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Specialist Knowledge

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The ice-strengthened vessel “Ortelius” is an excellent vessel for expedition cruises to Antarctica.  “Ortelius” was built in Gdynia, Poland in 1989, named “Marina Svetaeva”, and served as a special purpose vessel for the Russian Academy of Science. The vessel is re-flagged and renamed “Ortelius”. As Plancius, 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. 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 108 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), and a 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)
  • 26 twin porthole cabin 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 108 on the “Ortelius”, flexibility assures maximum wildlife opportunities.

  • Cabins
  • Route
  • Ushuaia Experience
  • Boat Specification
  • Deck Plan
A four bed porthole cabin

Quadruple

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A twin bed porthole cabin

Twin porthole cabin

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Twin bed window cabin

Twin cabins with window

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Twin cabin

Superior

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Deluxe double cabin

Deluxe with double bed

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Awe-inspiring views of the icescapes

Antarctica including Deception Island

Sail across the Drake Passage to reach the remote icescapes and penguin colonies of the fabled Antarctic Peninsula, with regular shore landings and zodiac trips.

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Your expedition cruise is a photographer's dream

Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctica

Embark on an unforgettable journey to the wildlife-rich Falkland Islands and South Georgia, before heading further south to explore the Antarctic Peninsula.

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Ushuaia Experience

Why choose an Ortelius Antarctica Cruise:

  • A comfortable former science research vessel, now an expedition cruise vessel
  • Accommodates up to 108 passengers, making it easy and quick to get ashore
  • Range of cabins, sleeping 4 people to deluxe window cabins for couples
  • Staffed by highly experienced crew, expert naturalist guides and a doctor 
  • Open bridge policy for curious travellers
  • Informative lectures & well-stocked library
  • Ice-strengthened hull
  • Frequent shore excursions & zodiac boat outings
  • Good choice of itineraries, including the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia

Boat Specification

Registered: The Netherlands

Length: 90.95 metres

  • Breadth: 17.20 metres
  • Draft: 5.4 metres
  • Ice class: UL1 (equivalent to 1A) Displacement: 4,090 tons
  • Propulsion: 6 ZL 40/48 Sulzer
  • Average cruising speed: 10.5 knots Passengers: 108 in 52 cabins
  • 41 crew, 8 guides, 1 doctor
  • Various decks refurbished 2012-2017- 2019

Deck Plan

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