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The Ortelius

Ortelius

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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 (1527–1588), 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 they are 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 the 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 60-hp 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

Passengers:108 passengers in 50 cabins
Staff & crew:Crew 44 | Guides 8 | Doctor 1
Length:90.95 meters
Breadth:17.20 meters
Draft:5.4 meters
Ice class:UL1 (Equivalent to 1A)
Displacement:4090 tonnes
Propulsion:6 ZL 40/48 SULZER
Speed:10.5 knots average cruising speed
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Photo Gallery

The Ortelius m/v Ortelius at Orne Island m/v Ortelius Reception m/v Ortelius Reception area m/v Ortelius Observation Lounge and Bar m/v Ortelius Observation and Lounge Bar m/v Ortelius dining area m/v Ortelius Dining Area

Departures

Select a Departure Date

  • Mar 21, 2025from $10,500Antarctica - Beyond the Polar Circle - Wilkins Ice Shelf - Aurora Australis
  • Jun 12, 2025from $4,300North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice - Polar Bear Special
  • Jun 19, 2025from $4,300North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice - Polar Bear Special
  • Jun 26, 2025from $4,300North Spitsbergen - Basecamp
  • Jul 3, 2025from $5,650Around Spitsbergen, In the Realm of Polar Bear & Ice
  • Jul 12, 2025from $5,650Around Spitsbergen, In the Realm of Polar Bear & Ice
  • Jul 21, 2025from $5,650Around Spitsbergen, In the Realm of Polar Bear & Ice
  • Jul 30, 2025from $5,650Around Spitsbergen, In the Realm of Polar Bear & Ice
  • Aug 30, 2025from $5,650East Greenland, Scoresby Sund - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes
  • Oct 22, 2025from $14,250Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica
  • Nov 11, 2025from $12,900Weddell Sea – In search of the Emperor Penguin, Incl. Helicopters
  • Nov 21, 2025from $12,900Weddell Sea – In search of the Emperor Penguin, Incl. Helicopters
  • Dec 1, 2025from $12,900Weddell Sea – In search of the Emperor Penguin, Incl. Helicopters
  • Dec 11, 2025from $14,500Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica
  • Dec 29, 2025from $11,100Antarctica - Basecamp
  • Jan 22, 2026from $26,500Remote Weddell Sea Explorer
  • Feb 18, 2026from $26,500Remote Weddell Sea Explorer
  • Mar 17, 2026from $9,700Antarctica - Weddell Sea Explorer Basecamp
  • May 27, 2026from $3,050Arctic Ocean - Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice Edge, Spitsbergen, Birding
  • Jun 5, 2026from $4,450North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice - Polar Bear Special
  • Jun 12, 2026from $4,450North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice - Polar Bear Special
  • Jun 19, 2026from $4,450North Spitsbergen Basecamp – Summer Solstice
  • Jun 26, 2026from $4,450East Spitsbergen - Home of the Polar Bear, Including Long Hikes & Cleaning the Shores
  • Jul 3, 2026from $5,900Around Spitsbergen, In the Realm of Polar Bear & Ice
  • Jul 12, 2026from $5,900Around Spitsbergen, In the Realm of Polar Bear & Ice
  • Jul 21, 2026from $5,900Around Spitsbergen, In the Realm of Polar Bear & Ice
  • Jul 30, 2026from $5,900Around Spitsbergen, In the Realm of Polar Bear & Ice
  • Aug 8, 2026from $5,900Around Spitsbergen, In the Realm of Polar Bear & Ice
  • Aug 17, 2026from $5,900Around Spitsbergen incl. Nordaustlandet
  • Aug 26, 2026from $5,900Around Spitsbergen incl. Nordaustlandet
  • Sep 4, 2026from $7,750Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes
  • Nov 3, 2026from $10,100Antarctica - Basecamp
  • Nov 15, 2026from $13,400Weddell Sea – In search of the Emperor Penguin, Incl. Helicopters
  • Nov 25, 2026from $13,400Weddell Sea – In search of the Emperor Penguin, Incl. Helicopters
  • Dec 5, 2026from $13,400Weddell Sea – In search of the Emperor Penguin, Incl. Helicopters
  • Dec 15, 2026from $10,100Antarctica - Basecamp
  • Dec 27, 2026from $15,050Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica
  • Feb 7, 2027from $27,550Remote Weddell Sea Explorer
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Available Itineraries

Cabins

M/V Ortelius Quadruple Porthole
Quadruple Porthole
4 quadruple cabins with 2 portholes, 2 upper / lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hairdryer, Ample storage space.
M/V Ortelius Triple Porthole
Triple Porthole
4 quadruple cabins with bunk beds and private facilities (these can also be used as triple or twin cabins). Spacious outside cabins with a minimum of two portholes or windows per cabin
Twin Porthole on the Ortelius
Twin Porthole
23 twin cabins with 2 portholes, 2 lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hairdryer, ample storage space.
Twin Window on the Ortelius
Twin Window
10 twin cabins with 2 windows, 2 lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair
Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hairdryer, ample storage space.
M/v Ortelius Twin Deluxe
Twin Deluxe
6 superior cabins with 3 windows, 2 lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Small sofa, Refrigerator, Coffee & tea maker, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hairdryer, ample storage space.
M/V Ortelius Superior Cabin
Superior
1 suite with 2 windows (minimum), 1 double bed, 1 single (sofa) bed, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Refrigerator, Coffee & tea maker, Hairdryer, ample storage space.

Deckplan

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