MS BREMEN SHIP INFORMATION 1
DECK PLAN Built: 1990 Gross Tonnage: 6752 Length: 111 m/365 ft Beam: 17 m / 56 ft Speed: 15 knots Guest Capacity: 155 Crew: 100 MS BREMEN We are delighted you have chosen the MS Bremen for your upcoming voyage. The 155 passenger vessel is large enough to provide stability and speed and yet small enough to manoeuvre in remote areas, making her an ideal vessel for expedition cruising. 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. In addition, the expedition team, with their in-depth knowledge and experience, be it marine biology, history or ornithology, are dedicated to offering you the best possible experience during your time on board and ashore. We hope this information booklet answers any questions you may have pertaining to the vessel and wish you a pleasant voyage. 2 +44 (0)20 7752 0000 3
AIR-CONDITIONING The MS Bremen is air-conditioned. You can regulate the temperature in your cabin individually. DECK CHAIRS You will find a plentiful supply of deck chairs on board, as well as sun loungers, towels and blankets. BATHROBE All guests will find a bathrobe provided for them in their cabin. BOUTIQUE The mini boutique in front of the restaurant on Deck 4 offers a small selection of gifts and accessories. Some cosmetics and products for daily use can be purchased at the beauty parlour. BRIDGE In view of its crucial importance as a control centre for all nautical and technical operations, the bridge is an extremely sensitive zone. This is why international safety regulations prohibit it being open to the general public. However, guests will have the opportunity to visit the bridge whenever nautical interests or the local regulations of the current coastal countries allow for it. Guests on board may view the bridge by prior arrangement with the officer on duty. The bridge officers will be happy to give you some informa tion regarding the itinerary, the course, the position of the ship and other nautical questions. CABIN SERVICE On embarkation you will be welcomed with a small bottle of champagne. On Deck 6 and 7 you will also receive a fruit bowl which will be replenished every day. The mini bar in every cabin will also be restocked with soft drinks every day free of charge. Continental breakfast and a selection of dishes can be ordered from the cabin service staff (from 7.00 to 22.00 hrs). In the suites, a selection of top quality cosmetic products is provided. CLOTHING During the day, the atmosphere on board is casual. For the evening, we would recommend a smart-casual wardrobe. Just for the two Captain s Dinners (Welcome and Farewell Evening), we would recommend that the gentlemen wear a suit or combination, the ladies a dress suit or trouser suit. For excursions, clothing should be comfortable and practical, as well as adapted to the route that is to be travelled. Solid shoes are recommended; flat shoes are indispensable both on board and on shore. We recommend that you bring waterproof trousers or over trousers with you, especially for expeditions in the polar waters. You are advised to carry your photographic equipment in a waterproof carrier bag. DIETARY REQUIREMENTS/FOOD ALLERGIES 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. ELECTRICAL CONNECTION In your cabin, you will find outlets for 220 V (60 Hz) alternating current (voltage transformers for 110-V devices are available on board). The outlet in the bathroom is only suitable for shaving equipment. In general we would recommend that you bring with you a travel adaptor for different outlets. For safety reasons, the use of electric kettles, hair straighteners and irons in the cabins is not permitted. E-MAIL E-mails can be sent and received (up to 1 MB) free of charge. Passengers can send and receive e-mails free of charge via the onboard guest portal. Four public PCs are provided for this purpose in the Internet and e-mail centre. Please be aware that in extreme climatic zones (such as the Northwest Passage, the Arctic and Antarctica) satellite connections may be unavailable, so that the dispatch and reception of e-mails may not be possible for days at a time. EXPEDITION EQUIPMENT If the cruising area and any time spent ashore call for it, you can borrow a pair of rubber boots on board (sizes 1-15). On expeditions to extreme regions such as the Arctic and Antarctica, a warm parka (sizes XS XXXL) is at your disposal for the duration of the cruise. Beyond this, the ship offers fishing rods and Nordic walking poles which you can take out on loan in the relevant regions. Microscopes are also available (may only be used when the sea is calm). EXPERTS/LECTURES Expeditions are accompanied by renowned experts who will be glad to answer your questions about the cruise area. With enthralling lectures, images and presentations, during discussions and also in personal conversations, they will impart their in-depth back-ground knowledge concerning your cruise destination. You will also be accompanied by our experts during the Zodiac landings, as well as on hikes and walks. The lectures are held in the Panorama Lounge. 4 +44 (0)20 7752 0000 5
FILM PROGRAMME There is a DVD player in every cabin and you can rent DVDs free of charge at our library for your individual enjoyment. FITNESS/SAUNA The MS Bremen has a fitness room, a sauna and a heated outdoor sea-water swimming pool. GRATUITIES Gratuities to crew are included in the cost of your holiday. HAIRDRESSER/BEAUTY PARLOUR The beauty parlour, which is a combination of a hair dressing salon and a massage area, is located on Deck 7. It also offers cosmetics, manicures and pedicures and massage treatments. INTERNET/WI-FI The use of the Internet is possible (subject to charges). Four public PCs on Deck 4 allow you to surf the Internet. In all cabins and public areas, you have Wi-Fi access which you can use with your own or a rented laptop (limited number). The costs to use the Wi-Fi service and Internet will be charged to your onboard account. Due to satellite positioning, it is possible that the Internet will not be available on some days in extreme regions. ITINERARY CHANGES In spite of the most careful planning of the route, itinerary changes for technical reasons or on account of unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control are possible at all times. These include factors such as official authorisations, local weather conditions and the state of the ice. Any changes to the itinerary that may be necessary are made in the interests of safety. Weather and ice conditions may not only make it difficult or impossible to adhere to the planned itinerary, they may also rule out landings with the Zodiacs. In such cases the ship s management will endeavour at all times to offer you the best possible alternative. LAUNDRY AND IRONING SERVICE The MS Bremen has a laundry and ironing service. LIBRARY The library offers current novels, travel literature and (music) DVDs. LIFT The different decks are connected by two lifts. MEANS OF PAYMENT All monetary transactions on board are handled by the reception. The onboard currency is the Euro. To ensure cashless transactions, an account will be set up for you which can be settled at reception at the end of your cruise. The following means of payment are accepted: MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, Visa and traveller s cheques. Please note that foreign currency cannot be exchanged on board. MEDICAL SERVICES The MS Bremen has a ship s hospital equipped with modern facilities which is under the direction of an experienced ship s doctor. Guests who are being treated for any medical condition are kindly requested to report to the ship s doctor immediately after embarkation. You should under all circumstances bring adequate quantities of any medicines you require on board in your hand luggage. The costs for any treatment or medication will be charged to your onboard account. At the end of the cruise, you will receive a separate invoice to submit to your health insurance provider. MINI BAR Soft drinks are offered free of charge in cabins/suites which are replenished on a daily basis. In the suites you can also enjoy a selection of spirits free of charge. NEWS/NEWSPAPER Depending on satellite reception, you will be given a newspaper every morning with the most important news from all over the world. You can also purchase a large selection of complete editions of international newspapers in digital printed form on request. PHOTOGRAPHER There is a professional photographer on board. It is possible to have digital images burned to a CD and/or printed on photo paper (subject to charge). POST At all ports where postal services are available, your postcards and letters will be posted by the reception staff. Postage charges will be billed to your onboard account. 6 +44 (0)20 7752 0000 7
PROGRAMME OF THE DAY All important information about the daily schedule, as well as any general notifications and details of opening times, will be summarised in the programme of the day. The programme for the following day will be supplied to your cabin every evening. RESTAURANT/SEATING REQUESTS Dinner in the main restaurant is served in a single sitting for all guests. The maître will reserve a set table for you on board. Should you have any special requests in this respect, we will be happy to take note of them when you make your booking, although we cannot make any guarantees. Final seating plans will be provided on board. To make any special arrangements, please see the maître on the day of embarkation. No fixed places are reserved for breakfast and lunch. The restaurant is a non-smoking restaurant. SAFE/VALUABLES All cabins and suites are equipped with a private safe for storage of your valuables. SHORE ACTIVITIES Zodiac landings and related excursions are included in the cruise price. All shore activities are strictly dependent on the local conditions. The Captain has the final say in every decision concerning the progress of the cruise. The safety of the ship and the passengers will always be the highest priority. Please comply with any instructions given by the crew every time you go ashore. SMOKING Smoking is not permitted in any of the cabins and suites, in the restaurant or in the Panorama Lounge. In the Club and on the Lido Deck there are designated areas for smokers, but smoking is not permitted in the Bremen Club during mealtimes and during events. In the interest of all guests, it is requested that you avoid smoking pipes, cigarillos and cigars in the public areas. TELECOMMUNICATIONS/MOBILE SERVICE The MS Bremen is equipped with a state-of-the-art satellite communications system. As long as a local satellite is available, you can place telephone calls to anywhere in the world directly from your cabin (due to satellite positioning, it is possible that the Internet, e-mail and telephone will not be available on some days in extreme regions. Please note that charges apply as soon as you dial a telephone number. The universal dialling code is 00870, followed by the number of the ship. MS Bremen: Phone 773233920 E-mail reception@ms-bremen.com The MS Bremen is equipped with a mobile phone network. This makes it possible for you to use your mobile phone or smartphone even at sea, in areas where as a rule your mobile phone service provider will be unable to supply a network (service subject to charge prices vary depending on the service provider). TENDER AND ZODIAC SERVICE Landings will be arranged by using the motorised inflatable rubber boats (Zodiacs) exclusively, or in exceptional cases with local tender boats. The ship does not have its own tender boats. ZODIACS Much of the success enjoyed during expeditions is due to the proper handling and usage of Zodiac landing craft. These rubber boats, of which there are 12 on board, have a shallow draft and contain air-filled compartments. Guests will be advised where and when to meet the Zodiac for travel to and from the ship. Please ensure that your hands are free at all times and accept the assistance given by the crew when boarding the Zodiacs. A Zodiac safety briefing will be given. STABILISERS The ship is equipped with a modern stabiliser system: retractable floats on both sides of the hull reduce the rolling movement of the ship in rough seas. PLEASE NOTE: The information contained in this booklet is accurate and correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of going to print. 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. 8 +44 (0)20 7752 0000 9
NOTES: Suite The Club Restaurant Panorama Lounge Zodiac Category 7 Cabin Officers on Bridge Panorama Lounge 10 +44 (0)20 7752 0000 11
2 Chester Close, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7BE +44 (0)20 7752 0000 info@noble-caledonia.co.uk 12 V.1 JUNE 2017