The MV Plancius was originally built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and was retired from service in 2004. Acquired by Oceanwide Expeditions, it was extensively refitted as a polar exploration passenger vessel and re-launched in late 2009 as essentially a brand-new ship. It sets new standards in expedition cruises, offering a spacious, comfortable and modern base for active, adventure and wildlife minded polar tourists.
Oceanwide Expeditions is a pioneer in Polar Regions expedition cruising, and on top of the standard cruises, offers hiking trips, kayaking, overnight field camping and even scuba diving on their expeditions. They are 2-time winners of the World's Leading Polar Expedition Operator, in 2005 and 2009, awarded by the World Travel Awards
We offer a selection of cruises in the Antarctic region - covering the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and the Falklands, for those who seek more adventure than the usual Antarctic expedition cruise.