Ship. Sea Adventurer is best suited to couples and single travelers who enjoy nature and wildlife up close and personal. However, even with an ice classification, the ship got stuck in an ice field in the Bellingshausen Sea in 2000. It also ran aground in 2010 in the Canadian Arctic. But all is now back to normal, helped by the ship’s very tough, deep-draft hull.
There are 10 Zodiac rigid inflatable craft for landings and in-depth excursions, and a covered promenade deck. This cozy ship caters to travelers rather than mere passengers. The dress code is casual during the day, although at night many passengers wear jacket and tie. The public spaces are a little limited, with just one main lounge and bar. There is a small library, with high wingback chairs.
There is no observation lounge with forward-facing views, although there is an outdoor observation area directly below the bridge. Until 2015, the ship is operated under charter by Quark Expeditions, which provides its own expedition staff and experienced geologists. Naturalist lecturers accompany all cruise expeditions. Smoking is permitted only on the outside decks.
The passageways are narrow, and outer deck stairways are steep.
Accommodation. There are seven grades of cabin, including a dedicated price for single occupancy. All cabins have outside views and twin lower beds, with private bathroom with shower, and toilet. The bathrooms are really tiny, although they are tiled, and have all the basics. Several double-occupancy cabins can be booked by single travelers, but special rates apply.
All cabins have a lockable drawer for valuables, telephone, and individual temperature control. Some have picture windows, while others have portholes. Two larger cabins (called suites in the brochure, which they really are not) are quite well equipped for the size of the vessel.
Dining. The dining room, with deep ocean-view windows, accommodates all passengers at a single seating. The food, a combination of American and Continental cuisine, is prepared freshly by chefs trained at some of America’s finest culinary institutions. The food, however, is quite disappointing. There are limited menu choices, and far too much use of canned fruits and juices, particularly for breakfasts, which are repetitive. Casual, self-service breakfast and luncheon buffets are taken in the main lounge.
Entertainment. After-dinner conversation in the lounge/bar is the main evening event.
Spa/Fitness. There is a small sauna.