HomeArctic CircleAntarcticaNorwayIcelandArgentinaOrtelius, Arctic Circle, Antarctica, Norway, Iceland, Argentina
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Ortelius Liveaboard, Arctic Circle, Antarctica, Norway, Iceland, Argentina

from
USD
763
per day

Ortelius was made specially for ice navigation in the Polar Region. The boat has the highest ice-class notation. Boat’s team members are highly experienced expedition specialists. Ortelius offer high standards of hotel accommodation on board. Boat’s guests can discover the wildlife, spot whales, dolphins, penguins and a variety of birds, visit research stations.

Boat Interior

Ortelius accommodates up to 123 passengers on board. There are 53 cabins. 4 quad cabins have two lower and two upper beds. There are 2 triple cabins that can be used also as a twin cabin. 27 twin rooms have portholes and 12 twin cabins have windows. Also, you can share with another passenger one of the deluxe rooms or stay at the superior that has a double bed. All staterooms are modern, has a private shower. Passengers will get all the comfort of the hotel staying.
But don’t stay in the room all the time. You will get a chance to spot birds, whales, dolphins when staying on the open deck. And of course, it’s better to stay outside to enjoy the amazing blue ice of icebergs.

Itinerary features

Ortelius can offer various destinations Antarctic Peninsula, Falkland Islands, Norwegian Sea sail around Spitsbergen. It’s a definitely unique and special experience, Lot’s of activities can be also offered from the workshops, lectures, mountaineering to basecamp, helicopter trips and polar diving. Search for humpback whales or emperor penguin, and various breeds of petrel. Enjoy some of the same experiences encountered by the great polar explorers who first charted these regions. Boat’s passengers will have an amazing opportunity to witnesses to the hardships of 19th-century sailors. Trips to Norway is great for the opportunity to see one of the biggest and one of the most dangerous and at the same time amazing creatures in the world orcas.

When to Go

The Antarctic Peninsula has a warmer and wetter climate; above freezing temperatures are common in the summer months. The average temperature for summer months ranges between -2C (28,4F) +5C (41F). For Norway the average temperature during the summer 10C (50 F). Svalbard is usually around -16 to -12 degrees Celsius (3 to 10 F) during the winter, and between 4 to 6C (39 to 43 F) in the summer.

Cabins

Quad Cabin

Quad Cabin

4 Guests
Triple Cabin

Triple Cabin

3 Guests
Twin Cabin with Porthole

Twin Cabin with Porthole

2 Guests
Twin Cabin with Windows

Twin Cabin with Windows

2 Guests
Twin Deluxe

Twin Deluxe

2 Guests
Superior Cabin

Superior Cabin

2 Guests
Boat plan
Boat deck plan

Boat Specification

Year built / Renovation
1989
Number of cabins
53
Groups or charters
No
Gear rental
Surcharge
Wi-Fi
Free
Nitrox
No
Fleet/Managing company
Oceanwide Expeditions192
Length and width
90 m / 17 m
Capacity
123
Tenders
10 Zodiacs with 60hp Yamaha engines
Material
Steel
Languages crew speak
English, French, German
Power plugs onboard
220v, 60Hz. standard European 2 thick round pins
Engines
6 ZL 40/48 SULZER
Tech diving friendly
No
Handicapped Friendly
No
Compressors
Bauer (200l)

Dive Facilities

  • Tenders for Diving
  • Dive Deck

Boat navigation & safety

Full safety

Food & Drinks

  • Western Food
  • Dietary Restrictions
  • Buffet Style
  • Alcoholic Beverages and Spirits

Onboard Facilities

  • Onboard Kayaks
  • Audio & Video Entertainment
  • Indoor Saloon
  • Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
  • Land Excursions

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Ortelius Liveaboard Itineraries

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctic Peninsula (18 nights) (Ushuaia (Argentina)-Ushuaia (Argentina))

18 nights nights, ±0 dives,
Ushuaia (Argentina)
Malvinas Argentinas Ushuaia International Airport (USH)
16:00-17:00
Ushuaia (Argentina)
Malvinas Argentinas Ushuaia International Airport (USH)
8:30-9:00
Requirements: Minimum 0 dives, No diver's certification required or equivalent

Included

  • 18 nights accommodation
  • Full board
  • 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
  • Luggage transfer from the pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation, in Ushuaia
  • Scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation)
  • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme
  • Comprehensive pre-departure material
  • Free short-term DAN diving insurance (upon request)

Extra cost

  • International and domestic flights
  • Visa
  • Transfers except for listed in the inclusions
  • Pre- and post- land arrangements
  • Meals ashore
  • Government arrival and departure taxes
  • Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is mandatory)
  • Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges
  • The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided)
  • Crew gratuities
  • Travel insurance

Program

Peale’s dolphins and Commerson’s dolphins, humpback whales and minke whales
Magellanic and gentoo penguins and numerous of birds
Abandoned whaling station and the South Georgia Museum as well as Shackleton’s grave
Minke whales, humpback whale sightings are likely

Day 1:

Onboarding in the small resort town on Tierra del Fuego – nicknamed “The End of the World”, meeting the crew & briefing.

 

Day 2:

The winged life of the westerlies.
Several species of albatross follow the vessel into the westerlies, along with storm petrels, shearwaters, and diving petrels. 


Day 3:

Finding the Falklands.
The Falkland (Malvinas) Islands offer an abundance of wildlife that is easily approachable, though caution is always advised. These islands are largely unknown gems, the site of a 1982 war between the UK and Argentina. Not only do various species of bird live here, but chances are great you’ll see both Peale’s dolphins and Commerson’s dolphins in the surrounding waters. 
 
During this segment of the voyage, you may visit the following sites:
 
Carcass Island – Despite its name, this island is pleasantly rodent-free and hence bounteous with birdlife. Anything from breeding Magellanic penguins and
gentoos to numerous waders and passerine birds (including Cobb’s wrens and tussock-birds) live here.  
 
Saunders Island – On Saunders Island, you can see the black-browed albatross and its sometimes-clumsy landings, along with breeding imperial shags and rockhopper penguins. King penguins, Magellanic penguins, and 
gentoos are also found here.


Day 4:

The seat of Falklands culture.
The capital of the Falklands and center of its culture, Port Stanley has some Victorian-era charm: colorful houses, well-tended gardens, and English-style pubs are all to be found here. You can also see several century-old clipper ships nearby, silent witnesses to the hardships of 19th-century sailors. The small but interesting museum is also worth a visit, covering the early days of settlement up to the Falklands War. Approximately 2,100 people live in Port Stanley. Feel free to wander at will, though be aware that admission fees to local attractions are not included in the voyage.


Day 5-6:

Once more to the sea
En route to South Georgia, you now cross the Antarctic Convergence. The temperature cools considerably within the space of a few hours, and nutritious water rises to the surface of the sea due to colliding water columns. This phenomenon attracts a multitude of seabirds near the ship, including several species of albatross, shearwaters, petrels, prions, and skuas.


Day 7-10:

South Georgia Journey.
Today you arrive at the first South Georgia activity site. Please keep in mind that weather conditions in this area can be challenging, largely dictating the program.
 
Over the next several days, you have a chance to visit the following sites:
 
Prion Island – This location is closed during the early part of the wandering albatross breeding season (November 20 – January 7). From January on, the breeding adults have found their partners and are sitting on eggs or nursing their chicks. Enjoy witnessing the gentle nature of these animals, which possess the largest wingspan of any birds in the world.
 
Fortuna Bay – Near beaches inhabited by various penguins and seals, you have the chance to follow the final leg of Shackleton’s route to the abandoned whaling village of Stromness. This path cuts across the mountain pass beyond Shackleton’s Waterfall, and as the terrain is partly swampy, be prepared to cross a few small streams. 
 
Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay, Gold Harbour – These sites not only house the three largest king penguin colonies in South Georgia
, they’re also three of the world’s largest breeding beaches for southern elephant seals. Only during this time of year do they peak in their breeding cycle. Watch the four-ton bulls keep a constant vigil (and occasionally fight) over territories where dozens of females have just given birth or are about to deliver. You can also see a substantial number of Antarctic fur seals here during the breeding season (December – January).
 
Grytviken – In this abandoned whaling station, king penguins walk the streets and elephant seals lie around like they own the place – because they basically do. Here you might be able to see the South Georgia Museum as well as Shackleton’s grave.


Day 11:

Southward bound.
There may be sea ice on this route, and at the edge of the ice, some south polar skuas and snow petrels could join the other seabirds trailing the vessel south. 

 

Day 12:

The scenic vistas of South Orkney.
Depending on the conditions, you might visit Orcadas Base, an Argentine scientific station on Laurie Island in the South Orkney archipelago. The personnel here will happily show you their facility, where you can enjoy expansive views of the surrounding glaciers. If a visit isn’t possible, you may instead land in Signy Island’s Shingle Cove.


Day 13:

Last push to the Antarctic.
Enormous icebergs and a fair chance of fin whale sightings ensure there’s never a dull moment on this last sea voyage south. Also, your best chance to spot Antarctic petrels is here.


Day 14-16:

Awe-inspiring Antarctica.
If the ice conditions permit, you now sail into the Weddell Sea. Here colossal tabular icebergs herald your arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. Paulet Island, with its large population of Adélie penguins, is a possible stop. You might also visit Brown Bluff, located in the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound, where you could get the chance to set foot on the Antarctic Continent itself.
 
If conditions aren’t favorable to enter the Weddell Sea from the east, the ship will set course for Elephant Island and head into the Bransfield Strait, between South Shetland Island and the Antarctic Peninsula. Here you can attempt to access the Antarctic Sound from the northwest. 
 
The breathtaking scenery continues in the southern Gerlache Strait, and if ice conditions allow, we may even reach Lemaire Channel. Conditions on the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure.


Day 17-18:

Familiar seas, familiar friends
Your return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them.

 

Day 19:

Check-out from the yacht, group transfer to the airport.

 

Routes can be affected by adverse weather conditions and unforeseen events, force majeure or other similar reasons. You may find  detailed map bu the link


Departure
  • Arrival at Malvinas Argentinas Ushuaia International Airport (USH ).
  • You will receive recommendations of how to arrange your transfer to the boat
Return
  • Boat's crew will arrange a transfer to the airport from the boat directly after disembarkation