Ortelius

Max Passengers: 106
Ship Type: Expedition Cruise Ship
Operated by: Oceanwide Expeditions

With over 25 years of experience exploring the world's polar seas, the Ortelius is the ultimate polar vessel for any Arctic or Antarctic journey. Crushing through solid ice and pack ice is no problem for this icebreaker, rated at the top of the ice classification scale. Ortelius' ice-strengthened hull gives it access to previously unreachable polar locations.

Ortelius was formerly known as Marina Svetaeva. It was built in 1989 in Gdynia, Poland, as a special-purpose vessel for the Russian Academy of Science. Later, it was renamed and re-flagged in honor of Dutch/Flemish geographer Abraham Ortelius (1527 – 1598), who published the first modern global atlas in 1570, Theatrum Orbis Terrarum or Theater of the World. His atlas was the most expensive book ever printed at the time. Lloyd's Register in London classifies Ortelius, which flies the Dutch flag.

Ortelius has a maximum passenger capacity of 108 and an abundance of open deck space. It is staffed by a 22-strong maritime crew, 19 hotel employees, eight expedition professionals (one expedition leader, one assistant, and six lecturer-guides), and one doctor.

Ortelius Cabins, Staterooms & Suites 

Cabins aren't quite luxurious but undoubtedly cozy. A porthole or a window can be found on every selection of cabins on each deck. Due to the size of the windows and the ship's shape, a few cabins may enjoy partial views. A gangway, for example, may partially block some windows. 

The Ortelius features five distinct cabin classifications spread across three decks. Cabins range in size from straightforward quadruple, triple, or double rooms to more spacious deluxe and superior cabins with view windows. Each cabin comes with a basin, private shower and toilet, hairdryers, desk and chair, adequate storage space, and a minimum of two portholes or windows. See Ortelius deck plan and cabin photos below.


Ortelius Dining

Dinners are plated affairs consisting of three courses of meat, fish, or vegetarian fare. Buffet-style breakfasts and lunches are available. While coffee, tea, and water are covered, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are not.

Ortelius Onboard Amenities & Activities

Oceanwide Expedition cruises are designed to provide passengers with an exciting wildlife program that includes as much time ashore as possible. Ortelius consists of all of the amenities of a typical hotel, as well as a bar and lecture room where the expedition leader and his team of guides will inform you of the day's events. Passengers are also welcome to use the bridge's ample space. The best views are from the bridge or outer deck.

Numerous naturalist cruises include exploratory itineraries designed to maximize time ashore and ensure wildlife encounters. Ortelius operates a fleet of 10 Zodiacs equipped with 60hp Yamaha engines. The Ortelius is an activity-focused ship that provides quality supplies and equipment for safe, enjoyable exploration. Depending on the cruise, activities include kayaking, snowshoeing, mountaineering, skiing, scuba diving, hiking, camping, and photography courses. Helicopters are available on some Ortelius voyages.

Ortelius Ship Speifications

Flag: Netherlands
Year Built: 1989
Built by: Stocznia Gdynia SA
Built in: Gdansk, Poland
Last Refurbished: 2019
Former Names: Marina Svetaeva
Owner: Oceanwide Expeditions
Passengers: 108
Cabins: 50
Crew: 52
Length: 91 m (300 ft)
Beam: 17 m (58 ft)
Gross Tonnage: 4,575 gt
Speed: 10.5 knots
Ice Class: UL1 (1A)

MV Ortelius Itinerary 2022

The Ortelius is an excellent vessel for polar expedition voyages, offering adventures in isolated regions such as Greenland, Antarctica's Ross Sea, and Russian Arctic's Franz Josef Land, as well as excursions to Svalbard.

Oceanwide Expeditions Antarctica itineraries on the Ortelius includes the 14-day Polar Circle, Deep South Discovery, and Whale Watching on Antarctic Peninsula, 13-day Exploring and charting Anvers Island and Flandres Bay - Antarctica - Basecamp, 19-day Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctic Peninsula Cruise, 21-day Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctic Peninsula from Puerto Madryn to Ushuaia, and the 33-day Ross Sea Antarctic Odyssey Polar Expedition.

Ortelius also offers Arctic cruises such as the 10-day East Spitsbergen - Arctic Academy Science and Research dedicated voyage, 8-day North Spitsbergen Cruise, 8-day North Spitsbergen, In Search of Polar Bear & Pack Ice, as well as the 9-day East Greenland Scoresby Sund cruise - Basecamp. 

About Oceanwide Expeditions

Former Russian Academy of Science vessel MV Ortelius joins the Fleet of Oceanwide Expeditions four vessels, including S/V Rembrandt van Rijn and S/V Noorderlicht, and the former Royal Dutch Navy oceanographic research vessel MV Plancius. 

Pioneers of ship-based excursions, creators of Basecamp Antarctica, and one of the first businesses to provide trips to the remote Arctic island of Spitsbergen. Oceanwide Expeditions' own fleet of ice-strengthened vessels transports you deep into the heart of this otherworldly environment so that it can get deep into yours.

MV Ortelius Reviews

Ortelius isn't for everyone. Don't expect big cruise ship facilities. That's not the character of expedition ships, and Ortelius is more seamanlike than others. Passengers well praise dinner, saying it's a "cuisine" to look forward to. 

The m/v Ortelius' helicopters enabled access to the Emperor penguin colony no expedition has reached since 2013, unusual foray south of the Antarctic Peninsula to the Weddell Sea, home of the only Emperor penguin colony accessible by passenger ship.

Choosing a cruise might be more overwhelming than ever before because ships and itineraries can all appear to be the same, contact our Antarctica experts today.