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Ortelius has the highest ice-class notation and is highly suitable for navigating in solid one-year sea ice, and loose multi-year pack ice, providing possibilities to travel to remote locations such as the Ross Sea and Franz Josef Land.

Originally named Marina Svetaeva, she was built in Poland in 1989 and served as a special purpose vessel for the Russian Academy of Sciences. Over the years she has been adapted to provide an authentic, immersive experience in polar environments while also delivering reliable performance and safety in challenging ice conditions.

Ortelius makes a great expedition vessel for Polar expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctic. She offers lots of cabin types, open deck space and a large bridge open to passengers. As the number of passengers is limited to 108, flexibility assures maximum wildlife opportunities.

Whether navigating icy channels in Antarctica, exploring remote islands in the Arctic, or watching for whales, seabirds and other wildlife along vast polar coastlines, Ortelius offers a true expedition experience. Guests enjoy comfortable common areas, dedicated lecture spaces, and the camaraderie of small-ship travel, all designed to enhance your polar adventure. 

View suggested itineraries

Key info

  • Length: 91.25 m (299.3 feet) metres
  • Passengers: 108 in 53 cabins
  • Crew and staff: 47

wildlife trips

Ortelius offers the following cabin classes:

Twin porthole

  • Location: Decks 3 & 4
  • Beds: 2 lower berths
  • External view: Porthole (cabins with window on Deck 5 available at a supplement)
  • Facilities: Private bathing facilities, Hairdryer, Shower, Toilet, TV

Triple porthole

  • Location: Deck 3
  • Beds: 1 upper/lower berth and 1 single lower berth
  • External view: Porthole
  • Facilities: Private bathing facilities, Hairdryer, Shower, Toilet, TV

Quadruple porthole

  • Location: Deck 3
  • Beds: 2 upper/lower berths
  • External view: Porthole
  • Facilities: Private bathing facilities, Hairdryer, Shower, Toilet, TV

Twin window

Twin cabin room with windows on Ortelius.
  • Location: Deck 5
  • Beds: 2 lower berths
  • External view: 2 windows
  • Facilities: Private bathing facilities, Hairdryer, Shower, Toilet, TV

Twin deluxe

  • Location: Corner cabin
  • Beds: 2 lower berths
  • External view: 2 windows
  • Facilities: Private bathing facilities, Hairdryer, Shower, Toilet, Fridge, TV

Superior

  • Location: Decks 4 & 5
  • Beds: 1 double bed and 1 sofa bed
  • External view: Window
  • Facilities: Private bathing facilities, Hairdryer, Shower, Toilet, Fridge, Lounge, TV

Wildlife trips

This cruise vessel is featured in the following itineraries:

Around Spitsbergen

Sail through a wonderland of mountain and glacial scenery and enjoy spectacular wildlife encounters in this polar bear and birding paradise. Highlights include an exhilarating ride along the spectacular 14th of July Glacier, where large numbers of kittiwakes and Brunnichs guillemots nest on the nearby cliffs. Find out more about Around Spitsbergen

  • Destination: Arctic, Norway
  • Price (exc. flights): 10-12 days from £5,160
  • Trip type:
    Voyage
  • When to go:
    • M
    • J
    • J
    • A
    • S

Classic Antarctica

This voyage is a perfect introduction to the Antarctic, visiting prime wildlife sites along the Peninsula and in the nearby South Shetland islands. Encounter huge rookeries of gentoo, chinstrap and Adelie penguins, beaches adorned with wallowing elephant seals, and whales and dolphins along the way. Find out more about Classic Antarctica

  • Destination: Antarctica
  • Price (exc. flights): 10-13 days from £5,645
  • Trip type:
    Voyage
  • When to go:
    • J
    • F
    • M
    • N
    • D

Crossing the Polar Circle

An extraordinary opportunity to cross the Antarctic Circle, a polar achievement few have the privilege to experience. Discover a rarely seen, isolated world, littered with gigantic icebergs, snow-clad mountains and swathes of pack-ice, whilst being followed by an array of seabirds and several whale species. Find out more about Crossing the Polar Circle

  • Destination: Antarctica
  • Price (exc. flights): 11-15 days from £7,480
  • Trip type:
    Voyage
  • When to go:
    • J
    • F
    • M
    • N
    • D

Emperor Penguins of the Weddell Sea

This voyage to the Weddell Sea offers a unique highlight - three days are reserved to visit, by helicopter, an emperor penguin colony, situated south of Snow Hill Island. Getting close to these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat is a unique and memorable once in a lifetime experience. Find out more about Emperor Penguins of the Weddell Sea

  • Destination: Antarctica
  • Price (exc. flights): 11-18 days from £11,455
  • Trip type:
    Voyage
  • When to go:
    • J
    • F
    • M
    • N
    • D

Great Antarctic Voyage

This ultimate Antarctic experience marries the phenomenal wildlife of the sub-Antarctic islands of the Falklands and South Georgia to the pristine beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula. Explore dramatic wilderness areas and visit huge penguin colonies, all amongst hauntingly beautiful polar scenery. Find out more about Great Antarctic Voyage

  • Destination: Antarctica, Falkland Islands
  • Price (exc. flights): 19-22 days from £12,900
  • Trip type:
    Voyage
  • When to go:
    • J
    • F
    • M
    • N
    • D

North Atlantic Adventure

Join this voyage of a lifetime as you sail from Scotland to Svalbard, calling at Fair Isle and Jan Mayen en route. During the journey you visit prime sites across the North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean, visiting remote, wildlife-rich islands and dramatic coastlines. In Svalbard, explore fjords and search for iconic Arctic wildlife. Find out more about North Atlantic Adventure

  • Destination: Arctic, Scotland, United Kingdom
  • Price (exc. flights): 17 days from £7,295
  • Trip type:
    Voyage
  • When to go:
    • J

North Spitsbergen

This one week voyage provides an intoxicating mix of astonishing landscapes, stunning coastline and spectacular wildlife, including polar bears, walruses, whales, Arctic foxes and huge colonies of seabirds. The long daylight hours offer maximum time to appreciate this breath-taking land of ice to the full. Find out more about North Spitsbergen

  • Destination: Arctic, Norway
  • Price (exc. flights): 7-11 days from £4,615
  • Trip type:
    Voyage
  • When to go:
    • J
    • J

The Ultimate Snow Hill Expedition

EXCLUSIVE VOYAGE

Join us on an extraordinary expedition to Snow Hill and witness one of nature’s most remarkable spectacles – the emperor penguins. Discover the wilderness of the Weddell Sea, encounter majestic wildlife, and experience the magic of exploring a remote region of Antarctica. Find out more about The Ultimate Snow Hill Expedition

  • Destination: Antarctica
  • Price (inc. flights): 16 days from £16,195
  • Trip type:
    Voyage
  • When to go:
    • N