Ortelius
Sails from Ushuaia, Argentina · Fly into USH
Page updated
Ortelius anchored off Cape Adare, Antarctica, 2017 · Photo: owamux, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About Ortelius
Ortelius is an Oceanwide Expeditions cruise ship, in service since 1989. She measures 4,575 gross tons and carries 108 guests with a crew of 44. She sails Antarctica, Northern Europe itineraries. We rate her 2.8 out of 5.
Ortelius was built in Gdynia, Poland, in 1989 as Marina Svetaeva, a special-purpose ship that served the Russian Far East as a passenger and supply vessel; from 2007 she was chartered by Aurora Expeditions for polar cruises. Oceanwide Expeditions bought her in 2011 and renamed her after the cartographer Abraham Ortelius, who published the first modern world atlas in 1570. Ice class UL1 (equal to 1A), the 91-meter ship carries 108 guests in 50 cabins with 44 crew and is equipped for helicopter flights, which Oceanwide uses on Weddell Sea voyages to reach emperor penguin colonies. In 2025 and again in 2026 she set records for the farthest south reached by a passenger ship in the Weddell Sea.
Ship facts
- Guests
- 108
- Crew 44 · 1:2.5
- Entered service
- 1989
- Length
- 91 m
- Shorter than 88% of 575 ships
Ortelius is smaller than 78% of the 418 cruise ships in service on Cruises Frog with a tonnage on record, and carries fewer guests than 87%. At 42.4 gross tons per guest she is roomier than 67% of 416; the median ship is 39.4.
Ratings
- Cabins
- 2/5−0.8, fleet average 2.8
- Dining
- 3/5, fleet average 3.0
- Entertainment
- 2/5, fleet average 2.0
- Service
- 4/5, fleet average 4.0
- Pools & decks
- 2/5, fleet average 2.0
- Value
- 4/5, fleet average 4.0
Editorial scores, 1 to 5 per metric; the overall is their average, not an average of reader reviews. Ticks mark the Oceanwide Expeditions fleet average across 4 rated ships in service.
More from Oceanwide Expeditions
The ships in the fleet closest to her in size.
Official deck plans
Photos
Ortelius anchored off Cape Adare, Antarctica, 2017Photo: owamux, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where she sails
- Antarcticaexpedition ships from Ushuaia, November to March
- Northern Europethe Baltic, British Isles and Iceland, May to September
Home port: Ushuaia, Argentina.
Flying in for your cruise?
Ortelius sails from Ushuaia, Argentina. The airport is Ushuaia - Malvinas Argentinas International (USH), with 1 lounge to wait in before you board.
The lounge at Ushuaia - Malvinas Argentinas International on Lounge FrogEvery ship sailing from Ushuaia, ArgentinaQuick answers
Which cruise line operates Ortelius?
Ortelius is operated by Oceanwide Expeditions.
How big is Ortelius?
Ortelius measures 4,575 gross tons and 91 metres in length.
How does Ortelius compare in size with other cruise ships?
Ortelius is smaller than 78% of the 418 cruise ships in service on Cruises Frog with a tonnage on record, and carries fewer guests than 87%. At 42.4 gross tons per guest she is roomier than 67% of 416; the median ship is 39.4.
How crowded does Ortelius feel?
Ortelius has a passenger space ratio of 42.4: 4,575 gross tons for 108 guests. Ratios over 50 feel spacious and under 30 busy, so Ortelius feels comfortable for her size.
How many passengers does Ortelius carry?
Ortelius carries 108 guests at double occupancy, with a crew of 44 (about 2.5 guests per crew member).
When did Ortelius enter service?
Ortelius entered service in 1989.
Where does Ortelius sail?
Ortelius sails Antarctica and Northern Europe itineraries. Her home port is Ushuaia, Argentina.
Which airport should I fly into for Ortelius?
Ortelius sails from Ushuaia, Argentina. Fly into Ushuaia - Malvinas Argentinas International (USH), which has 1 airport lounge listed on Lounge Frog.
Where can I find the deck plans for Ortelius?
Oceanwide Expeditions publishes the deck plans for Ortelius; this page links to Deck plans (PDF).
How is Ortelius rated?
Cruises Frog rates Ortelius 2.8 out of 5 overall, the average of 6 editorial scores. She scores best on service (4/5) and lowest on pools & decks (2/5).
Traveller reviews
What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.
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