Ortelius
Ortelius was built in Gdynia, Poland in 1989 and originally served as a research vessel. Later it was re-flagged and renamed after the Dutch/Flemish cartographer Abraham Ortelius (1527 – 1598), who in 1570 published the first modern world atlas. Ortelius is classed by Lloyd’s Register in London and flies the Dutch flag.
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. It is a great expedition vessel for travelers looking for a small ship experience and to maximize time on shore. The voyages are primarily developed to offer 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, flexibility assures maximum wildlife opportunities.
The ship offers simple but comfortable cabins and public spaces. There are 6 different cabin categories all with a minimum of 2 portholes or windows per cabin and private facilities (toilet, sink shower). Ortelius offers a comfortable hotel standard, with two restaurants, a bar/lecture room.
On select voyages into the Weddell Sea the ship will use helicopters to transfer passengers to shore in areas where zodiacs cannot be used.
Ship Specifications:
- Maximum # of Guests: 108 passengers
- Staff & crew: Crew 44 | Guides 8 | Doctor 1
- Ice class: UL1 (equivalent to 1A)
- Year Launched: 1989, Various decks refurbished in 2012, 2017 & 2019
- Speed: 10.5 average cruising speed
- Length: 90.94 meters (298 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
Adventure Options:
- On Basecamp departures all activities are free
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:
- On Basecamp departures all activities are free
Basecamp – Weddell Sea Explorer
Mar 17 - Mar 29, 2026 (13 days)Kayaking, Camping, Mountaineering, Snowshoeing/Hiking, Photography
Remote Weddell Sea Explorer Including South Georgia
Feb 18 - Mar 17, 2026 (28 days)Remote Weddell Sea Explorer Including South Georgia
Jan 22 - Feb 18, 2026 (28 days)Basecamp – Antarctica
Dec 29 - Jan 10, 2025 - 2026 (13 days)Kayaking, Camping, Mountaineering, Snowshoeing/Hiking, Photography
Falkland Islands – South Georgia – Antarctica – 19 Days
Dec 11 - Dec 29, 2025 (19 days)Antarctica – Discovery & Learning
Dec 1 - Dec 11, 2025 (11 days)Weddell Sea – In Search of the Emperor Penguin
Nov 21 - Dec 1, 2025 (11 days)Weddell Sea – In Search of the Emperor Penguin
Nov 11 - Nov 21, 2025 (11 days)Falkland Islands – South Georgia – Antarctica – from Puerto Madryn
Oct 22 - Nov 11, 2025 (21 days)Photography
Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice
Jul 30 - Aug 8, 2025 (10 days)Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice
Jul 21 - Jul 30, 2025 (10 days)Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice
Jul 12 - Jul 21, 2025 (10 days)Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice
Jul 3 - Jul 12, 2025 (10 days)North Spitsbergen Explorer
Jun 19 - Jun 26, 2025 (8 days)North Spitsbergen Explorer
Jun 12 - Jun 19, 2025 (8 days)Antarctica – Polar Circle – Deep South Discovery
Mar 10 - Mar 21, 2025 (12 days)Remote Weddell Sea Explorer Including South Georgia
Feb 11 - Mar 10, 2025 (28 days)Antarctica – Discovery & Learning
Feb 1 - Feb 11, 2025 (11 days)Antarctica – Discovery & Learning + Navigational Workshop
Jan 22 - Feb 1, 2025 (11 days)Basecamp – Antarctica
Jan 10 - Jan 22, 2025 (13 days)Kayaking, Camping, Mountaineering, Snowshoeing/Hiking, Photography
Basecamp – Antarctica
Dec 29 - Jan 10, 2024 - 2025 (13 days)Kayaking, Camping, Mountaineering, Snowshoeing/Hiking, Photography
Falkland Islands – South Georgia – Antarctica – 20 Days
Dec 10 - Dec 29, 2024 (20 days)Weddell Sea – In Search of the Emperor Penguin
Nov 20 - Nov 30, 2024 (11 days)Weddell Sea – In Search of the Emperor Penguin
Nov 10 - Nov 20, 2024 (11 days)Availability & prices are subject to change at anytime. Please contact us for the real time availability & prices.
Cabin Descriptions
Superior
The 6 Superior cabins are the most spacious and the only cabin category with a double bed. They are all located on deck 5. Features: 2 windows (minimum), 1 double bed, 1 single (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.
198 – 220 square feet / 18.4 – 20.4 square meters.
Twin Deluxe
There are just 2 Twin Deluxe cabins located on deck 5. Features: 3 windows, 2 lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Small sofa, Refrigerator, Coffee & tea maker, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hair dryer, Safe deposit box and Ample storage space.
190 square feet / 17.7 square meters
Twin Window
The 12 Twin Window cabins are all located on deck 5. Features: 2 windows, 2 lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hair dryer, Safe deposit box and Ample storage space.
188 – 190 square feet / 17.5 – 17.7 square meters
Twin Porthole
The most abundant cabin category, most of which are located on deck 4 (there are 2 on deck 3). Features: 2 portholes, 2 lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hair dryer, Safe deposit box and Ample storage space.
123 – 163 square feet / 11.4 – 15.1 square meters
Triple Porthole
2 Triple cabins located forward on deck 3. Features: 2 portholes, 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.
quadruple Porthole
4 Quad cabins midship on deck 3. Features: 2 portholes, 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.
133 – 152 square feet / 12.4 – 14.1 square meters