MS Ortelius

The authentic expedition ship for the Antarctic and Arctic

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MS Ortelius

The authentic expedition ship

The MS Ortelius is one of the ideal expedition ships for extreme regions such as Antarctica and the Arctic. It was built in 1989 in Gdynia, Poland, and served as a special ship for the Russian Academy of Sciences. It has one of the highest ice classes for diesel-powered ships, making it the perfect base for a polar expedition.

The atmosphere on board is relaxed and informal. The international passengers are cosmopolitan and nature-loving. The captain and the international expedition crew are renowned experts in various fields. You will be hanging on their every word during the fascinating lectures on the geology, climate, flora, and fauna of the polar regions.

During some tours through Antarctica, the Ortelius is equipped with a helicopter, allowing you to go on very special shore excursions and visit places that are difficult to reach. Panoramic views included!

Stephanie Gräf

Stephanie Gräf

Travel expert, inventia | Travel beyond the ordinary
Specialist in travel to the Arctic and Antarctic.

I am your contact person for questions and bookings relating to the Arctic and Antarctic, and I am delighted that you are one of the few people who are traveling to the ends of the earth.

You can reach me by phone or email:
+49 (0)201 858 90 960
welcome@inventia.de

Select consultation appointment

Onboard amenities

  • 2 restaurants
  • 1 bar, where lectures are also held
  • All cabins are outside cabins with two portholes or windows.
  • 10 Zodiac inflatable boats for shore excursions
  • Helicopters on some tours in Antarctica
  • Kayaks on board. Kayak tours are available, booking required before departure.

Special Interest

German-language services available!
On board the Ortelius, you will be accompanied by at least one German-speaking lecturer or tour guide. Some of the landings in the ship's Zodiacs will be accompanied by the German-speaking lecturer, who will assist with translations. Announcements on board are in English/German. In addition, the daily programs are provided in German.
To all German-language Antarctic voyages.

A heart for solo travelers!
The expedition ship offers solo travelers the opportunity to share twin cabins with fellow travelers of the same gender.
More offers for solo travelers.

ship data

Key data:

  • Flag: Netherlands
  • Year of manufacture: 1989
  • Maximum passengers: 108
  • Cabins: 50 , all outside cabins
  • Crew: approx . 50
  • Length: 90 .95 m
  • Width: 17 .2 m
  • Draught: 5 .40 m
  • GT: 4 ,575 t
  • Average speed: 10 .5 knots
  • Propulsion: 2 x ABC main engines; total 4,200 kW
  • Ice class: 1 A
  • Voltage: 220 V
  • Decks renovated: 2012-2017-2019

Good to know:

  • Onboard language: English, English-speaking expedition team, selected departures are bilingual (English-German or German only)
  • Onboard currency: US dollars, euros, and major credit cards
  • Open bridge
  • Medical care: Adoctor is on board. Completing a medical questionnaire is mandatory.
  • Rubber boots for hire: On board, be sure to reserve in advance of your trip, free of charge

Deck plans & cabin categories

Deck Plan of the MS Ortelius
MS Ortelius and helicopter

Antarctic semi-circumnavigation through Ross Sea helicopter landing on Ortelius ToineHendriks2

Ortelius in the Ross Sea

Helicopter aboard the MS Ortelius

Antarctica-Weddell Sea-In search of the emperor penguin-Ortelius helicopter-HansMurre

Helicopter on MS Ortelius

Ortelius cruises through the pack ice near Cape Adare, Ross Sea

Antarctic semi-circumnavigation through Ross Sea Ortelius through pack ice Cape Adare RolfStange

On the deck

Bridge of the MS Ortelius

MS Ortelius Bridge

bridge

Library of MS Ortelius

MS Ortelius Library Eduardus Lee

library

Lecture room of the MS Ortelius

MS Ortelius Lecture Room Monica Salmang

lecture hall

Four-person cabin on the MS Ortelius with two bunk beds, a desk, and two portholes

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Four-bed cabin with two portholes | © Olaf Kramer

Triple cabin on the MS Ortelius with a bunk bed, a single bed, a desk, and two portholes

ms_ortelius-three-bed-cabin_porthole-olaf_kramer-oceanwide_expeditions

Triple cabin with two portholes | © Olaf Kramer

Twin cabin on the MS Ortelius with two lower berths, a desk, and two portholes

ms_ortelius-twin-cabin_porthole-olaf_kramer-oceanwide_expeditions

Twin cabin with two portholes | © Olaf Kramer

Twin cabin on the MS Ortelius with two lower berths and two windows

ms_ortelius-twin-stateroom_window-joanke_louws-oceanwide_expeditions

Twin cabin with two windows | © Joanke Louws

Deluxe twin cabin on the MS Ortelius with two lower berths, a desk, and three windows

ms_ortelius-deluxe-twin-cabin-joanke_louws-oceanwide_expeditions

Deluxe Twin Cabin with Three Windows | © Joanke Louws

Superior Cabin on the MS Ortelius with a double bed and a window

ms_ortelius-superior_cabin-joanke_louws-oceanwide_expeditions

Superior Cabin with Double Bed | © Joanke Louws

Traveling by ship

Starting at
4.350 €

Active Base Camp in Northern Spitsbergen

This 8-day adventure expedition takes you to the Monaco Glacier and walruses by kayak and snowshoe
about the trip
Starting at
4.100 €

Short Expedition Cruise Through Western Spitsbergen

6-day expedition cruise through western Spitsbergen to see polar bears at the edge of the pack ice, walruses on Poole Point, and glaciers in Raudfjorden
about the trip
Starting at
10.400 €

Aurora Australis – Northern Lights beneath the Antarctic Circle | MS Ortelius |...

12 days (11 nights) Antarctic expedition: Discover the deep south beyond the Arctic Circle
about the trip
Starting at
7.550 €

Spitsbergen – Northeast Greenland – Iceland: Northern lights, Inuit, and long hikes |...

14-day (13 nights) expedition with extended hikes through the habitats of Arctic wildlife
about the trip
Starting at
11.500 €
For athletes at an unbeatable price

Active base camp in the Weddell Sea | MS Hondius

13 days / 12 nights Active ship expedition on a rare route in the Weddell Sea: mountaineering, kayaking, snowshoeing, and camping INCLUDED
about the trip
from
23.200 €
18.550 €
Unusual route

Deep down south: Bellingshausen Sea / Peter I Island + Ellsworth Land –...

25-day cruise crossing the Antarctic Circle to the Bellingshausen Sea, including helicopter flights
about the trip
Starting at
4.350 €

Northern Spitsbergen Explorer | MS Hondius | MS Ortelius | MS Plancius

8-day (7 nights) North Spitsbergen Expedition: Arctic landscapes, sea ice, and wildlife
about the trip
Starting at
5.700 €

Around Spitsbergen – in the realm of polar bears and ice...

Svalbard Expedition: 10 Days in the Pack Ice, Polar Bears, Glaciers, and Bird Colonies – aboard the MS Hondius, Ortelius, or Plancius
about the trip

Half circumnavigations of Antarctica from Tierra del Fuego to southern New Zealand through the Ross Sea

Half circumnavigations of Antarctica from Argentina to New Zealand (or vice versa) through the Ross Sea, crossing the Antarctic Circle and the International Date Line
about the trip
Starting at
8.200 €

Whale watching in Antarctica

Whale watching expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula: whales, Zodiac excursions, penguins, and impressive ice landscapes
about the trip
from
17.950 €
11.650 €

The Grand Tour: Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the Antarctic Peninsula

18 or 20 nights Antarctic expedition: Grand tour including the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the Antarctic Peninsula
about the trip
from
32.500 €
26.000 €
Unusual route

Exceptional itinerary: Remote Weddell Sea Explorer Intensive, including South Georgia – South Sandwich Islands –...

28-day intensive Weddell Sea discovery tour including South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands, Neuschwabenland, Larsen Ice Shelf, and Elephant Island
about the trip

Do you have any questions about the ship?

just call

+49 201-858 90 960