Ortelius
Liveaboard · Antarctica
Explore the polar extremes with unparalleled comfort and adventure.
About This Vessel
Ortelius is a liveaboard cruising the Antarctica region. It hosts up to 108 divers on board.
Embark on an unparalleled adventure to the Antarctic Peninsula aboard the Ortelius, a robust ice-strengthened vessel offering unique polar diving experiences and thrilling expeditions. The remote and breathtaking wilderness of Antarctica, a realm of towering icebergs, colossal glaciers, and an abundance of unique marine life, beckons intrepid explorers. Diving in these frigid, crystal-clear water…
Upcoming Departures
Upcoming Departures…
Onboard Amenities
Dining & Beverages
Guests on board the Ortelius enjoy a comprehensive full-board meal plan, featuring delicious buffet-style Western cuisine. The culinary team is dedicated to accommodating diverse dietary requirements, offering excellent vegetarian and vegan options upon request. Beer is available to complement meals, enhancing the relaxed and convivial dining atmosphere.
Dive Equipment & Setup
Dive Area & Sites
Antarctic diving offers a truly unique and rarely experienced underwater adventure. Divers will explore shallow waters, typically around 20 meters (60 feet), encountering stunning ice formations, kelp walls, sea snails, starfish, and giant isopods. The chance to observe penguins, sea lions, and even leopard seals beneath the surface makes this an unforgettable experience. Dives can be conducted as shallow ice dives, shore dives, or via Zodiacs, depending on conditions. The Ortelius dive team comprises highly experienced professionals specializing in polar diving. They aim to provide one to two dives per day, with activities subject to local ice and weather conditions. This expedition is specifically tailored for divers with strong experience in cold-water and dry-suit diving, ensuring safety and maximizing enjoyment in this challenging environment.
Important Information
What's Included
VAT · Port Fees
Not Included & Local Fees
Environment Tax · Fuel Surcharge
Airport Transfers
Airport and hotel transfers are not included in the trip price and are considered optional extras.
Insurance Recommendation
We strongly recommend all guests to purchase comprehensive dive accident insurance and trip cancellation insurance before departure. Dive accident insurance covers medical treatment, hyperbaric chamber costs, and emergency evacuation in the event of a diving incident. Trip cancellation insurance protects your financial investment — not only if you need to cancel or cut short your trip due to personal illness, injury, or other unforeseen circumstances, but also if the trip is postponed or cancelled by the operator due to severe weather, technical issues, or other operational reasons. In the unlikely event of operator insolvency, cancellation insurance can also help recover your payments. Please ensure your policies are valid for the entire duration of your trip and cover the planned activities.
Rental Gear
Diving Package: Optional · Extra Dives: Optional
Accommodation
Quadruple Porthole
Twin • Lower deck
This inviting cabin is designed to comfortably accommodate guests, featuring two portholes that frame picturesque sea views. Sleeping arrangements include both upper and lower berths. For your convenience, a private shower and toilet are provided. A functional desk paired with a chair, a modern flat-screen TV, a telephone, and a hairdryer are included. Thoughtfully designed smart storage ensures both comfort and practicality, making it ideal for extended journeys.
Superior
Twin • Upper deck
This refined cabin provides abundant natural light and ocean vistas through its minimum of two windows. It features a comfortable double bed and an additional single sofa bed, making it perfectly suited for couples or small families. Guests will appreciate the convenience of a private shower and toilet, a dedicated workspace with a chair, a refrigerator, and provisions for making coffee or tea. Contemporary comforts such as a flat-screen TV, telephone, and hair dryer are also included to enhance your stay. Furthermore, extensive storage solutions ensure both elegance and practicality for extended journeys.
Triple Porthole
One upper and two lower berths
Twin Window
Twin • Upper deck
This cabin boasts two expansive windows, inviting abundant natural light and offering captivating sea vistas. Guests will find two lower berths, ensuring both ease of access and comfort. For added convenience, a private shower and toilet are provided. A dedicated desk and chair create a practical area for unwinding or organizing your daily activities. Contemporary conveniences, including a flat-screen TV, telephone, and hair dryer, are thoughtfully included, alongside ample storage, to guarantee a pleasant and orderly stay.
Twin Porthole
Twin
This inviting cabin features a pair of portholes, providing captivating sea vistas and abundant natural light. Guests will find two comfortable lower berths, ensuring a peaceful night's sleep. The space is equipped with a private shower and toilet for convenience. A desk accompanied by a chair offers a functional area, while contemporary amenities such as a flat-screen TV, telephone, and hairdryer enhance the stay. Extensive storage solutions are available to keep personal items neatly arranged, contributing to a living environment that is both practical and serene.
Twin Deluxe
Twin • Upper deck
This expansive cabin boasts three generous windows, offering breathtaking sea vistas. Guests will find two comfortable lower berths and a cozy small sofa for ultimate relaxation. A private shower and toilet, along with a desk and chair, a refrigerator, and coffee/tea making facilities, ensure every convenience. Modern comforts such as a flat-screen TV, telephone, and a hairdryer contribute to a delightful stay. With ample storage solutions, this cabin is perfectly suited for longer journeys.
Booking & Travel FAQ
How does the booking process work?
Select a cabin and departure on Ortelius, and we send a real-time inquiry to the operator. After availability is confirmed, you receive a booking confirmation by email and secure your spot with a deposit.
When do I need to pay?
A deposit (usually 25-35%) is due upon confirmation. The remaining balance is typically due 4-8 weeks before departure, depending on the operator.
What documents will I receive?
After your final payment, you'll receive a travel voucher with meeting point, embarkation time, airport transfer details, packing tips, and your full itinerary.
How do I get to the boat?
Most liveaboards depart from a designated marina. Many operators offer airport pickup and transfers — details are in your voucher. We recommend arriving one day before departure.
What certifications do I need?
A valid dive certification (e.g. PADI Open Water), dive insurance, and a valid passport. Some destinations require additional permits or visas — we inform you during booking.
Can I cancel or change my booking?
Cancellation terms vary by operator and are in your confirmation. Generally, the earlier you cancel the higher the refund. Changes depend on availability — contact us as soon as possible.
Vessel Technical Overview
Vessel Specifications
Navigation & Safety Systems
What guests say online
How is this overall rating calculated?
The headline score is the simple average of the category scores shown below (Boat, Crew, Value, Diving, Dive sites, etc.), each weighted equally. The review count reflects how many source reviews back the underlying analysis. When no category breakdown is available for a vessel, the headline falls back to the guest-weighted average across source platforms.
The Ortelius is a robust expedition vessel well-regarded for navigating challenging polar waters with an experienced crew. While some guests found the staff rude, it generally offers comfortable accommodations and good food.
- +Robust vessel for polar adventures
- +Experienced nautical crew
- +Comfortable and clean cabins
- +Plenty of food served
Based on approximately 1300 reviews. Aggregated rating based on reviews from multiple independent dive travel and operator platforms as well as on ratings from our customers. Public statements from diving forums and community platforms may also be incorporated as text into the highlighted praises and critiques. Ratings are independently calculated and are not affiliated with or endorsed by the source platforms.
All routes of this liveaboard
- Antarctica - Discovery and Learning (Ushuaia - Ushuaia) · 10 nights
- Antarctica - Polar Circle - Deep South Discovery Voyage - Aurora Australis / Southern Lights (Ushuaia - Ushuaia) · 12 nights
- Antarctica - Whale Watching Discovery and Learning Voyage (Ushuaia - Ushuaia) · 10 nights
- Arctic Highlights · 7 nights
- Bellingshausen Sea / Peter I Island + Ellsworth Land - Incl. Helicopters (Ushuaia - Ushuaia) · 24 nights
- Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica (Ushuaia - Ushuaia) · 18 nights
- South Spitsbergen Explorer - Bear Island - Diving (supplemented) · 9 nights
Ready to Experience Luxury?
Book your unforgettable diving adventure aboard the Ortelius