Reviews

We loved our week aboard the Hondius: The ship, which had been sailing for less than a month when we boarded, was clean, well appointed, and very stable/smooth sailing. The food was varied and delicious, there were always hot drinks and snacks available, and the cabins were comfortable. Our staff seemed knowledgeable and, along with the ship crew, managed to find us polar bears every day, along with other great wildlife sightings, including walruses, belugas, puffins, and reindeer. The disembarkation to the zodiacs was a little chaotic, in terms that groups weren't often called so everyone was stuffed in at once trying to get on, and there wasn't great communication/information at the start and end of the trip (which bus to take where etc.) but those seem like small hiccups that I'm sure will get smoothed out with time. I would definitely cruise with Oceanwide and this vessel again.

Really knowledgeable Guides made for a fantastic trip. Seeing Polar Bears, Whales, Walrus in the flesh all great. Beautiful scenery. Lectures used flexibly and really informative Hinduism was a really well turned out Ship and great food.

Het was een geweldige reis. Goed georganiseerd. Veel gezien, zowel wild als vogels . De crew was zeer vriendelijk en enthousiast. De landings met de zodiacs prachtig. Dgs werden de weersomstandigheden bekeken en het programma hieraan aangepast. Veiligheid voor alles. Kijk met heel veel plezier op de reis terug. .

With apologies to penguins, seals and whales, the voyage itself aboard MV Ortelius was the attraction for me; unsailed seas, spectacular geography and experience of Antarctic weather. Being aboard was déjà vu for this ex merchant seaman. My intention was to achieve the crossing of both Polar Circles and Oceanwide on its particularly well-run little ship, with its multinational crew, completed the task. The 'open bridge' policy was, to me, a huge attraction and the crew, from master, Captain Appel to the Filipino seamen were friendly and informative. Of particular mention is Expedition Leader Mika and his knowledgeable tour guides who went out of their way to give passengers a voyage to remember. But of course, a ship is never a 'happy ship' unless it is a 'good feeder' and the galley and mess room crew of Ortelius supplied a menu far exceeding any major hotel I've stayed in thirty years as an international pilot. Oceanwide have got it right for voyages of this nature, the passage through the Gullet was alone worth the trip, and I wish the Ortelius and her crew/s many more safe voyages. I have only one suggestion; a rounding of Cape Horn would make it perfect

Wonderful

Wonderful

Thanks to the captain and crew we had a fantastic holiday. They did everything to let us see the wildlife but in a safe manner. Thanks to the guides for the interesting and safe trips on land. We had a perfect holiday!!

What I understood about the trip and what I experienced was truly disappointing. I certainly did not envisage hiking daily but rather searching for polar bears.

A long cherished wish came true. We have had a great trip on the Hondius. Very friendly staff through all layers. The expedition leader Raf and all other staff members provided very good information. Both during the trip, the lectures and the excursions. We will take the memories of this arctic journey for the rest of our lives. It was beautiful!

Die Reise hat mich begeistert für Eisbären, Walrösser und auch für die vielen Vögel der Arktis. Das Schiff ist eine gemütliche Basis, von der aus es losgeht zu Zodiacfahrten und Wanderungen. Die Verpflegung ist sehr gut - das Publikum vielseitig und interessant.

Fantastic crew - the most polite courteous and helpful ever come across. Good unbelievably good. Expedition Staff - knowledgeable, informative, extremely professional and always had our interests as focal point I simply couldn’t fault this trip in any way. Only downside is that it ended!

Ich war mit MV Plancius im Norden von Spitzbergen unterwegs. Aufgrund der im Jahr 2019 sehr weit südlich liegenden Packeisgrenze musste die Reiseroute geändert werden. Während der Woche haben wir u.a. Eisbären, Wale, Bartrobben und Walrosse gesehen. Die Verpflegung an Bord war sehr gut. Ich hätte mir gerade zu Anfang der Reise noch mehr Aktivitäten gewünscht.

I did enjoy the trip very much with a lot of highlights nevertheless with one big deception: a BBQ on deck of the Plancius. The scenery was okay but the hard music does not fit in the artic region! Very disappointing and I hope that if they do it in the future than please without music and experience the silence of the surroundings!

We took this trip with the hope of seeing polar bears and more. Though scheduled to go to Nordauslandet and the 7 Islands, the pack ice prevented us from getting there. I have to commend the crew for nonetheless delivering us an exceptional trip! We did see polar bear(s???), beluga, blue, bowhead and minke whales and many, many walrus. I have to say the expedition crew was exceptional! Each one had a unique skillset and perspective and they were all as into the trip as the passengers were! A special shoutout to our expedition leader, Jan and the captain, Alexey! They were fantastic!

My husband and I have had a great time on board and around the Hondius in Spitsbergen/Svalbard. Have seen lots of wild life. Enjoyed every minute. The wether was beautiful. The crew very good. Thanks for this memory.