Ortelius
Ortelius is a converted research vessel that offers some of the most authentic, adventurous and off the beaten track expeditions of any ships sailing in the polar waters. Taking a maximum of 108 guests, it is an excellent option for travelers looking for a small ship experience and to maximize time on shore.
The vessel has the highest ice-class notation (UL1 equivalent to 1A) and is therefore very suitable to navigate in solid one-year sea ice and loose multi-year pack ice. For this reason, and with the addition of helicopters on select voyages, it is able to offer very remote & non-traditional itineraries into the Weddell Sea, plus get into the pack ice in Svalbard & East Greenland. In 2025, Ortelius reached reached a record-breaking 78°03.471’S on the Remote Weddell Sea Explorer voyage, which is the southernmost point reached by a non-icebreaking passenger ship.
Ortelius offers simple but comfortable cabins and public spaces. There are 6 different cabin categories, all with a minimum of 2 portholes or windows per cabin and private bathrooms. New skylights were recently installed in the Observation Lounge/Bar allowing more natural light into this popular gathering spot.
Helicopters are used only on select Weddell Sea voyages, when the conditions permit.
Ship Specifications
Maximum Number of guests: 108 passengers
Staff & Crew: Crew 44 | Guides 8 | Doctor 1
Ice Class: UL1 (equivalent to 1A)
Cruising Speed: 10.5 Knots average cruising speed
Year Launched: 1989, Various decks refurbished in 2012, 2017, 2019, 2025
Length: 90.94 meters (298 feet)
Voltage: 220v, 60Hz. Electrical outlets are standard European with two thick round pins.
Minimum age: 4 years old with child waiver completed
Ship Features
- Observation Lounge and bar with brand new skylights
- Updated dining room
- Lecture room
- Helicopters on select Weddell Sea voyages only
Ortelius Cabins & Deck Plan
Superior
DECK 5
The 6 Superior cabins are the most spacious and the only cabin category with a double bed. They are all located on deck 5. Features: 2 windows (minimum), 1 double bed, 1 single (sofa) bed, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Refrigerator, Coffee & tea maker, Hair dryer, Safe deposit box and Ample storage space.
198 – 220 sq. ft. (18.4 – 20.4m2)
1-3
1 double + single sofa bed
Twin Deluxe
DECK 5
There are just 2 Twin Deluxe cabins located on deck 5. Features: 3 windows, 2 lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Small sofa, Refrigerator, Coffee & tea maker, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hair dryer, Safe deposit box and Ample storage space.
190 sq. ft. (17.7 m2)
1-2
2 single
Twin Window
DECK 5
The 12 Twin Window cabins are all located on deck 5. Features: 2 windows, 2 lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hair dryer, Safe deposit box and Ample storage space.
188 – 190 sq. ft. (17.5 – 17.7 m2)
1-2
2 single
Twin Porthole
DECK 3
DECK 4
The most abundant cabin category, most of which are located on deck 4 (there are 2 on deck 3). Features: 2 portholes, 2 lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hair dryer, Safe deposit box and Ample storage space.
123 – 163 sq. ft. (11.4 – 15.1 m2)
1-2
2 single
Triple Porthole
DECK 3
2 Triple cabins located forward on deck 3. Features: 2 portholes, 1 upper berth & 2 lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hair dryer, Safe deposit box and Ample storage space.
1-3
3 single
Quadruple Porthole
DECK 3
4 Quad cabins midship on deck 3. Features: 2 portholes, 2 upper berths & 2 lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hair dryer, Safe deposit box and Ample storage space.
133 – 152 sq. ft. (12.4 – 14.1 m2)
1-4
4 single
Trips and Rates
Single Travelers:
- Can book into a share cabin in Quad – Twin Deluxe
- Can book a twin cabin at solo occupancy at 1.7x the per person share price
Adventure Options:
- On Basecamp departures all activities are free
Single Travelers:
- Can book into a share cabin in Quad – Twin Deluxe
- Can book a twin cabin at solo occupancy at 1.7x the per person share price
Adventure Options:
- On Basecamp departures all activities are free
| Cabin Category | Quad Porthole | Twin Porthole | Twin Window | Twin Deluxe | Superior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per Person Price in USD | $4,450 | $6,150 | $6,700 | $7,100 | $8,050 |
| Availability | Open | Open | Open | Limited | Open |
Adventure Options:
| Cabin Category | Quad Porthole | Twin Porthole | Twin Window | Twin Deluxe | Superior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per Person Price in USD | $4,450 | $6,150 | $6,700 | $7,100 | $8,050 |
| Availability | Limited | Open | Open | Limited | Open |
Adventure Options:
| Cabin Category | Quad Porthole | Twin Porthole | Twin Window | Twin Deluxe | Superior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per Person Price in USD | $9,700 | $11,950 | $12,600 | $13,500 | $14,400 |
| Availability | Open | Open | Open | Limited | Open |
| Cabin Category | Quad Porthole | Twin Porthole | Twin Window | Twin Deluxe | Superior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per Person Price in USD | $26,500 | $33,000 | $34,600 | $37,000 | $39,000 |
| Availability | Open | Open | Open | Limited | Open |
| Cabin Category | Quad Porthole | Twin Porthole | Twin Window | Twin Deluxe | Superior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per Person Price in USD | $26,500 | $33,000 | $34,600 | $37,000 | $39,000 |
| Availability | Limited | Open | Open | Limited | Limited |
| Cabin Category | Quad Porthole | Twin Porthole | Twin Window | Twin Deluxe | Superior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per Person Price in USD | $11,100 | $13,650 | $14,300 | $15,400 | $16,500 |
| Availability | Limited | Limited | Limited | Full | Open |
| Cabin Category | Quad Porthole | Twin Porthole | Twin Window | Twin Deluxe | Superior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per Person Price in USD | $14,500 | $17,600 | $18,400 | $20,000 | $21,400 |
| Availability | Limited | Open | Open | Full | Open |
| Cabin Category | Quad Porthole | Twin Porthole | Twin Window | Twin Deluxe | Superior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per Person Price in USD | $12,900 | $14,750 | $15,300 | $16,350 | $17,150 |
| Availability | Open | Open | Open | Limited | Open |
| Cabin Category | Quad Porthole | Twin Porthole | Twin Window | Twin Deluxe | Superior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per Person Price in USD | $12,900 | $14,750 | $15,300 | $16,350 | $17,150 |
| Availability | Full | Full | Limited | Full | Limited |
| Cabin Category | Quad Porthole | Twin Porthole | Twin Window | Twin Deluxe | Superior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per Person Price in USD | $12,900 | $14,750 | $15,300 | $16,350 | $17,150 |
| Availability | Limited | Limited | Full | Full | Limited |
Oct 22 – Nov 11, 2025 (21 days)
| Start: | Puerto Madryn, Argentina |
| End: | Ushuaia, Argentina |
Photographic Special
| Cabin Category | Quad Porthole | Twin Porthole | Twin Window | Twin Deluxe | Superior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per Person Price in USD | $14,250 | $17,450 | $18,150 | $19,550 | $21,000 |
| Availability | Limited | Limited | Limited | Full | Full |
Adventure Options:
Availability & prices are subject to change at anytime. Please contact us for the real time availability & prices.
Solo Travelers
Are you traveling alone? If willing to share a cabin, we can match you with another passenger of the same gender to avoid a single supplement.
Single occupancy price is 1.5x the per person share price.
Let’s Get Started