Ocean Nova

Your Cabin

The Ocean Nova accommodates just 84 passengers. Cabins are spread over two decks and include cabins for the single traveller, double and triple cabins, all with sea-view and private facilities. The double cabins have either two lower beds or upper and lower beds. The triple cabins have upper and lower beds. In your cabin you will also find a desk with chair and ample storage space for clothes and equipment. They are well designed with typical Scandinavian light woods.

Your Space

The Panorama lounge located on the Top deck affords excellent views and is the main meeting place where you can enjoy a drink with a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. It is here that our expedition team will entertain and educate you with lectures on biology, history, geology or ornithology with daily briefings. There is also a library with panoramic views and a good selection of books on the area you are visiting. On board there is a satellite phone, small gym and medical doctor. Passengers are welcome on the Bridge and there is always something to see or search for from the spacious observation decks.

Your Dining

The comfortable dining room seats all passengers in a single sitting and offers delicious hearty meals with a mixture of table service and buffet. It is comfortable and spacious enough to accommodate all passengers and expedition staff in one seating, and the portholes allow you to take in your surroundings as you dine. The informal dining arrangement adds to the friendly atmosphere on board and meals are a great chance to discuss all you have seen with your fellow travellers, and for the expedition team to share their knowledge.

Life Onboard

The atmosphere on board is informal and time on board is often spent out on deck keeping watch for wildlife or admiring the spectacular view. The schedule can change due to weather conditions or unexpected wildlife sightings which adds to the adventure. Daily briefings from our expedition team will prepare you for each day’s activities and experts in subjects such as ornithology or marine biology will give talks and accompany us ashore.

For your comfort

With one of the highest ice classes (1B) and a 2000 hp diesel engine, Ocean Nova is a small but sturdy expedition vessel just as at home in the icy waters of Svalbard as she is in a tranquil Scottish loch. The ship has a crew of 34, including North European officers, whose prime concern is your safety as well as ensuring wildlife sightings and weather conditions are maximised. For your safety there are two fully enclosed lifeboats and a medical clinic onboard.

 Ship Directory

Please find below further details pertaining to the vessel or click on the booklet to download.

We are delighted you have chosen the Ocean Nova for your upcoming voyage. The 84-passenger vessel provides stability and speed and yet is small enough to manoeuvre in remote areas, making her an ideal vessel for expedition cruising.

Completely refurbished in 2006, the atmosphere on board is welcoming and informal and the public areas are spacious and dedicated to discovery and relaxation. Relax with a book in the Panorama Lounge or perhaps join new found friends in the bar to discuss the day’s events and wildlife sightings.

The vessel is equipped with a fleet of Zodiac landing craft and the Captain, Officers, expedition team and crew offer a first-class service and have been selected for their professionalism and expertise. After a day of exploration ashore, you will return to the comfort and peace of a well-run and exceedingly comfortable ship.

We hope this information booklet answers any questions you may have pertaining to the vessel and wish you a pleasant voyage.

VESSEL TECHNICAL DETAILS

Built: 1992 (Denmark) 
Refurbished: 2006
Registered: Bahamas
Draft: 4.5 metres
Gross Tonnage: 2180 tonnes 
Length: 73 metres 
Passenger Capacity: 84
Breadth: 11 metres
Zodiacs: 8  
Staff & Crew: 32 
Ice Class: Ice 1B, EO (Hull Ice 1A)
Cruising Speed: 13 Knots

AIR CONDITIONING

The ship is heated throughout. The Panorama Lounge and dining room are air conditioned and all cabins have outside air flow that can be individually controlled.

ALARM

An alarm will be sounded in the event of emergency. Please follow the instructions provided on board for what to do in the event of emergency.

ALL ABOARD

Your times for embarkation and disembarkation will be provided by your Expedition Leader.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

During your time on board, various announcements will be made by the ship’s crew and the Expedition Leader. Please listen out for these announcements as they will be of importance or interest.

BAR/BEVERAGES

A bar offering soft and alcoholic drinks is available in the Panorama Lounge. Individually purchased drinks consumed throughout your journey should be settled at the end of your voyage. Wine and beverage service is also available in the dining room.

BEAUTY SALON

There is no beauty salon available on board.

BRIDGE

Permission to visit the ship’s Bridge may be requested. Please note this is a working area and access may sometimes be restricted, for example, during manoeuvres or bad weather conditions.

CABINS

There are 39 passenger cabins on board, all outside facing and with en-suite bathroom facilities. All cabins have upper and lower beds, however, in twin cabins only the lower beds will be used. Each cabin features a window, fitted wardrobe with hangers, mirror, writing table and chair, hairdryer and telephone. All cabins are cleaned on a daily basis and towels are changed as required.

CURRENCY

The currency on board is USD. Your ship account will be payable at the end of your cruise by cash (in USD) or credit card (Visa, MasterCard and American Express). Please note that debit cards are not accepted.

DAILY PROGRAMME

Each evening the next day’s programme will be delivered to your cabin.

DRESS CODE

Since we are embarking on an expedition cruise, the dress code on board is informal. We recommend that you bring comfortable, casual clothes that can be layered according to the temperature. We recommend wearing sturdy shoes with rubber soles or other non-slip soles when moving around inside the ship. Leather soles are not recommended.

ELECTRICITY

The electrical supply aboard ship is 220 volts AC and outlets take Scandinavian two-prong plugs. We recommend you take an adaptor with you.

EMERGENCY AND SAFETY PROCEDURES

Full details of the ship’s emergency and safety procedures will be provided following your embarkation. There is a medical doctor and a first aid station on board.

EXPEDITION LEADER

A Noble Caledonia Expedition Leader will accompany you on your voyage, along with Naturalists and Zodiac Drivers.

FIRE SAFETY

On your cabin door is a deck plan displaying your closest (and all other) emergency exits. Emergency exits are marked in green and fire extinguishers fitted in all corridors.

FIRST AID

There is both a medical doctor and a first aid station on board.

FITNESS ROOM

An exercise area is available on the Bridge Deck and contains a variety of equipment. If you intend to use the gym please ensure you wear suitable clothing.

GRATUITIES

Gratuities have been included in your holiday price, however if you feel that certain individuals deserve special award, you are of course free to remunerate as you please.

GIFT SHOP

A small shop selling practical items is located on the ship’s Main Deck.

HOUSEKEEPING

Your cabin will be cleaned twice a day and you will be provided with a ‘turn down’ service at night.

LAUNDRY

Laundry service is available at additional charge (prices available in your cabin). Laundry will be collected in the morning and will be returned to you in approximately two days. Ironing facilities are also available for a fee, however please note there is no tumble drying or dry cleaning on board.

LIBRARY

A small selection of books are available for use on board.

LIFT

There is no lift on board the vessel.

LOST PROPERTY

Lost property can be handed in to the ship’s reception. Please ensure you have all of your belongings with you before you return home. Should you leave items on board the ship we are only able to return them to you at your own cost.

MEALS

The dining room located on the Upper Deck seats all passengers at a single sitting. The chef will serve three meals a day. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style and dinner will be a combination of self-service and served items. All tables seat at least 5 people. Dietary requests can be catered for (on request). Please provide any such requests in writing to Noble Caledonia at the time of your reservation and please reiterate these requests to the ship’s Hotel Manager upon your embarkation.

MEDICAL

There is a doctor and a first aid station on board. Passengers under regular treatment, or requiring special medications, should bring sufficient quantities to last the duration of the expedition.

MOSQUITOES

Please ensure you take the appropriate precautions to guard against mosquito bites.

OBSERVATION DECK

Available to passengers throughout the sailing. Please note the deck may have to be closed during periods of inclement weather.

OPERATIONAL CHANGES

Despite our meticulous planning efforts, there may be times when changes must be made to the daily programme due to circumstances beyond our control such as rough seas or inclement weather. The ship’s Captain and crew will do their utmost to find the best and safest solution. Any changes to the day’s schedule will be communicated as soon as possible.

PAYMENTS ON BOARD

The vessel operates a signed-chit system whereby no payment is immediately required (the vessel only requiring a signature for your purchase) and, only at the end of the cruise will you be presented with your final itemised bill to settle.

POST

The vessel’s crew will be happy to send any post you may have on your behalf (although please note that as they are unable to do so at every port of call, this could take longer than if you were to post yourself). Please note that neither the ship nor Noble Caledonia can be held responsible for items of post that are not successfully delivered on your behalf.

QUESTIONNAIRES

A questionnaire will be provided to all passengers towards the end of their sailing. We would be grateful for you to complete and return this.

RECEPTION

Reception is staffed during peak hours. You will always be able to contact a member of the crew 24 hours a day.

SAFE

A safe is available in the hotel manager’s office for valuables, but we recommend leaving valuables at home or keeping them on your person.

SAFETY

Please take careful note of all safety instructions provided to you by the Master and crew of the vessel. Full safety instructions and a safety video are available to you in your cabin.

SMOKING

Smoking within your cabin or any of the vessel’s public areas is strictly prohibited. Designated smoking areas are provided and can be advised by the ship’s reception upon embarkation.

TELEPHONE

The ship can be contacted by a satellite phone (tel: + 870773221777). Passengers will be able to receive and make satellite phone calls via the telephone on the Bridge and the charges will be added to their onboard account. All passengers can also be assigned an email account for receiving and sending emails. The cost of each received or sent email will automatically be added to your final bill settled at the end of the cruise. Since all communication by phone or email is through a satellite system, coverage and availability can vary throughout the cruise, depending on the signal.

VISITORS

Visitors are not permitted aboard the vessel.

WATER

The water on board is safe to drink. There are strategically placed water bottle filling stations where water is additionally filtered for taste and quality.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is available throughout the vessel and all passengers can be assigned an email account for receiving and sending emails. The cost of each received or sent email will automatically be added to your final bill settled at the end of the cruise. Since all communication by phone or email is through a satellite system, coverage and availability can vary throughout the cruise, depending on the signal.

Please Note:

The above information is accurate and correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publishing. Noble Caledonia accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions and none of the facilities or features of the vessel described herein which are not specifically described in our advertisements and on your holiday invoice as being included in your holiday price will be deemed to be included in your holiday package. If you would like further information about the vessel or about any of your holiday arrangements, please do not hesitate to contact us.

V.1 Jan 2017

• Deckplan