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Call us today from 9:30am: +44 117 313 3300
Cost Per Night
Perfect For
Couples, Honeymooners & Adults.
This expedition style ship has the highest ice-class rating (UL1, equivalent to 1A) and is therefore capable of comfortably navigating through solid one-year ice as well as multi-year pack ice. It is at home in the polar environments of the Arctic and the Antarctic and travels between the two to make the most of voyages in this opposite seasons.
Originally built in Poland in 1989 and named the Marina Sveteava it served as a vessel for the Russian Academy of Science, since then it has undergone numerous refurbishments most recently in May 2016. In 2011, the ship was acquired by the current owner and was re-flagged and renamed the ‘Ortelius’, after Abraham Ortelius a Dutch/Flemish cartographer who published he first atlas of the modern world.
Ortelius retains a sense of its original working class, industrial routes, although this broad, heavy vessel has the feel of something more like a 3* hotel inside, given the significant refurbishments.
As well as the ample open-deck space which allows for constant wildlife viewing numerous activities are on offer to explore the polar environments. Depending on the voyage this might include Zodiac trips, hikes, kayaking, diving, it even has a helicopter pad for us on select voyages. Do discuss with us your interests and we can suggest the best voyage for you.
Call us on +44 117 313 3300 to start planning your holiday, we’re looking forward to hearing from you
The ship
Ortelius has total capacity for 108 guests in 52 cabins along with 22 nautical crew members, 19 hotel staff, eight expedition specialists and one doctor. The cabins vary from the sharing quadruple porthole options which can be booked on a sharing basis with members of same sex, providing a great option for solo travellers right up to most costly cabin option—the Grand Suite, complete its own private balcony. The most popular cabins are the twin porthole or twin window options, which are perfect for couples and tend to get booked up a good deal in advance.
The common areas are functional but comfortable and ideal for the adventurous, expedition-style trips which the ship specialises in. The ample outer deck has plenty of space with lots of seating areas for wildlife watching and inside there are two dining rooms so that everyone can eat in one sitting. These are smartly decorated with vibrant, natural history photos on the walls. There is also a bar/observation lounge, a theatre-style lecture room and a spacious bridge which is open for guests.
Facilities
The ship has a range of accommodation options and a number of activities available depending on the voyage, from kayaking to snowshoeing and helicopter excursions.
Dining
Meals are served in the two dining rooms, so that everyone on board can eat at the same time. Breakfast and lunch are normally buffet style and dinner is a three-course set menu. Tea, coffee and water are included while alcohol and soft drinks are normally additional.
Why Wayfairer
To keep Ortelius as up to date as possible and to comply with all the latest environmental legislation two new low-emission engines were installed by the owner recently.
The owners of this ship were also one of the first members of the Association of Arctic Cruise Operators (AECO) and the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) they are committed to following the guidelines for safe and environmentally friendly travel in the polar regions.
Featured Holidays
Search for Arctic wildlife as you sail aboard Ortelius around the island of Spitsbergen in Svalbard on our Classic Arctic Holiday.
Call us on +44 117 313 3300 to start planning your holiday, we’re looking forward to hearing from you
Accommodation
Talk to the team
Find out more and tailor your perfect trip with the help of
our specialist team on +44 117 313 3300