Kruzof Explorer

The 1968-built MV Kruzof Explorer cruise ship is a former fishing vessel (originally named "Maria Cleofas") that was operated in the Bering Sea (North Pacific Ocean) for King Crab fishing. In 2005, the boat was drydock reconstructed (refitted and refurbished) into a luxury expedition yacht and renamed "MY Royal Pelagic".

The vessel (IMO number 7049378) is currently USA-flagged (MMSI 338043017) and registered in Seattle WA.

The expedition ship Kruzof Explorer is a long-range vessel with fuel capacity 55000 US gallons (208,200 liters) and freshwater (per day) capacity ~3000 US gallons (11,360 L) providing 12,000-mi (19300-km) operational/cruising range. The boat features a spacious sun deck (used mainly for wildlife viewing), 6 comfortable passenger cabins, top-deck bar lounge (with floor-ceiling windows), cinema, dining room. The equipment includes a 5-ton hydraulic crane (located midship-portside) that is used for launching/retrieving watercraft.

The boat was built by Martinolich Shipbuilding Company (Tacoma, WA USA) and has some of the toughest hulls for a passenger ship. MS Kruzof Explorer was acquired by Alaskan Dream Cruises in 2019 for its unparalleled performance and seaworthiness, elegant furnishings and modern renovations. Martinolich Shipbuilding was operational between 1904-1974. The company's first shipyard was in Dockton WA (on Maury Island) and later was opened the Tacoma yard. For commercial clients, Martinolich SB Corporation constructed mainly fishing vessels, tugboats and passenger-cargo boats. For the US Navy, at the company's shipyards in California (San Francisco and San Diego) were constructed self-propelled barges, coastal freighters, minesweepers.

Decks and Cabins

The ship has 3 decks and all 6 passenger staterooms. Cabins are equally sized (approx 11 m2 / 120 ft2). Each cabin is fitted with en-suite bathroom (WC, shower), in-cabin washbasin, wardrobe, vanity table/writing desk with chair, 3-drawer dresser, large horizontal window (non-opening). Cabin types include 2x VIP Suites (with King bed convertible to Twins), 3x cabins (with Queen bed convertible to Twins) and 1x Double cabin (with non-convertible Queen bed).

The passenger cabins are named Shelikof-Krestof-Sukoi (portside) and Kalinin-Nakwasina-Salisbury (starboard).

Crew/staff cabins are for 9 people and with 3 common-share bathrooms.

Shipboard facilities

Kruzof Explorer's large outer deck and the 270-degree Sun Deck Bar Lounge are the sports best suitable for wildlife viewing and photography. Other facilities include a professionally-equipped Galley (ship kitchen) and a dining room (full capacity restaurant with single seating).

The vessel is outfitted with one large-capacity Zodiac (high-speed boat for landings and coastal cruising), one sport-fishing boat, two Zodiac Liferafts (safety equipment used in cases of emergency). Complimentary to passengers on daily scheduled near-shore and river tours/excursions are provided paddleboards and sea kayaks. For private or professional use are available (at extra cost) two Yamaha WaveRunners (jet skis), an 18-ft Nautica RHIB and a 24-ft Willard RHIB (rigid inflatable boats) and a 21-ft Anderson Greenough Surf Skiff. The midship-portside-mounted 5-ton crane handles expedition crafts' loading and unloading.

Other shipboard facilities include a Theater Room (with plush seats), Engineering Shop, Cool Room, Freezer, large swim platform (aft/stern located outdoor stairways), solar panels (power capacity 10,080 kW).

Itineraries

For season 2020, Alaskan Dream Cruises introduced with Kruzof Explorer new Alaskan cruise itineraries to destinations of Southeast Alaska's most remote communities - including Klawock (on Prince of Wales Island's west coast), Yakutat (on the Gulf of Alaska), Pelican AK (Chichagof Island's northwestern part), Lituya Bay (fjord), Dall Island (Alexander Archipelago), Baranof Warm Springs (Baranof Island's eastern coast).

• (8 departures in May-September 2020) 7-night cruise tour itinerary "Ultimate Glacier Bay, Wilderness and Wildlife" (from Sitka to Juneau) explores West Chichagof Island and the Pelican community (adjacent to fishing grounds). The voyage includes 3 days in Glacier Bay Park, sea kayaking (Dundas Bay), trekking (near a glacier), Margerie Glacier (Glacier Bay), wildlife watching (puffins, whales, bears, wolves, moose, sea lions). Prices started from USD 10,000 pp.
• (6 departures in May-August 2020) 9-night cruise tour itinerary "Remote Alaska Adventure" (from Sitka to Ketchikan, and the reverse) explores Inside Passage's southern shores (around Prince of Wales Island Alaska), Klawock (native community) and Dall Island, with one day in Glacier Bay Park, one day cruising through Tracy Arm Fjord, shoreside cruising along Admiralty Island and stopping at Baranof Warm Springs. Prices started from USD 12,500 pp.
• (2 departures in July 2020) 12-night cruise tour itinerary "Alaska's Grand Coastal Discovery" (Inside Passage roundtrip from Ketchikan) offers scenic cruising in Glacier Bay (2 days) and the Gulf of Alaska to Yakutat (fishing village). Also visited are the communities Kasaan, Metlakatla (Annette Island), Pelican, as well as Alaskan Dream Cruises private property on Fin Island. Prices started from USD 15,000 pp.