ORTELIUS
MV Ortelius is an ice-strengthened polar expedition ship. With the highest ice-class notation (UL1 equivalent to 1A) the Ortelius ship is ideally suited for Antarctic expediting.
The Ortelius has a maximum capacity of 108 guests, supported by a crew of 20, a 19-member hotel staff, a seven-member expedition team (an expedition leader and six guides / lecturers), and an onboard doctor.
The vessel is 298 feet long, with a width (beam) of 56 feet, and a draft to baseline of 18 feet. With 6 ZL 40/48 SULZER engines, the Ortelius cruising speed is of approximately 10.5 knots.
Amenities
The Ortelius is furnished with an observation lounge, two restaurants, bar, lobby, observation deck, hospital, gallery and lecture room. All meals onboard the ship, including snacks, coffee and tea are included in all itineraries.
Ortelius has a non-smoking policy, but guests can smoke in certain designated areas.
Laundry service, bar, beverages, telecommunication and excess baggage come at an additional cost.
Activities
Voyages aboard the Ortelius are designed to offer passengers as much time as possible ashore with the wildlife and landscapes of the Antarctic. Ortelius carries a fleet of ten Zodiacs for exploration and remote landings. Zodiac cruising and onshore hiking are included with every departure (weather permitting).
The ship’s “basecamp” itinerary also offers camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, and photo workshop. Ship-to-shore helicopter transfers are included in other Antarctica programs aboard the Ortelius. Activities vary depending on the chosen itinerary. Our team of LANDED travel specialists can help you select the voyage that’s right for you.
When you aren’t exploring the Antarctic on land or cruising the coastline in a Zodiac, you can enjoy the Ortelius program of lectures, delivered by the expedition team’s naturalists and adventure guides.
Ortelius Cabin Options
The Ortelius offers six cabin categories:
- Quadruple cabins with bunk beds (these can also be used as triple or twin cabins)
- Quadruple porthole cabins with bunk beds (these can also be used as triple or twin cabins)
- Twin porthole cabin with two single lower berths
- Twin cabins with windows and two single lower berths
- Twin deluxe cabins with windows and two single lower berths
- Superior cabins with double beds.
All cabins have a minimum of two porthole or window, a private shower and toilet, flatscreen TV, hair dryer, and telephone and Wi-Fi at an additional cost.
Twin deluxe and superior cabins are also furnished with a sofa, and superior cabins also feature a mini fridge, and a coffee and tea maker.
Sample Itineraries
The Plancius operates cruises of various lengths, from 10 to 33 nights.
Sample 11-night Cruise: Antarctica – Basecamp:
- Day 1: Morning at leisure in Ushuaia; afternoon embarkation to the Ortelius. Enjoy a welcome dinner while you sail along the wildlife-rich Beagle Channel, towards the White Continent of Antarctica.
- Day 2-3: At sea, cruise through the Drake Passage. After passing the Antarctic Convergence – Antarctica’s natural boundary, formed when north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic seas – guests can enjoy the marine and avan life changes in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone.
- Day 4-9: Cruise the snow-capped Melchior Islands and Schollaert Channel, sailing between Brabant and Anvers Islands. Disembark by Zodiac and explore the continent each day. Places you may visit include: Neumayer Channel, Port Lockroy, Pléneau & Petermann Islands, Neko Harbour, Paradise Bay, and Errera Channel. No journey is the same.
- Day 10-11: Return to the Drake Passage and to the Beagle Channel bound for Ushuaia. Conditions on the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure.
- Day 12: Morning breakfast and disembarkation in Ushuaia; afternoon pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation) for your onward flight.
*All itineraries are provided for illustration and guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. Itineraries may mention places that require permission to land, which must be granted by the relevant national authorities. Such permission is not granted prior to the publishing of these itineraries.
Airfares, whether scheduled or charter flights, as well as pre- and post- land arrangements are not included.
LANDED has a direct contract with the Ortelius. We can also arrange air travel, touring, and accommodations in Chile and Argentina. Speak with one of our expert travel planners today at 801.582.2100. We’ll take care of the details.
