m/v Hondius

Hondius is the first-registered Polar Class 6 vessel in the world, meeting the latest and highest Lloyd’s Register standards for ice-strengthened cruise ships. Surpassing the requirements of the Polar Code adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Hondius represents the most flexible, advanced, innovative touring vessel in the polar regions, thoroughly optimized for exploratory voyages that provide you the utmost first-hand contact with the Arctic and Antarctica.

Specifications

Passengers:	170 in 80 cabins
Staff & crew:	Crew 57 \| Guides 13 \| Doctor 1
Length:	107.6 meters
Breadth:	17.6 meters
Draft:	5.30 meters
Ice class:	Polar Class 6 (equivalent 1A-Super)
Displacement:	5,590 tonnes
Propulsion:	2 x ABC main engines; total 4,200 kW
Speed:	15 knots

Deck plans and downloads

m/v Hondius cabins

Happier polar passengers, healthier polar environment

Not only will the numerous amenities and on-board entertainments help make your Hondius voyage truly memorable, this ship also gives you the peace of mind that comes with choosing one of the most environmentally friendly vessel on the polar seas. Hondius uses LED lighting, steam heating, bio-degradable paints and lubricants, and state-of-the-art power management systems that keep fuel consumption and CO2 levels minimal. This means that when you sail aboard Hondius, you get to enjoy the exotic landscapes and wildlife as much as possible while impacting them as little as possible.

Hotel comfort, expedition class

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. Hondius offers high-quality accommodation for 170 passengers in six grand suites with balconies (27 square meters, 291 square feet), eight junior suites (19 to 20 square meters, 205 to 215 square feet), eight superior cabins (20 to 21 square meters, 215 to 226 square feet), 11 twin deluxe cabins, (19 to 21 square meters, 205 to 226 square feet), 14 twin window cabins (12 to 14 square meters, 129 to 151 square feet) as well as 27 twin porthole cabins, two triple porthole cabins, and four quadruple porthole cabins that vary in size from 12 to 18 square meters, or 129 to 194 square feet. One deck consists of a large observation lounge and separate lecture room, which are reserved for a wide variety of interactive workshops, exhibitions, and performances particular to Hondius. Though elegantly designed in stylish mid-century modern décor, this vessel holds true to Oceanwide’s distinctive cozy and informal atmosphere.

Swift & safe ship-to-shore operations

It is our philosophy to keep sea time short so that we can focus instead on fast, effective access to shore and near-shore activities. To give you the maximum contact with the nature and wildlife you traveled so far to see, we employ a tough fleet of rigid-hull inflatable Zodiac boats that guarantee swift and safe landing operations for the passengers. Hondius has two separate gangways and a sheltered indoor Zodiac boarding are that can also be used for special outdoor activities, such as kayaking.

The fast, flexible, friendly heart of the polar regions

Our top priority is taking advantage of every wildlife and terrain opportunity as it occurs. To keep our itineraries flexible itineraries and our response time rapid, Hondius is equipped with advanced stabilizers and two main engines capable of powering the vessel up to 15 knots. But Hondius sacrifices no warmth to achieve its keen polar edge: You will have 70 crew and staff members (including expedition and hotel staff) at your service while on board, ensuring that what little time you do spend on the ship you will spend comfortably entertained.

Photo gallery

163 photos of the ship
in the gallery »

Age and 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. The camaraderie that develops on board is an important part of the Oceanwide experience, and many passenger groups include several nationalities.

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.

Our cruises

Up to $10500 OFF

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica

1 Feb - 20 Feb, 2025

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Tripcode: HDS28-25

South Orkney Islands Antarctic Peninsula Falkland Islands South Georgia

This Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctic Peninsula cruise is an animal-lover’s dream come true. The expedition explores one of the last untamed areas on Earth – a land of ruggedly beautiful landscapes and amazingly varied wildlife.

m/v Hondius

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from: 11400 USD

Up to $10200 OFF

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Elephant Island - Antarctica - Polar Circle

20 Feb - 14 Mar, 2025

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Tripcode: HDS29-25

Antarctic Circle South Orkney Islands Antarctic Peninsula South Shetland Islands Falkland Islands South Georgia

m/v Hondius

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from: 11300 USD

Antarctica - Whale watching discovery and learning voyage

14 Mar - 23 Mar, 2025

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Tripcode: HDS30-25

Antarctic Peninsula

This Antarctic Peninsula cruise delivers you into a landscape of rugged rock, pure white snow, and a fantastic variety of wildlife. Come say hello to whales, seals, and penguins.

m/v Hondius

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from: 7800 USD

Up to $2050 OFF

Atlantic Odyssey incl. Antarctic Peninsula to St. Helena

14 Mar - 15 Apr, 2025

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Tripcode: HDS30C25

Antarctic Peninsula South Georgia St. Helena Tristan da Cunha

The Atlantic Odyssey cruise visits some of the remotest islands in the world, crossing the migratory paths of Arctic Terns, Long-tailed Skuas, other birds, and a variety of whales as they make their annual expeditions north for the breeding season.

m/v Hondius

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from: 10260 USD

Up to $2500 OFF

Atlantic Odyssey incl. Antarctic Peninsula to Cape Verde

14 Mar - 25 Apr, 2025

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Tripcode: HDS30D25

Cape Verde Antarctic Peninsula South Georgia St. Helena Tristan da Cunha

m/v Hondius

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from: 12375 USD

We have a total of
43 cruises

All cruises

Reviews

Fantastic Basecamp Expedition in Antarctica!

by Deborah K Chen

This trip far exceeded my every expectation. We picked this company for the access to adventure activities (we got to do them all, with a combination of good luck with weather and the tireless work of the expedition leader Sara and her entire staff to maximize everyone's experiences with the locations/weather available to us on a day by day basis) and cost, and was so pleasantly surprised to find that the entire ship was operated with a priority placed on safety, wildlife, education, conservation, and fun! Guides for every activity (especially Zet - kayaking, Chris/Owain - mountaineering) were clear in instructions for safety, monitored guest compliance closely, and gave real-time feedback. I really enjoyed the celebratory BBQ and dance out on the helipad at the end of the trip - truly a magical night. Every staff member was sure to prioritize safety of guests and fellow staff, as well as animals during landings and zodiac cruises (which I had not realized, prior to going on the trip, occur whenever you are not scheduled to do an excursion -- meaning almost all day every day you are out in the water or on land in Antarctica!). A lot of my pre-trip reading on Antarctica in general mentioned limitations on time spent on land to accommodate all guests, but on a smaller ship like this, guests could always maximize time off-ship, sometimes with hours on land and timed in such a way that it was the right time to return to the ship for food/water/bathroom anyways. In between activities and while at sea, there were a plethora of targeted talks and structured question-answering, which was highly educational and informative (a sampling of the lectures include life on the sea floor, history of women in Antarctica, talks on the specific wildlife we saw, discussion of tracking whales through happywhale.com, the background of specific sites we went to, krill fishing, and the effects of plastics/microplastics on Antarctica among many more!). The whole staff is so impressive and everyone was clearly an expert in their field and loved being out there. I only missed one lecture (accidentally), that's how good they were! Captain Per also had a 24/7 open bridge policy which was fascinating and added an additional layer of education to my experience... his skillful navigation and calm hand made the entire ship a delight for all passengers (it was also a great place to watch for wildlife, which seemed to be never-ending). By the end of the trip, I did feel like I had a new appreciation for Antarctica and our planet, as well as a new eye for the damage that we do both as tourists and as consumers in the wider world. Some suggestions for the company to really ensure that the learning and messaging from this perfect trip are in line with the company's practices and all guests' day to day... 1) Minimize or get rid of daily plastic garbage bags in all the rooms - likely not worth it or necessary, and would reduce so much waste. 2) Consider meatless Mondays, minimizing availability of salmon - it would reduce our footprint considerably and possibly cost, while opening the door for more conversation on how acting in moderation can allow us to still consume while making a big conservation impact on the beautiful world we are living in and admiring during this trip. It is clear that conservation is a big part of Oceanwide's mission, and it would be great if the daily life on ship felt a little more in line with that.

The best choice we made

by Rocky Schuster

We are so happy about that trip. The chef and the food was excellent. We had every day 3 meals lunch and dinner also has 3 course. The staff is every time friendly and helpful. You can ask everything. The leader try to find the best spots for weather conditions. So it's not always the same way. We had 2 landings or zodiac rides every day and every stop was between 2 and 3 house. It was worth every cent.

With respect

by Marjolein Moens

Now a few weeks back home and I still look back on this fantastic trip with a big smile on my face. The entire crew from below the waterline to above....thank you for the wonderful experience. With passion and love for the area, you have sought a balance between tourism and respect for the vulnerability of nature. Thank you.

Beauty of Antartica

by Ellen de Jonge

A fantastic trip! A wake up to the beauty of Antartica. The rawness to get there, the serenity when you arrive. It showed me how important the present moment is and how beauty can be overwhelming and unable to catch by a camera. The love, knowledge and respect the leaders are equipped with is fantastic to see.