Note: All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings are subject to site availabilities, permissions, and environmental concerns per AECO regulations.
The midnight sun is a phenomenon that happens during the Arctic summer, when the sun stays visible for a full 24 hours if the weather is good. The summer solstice in Longyearbyen is on June 21, when the sun is at its highest point above the northern horizon at midnight. The sun won't fully set again until late August, and even then, only for a few minutes. Join us to experience this amazing event during our cruise through the Arctic wilderness of Svalbard.
Largest town, biggest island
You arrive in Longyearbyen, the main town of Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago. Take a walk around this former mining town, where the parish church and Svalbard Museum are interesting places to visit. Despite the stark landscape, over a hundred plant species have been found here. In the early evening, the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might see the first minke whale of your expedition.
North Spitsbergen’s natural beauty, wildlife, and pack-ice
This cruise will take you into the pack ice and along the remote shores of rugged north Spitsbergen. Places we might visit include:
Raudfjord
On the north coast of Spitsbergen, this large fjord is filled with glaciers and might be visited by ringed and bearded seals. The cliffs and shoreline are home to many seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and possibly polar bears. We will try to land at Alicehamna or Buchanan Peninsula.
Monaco Glacier
Depending on the weather and sea ice, we could sail into Liefdefjorden, land at Texas Bar, and cruise near the 5-kilometer-long (3.1 miles) face of Monaco Glacier. The waters in front of this steep glacier are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of kittiwakes, and the base of the ice is a popular polar bear hunting ground. If ice conditions prevent us from sailing here early in the season, we may sail along the west coast of Spitsbergen.
The Seven Islands
The northernmost point of the cruise may be north of Nordaustlandet, in the Seven Islands. Here we may reach 80° north, just 870 km (540 miles) from the geographic North Pole. At Phipps Island, there is a walrus haul-out site, while Ross Island is the northernmost landmass in Spitsbergen. The vessel may sail deeper into the pack ice before heading west again.
Sailing in the pack ice
While we retrace our route west, keep an eye out for polar bears, ringed seals, and elusive Greenland (bowhead) whales. This is also the habitat of ivory gulls. About 40 nautical miles (74 km) west of Spitsbergen, we’ll sail the edge of the continental shelf. Here fin whales forage during the summer in the upwelling zones (where cold, nutrient-rich water rises from below the sea’s surface) that run along the Spitsbergen banks. At the mouth of Kongsfjorden, you have a good chance of seeing minke whales.
Forlandsundet wildlife
Walruses sometimes haul out in Forlandsundet, at Poolepynten. But if we cannot go there, we might sail to the mouth of Isfjorden, where we may see different species of rorqual whales. Our intended landing site is Alkhornet, where seabirds nest on the cliffs, Arctic foxes search below for fallen eggs and chicks, and reindeer graze the sparse vegetation. Another possibility is the glacier front in Ymerbukta, where you can see various eider duck species.
There and back again
Even great adventures must eventually come to an end. The vessel arrives back in Longyearbyen in the early morning, and bus transportation to the airport will be provided.
m/v Ortelius
The ice-strengthened Ortelius is fully equipped for polar exploration and can accommodate helicopter flights when necessary.
Specifications
Passengers: | 108 passengers in 50 cabins |
Staff & crew: | Crew 44 | Guides 8 | Doctor 1 |
Length: | 90.95 meters |
Breadth: | 17.20 meters |
Draft: | 5.4 meters |
Ice class: | UL1 (Equivalent to 1A) |
Displacement: | 4090 tonnes |
Propulsion: | 6 ZL 40/48 SULZER |
Speed: | 10.5 knots average cruising speed |
Cabins Gallery
Ship Interior Gallery
Ship Exterior Gallery
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.
Perfect for Any Expedition
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.
Ortelius: a Vessel with Comfort and Character
Please be aware that a small number of cabins may have a partially obstructed view due to the size of the windows and the design requirements of the ship. For example, some windows may be partly obstructed in the lower half by a gangway. The best view is always on the outer deck or the bridge. Though our voyages are primarily meant to offer our passengers an exploratory wildlife program with as much time ashore as possible, Ortelius offers all the comforts of a standard hotel ― along with a bar and lecture room. Flexibility assures maximum wildlife opportunities. As such, Ortelius carries 10 Zodiacs with 60hp Yamaha engines.
Age & Nationality
Passengers on a typical voyage range from in their 30s to their 80s, with the majority usually between 45 ― 65. Our expeditions attract independent travelers from around the globe who are characterized by a strong interest in exploring remote regions.
What to Wear
In keeping with the spirit of expedition, dress on board is informal. Bring casual and comfortable clothing for all activities, and keep in mind that much of the scenery can be appreciated from deck ― which can be slippery. Bring sturdy shoes with no-slip soles, and make sure your parka is never far away in case one of our crew shouts “Whales!” over the loudspeaker and you have to dash outside in a moment’s notice. Opt for layers, as it is comfortably warm aboard the ship though often cold on deck.
How to Pay
Refreshments and souvenirs will be charged to your cabin. The day before departure you can settle your bill with the hotel manager, paying by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or cash (euro, or in some cases dollar). We cannot, however, accept checks. Though the prices and standard currency on board is in the euro, other currencies may be accepted at the discretion of the hotel manager, at prevailing rates.
Electric Current
The electrical supply aboard ship is 220v, 60Hz. Electrical outlets are standard European with two thick round pins, so some passengers may need a 220v/110v converter.
Gratuities
The customary gratuity to the ship’s service personnel is made as a blanket contribution at the end of the voyage and is divided among the crew. Tipping is a personal matter, and the amount you wish to give is at your sole discretion. As a generally accepted guideline, we suggest 8 ― 10 euros per passenger per day. It is better for the crew if you give cash.
Non-Smoking Policy
We have a non-smoking policy inside all our vessels, though you can smoke in certain designated areas. We ask that you please respect the wishes of non-smokers.
Your Physical Condition
You must be in good overall health and be able to walk several hours per day. The expedition is ship-based and physically not very demanding, but we spend as much time as possible on shore. You are, however, welcome to remain aboard the ship if you prefer. To join most excursions you must be able to get up and down the steep gangway ― from the ship to the water level ― to board the Zodiacs. Staff will assist you in and out of the boats, and boarding will become progressively easier with practice, but conditions on shore can be slippery and rocky. Remember, you will be traveling in remote areas without access to sophisticated medical facilities, so you must not join this expedition if you have a life-threatening condition or need daily medical treatment.
The average price for flights (round trip) to Longyearbyen
From Jakarta: $3,200
From Singapore: $2,800
From Kuala Lumpur: $2,900
Insurance Requirements:
- Mandatory Insurance: All travelers must have insurance covering medical expenses, accidents, and repatriation/evacuation.
- Recommended Insurance: It is strongly recommended to include cancellation insurance for added protection.
Drone Usage Policy:
- Prohibited: The use of drones is strictly prohibited during the expedition.
Clothing and Gear Recommendations:
- Water-resistant coat and Pants: Essential for protection against wet and windy conditions.
- Layered Underwear: To ensure warmth and comfort in extreme weather.
- Sunglasses: Necessary to protect against the strong UV rays and glare from the snow.
- Gloves: Insulated and water-resistant gloves to keep your hands warm and dry.
- Additional Items: Consider packing a warm hat, thermal socks, and sturdy waterproof boots.
- Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
- All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
- All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
- Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
- Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
- Transfers and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for those passengers on the group flights to and from Longyearbyen.
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
- AECO fees and governmental taxes.
- Comprehensive pre-departure material.
- Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
- Pre- and post- land arrangements.
- Passport and visa expenses.
- Government arrival and departure taxes.
- Meals ashore.
- Personal health Insurance for Medical, Accident and Repatriation/evacuating..
- Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, beverage charges and Internet charges.
- The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
- You need to be in good general health and able to walk several hours per day. Though our expeditions are ship-based, they can be physically demanding. You can choose to stay on the vessel if you prefer, but you will still need to be able to move safely around the ship even in bad weather. Assuming you choose to join landings, you will need to be able to get in and out of the Zodiacs. You must also be capable of getting up and down the gangway. This will become easier with practice, but the gangway is steep and moves with the rocking of the vessel. Conditions on shore can also be rocky, uneven, and slippery, and we will be in remote areas without access to sophisticated medical facilities. You must not join an expedition if you have a life-threatening condition or need daily medical treatment. Any major health problem or physical condition that requires emergency care must be brought to our attention prior to the voyage. Please fill out our Personal Information Form, which we will send at the time of booking. This form must be completed and returned within one month of your book date. Since we travel in such remote areas, medical evacuation by air is often impossible. We therefore reserve the right to refuse travel or participation in activities to anyone whose health concerns might pose a safety risk to our staff or other passengers.
- Yes, an overriding concern is the protection of the wildlife, environment, and cultures in all of the areas we visit. We will address conservation issues in the onboard briefings, and the expedition staff will assist you on shore. We are members of IAATO and AECO and will abide by their guidelines. We will also follow all local requirements to minimize our impact on the environment and wildlife. When in doubt, remember our two most important rules: Do not leave anything but footprints Do not take anything but memories
- Aboard Hondius, Ortelius, Plancius, and Rembrandt van Rijn, refreshments and souvenirs will be charged to your cabin. The day before disembarking, you can settle your bill with the hotel manager and pay by Visa or MasterCard, Diners Club/Discover, Union Pay, or cash (Euro or USD). The prices and standard currency on board all of our vessels is the Euro.
- We accept payment via bank transfer or credit card (Mastercard and Visa). When paying with a credit card, we have to pass on a credit card fee. If you make a reservation via the website, then it is possible to pay with credit or debit card (Mastercard, Visa, and American Express) and Sofort.
- An expedition to Spitsbergen, which is the only inhabited island within the Svalbard archipelago, will not reveal an overly crowded island. In fact, there are only 2,642 people living in Spitsbergen, and 2,040 of them are in Longyearbyen. Therefore, any trip to Spitsbergen that includes a voyage outside of Longyearbyen will be relatively isolated.
- Spitsbergen uses CET/Greenwich Mean Time +1 (GMT +1). This means that if it is 22:00 GMT (10 p.m.) during your cruise to Spitsbergen, it would be 16:00 (4 p.m.) in New York City, USA, 21:00 (9 p.m.) in London, U.K. and 09:00 (9 a.m.) the next morning in the Antarctic South Pole.
- The Ortelius was built in Poland in 1989 for the Russian Academy of Science.
- There are in total 50 cabins at the Ortelius. 4 quadruple cabins with bunk beds. 26 twin porthole cabin with 2 single berths. 12 twin cabins with windows and 2 lower berths. 2 twin deluxe cabins with windows and 2 single lower berths. 6 superior cabins with double beds. All cabins are spacious outside cabins with a minimum of two portholes or windows per cabin and all cabins have a private shower and toilet.