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Antarctica cruises & Arctic cruises

Alpine Peaks of Spitsbergen, Ski & Sail

8 May - 15 May, 2025

Tripcode: RVR02-25

Last berths Svalbard

This program is designed for experienced ski mountaineers who have mastered ski techniques both for ascent and descent in challenging snow-covered alpine terrain. A typical day involves ski climbs on mountaintops averaging heights of 700—850 meters (2,300—2,800...

Vlissingen to Aberdeen
Up to $110 OFF

Vlissingen to Aberdeen

29 May - 31 May, 2025

Tripcode: HDS01-25

Can be booked in combination only Svalbard
  • EN

Search for whales, seals, and seabirds on a scenic voyage from our home port of Vlissingen to culturally rich Aberdeen, the "Granite City" of northeast Scotland. White-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, minke whales, orcas, and various species of seabird...

19 Days Extensive Arctic Ocean - North Spitsbergen Explorer

29 May - 16 Jun, 2025

Tripcode: HDS01c25

  • EN

Sailing between our home port of Vlissingen and our most cherished Arctic archipelago, Svalbard, this expedition adventure visits the Scottish port of Aberdeen, the islands of Fair Isle and Jan Mayen, and the amazing Spitsbergen ice edge, giving you...

Arctic Ocean - Aberdeen, Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice edge, Spitsbergen, Birding

29 May - 9 Jun, 2025

Tripcode: HDS01a25

  • EN

Search for whales, and other Arctic wildlife of the land, sea, and air on an adventurous voyage from our home port of Vlissingen to our favorite Arctic island group.

Arctic Ocean - Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice edge, Spitsbergen, Birding
Up to $2200 OFF

Arctic Ocean - Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice edge, Spitsbergen, Birding

31 May - 9 Jun, 2025

Tripcode: HDS01b25

Venture into the Arctic Ocean on your way to Fair Isle and Jan Mayen, the first known for its knitwear and the second for its stark volcanic scenery. Wildlife sightings may include grey seals, various seabirds, and whales such as minke, fin, orca, and...

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News & blogs

Historic building at Whalers Bay successfully restored after graffiti incident

In partnership with the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT), Oceanwide Expeditions has successfully restored a historic aircraft hangar at Whalers Bay on Deception Island - just one month after an incident of graffiti.

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Customer story

Around Spitsbergen, in the Realm of the Polar Bear & Ice

There are journeys and there are journeys. This trip is one that falls in the latter category. I look back on a fantastic experience, during which the awareness of human behavior on this vulnerable planet (and especially the Arctic) became very clear to me.

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Antarctica & Arctic cruise reviews

by Alec Hardiman
I can't say, just how amazing this trip was. It was truly incredible. The ship, the captain, the expedion staff, the expedition leader, the crew, the restaurant staff, the locations, the ice bergs and all the penguins, seals, birds and whales. I loved every minute of this expedition and it never disappointed. Sending a bunch of ordinary passengers down south to experience an environment so unique and rare that many years ago cost many people their lives to get here, is wild. I feel so lucky and blessed to have had this adventure, within the comfort of a warm remarkable vessel. The highlight, was an area called red rock Ridge, a place swarming with manic Adelie penguins and a rough zodiac trip, this felt like proper adventure. Many thanks, and I advise anyone who's thinking about going with oceanwide, to do it 😀
by Sylvia Vergeer
We had a great trip which gave us all that we were hoping for. Incredible number of whales and pinguins and beautiful weather after a very stormy drake passage. Crew and guides were amazing with all the interesting lectures and wonderful food and service. Also the other guests on the boat were great. I truly recommend this trip.
by Laurens Trenning
Since this was my second visit to Antarctica, I thought I knew what to expect. However this expedition far succeeded every expectation I had before I boarded Ortelius. Crossing the polar circle, seeing the Southern lights, visiting the Wilkins ice shelf, spotting Emperor/Gentoo/Adélie/Chinstrap penguins, having the most amazing encounters with humpback whales next to (and under) the zodiac boat.. There are just too many highlights to only pick one. Antarctica, the wonderful crew, the great fellow passengers. This was something extremely special which I'll never forget. Highly recommended to anyone ready to explore the most magical place, in a way that can be considered a true polar expedition. I'll absolutely visit again, and I will surely choose Oceanwide for that next adventure.
by Amit Rawat
Words will not do enough justice or explain how content and excited I am, even after the expedition ends. Everything from boarding the ship to the crew staff, the expedition team, and the activities worked perfectly, and the weather was just amazing throughout the trip. A huge thanks to Sara, our expedition leader, and her team for ensuring everyone gets to do all activities safely. Also, the lectures were so informative and interesting that even the long sailing days felt exciting. Highly Recommended!
by Ann Dewey

Superlatives are thrown sound in society today, greatest, biggest, richest,coldest, highest, applied often to things that do not merit them This trip however deserves the use of every single one that comes to mind and many that don’t A breathtaking and likely life changing holiday location and means of journey decision this seasoned traveler will never regret Do not hesitate to visit whilst its pristine beauty and terrifying extremes remain accessible

by Hanneke Kouwenberg
Way more than we expected! In terms of the ship, the crew and staff, the service, the wildlife, the surroundings, the food. Everything was in one word excellent. We were really pleased to be on a real adventure, an expedition. Thanks for having us. We so much enjoyed it.
by Krunal Patel
The expedition staff is very energetic and knowledgeable. We went south to 70 degrees latitude. Saw a lot of polar wildlife, icebergs and ice shelf, beautiful landscapes, clear skies, and auroras.
by Rita Heirman
It was the most amazing trip to the Deep South of the Earth. I wasn't well prepared or well read on what to expect but the experience was absolutely unique. The landscapes are out of this world and I will treasure the memory of this pristine natural surroundings and its inhabitants forever in my heart and mind. The team on the m/v Ortelius was the best you could wish for and the size and comfort of the ship was just perfect. Everyone on board could participate in all the activities that were organized. I can only recommend this amazing voyage to everyone with a passion for nature and adventure.
by margaret ferrigno
The team at Oceanwide offered an incredible experience visiting Antarctica. Every single staff member - the Expedition Leader, Captain, hospitality team and technicians were all genuinely helpful, joyful and expert in their field. I appreciate the company's dedication to sustainability, and the intention to inspire tourists to become conservation advocates. The experiential education part of this expedition was what set it apart and I believe will help Oceanwide have a net positive impact rather than adding to the negative footprint of tourists.

Frequently Asked Questions

An ice-strengthened ship is a ship made of steel. These ships are built to navigate the Antarctic and Arctic ice. Today, most ships that cruise to Antarctica and the Arctic are ice-strengthened vessels. Hondius, Ortelius, and Plancius are all ice-strengthened ships. Both Ortelius and Hondius have the highest ice-class notation (UL1, equivalent to 1A-Super for Ortelius, and Polar Class 6, equivalent to 1A-Super for Hondius), making them suitable for navigation in medium first-year ice, which may include old ice inclusions. Plancius has an ice-class notation of 1D.

Icebreakers are needed if there is a trade route to keep ice-free, if there are military reasons for patrolling in areas with heavy sea ice, or if you need to work in heavy ice conditions, particularly in winter. Icebreakers are expensive to build and fuel-intensive to run (sometimes powered by gas turbines or a nuclear generator). These ships, constructed for function, are uncomfortable to travel in on the open sea.

All guests are required to wear a waterproof jacket and trousers (the clothing must be fully waterproof – water resistant or repellant is not suitable sufficient) while in our Zodiacs. This is for safety reasons owing to the increased risk of exposure related illness if you get wet. In Norwegian waters this is also a legal requirement – any person not properly dressed will not be permitted to leave the vessel.

Apart from that, our advice is to take warm, windproof clothes that you can easily add or remove in layers. Multiple layers of medium-warmth clothing provide more insulation than single heavier articles. This is due to warm air getting trapped between the layers and acting as further insulation. Look for clothing made of wool, silk, and new synthetic fibers, all of which retain heat better than other materials.

Layers give you the flexibility to control your temperature. The most important layer is the outer waterproof and windproof shell. More information about this can be found in our expedition manual, which you will receive at time of booking.

Our trips can best be described as expedition-style cruises. The emphasis is on viewing wildlife, visiting interesting locations, and participating in activities. For example, we may go to places where there is a good chance of seeing penguins or polar bears, or we may visit culturally significant sites or research stations, or we might embark on a kayaking trip or shoreline snowshoeing hike.

The aim is always to give you the utmost firsthand contact with the polar world. This is why we keep our program flexible, so that we can take the best possible advantage of local ice, weather, and wildlife conditions as they occur. No two voyages are the same. There is always an element of the unexpected in our trips.

When packing for an expedition cruise, avoid weighing yourself down with too much gear. Select informal, practical attire that can be worn in layers. Please ask for our expedition manual with detailed information on clothing lists, what to pack, and what to expect on our voyages.

Yes, we provide all passengers lightweight life jackets that inflate automatically on contact with the water. It is mandatory to wear these life jackets at all times while cruising in the Zodiac boats.

All promoted Arctic and Antarctica cruise itineraries are for general guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. The expedition leader and captain make these decisions in order to provide you the safest and most exploratory experience. Landings may also change due to site availabilities and environmental regulations per IAATO or AECO.

We follow the protocol advised by IAATO. Before leaving for your voyage, please make sure anything you bring that may come into contact with the environment (clothes, equipment, etc.) is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. We ask that you do not sit, kneel, or lay down during our landings. Please also do not place anything on the ground. You will receive a document with further information after booking.

On this page you find all information you need to know about the avian influenza outbreaks, including biosecurity protocols.

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About Oceanwide Expeditions

Passionate

Taking you closer to the heart of the polar regions has been our driving passion at Oceanwide Expeditions for over twenty years. Our knowledgeable cruise leaders, committed staff, and thoroughly outfitted vessels are our way of expressing what we care about most: making your cruise to the Arctic and Antarctic truly unforgettable. When you sail with us, you experience a part of the world that is unlike any other. Mountainous glaciers, snow-swept shores, whales and polar bears and vast colonies of penguins make up this world, and they are all part of the surreal ecosystem you can watch unfold before you on your future Oceanwide expedition.

Adventurous

Providing you a travel experience that inspires (and is inspired by) you, that’s what taking you closer to the heart of the polar regions means to us. We get you away from the vessel and into the action as fast as possible: up to two landings per day in the morning and afternoon, with a fleet of inflatable Zodiacs ready to shuttle you past the ice floes and onto the shore. We keep our programs flexible so that you get the most out of whatever surprises nature has in mind. When you sail with us, the cruise is just the tip of the iceberg. 

Pioneering

So what exactly is beneath the tip of that iceberg? The pioneering spirit, which all travelers to the polar regions (regardless of age and background) have in common. Guiding our expeditions with passion, tapping into the desire for inspiration and beauty, and always taking you closer to the heart of the Arctic and Antarctic – at Oceanwide Expeditions, that is our promise to you.

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