MV Ortelius

Exceptionally versatile and robust enough to sail at the top and bottom of the planet, the ice-strengthened Ortelius is thoroughly outfitted to provide you an up-close experience of the Arctic and Antarctic.

Perfect for any Expedition, the vessel has the highest ice-class notation (UL1, equivalent to 1A) and is therefore suitable to navigate in solid one-year sea ice as well as loose multi-year pack ice. The Ortelius sails the North and South Poles as well as the waters of Iceland, Norway and Argentina.

What you can expect

The ice-strengthened vessel “Ortelius” is an excellent vessel for Polar expedition cruises in the Arctic and Antarctica, providing us with possibilities to adventure in remote locations such as the Ross Sea and Franz Josef Land. “Ortelius” was built in Gdynia, Poland in 1989, was named “Marina Svetaeva”, and served as a special purpose vessel for the Russian Academy of Science. The vessel is re-flagged and renamed “Ortelius”.

Ortelius was a Dutch / Flemish cartographer. Abraham Ortelius (1527 – 1598) published the first modern world atlas, the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum or Theatre of the World in 1570. At that time, the atlas was the most expensive book ever printed. “Ortelius” is a great Expedition Vessel for 116 passengers with lots of Open-Deck spaces.

The vessel is staffed by 20 highly experienced International Nautical Crew, 19 International Hotel Crew, including Stewardesses, 7 Expedition Staff in Antarctica (1 Expedition Leader and 6 Guides/Lecturers), for the Arctic we will have 8 Expedition Staff (1 Expedition Leader and 7 Guides/ Lecturers) and 1 Doctor.

The vessel offers simple but comfortable cabins and public spaces • 4 Quadruple cabins with Bunk beds (these can also be used as Triple or Twin cabins) • 2 Triple Porthole cabins with Bunk beds (these can also be used as Quads or Twin cabins) • 27 Twin Porthole cabins with 2 Single Lower berths • 12 Twin cabins with Windows and 2 Single Lower berths • 2 Twin Deluxe cabins with Windows and 2 Single Lower berths • 6 Superior cabins with Double beds.

All cabins are spacious outside cabins with a minimum of two portholes or windows per cabin and all cabins have private shower and toilet. ”Ortelius” offers a comfortable hotel standard, with two Restaurants, a Bar/Lecture room. Our voyages are primarily developed to offer our passengers a quality Exploratory Wildlife Program, trying to spend as much time ashore as possible. As the number of passengers is limited to approximately 116 on the “Ortelius”, flexibility assures maximum wildlife opportunities. Ortelius carries 10 Zodiacs with 60hp Yamaha engines.

Passengers on a typical voyage range from in their 30s to their 80s, with the majority usually between 45 - 65. Our expeditions attract independent travelers from around the globe who are characterized by a strong interest in exploring remote regions. The camaraderie that develops on board is an important part of the Oceanwide experience, and many passenger groups include several nationalities.

In keeping with the spirit of expedition, dress on board is informal. Bring casual and comfortable clothing for all activities, and keep in mind that much of the scenery can be appreciated from deck - which can be slippery. Bring sturdy shoes with no-slip soles, and make sure your parka is never far away in case one of our crew shouts “Whales!” over the loudspeaker and you have to dash outside at a moment’s notice. Opt for layers, as it is comfortably warm aboard the ship though often cold on deck.

Your Physical Condition

You must be in good overall health and be able to walk several hours per day. The expedition is ship-based and physically not very demanding, but we spend as much time as possible on shore. You are, however, welcome to remain aboard the ship if you prefer. To join most excursions you must be able to get up and down the steep gangway ― from the ship to the water level ― to board the Zodiacs. Staff will assist you in and out of the boats, and boarding will become progressively easier with practice, but conditions on shore can be slippery and rocky. Remember, you will be traveling in remote areas without access to sophisticated medical facilities, so you must not join this expedition if you have a life-threatening condition or need daily medical treatment.

About Antarctica

Witness some of Earth’s most beautiful scenery in one of Earth’s least hospitable environments. Antarctica is the coldest, highest, windiest, and driest of all Earth’s continents, though it grants our cruise passengers access to many of the most dazzling sights our planet has to offer. Gray Rock Peaks punch out of the wind-carved snow, passing Icebergs dot the dark blue waters, and wildlife abounds that can be seen nowhere else – all serving to remind us that we are truly in another world.

The North Pole is the top point of earth. At the North Pole, night and day occurs continuously half the year. This depends on whether the Pole is facing the sun or not.The North Pole is in the middle of the Arctic Ocean and is surrounded by Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Russia. 

How do I prepare for my expedition trips?

Our voyages are “expedition” style cruises. Our emphasis is on wildlife encounters, personal contact with the environs, visiting sites of historical interest and to a lesser extent scientific stations. Our actual program will vary to take best advantage of local conditions, spontaneous opportunities and wildlife. Experience in Antarctic waters shows us that a flexible program is essential when it comes to dealing with the published itinerary as a guide to some of our best opportunities.

There is always an element of the unexpected. When packing, don’t weigh yourself down with too many clothes or too much gear. Select informal, practical attire for your trip that can be worn in layers. Please ask for our Expedition Manual with detailed information on clothing lists, what to pack and what to expect on our voyages.

How to get there

Please refer to logistics section of each itinerary to find detailed info on how to get there.