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Four Seasons Explorer Sets Sail in Palau, Inviting Travellers to Experience a Hidden World of Adventures on Land and Sea

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With fair winds and following seas, Four Seasons is now welcoming travellers to discover the marine wilderness of Palau aboard Four Seasons Explorer.  Eco-adventurers, divers and cultural explorers will be able to explore the virtually untouched wilderness of more than 340 islands, expansive protected marine territory, and a 4,000-year-old culture, while enjoying the warmth and care of Four Seasons from the deck of this luxury catamaran.

“For many years, Four Seasons Explorer was a hugely popular option for exploring the waters and atolls of the Maldives, and now we are delighted to introduce the hidden paradise of Palau for the first time through the lens of Four Seasons,” says Rainer Stampfer , President, Global Operations, Hotels and Resorts. “With our visionary owner-partners HPL Limited and in close cooperation with Palau’s government and tourism agencies, Four Seasons Explorer sets a new standard for luxury yachting that is at once enriching for our guests and respectful of the country’s natural beauty.”

Four Seasons Explorer is a 39-metre (128-foot) luxury catamaran, with three decks, 10 staterooms plus the lavish Explorer Suite , restaurant, bar, lounge, library, PADI 5-Star Dive Centre, spa corner plus a dedicated team ready to create unforgettable experiences for guests.

Having swapped its former Maldives homeport for The Rock Islands Southern Lagoon of Palau, Four Seasons Explorer now offers guests the option to embark daily, with no minimum stay.  Accompanied by several dive boats and tenders to transport guests to and from shore, Four Seasons Explorer guests can customize their stay, whether for serious diving, cultural encounters or simply relaxing in this tropical utopia.

“Palau is truly one of the world’s last remaining frontiers, almost untouched by time and now preserved for generations to come thanks to local and international efforts to protect this charming nation and its culture of omengull – respecting all and everything,” says Regional Vice President and General Manager Armando Kraenzlin , noting the synergies with Four Seasons own ethos of luxury with genuine heart.  Having overseen Four Seasons Explorer on its expeditions in the Maldives, Armando continues to manage the operations and guest experience as the boat moves to Palau.

Just nine of Palau’s islands are inhabited, and half a million square kilometres (193,000 square miles) of its waters are protected – 80 per cent of the country’s total marine territory. The world’s first national shark sanctuary, Palau is also home to the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon – inaugurated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012, and the locale for many Four Seasons Explorer experiences.

With visibility up to an astonishing 100 metres (325 feet) beneath the waves, Palau’s myriad lagoons and marine features offer an underwater world of wonder to be discovered, from more than 1,400 species of fish and 500 species of healthy coral, to numerous shipwrecks.  The on-board PADI 5-Star Dive Centre caters to guests of all experience levels, offering dives at renowned sites such as Blue Corner, German Channel, Peleliu Wall, Chandelier Cave and Helmet Wreck as well as access to lesser-known gems. 

In addition, water lovers can snorkel, kayak, stand-up paddleboard, fish and free dive.  A favourite excursion is to Milky Way, a shallow “lake” enclosed by islands, with its seabed of volcanic ash creating a warm, milky-blue retreat for yoga sessions and mineral-rich mud bathing.

Going Ashore

On Palau’s lush green islands, Four Seasons guests can hike through jungle to hidden waterfalls, or grab a pair of binoculars and check off a list of dozens of rare birds that inhabit the region.  History buffs will find much to discover while bicycling on Peleliu Island, with numerous military ruins including an old airstrip and American and Japanese memorials to the infamous World War II battle named for the island.   At just under 20 square kilometres (7.5 square miles), Peleliu’s diverse terrain includes steep rises of up to 75 metres (250 feet), casuarina forests and mangroves, and is home to many endemic bird populations.

Inhabited for more than 4,000 years, Palau offers an intriguing journey into the past , with many bai (traditional meeting houses); the mysterious Badrulchau Stone Monoliths – known as “Micronesia’s Easter Island” – a double row of 2,000-year-old carved basalt that may have formed the pillars of a bai capable of sheltering hundreds of people; and the ancient red and yellow geometric rock paintings of Ulong Island.

How It Works

In the country’s main commercial hub of Koror, guests are met by Four Seasons representatives and transported offshore to wherever Four Seasons Explorer is anchored at the time.  Arrival and departure times are flexible, while inclusive rates aboard Four Seasons Explorer cover on-board accommodations and three meals daily including hot beverages; unlimited diving, water sports and island adventures; daily yoga and wellness experiences; and pop-up events from beach barbecues featuring local musicians and dancers to expert talks hosted by the boat’s on-staff marine biologist.

In the galley , the culinary team is adept at creating menus to suit international tastes – whether dining on board, enjoying a castaway-style picnic during a day of diving and exploring, or retreating for a romantic toes-in-the-sand dinner à deux under an endless canopy of stars.

A Special Partnership: Four Seasons Maldives Hospitality Apprenticeship

For the first time ever, three young Palauans participated in the renowned Four Seasons Maldives Hospitality Apprenticeship.  Graduating the multi-faceted, year-long program in June 2023, the trio has now embarked on a new career with Four Seasons Explorer : Dilreng Dee-light Patrick and Kaali Mae as Guest Services Agents, and Joyce L. Kyota as Commis Chef.  

“Since launching our Hospitality Apprenticeship in 2001 with accreditation from the Government of Maldives, more than 800 young Maldivians have completed the program, with many joining our teams at our two Maldivian resorts and private island,” says Kraenzlin.  “It has been our dream to expand the program, and we are delighted to work with the Government of Palau in this initiative for the youth of these two small island nations.”

The program is continuing as 21 Maldivians are currently in Palau, working with the locally based crew as Four Seasons ambassadors, and further developing their careers with international experience.

Be among the first to experience Palau with Four Seasons Explorer:  With several opening offers and daily embarkation options to choose from, reservations can be made by calling (960) 66 00 888, emailing  [email protected] or booking online .

Given its remote location , Palau is ideally enjoyed in conjunction with other nearby destinations. Palau International Airport in Koror is currently accessible via Taipei, Singapore, Honolulu, Guam, Manila and Brisbane, with the island nation well placed for further exploration of Australia, the Philippines, Taiwan and other islands of Oceania such as Yap, Chuuk and the Federated States of Micronesia.

Private Charters

Four Seasons Explorer is also available for tailored private yacht charters in Palau for groups of up to 26, including dedicated seasonal charters for surf enthusiasts with the experts from Tropicsurf.

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Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, 1165 Leslie Street, Toronto, Ontario M3C 2K8, Canada

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This 340-island Country Has Gorgeous Emerald Lagoons in the Pacific Ocean — and You Can Visit on a Floating Resort

Starting in October, the Four Seasons' 10-room luxury catamaran will be based in Palau, a Micronesian island nation, as a floating, cruising resort.

Courtesy of Four Seasons

If you're after an off-grid vacation, it doesn't get more tropically remote than Palau. Starting in October, Four Seasons Explorer, the 11-room, 22-guest luxury catamaran, will make the Pacific Island nation its home base. Guests can charter Explorer for any amount of time, starting with one-night bookings.

Palau comprises 340 islands — only nine of which are inhabited — and 193,000 square miles of protected marine territory that includes the UNESCO World Heritage Site Rock Islands Southern Lagoon . As such, it's a premier diving and snorkeling destination. Guests aboard Four Seasons Explorer can make good use of the PADI 5-Star Dive Centre while visiting such sites as Helmet Wreck, a World War II wreck; Clam City, home to 250-pound giant clams; and Peleliu Wall. Guests can also take guided trips to some inland bodies of water like the iconic Jellyfish Lake .

A trip aboard Four Seasons Explorer isn't limited to marine exploration — with more than 4,000 years of Palauan history, there's also plenty of culture to experience; historic sites to visit, including the ancient Badrulchau Stone Monoliths, the cave paintings of Ulong Island; and natural beauty to enjoy via hiking, bird-watching, and other excursions. On board, guests will enjoy programming like lectures and music performances by Palauans, local and international cuisine, and, of course, Four Seasons–quality spa treatments.

"The core Palauan value of omengull — respecting all and everything — deeply aligns with our values at Four Seasons," said Armando Kraenzlin, Four Seasons' regional vice president, in a statement sent to Travel + Leisure . "Right from the Palauan Pledge that all visitors are asked to sign upon arrival, visitors are immersed in one of the world’s most unique cultures, founded on tradition and respect. It’s a thrilling paradise for anyone seeking harmony with nature, and the opportunity to learn and embrace the unique Palauan way of life."

Full-board rates, including up to three dives per day, start at $3,300 per cabin per night; book now at fourseasons.com/explorerpalau . 

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Palau Opens Up To Luxury Cruisers On Four Seasons Explorer

Beginning in october 2023, the luxury cruising "resort" will introduce four seasons travelers to palau.

Four Seasons Explorer is setting sail to one of the world's last remaining frontiers beginning later this year. Hidden in a remote part of the mighty Pacific , discover Palau—home to more than 340 emerald islands, an astonishing spectrum of marine life, and a 4,000-year-old culture still sustained by the local knowledge of 20,000 traditionally minded people – the most vital element of the unique Palauan culture.

Four Seasons Explorer operates like a floating resort, offering daily embarkations and disembarkations, allowing up to 22 guests to explore as deeply—and for as long—as they wish. With the freedom to focus on personal areas of interest among Palau's many bucket-list wonders, both underwater and on land, all adventures are entirely bespoke.

Referred to as one of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World, with 193,000 square miles of protected marine territory, Palau offers bucket-list opportunities for divers and snorkelers. With only nine of the country's 340 islands inhabited, opportunities for raw natural adventure abound, while deep cultural immersions range from insights into the rich Palauan dance tradition—awash with powerful chanting, storytelling and vibrant colors—to the intriguing exploration of WWII sites, symbolic bai meeting houses, and centuries of Spanish, German, Japanese and American influences.

Guests on the Four Seasons Explorer can also look forward to a variety of on-board experiences, from connecting with Palauan people, chefs and musicians to learning from expert marine biologists and indulging in wellness experiences with spa therapists and yogis.

Four Seasons Explorer will also be available for fully customizable private yacht charters in Palau for groups of up to 22—including dedicated charters for surf enthusiasts with the experts from Tropicsurf, from uncrowded "best-kept secret" breaks on the east and west coast reefs to adventurous "surfaris" off the country's fringing islands during the winter months.

Four Seasons Explorer is a 128-foot luxury catamaran built by Image Marine of Perth, Australia. Its three decks accommodate 10 staterooms with king beds bathed in natural light from large windows, and the lavish Explorer Suite featuring an indoor dining area, walk-in wardrobe and private sundeck with panoramic views across the vessel's bow. Complete with its own PADI 5-Star Dive Centre, recreation desk, restaurant, bar, lounge and library, Four Seasons Explorer features a dedicated team primed to create customized experiences, including a marine biologist, chefs and spa therapist plus dive, snorkeling, freediving and water sports experts.

"The core Palauan value of omengull—respecting all and everything—deeply aligns with our values at Four Seasons," notes Regional Vice President Armando Kraenzlin. "Right from the Palauan Pledge that all visitors are asked to sign upon arrival, visitors are immersed in one of the world's most unique cultures, founded on tradition and respect. It's a thrilling paradise for anyone seeking harmony with nature, and the opportunity to learn and embrace the unique Palauan way of life."

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A New Four Seasons Floating Resort Is Launching in Palau

Starting in october, the luxury “four seasons explorer” catamaran will sail the pristine blue waters of this micronesian nation..

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The Four Seasons Explorer will be able to reach dive sites larger ships can’t.

Courtesy of Four Seasons

Reservations are now open, and interested parties can book online or email [email protected]. Rates start at $3,300 per cabin per night.

Palau, a micronation made up of more than 300 limestone and volcanic islands in the western Pacific Ocean, is known for being a paradise for diving and snorkeling. Its 193,000-square-mile seascape is filled with shipwrecks and a riot of unique marine life, including more than 1,400 species of fish and 500 species of coral.

And soon, it will serve as the home base for the new Four Seasons Explorer , an 11-room, 22-guest luxury catamaran.

Starting in October, travelers can book individual rooms or charter the entire Explorer to sail along the archipelago. There is no set itinerary—the experience is meant to be flexible. Days could be spent at Rock Islands Southern Lagoon ( a UNESCO World Heritage site with a complex reef system and at least 13 shark species), in Clam City (a diving site with clams weighing more than 250 pounds), or Peleliu Wall (where there are sunken U.S. and Japanese ships from World War II). Land-based activities range from visiting Palau’s oldest bai (a traditional meeting house) and hiking to see waterfalls and the cave paintings of Ulong Island to visiting the Belau National Museum (known for its Micronesian artwork and historical photography) and learning Palauan fishing techniques from a local fisherman.

Palau is known for the diversity of its aquatic life—ranging from harlequin sweetlips to bluestripe snapper.

Guests book a package that includes up to three dives per day (including equipment), snorkeling excursions and fish talks with the onboard marine biologist, access to water sports equipment (like windsurfing boards and kayaks), guided cultural activities on land, an onboard videographer, reef-safe sunscreen, and all meals, which are served either in the dining room or as a beach barbecue. Alcoholic drinks are available at an additional charge.

Onboard amenities include indoor and outdoor dining areas, two bars, a library, and a sundeck with a private outdoor massage area. And those who aren’t already dive certified can get a PADI Open Water certification from the onboard PADI 5-Star Dive Center.

The Explorer Suite is at the front of the boat and features panoramic windows.

There are two cabin types across the 11 rooms, including 10 215-square-foot staterooms (which feature a king-size bed and full bathroom) and one 484-square-foot Explorer Suite (with panoramic windows, a walk-in wardrobe, a seating area, and a private sundeck).

Note that while this vessel is owned by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, it’s not part of the forthcoming Four Season Yachts , a new cruise division that is slated to hit the high seas in late 2025. This ship had previously been operating as a high-end liveaboard, offering guests three-, four-, and seven-night itineraries focused on diving in the Maldives. While there aren’t any other Micronesia-based Four Seasons to pair this experience with, there are outposts in the nearby country of Indonesia ( Bali and Jakarta ).

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Four Seasons’ luxury catamaran now sailing to Palau

December 15, 2023

Four Seasons is now welcoming travellers to discover the marine wilderness of Palau  aboard  Four Seasons Explorer .

Eco-adventurers, divers and cultural explorers will be able to explore the virtually untouched wilderness of more than 340 islands, expansive protected marine territory, and a 4,000-year-old culture, while enjoying the warmth and care of Four Seasons from the deck of this luxury catamaran.

“For many years,  Four Seasons Explorer  was a hugely popular option for exploring the waters and atolls of the  Maldives , and now we are delighted to introduce the hidden paradise of  Palau  for the first time through the lens of Four Seasons,” says  Rainer Stampfer , president, global operations, hotels and resorts. “With our visionary owner-partners HPL Limited and in close cooperation with Palau’s  government and tourism agencies,  Four Seasons Explorer  sets a new standard for luxury yachting that is at once enriching for our guests and respectful of the country’s natural beauty.”

About the Four Seasons Explorer

Four Seasons Explorer  is a 39-metre (128-foot) luxury catamaran, with three decks, 10 staterooms plus the lavish Explorer Suite, restaurant, bar, lounge, library, PADI 5-Star Dive Centre, spa corner plus a dedicated team ready to create unforgettable experiences for guests.

Having swapped its former  Maldives  homeport for The Rock Islands Southern Lagoon of  Palau ,  Four Seasons Explorer  now offers guests the option to embark daily, with no minimum stay.

Accompanied by several dive boats and tenders to transport guests to and from shore,  Four Seasons Explorer  guests can customize their stay, whether for serious diving, cultural encounters or simply relaxing in this tropical utopia.

Four Seasons Explorer  is also available for tailored  private yacht charters  in  Palau  for groups of up to 26, including dedicated seasonal charters for surf enthusiasts with the experts from Tropicsurf.

For more details, visit www.fourseasons.com .

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Luxury catamaran to unlock the mysteries of Palau

Four seasons explorer will launch in october 2024.

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Four Seasons Explorer , the 11-berth luxury catamaran owned by HPL Limited, will launch in the Republic of Palau from October 2023. The triple-deck, 39-metre vessel will offer flexible day-to-day itineraries with no set voyages listed online.

Four Seasons Explorer operates like a floating resort, offering daily embarkations and disembarkations, allowing up to 22 guests to explore as deeply – and for as long – as they wish. With the freedom to focus on personal areas of interest among Palau’s many bucket-list wonders, both underwater and on land, all adventures are entirely bespoke.

Subscribe to LATTE Cruise’s free eNewsletter to keep up to date with everything in the luxury cruise space.

More than 1,400 species of fish and 500 species of healthy corals thrive in Palau’s crystal waters and elevated lakes. The nation became the world’s first shark sanctuary in 2009, covering more than 600,000 square kilometres of ocean while the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Palau’s astonishing spectrum of ocean life make it a paradise for swimming, snorkelling and diving.

With a draft of 1.9 metres, Four Seasons Explorer can access locations that larger vessels can’t reach, while its PADI 5-Star Dive Centre ensures expert multi-lingual instructors, the latest gear and onboard videographer, as well as custom-designed dive and excursion boats for direct entry to even the most inaccessible dive sites.

Four Seasons Explorer on-shore excursions are handled by insightful guides and include visiting Palau’s oldest bai (meeting house); exploring the Badrulchau Stone Monoliths, estimated to date back to the year 161; marvelling at the cave paintings of Ulong Island; discovering the Belau National Museum, multiple WWII sites, traditional music, lush forests, majestic waterfalls, and more.

Recreational activities on offer include windsurfing, stand-up paddling and kayaking, while wellness experiences showcase soothing yoga, breathing and restorative treatments on-board or on a secluded beach. Explorer guests can bathe in mineral-rich mud, learn traditional Palauan fishing techniques, hike, bird-watch or even learn to pronounce a few Palauan phrases.

Four Seasons Explorer features three cabin types: State Room (20 square-metres) for 2 adults, a Family State Room (also 20 square-metres but can accommodate 2 adults and a child 8-15 years) and an Explorer Suite (45 square-metres). Onboard in an indoor-outdoor restaurant, two bars, a lounge, library and two sundecks. Free wi-fi is also offered (when available).

Rates are all-inclusive of dining, with the Palau Experience average price per night priced from US$2,800 in an Explorer Cabin, US$3,200 in the Family State Room and US$6,000 in the Explorer Suite.

For bookings, email [email protected] .

HPL Limited is the owner/partner of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts in Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania and Vietnam.

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Island Times

Your gateway to Palau News and Current Events

Four Seasons luxury catamaran launches service in Palau

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Four Seasons Explorer, a 39-metre (128 feet) luxury catamaran, marked the start of its new adventures in Palau with a three-day launch event, October 5 to 7, 2023. The event was attended by senior dignitaries from the Palau leadership and community, including His Excellency Surangel Whipps Jnr., President of the Republic of Palau, and First Lady Valerie Whipps.

Four Seasons Explorer will operate like a floating resort starting October 22, 2023, allowing guests to explore Palau’s marvels as deeply—and for as long—as they wish. The vessel has daily embarkations and disembarkations, an onboard PADI 5-Star Dive Centre, and just 11 double-occupancy en-suite accommodations (including an expansive suite).

Armando Kraenzlin, Regional Vice President of Four Seasons Resorts Maldives, Bali, Palau and Mumbai, expressed his deep gratitude to the people of Palau for the warmth of their welcome and his respect for their unique home.

“Palau is quite unlike anywhere in the world and it has been one of the standout privileges of my career to have had the opportunity to explore it in such detail and spend time learning from many of its custodians. On behalf of the whole Four Seasons Explorer team, we are very much looking forward to working in collaboration with the local community to share insights into this thrilling natural paradise and its exciting waters,” said Armando Kraenzlin.

Representatives from the boat’s ownership and management teams, including Mr. Gan K.L., VP of Business Development & Asset Management, HPL Hotels & Resorts; and Armando Kraenzlin, Regional Vice President of Four Seasons Resorts Maldives, Bali, Palau and Mumbai welcomed the State Ministers, Ambassadors, Governors of Palau, members of the Legislature and Education board plus leading figures and representatives from Palau Visitors Authority, Chamber of Commerce, Conservation Society, the business community and the media during the three-day launch.

Four Seasons Explorer not only brings an unparalleled level of luxury to Palau but introduces the most flexible way to experience its many natural and cultural wonders.

 Complete with its own PADI 5-Star Dive Centre, Recreation Desk, restaurant, bar,

lounge and library, the dedicated onboard team of 25 – which includes 4 Palauan

nationals and 21 Maldivians– is primed to create extraordinary ocean- and land- based

experiences for a maximum of 26 guests at a time.

Four Seasons Explorer is also available for fully customizable private yacht charters in Palau.

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FOUR SEASONS LUXURY YACHT “EXPLORER” SAILS IN A NEW PARADISE

ALL THINGS CRUISE introduced our readers to Four Season’s Hotels and Resorts Explorer as she sailed the waters surrounding the Maldives (See https://allthingscruise.com/now-for-something-completely-different-set-sail-on-four-seasons-explorer/ .) Now guests can experience the luxury and hospitality Four Seasons is renowned for as they sail the waters in Palau aboard this magnificent catamaran. Palau, a Micronesian paradise south of Taipei and north of New Guinea, is a group of over 340 islands—only 9 of which are inhabited. The country has safe-guarded 80 percent of its marine expanse including the world’s first shark sanctuary and the UNESCO-listed Rock Islands Southern Lagoon. Dive enthusiasts will revel in water with visibility up to an astonishing 100 meters (325 feet) beneath the waves. Its crystal-clear lagoons showcase over 1400 species of fish and 500 vibrant coral species. Historic shipwrecks complete the underwater picture. Four Seasons Explorer’s on-site PADI 5-Star Dive Centre caters of all skill levels, offering dives at renowned sites and hidden treasures alike.

FOR THOSE SEEKING INCREDIBLE LAND EXPERIENCES PALAU IS ALSO A PARADISE

Palau has a rich history dating back at least 4000 years, with plenty of evidence of human habitation and ancient traditions. Land-based escapades for Four Seasons Explorer guests encompass Palau’s verdant terrain, its secluded waterfalls and rare bird species. Guests are invited to delve into Palau’s rich history including ancient meeting houses, monoliths and captivating rock art. Rainer Stampfer, President of Global Operations for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts noted: “For many years,  Four Seasons Explorer  was a hugely popular option for exploring the waters and atolls of the Maldives, and now we are delighted to introduce the hidden paradise of Palau for the first time. With our visionary owner-partners HPL Limited and in close cooperation with Palau’s government and tourism agencies,  Four Seasons Explorer  sets a new standard for luxury yachting that is at once enriching for our guests and respectful of the country’s natural beauty.”

IMAGINE! YOU CAN CHART YOUR OWN COURSE ABOARD FOUR SEASONS EXPLORER

Relocated from its Maldives base to Palau’s Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, Four Seasons Explorer now offers guests daily boarding options. You can even choose the duration of your stay!

Supported by multiple dive boats, guests can tailor their experiences, whether focused on diving, immersing themselves in local culture or merely unwinding aboard this beautiful yacht in this tropical paradise. This flexible scheduling and comprehensive packages ensure a seamless experience encompassing accommodations, meals, diving, water sports, daily yoga and wellness activities making each day a captivating event.

AND ALL THIS ABOARD AND TRULY LUXURIOUS YACHT

Four Seasons Explorer is a 30-metre (128-foot) luxury catamaran with 3 decks, 10 staterooms and a lavish Explorer Suite. Explorer’s interior, recently freshened for its move to Palau, boasts a restaurant, bar, lounge, library, the PADI Dive Center, a Spa Corner and a crew dedicated to satisfying every guest’s every wish. In the Galley, the culinary team is adept at creating menus to suit every taste and every whim—whether dining on board, enjoying a castaway-style picnic during a day of diving and exploring or indulging in the pure romance of a toes-in-the-sand dinner for two under an endless canopy of stars . “Palau is truly one of the world’s last remaining frontiers, almost untouched by time and now preserved for generations to come thanks to local and international efforts to protect this charming nation and its culture of  omengull  – respecting all and everything,” says Regional Vice President and General Manager Armando Kraenzlin, noting the synergies with Four Seasons own ethos of luxury with genuine heart. Having overseen  Four Seasons Explorer  on its expeditions in the Maldives, Armando continues to manage the operations and guest experience as the yacht moves to Palau.

TO BE AMONG THE INAUGURAL GUESTS EXPLORING PALAU ABOARD FOUR SEASONS EXPLORER …

With several opening offers and daily embarkation options to choose from, do let us know if you are interested in more information and to book  [email protected]

Given Palau’s remote allure, it serves as a ideal starting point for exploring neighboring destinations and is accessible through a surprising number of international airlines. For those seeking complete exclusivity, Four Seasons Explorer offers tailored private charters in Palau for groups up to 26 including specialized surf charters in collaboration with Tropicsurf.

1 thought on “FOUR SEASONS LUXURY YACHT “EXPLORER” SAILS IN A NEW PARADISE”

Can’t wait to go to Palau, definitely a beautiful place

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Four Seasons Explorer deck plans

Deck layouts, review of facilities, activities, amenities.

Four Seasons Explorer deck plan review at CruiseMapper provides newest cruise deck plans (2024-2025-2026 valid floor layouts of the vessel) extracted from the officially issued by Four Seasons Yachts deckplan pdf (printable version).

Each of the Four Seasons Explorer cruise ship deck plans are conveniently combined with a legend (showing cabin codes) and detailed review of all the deck's venues and passenger-accessible indoor and outdoor areas. A separate link provides an extensive information on Four Seasons Explorer staterooms (cabins and suites), including photos, cabin plans and amenities by room type and category.

Four Seasons Explorer (2002-built as Island Explorer, currently marketed as "FS Palau Explorer") is a 3-deck catamaran-type superyacht. The ship is owned by Four Seasons Hotels Ltd (global hospitality company) and operated by its subsidiary and ultra-luxury cruise travel brand Four Seasons Yachts (2023-established).

Until 2023, the ship was marketed "FS Explorer Maldives" being deployed year-round in the Maldives.

FS Explorer cruise ship deck plans show a total of 11 passenger staterooms (10 cabins + 1 Balcony Suite), an Aft Marina/Dive Center (Diving and Recreation Area), two Muster Stations (assembly points in cases of emergency), four lifeboats (used as tour boats/tenders), Alfresco Dining Deck (served by its own open-air Bar), Dining Room Restaurant (with adjacent Galley/Kitchen), indoor Bar Lounge/Library, top-deck Sundeck (aft sunbathing area with padded seating), indoor wellness complex (spa/massage rooms for treatments), Navigation Bridge/Wheelhouse (with adjacent Captain's Suite/officers' quarters).

Deck layouts

Deck 01 - main-cabins, deck 02 - upper-suite-dining-lounge, deck 03 - sundeck-bridge.

Four Seasons Explorer deck plans are property of Four Seasons Yachts . All deck layouts are for informational purposes only and CruiseMapper is not responsible for their accuracy.

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Four Seasons Explorer

3 nights from £2,535pp including flights, transfer and full-board.

A luxurious 128-feet catamaran, the Four Seasons Explorer offers a range of cruises around the beautiful Maldives. Ideal for nature-lovers who like diving and snorkeling among exotic atolls, these lavish cruises also cater for those who simply want to relax in unparalleled surroundings.

Choose your cruise

The three-night Aquariums and Caves cruise takes you to the Baa and Malé atolls, with fish-filled caves, coves and canyons to explore. The four-night Sharks and Shipwrecks cruise visits Baa and Malé and Ari atolls, where passengers can dive and snorkel among shipwrecks and friendly sharks. For a seven-night trip, the See It All cruise travels both northwards and southwards in an exhilarating tour of four major atolls.

Food at its finest

A cruise aboard the Four Seasons Explorer is a luxury experience, and this includes the food. The breakfast buffet offers a wide range of delicious dishes. Lunch and dinner menus change daily, with a range of fresh food influenced by Maldives, India, Asian, European and American flavours. Cruises also feature beach barbecues on uninhabited islands, and if you manage to catch a fish during your stay, the chef will cook it for you.

A stay at sea

Passengers can choose from 10 air-conditioned State Rooms or the Explorer Suite, all of which offer stylish and comfortable accommodation and a range of amenities, including flat-screen TVs and private bars

Stay entertained and invigorated

There is a PADI 5-star Dive Centre on board, which runs a daily schedule of at least two dives to secluded spots where you can see sharks, wrecks and mantas. Those with a little less diving experience can explore the marine life with a snorkel, or enjoy watersports such as kayaking and waterskiing.

For something more relaxing, a variety of spa treatments are available from the on-board massage therapist.

If you want to explore the stunning islands and beaches of the Maldives in luxury, a cruise on the Four Seasons Explorer is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience.

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PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS:

• The only luxury liveaboard dive boat in The Maldives.
• For those who fish, the chef is pleased to discuss preparation ideas for your catch of the day
• The Maldives is renowned for its abundance of fish life, warm pristine waters and close encounters with pelagics such as manta rays and whale sharks
• As the country’s fastest-cruising liveaboard, Four Seasons Explorer gives divers access to a wide variety of secluded hot spots, including exciting channel dives with sharks and rays, vibrant thilas, cleaning stations, wrecks, and coral overhangs.
• Non divers can indulge in snorkelling, fishing, watersports, island excursions and spa treatments.
• Combinable with the two Four Seasons islands in the Maldives – Landaa Giraavaru and Kuda Huraa.

EXCLUSIVE LUXE VOYAGER VIP BENEFITS & BEST PRICE

We negotiate rates & benefits for our clients directly with the hotels’ senior management. Our rates match or in many cases are lower than the best online rate for the property. Our clients also enjoy a suite of extra VIP privileges and recognition while staying at a partner hotel.

• Complimentary room upgrade on arrival.
• Daily complimentary buffet breakfast for two.
• Up to $100 dining or spa credit per stay, and or in-house dining / spa discounts.
• Welcome amenities (wine/chocolates/fruit) and card from the GM.
• Complimentary private airport transfers.
• Complimentary roll-away bed if required.
• Early check-in and late check-out.
• Complimentary Wi-Fi.
• Enhanced recognition through VIP status at all touch points in the guest experience.

A complete or partial suite of VIP benefits will be offered, subject to the property T&C, including availability, category of room & length of stay.

ACTIVITIES:

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You’ve always been one to chart your own course through life – are you ready to take it to the sea? Join us for an all-inclusive, three-, four- or seven-night cruise aboard Four Seasons Explorer through the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and experience a tropical journey unlike any other. You’ll sail between the enchanting garden island of Kuda Huraa and the pristine hideaway of Landaa Giraavaru on our private, three-deck catamaran as you uncover the unspoiled wonders of the Maldives. With no more than 22 passengers, island-hopping never looked so perfect.

The Four Seasons Explorer is a 39-metre, three-deck catamaran, accommodating a maximum of 22 guests on a marine and cultural adventure into the undiscovered Maldives, visiting isolated reefs, virgin dive-sites, uninhabited beaches and secluded villages.

The Four Seasons Explorer cruises between the Four Seasons properties at Kuda Huraa, a private island paradise of lush tropical gardens and remarkable surf, and Landaa Giraavaru, a pristine hideaway in the Baa Atoll.Guests can select three-, four- and seven-day island cruises or private, customised charters. Each includes visits to numerous sites, pre-selected for their unique diving, snorkelling, surfing or on-shore recreation potential.

Choose from 10 spacious State Rooms and the palatial Explorer Suite, all of which are bright and airy and include the luxury and style you expect from Four Seasons Explorer. All cabins are air-conditioned, with an en-suite bathroom that has a bathtub/shower. Curl up on your sofa, select something from the refrigerated private bar or enjoy a movie on the flat screen LCD TV, all in the comfort of your State Room or Explorer Suite. Awake to a new vista each morning, as large windows frame ever-changing views of the azure ocean and sky, emerald-topped islands edged in turquoise waters and brilliant white sand.

Explorer Suite

Wake to sunshine and panoramic ocean views from the wall of windows that lies before you in this elegant, upper-deck suite, outfitted with contemporary, teak furnishings and our signature Four Seasons Bed.

Curl up on the sofa with a drink from your private bar to enjoy a movie after an exciting day, or lie back on the bed and watch the stars twinkle over the ocean from your cabin’s large, port windows in our bright and airy State Rooms.

Dining on the Four Seasons Explorer is, as at all Four Seasons resorts, an eclectic experience. Guests can savour fine international cuisine, celebrate the tastes of contemporary seafood delicacies and choose from a cellar of handpicked fine wines. Natural settings inspire the palate and invite toasts to the magnificent Indian Ocean. Enjoy the best surfers’ fare imaginable.

All-Inclusive Dining

All of your meals are all-inclusive – with the exception of alcoholic beverages – and can be shared in the company of new friends in our air-conditioned dining room or out on the al-fresco deck.

Our indoor bar features cosy sofas adjacent to a relaxing lounge area, while a second, outdoor bar on the sheltered, lower sundeck gives you a front-row seat to the breathtaking sunsets.

Library And Lounge

Our indoor lounge is the perfect place to unwind, swapping stories with fellow passengers, reviewing the day’s underwater highlights captured by our resident videographer, or enjoying a book, magazine or board game from the Library along with all-day drinks and refreshments.

Four Seasons Explorer’s resident spa therapist offers natural therapies inspired by Asia’s ancient healing principles. Retreat to the private treatment area on the upper deck – curtained for privacy yet open to the refreshing sea air – or indulge in a massage at one of the secluded beaches visited during the cruise.

Meet our resident spa therapist on the upper deck’s private-treatment area for a restorative and deeply relaxing, Indian-herbal-oil massage, or indulge in a refreshing, sun-soothing body wrap on the shores of a secluded beach.

Area & Location

Area, country, north male atoll, maldives, nearest airport, male international airport, malé, local currency, maldivian rufiyaa (mvr), time change, maldivian (dhivehi), best time to go, best visited between november through april., male atoll, maldives, related hotels.

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Astrakhan Oblast, Russia

The capital city of Astrakhan oblast: Astrakhan .

Astrakhan Oblast - Overview

Astrakhan Oblast is a federal subject of Russia, part of the Southern Federal District, situated in the Caspian Lowlands where the Volga River flows into the Caspian Sea. Astrakhan is the capital city of the region.

The population of Astrakhan Oblast is about 989,400 (2022), the area - 49,024 sq. km.

Astrakhan oblast flag

Astrakhan oblast coat of arms.

Astrakhan oblast map, Russia

Astrakhan oblast latest news and posts from our blog:.

4 March, 2020 / Astrakhan - one of the oldest cities in southern Russia .

18 May, 2019 / Colorful summer sunset in the Volga River delta .

4 April, 2019 / Cities of Russia at Night - the Views from Space .

11 May, 2017 / Astrakhan Kremlin after the Restoration .

13 December, 2016 / Astrakhan - the view from above .

More posts..

History of Astrakhan Oblast

In ancient times, the territory of the Astrakhan region was crossed by trade routes of the Persians and the Arabs. In the 8th-10th centuries, the territory belonged to the Khazar Khanate. There is a hypothesis that Itil, the capital of the Khazar Khanate, was located on this territory. It was destroyed by Prince Svyatoslav in 965.

Later, Polovtsy settled on this land. In the first half of the 13th century, the Mongol-Tatars came to the area. After them, Tatars of the Astrakhan Khanate and Kazakhs became the main population of the region.

In 1556, during the reign of Ivan the Terrible, the Astrakhan Khanate was annexed to the Russian state and ceased to exist. Astrakhan krai became the southeastern military outpost of Russia. In particular, in 1569, the Turks unsuccessfully besieged the fortress of Astrakhan.

In the 17th century, trade, fishing and salt industries developed in the region. In the middle of the 17th century, the uprising of Stepan Razin took place on the territory of Astrakhan region. In 1722, near the mouth of the Kutum River, a shipyard called the Astrakhan Admiralty was built. In the 1730s-1740s, the processing of silk and cotton began here.

Astrakhan Oblast was created in 1943. The region gained its current borders in 1957.

Steppe landscapes of Astrakhan Oblast

Astrakhan Oblast scenery

Author: Dvornikov Mikhail

Steppe road in the Astrakhan region

Astrakhan Oblast - Features

Astrakhan Oblast is located in the south-east of the East European Plain within the Caspian Lowlands. It is an area of deserts and semi-deserts. Astrakhan oblast borders on the Volgograd region in the north, the Republic of Kalmykia in the west and Kazakhstan in the east.

It is located on the border between Europe and Asia, the Volga River gives access to five seas. The main cities of the region are Astrakhan (518,700), Akhtubinsk (35,500), Znamensk (25,700), Harabali (17,100).

The climate of Astrakhan Oblast is continental, dry. Winters are with little snow, frequent thaws and unstable snow cover; summers are hot. January is the coldest month, the average temperature is minus 10-20 degrees Celsius. July is the hottest month - the average temperature is plus 35-45 degrees Celsius.

According to the 2010 census, the ethnic composition of the local population is the following: Russians (67.6%), Kazakhs (16.3%) and Tatars (6.6%). Orthodox Christianity is the main religion. However, Muslims also make up a significant group of the population (more than 20%). Historically, this province was a place where Kazakhs and Tatars settled. The largest Kazakh community in Russia lives in the Astrakhan region.

Astrakhan Oblast views

Paved road in Astrakhan Oblast

Author: V.Kildushov

Camels in Astrakhan Oblast

Author: Viktor Grigoriev

The Volga-Don Shipping Canal in Astrakhan Oblast

Author: Kudanov Pavel

Astrakhan Oblast - Economy

Natural resources of the region include natural gas, oil, salt, gypsum.

The industrial complex of Astrakhan, the economic center of the region, includes shipbuilding, pulp and paper industry, fish processing industry. The leading industries are fuel industry, mechanical engineering, power engineering, food industry. Astrakhan gas condensate field, the largest in the European part of Russia, is located in the area. Astrakhan Gas Processing Plant produces gas for cars, diesel and boiler fuel.

Agricultural lands make up more than 3.4 million hectares - the cultivation of tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, courgettes, cucumbers, carrots, beets, onions, cabbage, watermelons. Rice is traditionally grown along the Volga. The leading branch of livestock is sheep breeding.

The region stretches for over 400 km in the form of a narrow stripe on both sides of the Volga-Akhtubinsk flood-lands. Flooded for a long time, the territory of the delta serves as spawning-ground for such fish as sturgeon, stellate sturgeon, white sturgeon and others.

Astrakhan oblast of Russia photos

Pictures of astrakhan oblast.

Lenin Monument in Astrakhan Oblast

Bridge in Astrakhan Oblast

Author: Anatoliy Martyshkin

Church in Astrakhan Oblast

Limanskiy Khurul - the only active Buddhist temple in Astrakhan Oblast

Limanskiy Khurul in Astrakhan Oblast

Author: Moskaluk Vitaly

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• Current affairs

Kazakh as an Unwritten Language: The Case of Astrakhan Oblast

• September 28, 2023
• 12 minute read

An ethnically diverse region that abuts the Caspian Sea in southwestern Russia, Astrakhan Oblast is home to the country’s largest Kazakh community. Almost 150,000 people, or 18 percent of the oblast’s population, identify as ethnic Kazakhs. Although Astrakhan does border Kazakhstan, most of them are not recent immigrants from the neighboring country. Their families have been living in what is now Astrakhan since long before the current national borders were drawn.

Dor Shabashewitz

Dor Shabashewitz is a Russia-born Israeli journalist and political analyst with a background in anthropology and sociolinguistics. He worked as a junior researcher at the RAS Institute for Linguistic Studies and conducted extensive fieldwork in Astrakhan’s Kazakh and Nogai rural communities as a part of his Master’s studies at the European University at St. Petersburg. In 2021, the Russian Federal Security Service forced him to leave the country following politically motivated accusations of “extremism” and “separatism.” These days, he covers ethnic minority rights and regional politics in the Lower Volga and Central Asia for RFE/RL ’s Tatar-Bashkir Service.

* The article that follows provides a brief overview of the sociolinguistic situation among those Kazakhs living in the Russian part of the Volga River delta. It is based on field research conducted by the author during his master’s studies between 2019 and 2021.

In the Middle Ages, Astrakhan was part of the Golden Horde and, later, an independent khanate. In 1556, it was conquered by the Russians and eventually incorporated into the Russian Empire as a governorate. The first major wave of Kazakh migration to Astrakhan Governorate began between 1799 and 1801, when Bökey Khan, son of the Junior jüz leader Nuraly, led several thousand nomadic families from across the Ural River to a more fertile area in the Volga River delta. A steady influx of Kazakh settlers continued well into the mid-nineteenth century. The new Astrakhan Kazakh community led by Bökey enjoyed the status of a semi-independent vassal state for several decades before gradually ceding most of its autonomy under pressure from the Russian authorities.

The early Soviet years revived the idea of a Kazakh autonomous area in Astrakhan. In 1919, some of the Kazakh districts of Astrakhan Governorate were grouped together under the name Volga-Caspian Kirghizia and transferred to what later became the Kazakh SSR. Most of them stayed and became part of Kazakhstan upon its independence, but some of the transfers were reversed in the 1920s. Thus, the Volodarsky and Krasny Yar districts ended up in Russia’s Astrakhan Oblast despite 70 percent and 50 percent of their inhabitants, respectively, being ethnic Kazakhs.

Notwithstanding the omnipresent linguistic Russification of the Soviet era, Kazakh enjoyed certain formal privileges in the Kazakh SSR as a co-official language that was used in many schools, especially in rural areas. State-funded magazines, newspapers, books, and movies were produced in the language. Government support for the national language and its social prestige only increased after Kazakhstan became a sovereign country in 1991. This was not the case in Astrakhan Oblast—the region’s Kazakh community had no linguistic autonomy or representation under the Soviets, and this did not change when the USSR fell apart.

Vitality Factors

In what state, then, is the Kazakh language among Astrakhan’s Kazakhs after decades without formal recognition? In what domains is it still spoken? What do the Astrakhan Kazakhs think of their ethnic language, and what role does it play in their identity? These were the questions I hoped to answer when I set off on a fieldwork trip to my home region’s Volodarsky district as a master’s student in social anthropology back in 2019.

During my fieldwork, I visited numerous rural settlements of varying sizes, ethnic compositions, locations, histories, and economic conditions. It became evident that all of these factors played a significant role in the vitality of Kazakh in any given village, but the relative weight of each factor was rather unexpected. My analysis showed that the share of ethnic Kazakhs in a village did not correlate strongly with how much they used the language in their daily lives. I have been to monoethnic Kazakh villages that spoke almost exclusively Russian, as well as mixed ones where Kazakh was still maintained by some members of the younger generations.

Geography and the perceived history of a settlement turned out to be the two most defining factors. Inhabitants of villages that are close to Astrakhan City and have a stable public transport connection to the city tend to switch to Russian more quickly than residents of more remote ones. Career opportunities in rural areas are scarce, prompting villagers to look for jobs in the urban center. When logistically possible, many opt to continue living in their villages and commute to work several times a week instead of moving to the city. Despite its impressive ethnic diversity, Astrakhan City is overwhelmingly Russian-speaking. Kazakh rural commuters tend to integrate into this environment and “bring it home” after work, influencing the linguistic landscape of their communities.

“Perceived history” deserves an anthropological study of its own. Many of the Astrakhan Kazakhs I interviewed explained that their villages were originally founded by Russian peasants or created by the Soviets in a centralized way and populated by collective farm workers of diverse origins. Many settlements with such histories gradually became majority-Kazakh, but most locals believed they were “not really Kazakh villages” and thus considered Kazakh a rather inappropriate language to use in public spaces. In settlements such as Vinny, this mentality led to Kazakh becoming a family language only, with Russian as the sole means of communication in all other domains—even between Kazakhs.

This stands in stark contrast to the village of Altynzhar, which was founded by Kazakh settlers and has a long tradition of local pride. The renowned nineteenth-century Kazakh composer Qurmangazy is buried in Altynzhar; the village hosts a museum dedicated to his life and to the culture of the region’s Kazakh community more generally. Altynzhar was also home to the Kazakh poet and language activist Mäjilis Ötejanov. Due to its history and cultural significance, Altynzhar is often viewed as the informal capital of the Astrakhan Kazakhs. This status, combined with the lack of reliable public transportation, helps the local population to maintain their language and identity better than elsewhere.

Language Use

Despite the differences between individual settlements, home is by far the most common domain of use for the Kazakh language across Astrakhan Oblast. For most of my respondents, constant code-switching between Russian and Kazakh is the default register when they talk to their relatives. The ratio of elements from the two languages, however, varies widely. Kazakh may dominate or it may only be represented by several words—but, as my experience shows, it is never fully absent.

In Vinny, I interviewed a young Kazakh man who was born and raised in the village but went to an urban high school and later moved to a different part of Russia for university. These days, he lives and works in Astrakhan City. At the time I met him, he was visiting Vinny to see his parents, who still lived there permanently. During the interview, he said he spoke no Kazakh at all: “I do not speak Kazakh… Never wanted to learn it, thought it was useless. Grandma would talk to me in Kazakh, and I am like… I do not understand everything, but I can get the general idea.”

Just an hour later, I overheard him using numerous Kazakh words in a Russian-language conversation with his mother. Answering my ensuing question, the young man explained: “There are still some words that are easier for me to say in Kazakh. Like ‘scoop’ or ‘ladle’—I just say ojaw .” Later, I discovered other Kazakh words in the speech register he used at home. They were terms related to farming, as well as the names of certain traditional foods and houseware items.

This case is by no means unique—in fact, it is very typical. Lexical domains related to rural ways of life and things you find in a traditional household seem to be the least likely to be forgotten by young and predominantly Russian-speaking Astrakhan Kazakhs. This may be because they lack any similar rural experience gained in a non-Kazakh context.

Leaving the “Kazakh” village for the “Russian” city, one practically replaces one’s entire vocabulary—but with exceptions. The array of subjects discussed in urban settings is at least as wide as that in rural areas, but the two sets of lexical domains do not always coincide. Traditional ethnic cuisine, cattle farming, agriculture, and culturally specific rural household items are not things that city dwellers usually speak of, hence the words for them are not as easily replaced with Russian equivalents in the speech of first-generation urbanites. Sometimes, the Kazakh words remain the only ones they know. The lack of need or even opportunity to talk about these things in Russian makes this set of Kazakh vocabulary more resistant to attrition. It is only natural for urban Kazakhs to use these terms when they go to a rural area to visit their family. This may be viewed as a “light version” of cue-dependent language retrieval .

Equally, even among those Astrakhan Kazakhs who live in rural settlements and use Kazakh-Russian code-mixing as their default home register, one can point to specific domains that almost universally trigger the use of a much higher share of Russian-language elements. This includes all of the “complicated” domains, as the respondents call them. For example, a middle-aged man from the village of Novy Rychan said: “When fixing a TV set, we are most definitely talking in Russian.” In a different settlement, I witnessed four men talking in almost “pure” Kazakh—that is, using few Russian elements. Then one of them mentioned the COVID-19 pandemic, and this change of subject, combined with “complex” vocabulary related to healthcare and government policies, triggered an instant switch to almost equally “pure” Russian.

As is evident from these situations, Kazakh is often regarded and used as a rural and “simplistic” language, fitting for discussions of farming but not technology or anything modern. This set of associations speaks to its low social prestige—but may also be viewed positively by some. Many heritage speakers of Astrakhan Kazakh associate the language with a sense of home and strong family ties. “Kazakh is… It is something about your home, you know, where you feel most comfortable and secure. It is the mother language, after all. Whenever I hear it, I think of those evenings I spent in the village of Multanovo with my parents and grandma as a kid. I miss this feeling now that I live in the city,” said one of my respondents.

Two other important domains associated with Kazakh, which are intertwined with each other, are religion and ethnic celebrations. While overwhelmingly secular in daily life, most Astrakhan Kazakhs identify as Muslim. Many hardly ever go to mosques—in fact, there are large, exclusively Kazakh villages with no mosques at all. Moreover, the minority that does adhere to a strictly Islamic way of life is viewed as odd and even suspicious by the more secular majority.

Still, events such as weddings and funerals almost universally have an Islamic element to them. Interestingly enough, many of my respondents think of Islam as inseparable from the Kazakh language. “When the Quran is being recited, you are supposed to talk in Kazakh,” said a middle-aged man from Novy Rychan. Obviously, the recitation itself happens in Arabic, and one is supposed to listen to it rather than talk simultaneously. What this respondent meant was that the “religious” and “traditional” atmosphere of such events triggered increased use of Kazakh before and after the recitation and other rituals.

Kazakh as an Unwritten Language

While still widely spoken in some of the more remote villages, Astrakhan Kazakh remains a practically unwritten language. In the early Soviet years, Kazakh was used at numerous village schools as the primary language of instruction, but it was quickly downgraded to being taught as a subject only. By 1966, it had disappeared from the region’s school system entirely.

The perestroika era brought a surge in ethnic activism, with Kazakh language lessons being reintroduced in almost a hundred village schools in the late 1980s and 1990s. Unfortunately, this did not last long: Vladimir Putin’s rule brought another wave of linguistic Russification as part of his “unity through uniformity” policy. Kazakh was soon downgraded to an optional, once-a-week class. Today, fewer than 20 Astrakhan Oblast schools offer it in any form, even though over 140 of the region’s rural localities have a Kazakh majority or plurality.

This lack of Kazakh at school has resulted in entire generations having little exposure to written Kazakh and being functionally illiterate in it, even when perfectly literate in Russian. This can be seen from the way the names of many Astrakhan Kazakhs are written in their Russian IDs and passports. When giving their children legal names, many parents opt for naive phonetic approximations that do not match the way a name is normally spelled in Kazakhstan (eg., Kuvanshkirey rather than the more typical Qwanışkereý in Kazakh or Kuanyshkerey in Russian). Many of my respondents said they had trouble understanding and distinguishing the “weird letters” used in Standard Kazakh, referring to the additional and modified Cyrillic characters that are absent from the Russian alphabet.

Russian dominates all of the “formal” domains in Astrakhan Oblast, from education to technology and interactions with the government

Lack of language-specific literacy is not the only linguistic barrier between Kazakh-speakers in Astrakhan and those in Kazakhstan. As explained above, Russian dominates all of the “formal” domains in Astrakhan Oblast, from education to technology and interactions with the government. This means that most Astrakhan Kazakhs never discuss these topics in Kazakh and may be unfamiliar with the more “complex” vocabulary in that language, even when fully proficient in the registers related to home, family, traditions, and rural lifestyle.

“The Kazakh word for ‘proof’ is dälel , which I only know because I looked it up. My neighbor grew up speaking Kazakh, but she would not understand me if I used it when talking to her. She just uses the Russian word, dokazatelstvo ,” said a respondent from Multanovo. This is a perfect example of a term perceived as “complex” and thus unknown to many Astrakhan Kazakhs.

Most Astrakhan Kazakhs are well aware of the differences between their ethnic language and the Kazakh of Kazakhstan. A middle-aged, native Kazakh-speaking respondent from Novy Rychan talked about his trip to Atyrau, Kazakhstan, saying that he felt insecure about his Kazakh skills while there. He opted to talk to locals in Russian because he feared they would mock his “incorrect” Kazakh. This perception of Astrakhan Kazakh as “simplified” and “Russified” is fairly common among its speakers. While somewhat negative, it may also serve as a marker of the community’s identity, helping to distinguish between “us” (Astrakhan Kazakhs) and “them” (Kazakhstan Kazakhs).

Future of Kazakh in Astrakhan

The case of an Astrakhan Kazakh person looking up and memorizing a “complex” word associated with the Kazakh language of Kazakhstan illustrates a small but important tendency. A growing number of young, native Russian-speaking Astrakhan Kazakhs are deliberately immersing themselves in Kazakhstani media, explaining that they want to learn the “proper” way to speak their language and reconnect with their culture, which has been partially lost to colonization and assimilation.

While most young Astrakhan Kazakhs seem to have no interest in using their ethnic language in any form, this minority tendency offers hope that Kazakh will live on in Astrakhan Oblast. If the language policy does not change in the decades to come, the local dialect may eventually die out as a natural form of communication in rural communities, but Standard Kazakh is likely to be maintained by the conscious activist minority.

That being said, the continuity of the language policy is a big “if.” Russia’s government has been increasingly unstable since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. In many regions, ethnic minorities feel that they are unfairly overrepresented among those sent to fight in Ukraine, and this is especially true for Astrakhan Kazakhs. At the same time, the federal government is cracking down on indigenous activism more heavily than ever.

The growing dissent among minorities has led to the emergence of numerous secessionist organizations. An overview of pro-independence movements that view Astrakhan as a part of their hypothetical states can be found in my recent article for New Eastern Europe . It is hard to make predictions about the success of these movements, but in the event that they succeed, language policy and power dynamics between the region’s ethnic groups are more than likely to change.

All photos by

Dor Shabashewitz and Valery Maslov

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