Clipper Adventurer

The Clipper Adventurer is a superb oceangoing vessel equipped with stabilizers and an ice-hardened hull that allow her to navigate easily in the most rugged natural environments. The vessel is outfitted with state-of-the-art satellite navigation and communication equipment. A fleet of Zodiac landing craft permits us to land anywhere nature or curiosity dictates. Each cabin has an ocean view, individually controlled heat/air conditioner, an in-room music system, and en suite bathroom. Facilities on board the Clipper Adventurer include a dining room, lounge, library, gift shop, infirmary staffed by a registered physician, laundry, and small gym. The Clipper Adventurer is classified A-1 ice class for unrestricted passenger service by the Lloyd's Register.

Download the Ship Fact sheet here.

Tonnage: 4,364
Length: 330 feet
Speed: 14 knots
Ship Registry: Bahamas

Accounts Onboard

Upon embarkation, a shipboard account is automatically opened for your convenience. The "chit" system is used for all onboard purchases, including bar charges, gift shop purchases, laundry, medical services, communication, etc. You will sign a chit for each purchase, and the amount will be debited to your shipboard account, which is presented for settlement at the end of the voyage.

The U.S. dollar is the currency used on board. Cash, personal checks, traveler’s checks, and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express) are accepted for payment of shipboard accounts.

Air Conditioning and Heating

The ship is fully air-conditioned and heated throughout with individual controls in each cabin.

Baggage

Baggage is restricted only per the airlines’ regulations (See Baggage Allowance section under General Information). We do recommend that you travel with soft luggage, as this is less bulky to store and storage space aboard the ship is limited. Please ensure that your baggage is clearly labeled with your name and home address and attach yellow Zegrahm Expeditions luggage tags, which will be provided with your final documents packet, to each piece of luggage. Our staff will use these tags for easy identification of group passengers and baggage.

Bar

There will be a bar on board stocked with liquor, beer, and wine. Please check the daily program for hours of bartender service. The ship has a dedicated cellar maintained at ideal atmospheric conditions to ensure wines carried on the ship “travel” as well as the passengers. The ship carries a small, but varied, supply of fine wines and champagnes. Upon request, the service staff will be happy to retain unused portions of bottled wines ordered with your meals for consumption at subsequent seatings.

Bridge Visits

There is an open-bridge policy on board. However, the bridge will be closed to visitors during maneuvers in port, when anchoring, during periods of inclement weather, and at the captains’ discretion.

Cabins and Service

Cabins are serviced daily by your cabin attendant. If you require additional housekeeping service, please advise the reception desk.

All cabins feature an ocean view, two fixed lower twin beds, in-room music system and intercom system for announcements, ample wardrobe space, full length mirrors, safety drawer with lock, emergency button to call reception, desk and chair, and hair dryer.

Contact Information

The ship has facilities available for incoming/outgoing e-mail, telephone, and fax. You will be charged for all personal communication to/from the ship.

The Clipper Adventurer has a wireless local area network on board and permanent Internet access via satellite (when available). Wireless service is available in the library, Clipper Club, and Main Lounge. Internet access can be purchased in the form of one and three hour time cards for use of the public computers (these cards are consecutive and can only be used once, remaining time can not be used later). Laptop users can purchase cards for unlimited use within a 24-hour period.

A phone available for passenger use is located in the reception area. Only prepaid cards can be used. The prepaid cards are $15 each and come with 10 units. Charges vary depending on the country called.

Specific contact information will be included in your final packet of trip documents sent approximately one month prior to your departure.

Daily Programs

The daily program is distributed to all cabins and posted in common areas every evening on board. The program announces the cruising schedule, lectures, and shore excursions. Weather conditions may, of course, alter the day’s intended program.

Dietary Needs

Special dietary foods can be provided, but we must be notified in writing on the Personal Information Form. The galley is equipped to prepare or serve most special dietary foods except kosher cuisine.

Dining and Meals

The dining room is located on the Promenade Deck. Meal times are approximately 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. for breakfast, 12:30 p.m. for lunch, and 7:00 p.m. for dinner, although the day’s activities may alter the schedule. American-style and local regional cuisine will be offered. All meals are open seating with a choice of a buffet or table service for breakfast or lunch. Dinner is served at the table. A continental breakfast is also offered in the Main Lounge. Coffee, tea, and juice are available 24 hours a day in the Main Lounge.

Electricity

The electricity on board runs at 220 volts, and outlets take European-style plugs with two round prongs.

Elevator

There is no elevator on board the Clipper Adventurer.

Exercise Facilities

A gym is located on the Main Deck and includes cardiovascular equipment as well as free weights.

Gift Shop

There is a shop on the Promenade Deck stocked with film, postcards, sundries, gifts, and souvenir items. Hours of operation are posted in the daily program, and purchases will be debited to your shipboard account.

Gratuities

All gratuities for onboard staff and crew are included in the cost of the expedition.

Hair Dryer

Each cabin is equipped with a hair dryer.

Hair Salon

A hairdresser, providing simple hairstyling services for men and women, is available on board. Hours and prices will be posted on board.

Identification Badges

Electronic ID badges containing your name and a bar code will be provided for all participants. Upon embarkation, a digital photograph will be taken and matched to your bar-code number. This identification badge becomes the only thing you need to leave and board the ship. When disembarking for landings or Zodiac cruises, your pass must be scanned. Upon return to the ship, your card will be scanned again and your identity verified. Passengers will not be allowed to embark the ship without a badge.

In addition to verifying that all passengers are safely on board before sailing to our next destination, this system assists us in ensuring that no unauthorized individuals board the ship.

Laundry

Basic laundry service is available on board. Please allow 24 hours for turnaround time, although laundry picked-up in the morning will usually be available the afternoon of the same day. Dry cleaning service is not available. Prices will be posted on board, and charges will be debited to your shipboard account, payable at the end of the voyage.

Lectures

Our onboard staff will present a series of informative lectures during the voyage. We plan to provide a lecture series that will cover all features of our expedition and the surrounding environment. These presentations are an integral part of this expedition and are designed to lend greater depth and understanding to your travel experience.

Library

A library is located on the Boat Deck and has books, games, and computers (charges apply for e-mail) available for public use.

Mail

The purser handles the mailing of passengers’ letters and postcards during the voyage. Postage rates will be posted at reception. Mail will be sent when the ship is in port. Please indicate your cabin number and name (if you are sharing a cabin with someone of a different surname) in the corner to be occupied by the stamp. Postage fees will be debited to your shipboard account, payable at the end of the voyage.

Medical Services and Special Needs

Facilities may not be available for the physically challenged traveler. If you have special needs, please contact our office directly.

A qualified physician will be on board throughout the voyage. Any applicable fees for services rendered on board will be debited to your shipboard account and presented for settlement at the end of the voyage.

Passengers requiring special medications should bring sufficient quantities to last the duration of the expedition. If you are under regular treatment for any ailment or disease, you should bring a summarized medical history as well. It is essential that persons with any medical problems and related dietary restrictions inform us well before departure so we may brief the ship’s staff accordingly.

If you use a hearing aid that might be turned off at night or would otherwise require special assistance in case of an emergency, please advise the reception desk at the time of boarding.

Passports

Passports will be collected upon embarkation and returned at the end of the voyage. Please bring a photocopy of your passport’s information page with you to be used for currency exchange and identification on our landings.

Safety at Sea

Safety at sea is of utmost importance aboard this ship. All officers are trained in emergency procedures, and regular drills are held to instruct the crew in their emergency duties. By international law, passengers must participate in a lifeboat drill within 24 hours of sailing. Upon embarkation, all passengers will be requested to locate their life jacket in their cabin and note their lifeboat and muster station. This mandatory lifeboat drill will be scheduled as soon as is convenient for the expedition leader and captain.

Life preservers are mandatory on Zodiac excursions. All passengers must have their life preserver secured properly before leaving the ship to board the Zodiac.

While the ship is your temporary home, it is also a mobile one, and it is essential that you take certain safety precautions. Here are some basic rules:

Always turn on lights before moving about in a dark cabin.

Walk, never run, aboard the ship, and be extra careful when walking on wet or icy decks.

Wear shoes with slip-resistant soles, especially when walking on deck.

Avoid large, open areas during rough weather, especially outside decks and the bridge. Do not move about unnecessarily.

During particularly rough weather hold on to handrails in stairways, be very careful in the bathroom, never hold a door by its frame in case the ship’s movement causes the door to close on your hand, and secure all baggage in your cabin and any loose items in your bathroom or on shelves, bureaus, or desks.

Ship Statistics

Built: 1975

Refurbished: 1998

Gross Tonnage: 4,364

Length: 330 feet

Draft: 15.5 feet

Beam: 53.5 feet

Number of Guests: 110

Crew Members: 79

Crew Nationality: International

Maximum Speed: 15 knots

Cruising Speed: 13.5 knots

Registered hp: 5,280

Bowthruster: 500 hp

Shipboard Amenities

Shipboard facilities include a cinema/lecture room, sun deck, lounge, hair salon/massage therapy room, gift shop, infirmary, library, and small gym.

Smoking Policy

Smoking is permitted outside on deck in designated areas only. There is a no-smoking policy throughout the interior of the ship. When smoking on outside decks, please do not throw cigarettes over the side of the ship.

Valuables

Please try and leave any nonessential valuables at home. Zegrahm Expeditions is not responsible for the loss or theft of any jewelry, cash, etc. Each cabin contains a safety drawer with lock, which you are encouraged to use.

Water

The ship’s water supply provides potable water, but passengers are asked to practice conservation at all times.

Zodiacs

Zodiacs are the favored means of transportation, and the ship has a fleet that will be used for landings in suitable areas. Their flat-bottom design permits these craft to land directly onto beaches. You can expect, nonetheless, to wade through shallow surf to reach the shore during wet landings.

Zodiacs cruise at an approximate speed of four knots and in windy weather can make for rather splashy rides. We therefore recommend wearing wet-weather gear for Zodiac transfers, and life preservers are absolutely mandatory. You will be given a briefing on the safe use of these boats. Please see the section Proper Use of Zodiacs for further information about procedures during Zodiac landings.

10/2/2008 : From Spain to Senegal: Gibraltar, Morocco, Canary Islands, Cape Verde
3/31/2009 : From Senegal to Spain: Cape Verde, Canary Islands, Morocco, Gibraltar