![Plancius exterior](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Plancius-1.png)
Plancius
Plancius was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel and sailed for the Royal Dutch Navy until June 2004. She was completely rebuilt and converted to a passenger vessel that complies with the latest SOLAS- regulations, classed by Lloyd’s Register in London.
This converted research vessel is comfortable and nicely decorated, but not luxurious. It’s made for active, adventure & wildlife minded modern explorers looking for a small ship experience. Spacious yet small with ship character, comfort and modern technology.
The public areas include a restaurant/lecture room (deck 3) and a spacious observation lounge with bar (deck 5) and large windows offering a full panorama view. One of the highlights of the Plancius is the ample outdoor deck space, giving excellent opportunities for viewing the scenery & wildlife. There is a large deck space behind the bridge on deck 7, full walkaround possibilities on deck 4, multiple forward viewing platforms and typically an open bow when the conditions allow. Equipped with 10 Mark V inflatable zodiacs, including 40 HP 4-stroke outboard engines. There are 2 gangways on the starboard side that allows a swift zodiac operation.
There are 6 different cabin categories all with private facilities (toilet, sink shower) including Quad & Triple cabins.
Ship Specifications:
- Maximum # of Guests: 108
- Staff & crew: Crew 40 | Guides 8 | Doctor 1
- Ice class: 1D (Plancius has a Lloyds class notation 100A1 Passenger ship, Ice Class 1D at a draught of 5 meters)
- Year Launched: 1976, Various decks refurbished in 2009, 2018 & 2019
- Speed: 10.5 average cruising speed
- Length: 89 meters (293 feet)
- Voltage: 220v, 60Hz. Electrical outlets are standard European with two thick round pins.
- Minimum age: 4 years old with child waiver completed
Ship Gallery
Trips and Rates
Please note, rates are Per Person in USD
Single Travelers:
- Can book into a share cabin in Quad – Twin Deluxe
- Can book a twin cabin at solo occupancy at 1.7x the per person share price
Single Travelers:
- Can book into a share cabin in Quad – Twin Deluxe
- Can book a twin cabin at solo occupancy at 1.7x the per person share price
Adventure Options:
- Kayaking (full program, multiple paddles): $560/person – requires experience
- Camping: $225/person for 2024-25 season & $250/person for 2025-26 season
- On Basecamp departures all activities are free
Northeast Greenland Solar Eclipse Explorer
Aug 3 - Aug 16, 2026 (14 days)Antarctica – Whale Watching
Mar 23 - Apr 1, 2026 (10 days)Antarctica – Elephant Island – Weddell Sea – Polar Circle
Mar 9 - Mar 23, 2026 (15 days)Falkland Islands – South Georgia – Antarctica – 19 Days
Jan 19 - Feb 6, 2026 (19 days)Antarctica – Discovery & Learning
Jan 9 - Jan 19, 2026 (11 days)Basecamp – Antarctica
Dec 28 - Jan 9, 2025 - 2026 (13 days)Camping, Kayaking, Mountaineering, Snowshoeing/Hiking, Photography
Basecamp – Antarctica
Dec 16 - Dec 28, 2025 (13 days)Camping, Kayaking, Mountaineering, Snowshoeing/Hiking, Photography
Falkland Islands – South Georgia – Antarctica – 20 Days
Nov 27 - Dec 16, 2025 (20 days)South Georgia Explorer
Nov 13 - Nov 27, 2025 (15 days)South Greenland Explorer – Aurora Borealis
Sep 2 - Sep 11, 2025 (10 days)East & South Greenland Explorer – Aurora Borealis
Aug 13 - Sep 2, 2025 (21 days)Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice
Jul 26 - Aug 4, 2025 (10 days)Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice
Jul 10 - Jul 19, 2025 (10 days)Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice
Jul 1 - Jul 10, 2025 (10 days)North Spitsbergen Explorer
Jun 24 - Jul 1, 2025 (8 days)North Spitsbergen Explorer – Polar Bears, Bowhead Whales & More
Jun 10 - Jun 17, 2025 (8 days)Antarctica – Polar Circle – Whale Watching
Mar 23 - Apr 3, 2025 (12 days)Antarctica – Elephant Island – Weddell Sea – Polar Circle
Mar 9 - Mar 23, 2025 (15 days)Photography, Snowshoeing/Hiking
Basecamp – Antarctica
Feb 25 - Mar 9, 2025 (13 days)Camping, Kayaking, Mountaineering, Snowshoeing/Hiking, Photography
Basecamp – Antarctica
Feb 13 - Feb 25, 2025 (13 days)Camping, Kayaking, Mountaineering, Snowshoeing/Hiking, Photography
Falkland Islands – South Georgia – Antarctica – 19 Days
Jan 16 - Feb 3, 2025 (19 days)Antarctica – Discovery & Learning
Jan 6 - Jan 16, 2025 (11 days)Kayaking, Snowshoeing/Hiking, Photography
Basecamp – Antarctica
Dec 25 - Jan 6, 2024 - 2025 (13 days)Camping, Kayaking, Mountaineering, Snowshoeing/Hiking, Photography
Falkland Islands – South Georgia – Antarctica – 20 Days
Dec 6 - Dec 25, 2024 (20 days)Falkland Islands – South Georgia – Antarctica – from Puerto Madryn
Oct 18 - Nov 7, 2024 (21 days)Availability & prices are subject to change at anytime. Please contact us for the real time availability & prices.
Cabin Descriptions
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/01-Superior-scaled.jpeg)
Superior
The Superior cabins are the most spacious and the only cabin category with a double bed. They are located on deck 4, 5 & 6, with most being on deck 5 & 6 (there is just 1 superior on deck 4). Features: 2 windows, 1 double bed, 1 sofa bed, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Refrigerator, Coffee & tea maker, Hair dryer, Safe deposit box and Ample storage space.
226 – 248 square feet / 21 – 23 square meters.
![Plancius twin deluxe](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/02-Twin-Deluxe-scaled.jpeg)
Twin Deluxe
There are just 2 Twin Deluxe cabins located towards the aft of deck 4. They are corner cabins and are slightly more spacious than the Twin Porthole/Window cabins. Features: 2 windows, 2 lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hair dryer, Ample storage space and Safe deposit box.
145 square feet / 13.5 square meters
![Plancius twin window](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/03-Twin-Window-scaled.jpeg)
Twin Window
The most abundant cabin category on the ship, all located on deck 4. Features: 1 window, 2 lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hair dryer, Safe deposit box and Ample storage space.
135 – 145 square feet / 12.5 – 13.5 square meters
![Plancius twin porthole](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/04-Twin-Porthole-scaled.jpeg)
Twin Porthole
The nine Twin Porthole cabins are located on deck 3. Features: 1 porthole, 2 lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hair dryer, Safe deposit box and Ample storage space.
129 square feet / 12 square meters
![Plancius triple porthole](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/05-Triple-Porthole-scaled.jpeg)
Triple Porthole
Just 1 Triple cabin located on deck 2. This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin. Features: 1 porthole, 1 upper berth & 2 lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hair dryer, Safe deposit box and Ample storage space. meters
![Plancius quad porthole](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/06-Quad-Porthole-scaled.jpeg)
Quadruple Porthole
There are 4 Quad cabins on deck 2. This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin. Features: 1 porthole, 2 upper berths & 2 lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hair dryer, Safe deposit box and Ample storage space.
129 square feet / 12 square meters
Deck Plan
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/PLA-deck-plan.jpg)