MV Ortelius

Her voyages offer a quality exploratory wildlife program, trying to spend as much time ashore as possible.

View All Images

MV Ortelius

Her voyages offer a quality exploratory wildlife program, trying to spend as much time ashore as possible.

The ice-strengthened MV Ortelius is one of the best ships for traveling to Antarctica or the ArcticThe Ortelius is an excellent vessel for polar expedition cruises, providing possibilities to adventure in remote locations such as Greenland, Antarctica's Weddell Sea and cruises to Svalbard. Look under Departures for more information about the numerous cruise locations offered onboard the MV Ortelius!

With a highly strengthened hull, The Ortelius is tough enough to ensure a safe voyage through the most extreme environments on Earth. Its style and comfortable decor offers a hotel-standard experience, guaranteeing a comfortable stay in between all of your excursions out on the water and on the Arctic and Antarctic tundra. 

 

MV Ortelius was built in Gdynia, Poland in 1989, was namedMarina Svetaeva, and served as a special purpose vessel for the Russian Academy of Science. The vessel is now re-flagged and renamed MV Ortelius. She offers a comfortable hotel standard, with two restaurants, a bar/lecture room, and a sauna. Her voyages offer a quality exploratory wildlife program, trying to spend as much time ashore as possible. As the number of passengers is limited to approximately 106, flexibility assures maximum wildlife opportunities.

Cabin details

The vessel has the highest ice-class notation (UL1 equivalent to 1A) and is therefore very suitable to navigate in solid one-year sea ice and loose multi-year pack ice. “Ortelius” is a great expedition vessel for 116 passengers with lots of open-deck spaces. The vessel is manned by 20 highly experienced international nautical crew, 19 international hotel crew, including stewardesses, 7 - 8 expedition staff (expedition leader and guides/lecturers) and 1 doctor. 

”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 11 zodiacs of which 9 are in use and 2 on reserve. The zodiac engines are 60hp Yamaha. 

  • Quadruple cabins with bunk beds and private facilities (these can also be used as triple or twin cabins)
  • Twin cabins with portholes, private toilet and shower and 2 single lower berths
  • Twin Window & Deluxe cabins with windows, private toilet and shower and 2 single lower berths
  • Superior cabins with double beds, private toilet and shower and a separate day room

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, Quadruple, Triple or Twin-Porthole, deck-3

Ortelius, Quadruple, Triple or Twin-Porthole, deck-3

ortelius twin window, deck-5

ortelius twin window, deck-5

ortelius twin deluxe 510 deck-5

ortelius twin deluxe 510 deck-5

ortelius superior, deck-5

ortelius superior, deck-5

Falklands, South Georgia, Antarctica

An epic expedition cruise onboard the MV Plancius exploring the highlights of the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic islands

FROM 12650.00
Find Out More

Antarctic Basecamp Expedition Cruise

An Antarctic expedition cruise onboard a comfortable ship with a variety of all-inclusive activities such as climbing, kayaking, hiking and diving

FROM 10150.00
Find Out More

Reduced Prices

Weddell Sea incl. South Georgia & South Sandwich

A rare expedition to South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands - Neuschwabenland, Vahsel Bay, Larsen Ice Shelf, Paulet & Devil, Elephant Island

FROM 24750.00
Find Out More

Deep South Basecamp experience: Ortelius

This expedition offers you a myriad of ways to explore and enjoy the Antarctic. Go on long hikes, snowshoe, kayak, and even camp out under open skies

FROM 11200.00
Find Out More

North Spitsbergen, In Search of Polar Bears & Ice

A 7 night adventure cruise on board ice-strengthened M/V Ortelius exploring the northwestern Arctic wilderness of Spitsbergen looking for polar bears

FROM 4500.00
Find Out More

North Spitsbergen Basecamp – Summer Solstice

A 7 night Arctic adventure on board ice-strengthened Ortelius with free kayaking, Hiking, Photo Workshop and optional diving

FROM 4500.00
Find Out More

Around Spitsbergen, Realm of Polar Bear & Ice

A 9 night voyage around Svalbard, on board a comfortable expedition vessel, searching for polar bears, walrus, reindeer, Arctic birdlife and flora

FROM 6000.00
Find Out More

Around Spitsbergen incl. Nordaustlandet: Ortelius

A 9 night voyage around Svalbard, where you have chances to see polar bears, walrus, reindeer, various bird species and surprisingly beautiful flora

FROM 6000.00
Find Out More

Weddell Sea Emperor Penguin Voyage: M/V Ortelius

An expedition on the M/V Ortelius with its onboard helicopters in search of the Emperor penguin colony near Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea

FROM 13450.00
Find Out More

Antarctica Uncharted Deep South: Ortelius

On this extraordinary journey with the ice-strengthened MV Ortelius, navigate unexplored Antarctic waters in search of mysterious uncharted islands

FROM 12100.00
Find Out More

Weddell Sea Explorer Basecamp: Ortelius

A special voyage featuring outdoor adventure options to the Antarctic Peninsula aboard the luxury ice class expedition ship RCGS Resolute

FROM 9700.00
Find Out More

Arctic Ocean - Fair Isle to Spitsbergen: Ortelius

A 10 day voyage of exploration on the M/V Ortelius from Scotland to Svalbard visiting remote North Atlantic Islands

FROM 3100.00
Find Out More

East Spitsbergen Cleaning the Shores: Ortelius

An 8 night voyage to eastern Svalbard, where you have chances to see polar bears, and participate in Long Hikes & Cleaning the Shores of Spitsbergen

FROM 4500.00
Find Out More

Bellingshausen Sea, Peter I Isl & Ellsworth Land

An epic 25 day expedition cruise to the the farthest southern reaches of the Antarctic Peninsula onboard the helicopter equipped M/V Ortelius

FROM 24600.00
Find Out More

Remote Weddell Sea Explorer - incl. helicopters

This expansive voyage on board MV Ortelius explores one of the most remote, scenic, wildlife-filled regions on Earth: the great Weddell Sea

FROM 27700.00
Find Out More

Polar Circle Deep South: M/V Ortelius

A longer Antarctica expedition cruise to the Polar Circle on the ice-class expedition ship M/V Ortelius

FROM 11000.00
Find Out More

Antarctica Whale watching discovery voyage

A 10 night Classic Antarctic expedition on the Polar Class 6 M/V Hondius, focussing on whales, spectacular landscapes and other wildlife sightings

FROM 7800.00
Find Out More

Expeditions Online Newsletter

Sign up to be an Expeditions Online insider and receive info on exclusive deals, discounts and more!

* indicates required