Antarctica Cruises

Classic

Hondius

Named after Jodocus Hondius, a Flemish and Dutch engraver and mapmaker, the 353-ft MV Hondius is a purpose-built, environmentally-friendly expedition cruise ship, designed to sail the rough and rugged waters of the world’s polar regions. The ship was launched in 2019 and carries up to 170 passengers, providing the utmost first-hand contact with Antarctica, while continuing the tradition of pure nature expedition cruises.

Incredibly important for a vessel cruising to some of the most unspoiled places on the planet, the Hondius ship uses LED lighting systems, steam heating plants, biodegradable paints and lubricants and state-of-the-art power management systems to keep fuel consumption and CO2 levels to the absolute minimum. This, in turn, allows you to enjoy the extraordinary seascapes, icescapes and wildlife as much as possible while impacting them as little as possible.

Classic

Ortelius

Built in 1989 as a scientific research vessel, and recently extensively refurbished, the Ortelius is an expedition-style ship with the highest ice class rating available, she is ideally suited for exploration into the most remote corners of Antarctica. Named after the publisher of the first modern atlas, Ortelius can accommodate up to 108 passengers and is manned by 52 highly experienced nautical crew members.

Classic

Plancius

Named after Petrus Plancius, a Dutch astronomer and cartographer, the 293-ft Plancius began life in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Netherlands Navy. She underwent a major two-year multi-million-dollar refurbishment in 2009, transforming her into the modern, expedition-style passenger ship that she is today, ice-strengthened and upgraded for comfort and cruising, with a diesel-electric propulsion system that reduces the noise and vibration of the engines considerably.

Deluxe

Sylvia Earle

Hailed as a “Floating ambassador for the conservation of the planet,” the Sylvia Earle is a 341-ft polar expedition ship, launched in 2021, with an 1A Ice Class rating and accommodation for 132 passengers. The vessel claims to have the lowest polluting marine engines in the world, due to a combination of low energy consumption, high fuel efficiency and a streamlined design. She was named after marine biologist and oceanographer Dr Sylvia Earle.

There are 71 cabins in eight different categories, ranging in size from 479 square feet to 226 square feet, and each with its own ensuite bathroom. Some 60% of cabins can accommodate a third person upon request. Top of the range is the Captain’s suite, of which there is only one, so be sure to book well in advance if you’d like to take advantage of this luxury. Some of the cabins have wheelchair-accessible bathrooms, and many are interconnecting for families and groups.

Superior

Greg Mortimer

Built in 2019 and named in honor of the company’s founder, the Greg Mortimer is designed for family-friendly expeditions to the most remote locations. She thereby provides the perfect base camp for Antarctic adventures at the outer limits of human exploration. Robust and powerful, with unrivaled stability, her cutting-edge nautical technology and luxurious design ensures the comfort and safety of up to 132 guests.

There are 76 comfortable suites (with separate lounge areas) and cabins in eight different categories aboard your Greg Mortimer Antarctica cruise; all have a view of the ocean and all are spaciously proportioned, ranging in size from 180 – 385 square feet. Eighty percent have their own private balcony where you can see the world go by and breathe in the sea air. All come with private bathrooms, adequate storage, twin or double bed configurations, and international power outlets. All are serviced daily.

Deluxe

Ocean Albatros

Taking you to the most isolated and pristine regions of the planet, and enabling you to explore remote shores and coastlines, the Ocean Albatros is a sleek 341-foot-long, ice-strengthened expedition cruise ship with luxury amenities, operating in both Antarctica and the Arctic. The vessel has nine decks; she was built in 2023 and accommodates up to 169 guests with a crew of 120.

Superior

Ocean Victory

Built in 2021, Ocean Victory is a nine-deck, 189-passenger expedition ship that merges luxury and adventure for an immersive experience that will bring you close to the nature and wildlife of Antarctica. The environmentally-friendly vessel has the highest ice-class rating, and is ideally suited to the Southern Ocean with her X-bow design and revolutionary Rolls Royce Zero-Speed stabilizers, created to provide more comfort by reducing noise and vibration, and more stability respectively, especially in rough waters such as the Drake Passage.