/media/s4zhaf0m/ship-icon.png

    Class of Ship

    Medium Expedition Ship
    /media/2flfscuh/leaf-icon.png

    Sustainability

    Low Impact
    /media/dx3mvpdd/bed-icon.png

    Berths

    108
    /media/jzdbslpr/iceclass_2.png

    Ice Class

    1A
/media/s4zhaf0m/ship-icon.png
Class of Ship
Medium Expedition Ship
/media/2flfscuh/leaf-icon.png
Sustainability
Low Impact
/media/dx3mvpdd/bed-icon.png
Berths
108
/media/jzdbslpr/iceclass_2.png
Ice Class
1A

Toine Hendriks

Ortelius With Helicopter Ross Sea

Ortelius in the Ross Sea

Elke Lindner

Ortelius At Orne Island Antarctica

Ortelius at Orne Island

Olaf Kramer

Ortelius Restaurant

Restaurant

Ortelius' restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

Olaf Kramer

Ortelius Superior Cabin

Superior cabin

Monica Salmang

Ortelius Twin Deluxe 510 Deck 5

Twin Deluxe cabin

About the Ship

Rolf Stange

Rolf Stange

Ortelius At Mcmurdo Sound Ross Sea

M/V Ortelius is an ice-strengthened vessel expertly designed for deep polar exploration. Ortelius offers adventurous travellers a front row seat to the world's most remote and icy frontiers. With space for just 108 passengers, Ortelius combines the spirit of classic expedition travel with modern safety standards, making it an ideal choice for those seeking immersive, wildlife-rich journeys to the Arctic and Antarctic.

Olaf Kramer

Olaf Kramer

Ortelius Bridge

A legacy of exploration

Built in 1989 in Gdynia, Poland, the vessel now known as M/V Ortelius originally served the Russian Academy of Science as the Marina Svetaeva. It was later re-flagged and renamed in honour of Abraham Ortelius, the Dutch-Flemish cartographer who published the first modern world atlas in 1570. Today, Ortelius sails under the Dutch flag.

Elke Lindner

Elke Lindner

Ortelius At Cuverville Antarctica

Built for the ice

Ortelius boasts the highest ice-class notation (UL1, equivalent to 1A), making it adept at navigating both solid one-year sea ice and loose multi-year pack ice. The ship accommodates up to 108 passengers across 50 cabins and offers ample open-deck spaces for optimal wildlife viewing.

Olaf Kramer

Olaf Kramer

Ortelius Dining Room

Aboard M/V Ortelius, passengers can expect a variety of dining experiences designed to cater to diverse tastes and dietary needs.

Olaf Kramer

Olaf Kramer

Ortelius Restaurant

Breakfasts are typically served buffet-style, offering an array of options such as eggs, bacon, sausages, hot cereals, baked beans, assorted bread, cold cuts, cereals, yoghurts, jams, fresh fruits, and pastries. Lunches often follow a similar buffet format, featuring soups, salads, sandwich ingredients, main courses, fruit baskets, and desserts. Dinners are more formal, with table service that includes an appetiser, soup or salad, a choice of main courses (meat, fish, or vegetarian), and a dessert or fruit plate. ​

Ortelius Deck Plan Deck 7

Deck 7

  • Observation lounge

 

Ortelius Deck Plan Deck 5

Deck 5

  • Twin Deluxe cabins 
  • Superior cabins
  • Twin Window cabins 

Ortelius Deck Plan Deck 4

Deck 4

  • Twin Porthole cabins
  • Dining room
  • Reception

Ortelius Deck Plan Deck 3

Deck 3

  • Twin Porthole cabins
  • Quadruple cabins

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Landing directly on sea ice from ice breaker ship
1
Discover
  • Introduction to Expedition Cruises
  • Articles from top Travel Writers
  • Wildlife guides
  • Webinars
Sylvia Earle ship in Sam Ford Fjord Arctic Burnham Arlidge
2
Compare
  • Which destination you'll visit next
  • Expert guides to every region
  • Help choosing right ship
  • Free Expert Advice
Walrus resting on sea ice with M/S Stockholm in the background, showcasing Arctic wildlife and expedition cruising.
3
Choose
  • Over 420 cruises to choose from
  • Access special offers
  • Expert Advice for the best cabins
  • Find best agents for pre/post travel