Antarctica Expedition Cruise Vessels
On this page: The M/V Plancius | The M/V Antarctic Dream | The M/V Ortelius
The M/V Plancius
The solid and sturdy M/V Plancius was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy, originally named the HR Ms. Tydeman. The ship sailed for the Dutch Navy until June 2004 until it was sold and eventually converted for commercial use. The vessel was completely rebuilt as a tourism focused expedition vessel in 2009 and complies with the latest SOLAS-regulations (Safety Of Life At Sea). The M/V Plancius is classed by Lloyd's Register in London and flies the Dutch flag.
The M/V Plancius accommodates 114 passengers in 53 passenger cabins with private toilet and shower in 4 quadruple private cabins, 39 twin private cabins (ca. 15 square meters) and 10 twin superior cabins (ca. 21 square meters). All cabins offer lower berths (either two single beds or one queen-size bed), except for the 4 quadruple cabins (for 4 persons in 2x upper and lower beds).
The vessel offers a restaurant/lecture room on deck 3 and a spacious observation lounge (with bar) on deck 5 with large windows, offering full panorama view. The M/V Plancius has large open deck spaces (with full walk-around possibilities on deck 3), giving excellent opportunities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. She is furthermore equipped with 10 Mark V zodiacs, including 40 HP 4-stroke outboard engines and 2 gangways on the starboard side, guaranteeing a swift zodiac operation.
The M/V Plancius is a comfortable and modestly appointed vessel: it is not a luxury cruise ship. Our voyages in the Antarctic region are and will remain largely defined as an exploratory educational travel program, spending as much time ashore as possible. This vessel will fully meet our demands to achieve this.
The vessel is equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system which reduces the noise and vibration of the engines considerably. The 3 diesel engines generate 1.230 horsepower each, giving the vessel a speed of 10 - 12 knots. The vessel is ice-strengthened and was specially built for oceanographic voyages.
The M/V Plancius is manned by 17 nautical crew, 19 hotel staff (6 chefs, 1 hotel manager, 1 steward-barman and 11 stewards / cabin cleaners), 8 expedition staff (1 expedition leader and 7 guides-lecturers) and 1 doctor.
We'd be happy to email you the deck plan: just contact us.
The M/V Antarctic Dream
The M/V Antarctic Dream is an 80-passenger expedition vessel with an ice-strengthened hull, built specifically for Antarctica exploration and totally refurbished to add all the comforts you need in a small cruise ship including en-suite bath in each cabin. This versatile vessel allows for a true expedition experience, in the spirit of the early explorers, with multiple landings in the most unique and marvelous settings of Antarctica.
The ship operates both the classic 11-day Antarctica expeditions (in and out of Ushuaia, with five different departures from November to March) plus a singular 8-day "Fly and Sail" expedition for travelers with less time. With the 8-day Fly & Sail trips (with multiple departures in December & January), you will fly from Punta Arenas, Chile to the tip of the Antarctic peninsula (to Villa Esperanza & Brown Bluff), sail the Antarctic, then return via Drake's Passge to Ushuaia or alternatively, sail from Ushuaia to Antarctica, then fly back to Punta Arenas. Please contact us directly for specific details, dates, and rates.
Specifically of interest to our travelers is the unique opportunities, at extra cost, to enjoy sea kayaking and Antarctica camping while aboard the expedition. Because of limited capacity for these activities, it's important for travelers to book well in advance in order to get access to these types of adventure options. Please inquire for dates, rates, and availabilities.
The MV Antarctic Dream vessel has 40 double cabins all with exterior views, located on four different decks. All are well-equipped with private bathroom, closed circuit TV, individual central heating, internal telephone and wardrobe closet.
Fine dining, deep in the Antarctic may sound unlikely -yet you will find it on board our Antarctic Dream. Uniquely the ship’s professional Chef creates a special menu that draws on Chilean and Patagonian influence which you will enjoy in the breath-taking dining room with its panoramic views. The wine list offers you the opportunity to experience a range of the finest Chilean and Argentinean wines. There is also a wide selection of spirits in the bar including whiskey, rum, and vodka.
The ship’s primary features:
- A large dining room with comfortable seats for 100 people. Offers panoramic views and enlightened international cuisine
- Lounge/ Bar
- Ship Library
- Auditorium / Projection lounge, for lectures and conferences
- Heli-pad, in case of emergency
- A fleet of six zodiacs
- Workout Room / Sauna
- Ship Doctor
- Souvenir shop
- Passenger Bridge– there’s no need to go outside in the elements for spectacular views!
Ship specifications: The ship is 83 meters long, 11.9 meters wide, with a gross tonnage of 2,000 metric tons and a draft of 4.60 meters, with strengthened hull for polar navigation. Open bridge policy.
We'd be happy to email you the deck plan: just contact us.
The M/V Ortelius
This ice-strengthened expedition vessel is specially designed for extreme Polar expedition cruises, allowing our travelers the golden opportunity to explore remotest reaches of Antarctica including the famed Ross Sea in search of emperor penguin and many other exquisite species and sights.
The vessel has the highest ice-class notation (UL1 equivalent to 1A) possible and is therefore highly appropriate for navigation within solid one-year sea ice floes and loose multi-year pack ice. The “Ortelius” is a great expedition vessel limited to just 100 passengers with plenty of open-deck spaces and an expansive open bridge which is accessible to all passengers.
The ”Ortelius” offers a comfortable hotel standard, with two restaurants, a bar/lecture room and a sauna. The special voyages on board this unique ship are primarily developed to offer travelers a quality exploratory wildlife program, attempting to spend as much time ashore as possible. The small group and climate capable nature of this rugged vessel insures the maximum flexibility to accentuate wildlife encounters and opportunities to experience more of Antarctica’s haunting and beguiling landscapes.
We'd be happy to email you the deck plan: just contact us.
