The ice-strengthened vessel Ortelius is an excellent vessel for Polar expedition cruises in the Arctic and Antarctica, capable of visiting  remote locations such as the Ross Sea and Franz Josef Land in the Arctic. Ortelius was built in Poland in 1989 and worked as a special purpose vessel for the Russian Academy of Science.

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 100 passengers with lots of open-deck spaces and a very large bridge which is accessible to the passengers. Ortelius offers a comfortable hotel standard, with two restaurants, a bar, lecture room and a sauna.

Though our voyages are primarily meant to offer our passengers an exploratory wildlife program with as much time ashore as possible, Ortelius offers all the comforts of a standard hotel ― along with a bar and lecture room. Flexibility assures maximum wildlife opportunities. As such, Ortelius carries 10 Zodiacs with 60hp Yamaha engines.

Technical Specs
  • Passengers: 116
  • Staff & Crew: 47
  • Length: 91.25 meters
  • Breadth: 17.61 meters
  • Draft: 5.8 meters
  • Ice class: UL1 (equivalent to 1A)
  • Displacement: 4575 tonnes
  • Engines: 6 ZL 40/48 SULZER
  • Speed: 12 knots (14.3 knots max)

Ortelius can accommodate up to 116-123 passengers and has an abundance of open-deck spaces. It is manned by 22 highly experienced nautical crew members, 19 hotel staff, eight expedition specialists (one expedition leader, one assistant, and six lecturer-guides), and one doctor.

  • Large observation lounge
  • Fully provisioned bar
  • Library room
Upcoming Trips on the Ortelius
2025-26 Antarctica

Price

$12,900.00 -
 $17,150.00

Price

$12,900.00 -
 $17,150.00

Price

$12,900.00 -
 $17,150.00

Adventure Options

Price

$14,500.00 -
 $21,400.00

Adventure Options

Price

$11,100.00 -
 $16,500.00

Adventure Options

Price

$9,700.00 -
 $14,400.00

Adventure Options

2026-27 Antarctica

Price

$10,100.00 -
 $15,000.00

Adventure Options

Price

$13,400.00 -
 $17,850.00

Adventure Options

Price

$13,400.00 -
 $17,850.00

Adventure Options

Price

$13,500.00 -
 $17,850.00

Adventure Options

Price

$10,100.00 -
 $15,000.00

Adventure Options

Price

$15,050.00 -
 $22,200.00

Adventure Options

Price

$24,500.00 -
 $36,050.00

Price

$27,550.00 -
 $40,550.00

Price

$10,950.00 -
 $16,300.00

Adventure Options

Price

$7,750.00 -
 $11,650.00

Adventure Options

  • Includes:
    • Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary.
    • All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
    • All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
    • Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
    • Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
    • Luggage transfer from pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation, in Ushuaia.
    • Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation).
    • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.
    • AECO fees and governmental taxes.
    • Comprehensive pre-departure material.

    Excludes: 

    • Any airfare whether on scheduled or charter flights; 
    • Pre- and post-land arrangements; 
    • Transfers to the vessel in Ushuaia and Ascension and from the vessel in Ascension and Praia;
      Passport and visa expenses; 
    • Government arrival and departure taxes; 
    • Meals ashore; 
    • Cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended); 
    • Excess baggage
      Charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges; 
    • Customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).

    Extra Adventure Activities:  Depending on departure.

Search Freestyle

Scan the code