m/v Ortelius

Ortelius was originally the Marina Svetaeva. Built in Gdynia, Poland in 1989, it served as a special-purpose vessel for the Russian Academy of Science. Later it was re-flagged and renamed after the Dutch/Flemish cartographer Abraham Ortelius (1527 – 1598), who in 1570 published the first modern world atlas: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum or Theater of the World. At that time his atlas was the most expensive book ever printed. Ortelius is classed by Lloyd’s Register in London and flies the Dutch flag.

The vessel has the highest ice-class notation (UL1, equivalent to 1A) and is therefore suitable to navigate in solid one-year sea ice as well as loose multi-year pack ice. Ortelius can accommodate up to 108 passengers and has an abundance of open-deck spaces. It is manned by 24 highly experienced nautical crew members, 20 hotel staff, eight expedition specialists (one expedition leader, one assistant, and six lecturer-guides), and one doctor.

Specifications

Crew: 53
Guests: 108
Year Built & Shipyard: 1989, Gdynia, Poland
Zodiacs: 10

Length: 90,95m
Breadth: 17,20m
Draft: 5,4m
Ice-class: UL1 (Equivalent to 1A)

Propulsion: 6 ZL 40/48 SULZER
Speed: 10.5 knots average cruising speed
Stabilizers: Bilge Keel System
Refurbished: 2012, 2014, 2016, 2019 & 2024

Amenities

Complimentary rubber boots for excursions
Open bridge policy (guests can visit the navigation bridge)
Educational lectures by experienced expedition staff
Daily cabin cleaning service
Complimentary tea and coffee available 24/7
Library with books on polar exploration and wildlife
Expedition parkas (available for purchase or rental, depending on the voyage)

Facilities

Dining Area
Observation Lounge & Bar
Lecture Room
Sauna
Open Deck Spaces
Zodiac Boarding Area

Deck Plan

Deck 3

Quadruple PH (341-344) | Twin PH (337-340) | Lecture Room

Deck 4

Twin PH (428 – 456) | Dining Room | Observation Deck

Deck 5

Twin Deluxe (510 & 528) | Twin Window (511-517/522-527) | Superior (509/518-521/529)

Deck 6-7

Observation Lounge | Bridge | Bar

Cabins

Quadruple Portholes

13m² (140ft²)
4 guests (2 upper/lower berths)
Private shower & toilet
Porthole
Deck 3 – Mid

Triple Porthole

Avg 13,25m² (143ft²)
2 guests (lower berths)
Private shower & toilet
Deck 3 (mid) & Deck 5 (mid/front)
(This cabin can accomodate 3 guests)

Twin Porthole

Avg 13,25m² (143ft²)
2 guests (lower berths)
Private shower & toilet
Deck 3 (mid) & Deck 5 (mid/front)

Twin Window

17,5m² (188ft²)
2 guests (lower berths)
Private shower & toilet
Deck 5 (mid/front)

Twin Deluxe

17,7m² (191ft²)
2 guests (lower berths)
Private shower & toilet
3 Windows
Deck 5 (aft/mid)

Superior

19,4m² (209ft²)
2 guests (1 double bed)
Private shower & toilet
2 Windows
Deck 5 (aft/front)

Gallery

Voyages by this vessel

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