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January 21, 2025

Oceanwide Expeditions, a pioneer of polar expeditions with over 30 years of experience operating in the Arctic and Antarctica, takes guests closer to the heart of nature and deeper into the polar world than other expedition cruise operators.

Aboard its fleet of ice-strengthened vessels, Oceanwide Expeditions‘ guests can experience a 360° view of the polar regions thanks to the innovative design of each ship. Each of Oceanwide Expeditions’ vessels, named for Dutch cartographers and painters, boasts character, charm, and comfort and is ideal for exploring the icy, beautiful waters of the Arctic and Antarctic.

The Oceanwide Expeditions ethos – supported by its fleet

Operating in the polar regions requires keen oversight and precise logistical planning. The remoteness of the environments in which Oceanwide Expeditions operates, along with considerations such as weather, wildlife opportunities, and variation in landing sites, make flexibility intrinsic to all Oceanwide Expeditions operations.

This flexibility runs throughout an Oceanwide Expeditions cruise, from the range of onboard services and dining options to on-the-fly operational changes, such as varying landing sites due to weather conditions, seeking out wildlife opportunities in areas other operators cannot reach, or providing multiple excursions to multiple groups during each day.

Small-size ships with big personalities

Oceanwide Expeditions prides itself on its fleet of small-size, ice-rated vessels. While other operators cater to larger groups of guests, on larger ships custom-built with luxuries such as saunas and steam rooms in mind, Oceanwide Expeditions puts experience first. Their ships are built for exploration and for operating in extreme regions. While comfortable, they are rugged, responsive, and utilitarian vessels, ideal for providing the most expansive range of outdoor activities in the polar regions.

m/v Hondius

Oceanwide Expeditions‘ newest vessel, launched in 2019, Hondius is the world’s first registered Polar Class 6 vessel and represents the most flexible, advanced, innovative touring vessel in the polar regions. Constructed and designed with operations in Antarctica and the Arctic in mind, Hondius is thoroughly optimized for exploratory voyages that provide you with the utmost first-hand contact with some of the most remote locations on Earth.

At 5,590 tons and with a maximum of 170 guests in 80 cabins and an onboard team of 57 crew, 13 expedition guides, and one doctor, Hondius is the largest vessel in the Oceanwide Expeditions fleet. However, her comparably small size enables her to venture into small channels and inlets beyond the reaches of larger expedition cruise vessels.

Hondius is equipped with advanced stabilizers, making navigating in heavier seas as comfortable as it can be. The ship features LED lighting, steam heating, bio-degradable paints and lubricants, and state-of-the-art power management systems that minimize fuel consumption and CO2 levels.

Life aboard Hondius is comfortable but not at odds with its focus on expedition. Numerous amenities are available throughout the vessel.

m/v Plancius

The most tenured vessel in the Oceanwide Expeditions fleet, and for some, a classic choice for a polar trip, Plancius was designed and constructed for oceanographic voyages and research operations. Bursting with character, Plancius has been redesigned and rebuilt as an expedition cruise vessel, providing the perfect platform for Zodiac operations and educational experiences in the Arctic and Antarctica.

Aboard Plancius, guests can experience the thrill of polar expedition cruising with unobstructed 360° views. Ice-strengthened with a 1D Lloyds Class Notation, Plancius is well suited for operating in both Antarctica and the Arctic. At 3211 tons, Plancius is robust, reliable, and comfortable, ideal for Zodiac operations and maximizing the time guests spend on shore and exploring the beautiful polar environments.

Aboard, 108 guests in 50 cabins, along with a crew of 40, eight expedition guides, and a ships doctor, can enjoy the informal atmosphere of an Oceanwide Expeditions cruise, with onboard lectures and presentations continuing to honor Plancius’ legacy as a research vessel operated by the Dutch Navy.

m/v Ortelius

Built as a special-purpose research vessel, Ortelius is a robust, rugged ship, truly embodying the Oceanwide expedition experience. With an ice rating of UL1, Ortelius is well suited for navigating solid-year-old ice and loose, multi-year pack ice. She accommodates 108 guests, 48 crew, eight expedition guides, and an onboard doctor.

Ortelius looks and feels like a true expedition vessel. While comfortable and welcoming, she is, above all else, a superb platform for operating in Antarctica and the Arctic. The ship features a helipad, facilitating excursions by helicopter to locations such as the iconic emperor penguin colony at Snow Hill Island. She carries ten Zodiacs, and her design and size, at 4090 tons, make Ortelius a flexible and responsive vessel for polar operations.

With superb 360° viewing spaces from the foredeck to the helideck at the rear, Ortelius is a fantastic option for photographers seeking to snap that one (or hundred) perfect photograph or for travelers seeking to fully immerse themselves in the polar world.

s/v Rembrandt van Rijn

Unique in the Oceanwide Expeditions fleet, Rembrandt van Rijn is a three-masted schooner, originally built as a herring lugger and since reconstructed as a passenger schooner, designed to operate in Arctic waters.

As a sailing vessel, Rembrandt van Rijn offers guests the chance to experience the Arctic by sail. Onboard engines also provide additional power when not under sail, making her a flexible vessel for operating in areas otherwise inaccessible to larger ships. At 534 tons, she is the smallest vessel in the fleet, providing accommodation for 33 guests in 16 cabins, along with ten crew and two guides. This makes sailing aboard Rembrandt van Rijn a truly immersive experience, with an intimate, close-knit onboard atmosphere.

Rembrandt van Rijn is rated to operate in the waters of Svalbard, Greenland, and Iceland, offering guests a unique way to experience the fjords, inlets, bays, and coastlines of these beautiful parts of the Arctic.

Book your place aboard one of Oceanwide Expeditions vessels today and start your next polar adventure.

Don’t miss updates, news and reviews about Oceanwide Expeditions on Cruising Journal.

George Janes

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