Oceanwide Expeditions

The historic MV Plancius was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel and in 2009 was completely rebuilt as a 116-passenger polar explorer ship. The ship boasts large open deck spaces, a fleet of Mark V zodiacs and a team of expert expedition staff to accompany each voyage.

The MV Ortelius was purpose-built for the Russian Academy of Science before being converted into a polar explorer ship. The ship’s design makes her ideal for exploring and with just 116 passengers, there is plenty of opportunity to get onto the ice during your voyage.

The vessel was built early last century and was rebuilt as a three-mast passenger sailing schooner and sailed to places like in Spitsbergen (1994 – 1996) and in Galápagos (1998 – 2001). After that, it underwent a complete rebuilding and refurbishment program until 2011 as well the communication and navigation equipment renewed according to the latest SOLAS regulations.

The ship is well suited for sailing around Spitsbergen and the Norwegian coast. Built in 1910 and renovated 1991 by its present owners, the S/V Noorderlicht will take you to unforgettable experiences and reveal your inner explorer.

The M/V Hondius is due to undertake its first polar voyages in 2019. When finished the ship will accommodate a total of 176 passengers, the vessel has been custom built for Polar Cruising. Like its sister ships the m/v Plancius and the m/v Ortelius it is named after a celebrated Dutch/Flemish Cartographer, in this case, Jodocus Hondius.

The M/V Janssonius from Oceanwide Expeditions meets the latest and highest standards for ice-strengthened cruise ships. Janssonius represents the most flexible, advanced, innovative touring vessel in the polar regions, thoroughly optimized for exploratory voyages that provide you with the utmost first-hand contact with the Arctic and Antarctica. 

The numerous amenities on-board M/V Janssonius help to make your voyage to the polar regions truly memorable. This ship also gives you the peace of mind that comes with choosing one of the most environmentally friendly vessel on the polar seas. Janssonius uses LED lighting, steam heating, bio-degradable paints and lubricants, and state-of-the-art power management systems that keep fuel consumption and CO2 levels minimal. This means that when you sail aboard Janssonius, you get to enjoy the exotic landscapes and wildlife as much as possible while impacting them as little as possible.

Janssonius offers high-quality accommodation for 176 passengers in six grand suites with balconies, eight junior suites, eight superior cabins, 11 twin deluxe cabins, 14 twin window cabins, as well as 27 twin porthole cabins, two triple porthole cabins, and four quadruple porthole cabins that vary in size. One deck consists of a large observation lounge and separate lecture room. Though elegantly designed in stylish mid-century modern décor, this vessel holds true to Oceanwide’s distinctive cozy and informal atmosphere.