M/V Plancius, Antarctic cruises

Location

ex Ushuaia (Antarctic cruises, Antarctica)

Description

Quick facts - Level: First class | Passengers: 114 | Duration: 9-20 nights | Length: 293 feet | Cruising speed: 10.5 knots | Operator: Oceanwide Expeditions

Plancius was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy. She was bought by Oceanwide Expeditions in 2006 and has been re-built as a comfortable ice-strengthened passenger ship with a restaurant/lecture room, a spacious observation lounge with panoramic views, large open deck spaces, a library, small gym, sauna and an infirmary.

Capacity

114 passengers

Activities

International expedition staff lead shore excursions and give daily lectures on board. Wellington boots and snow shoes are provided, and an expedition jacket can be pre-ordered at an additional cost. Sea kayaking, diving and camping are all available as optional activities on some cruises, at an additional cost. Hiking is also offered as an optional extra activity, free of charge.

Accommodation

53 cabins, spread across 4 decks, all with private bathrooms and either a porthole or a window.

When to go

Mid November to mid March.

Client comments and reviews

Antarctica was fabulous and Plancius, the expedition leaders and the activities were generally excellent. Our biggest challenge was knowing what kit and clothes to take but in the end we got it right! - ME (February 2012)

Most itineraries either follow or are close variants of our standard Antarctica itineraries (www.lastfrontiers.com/antarctica/itineraries).

Cruises start and end in Ushuaia (Argentina) unless indicated otherwise.

For exact details of specific cruise departures please just contact us.

During all Basecamp Plancius voyages, complimentary optional activities include kayaking, camping, mountaineering snowshoe/hiking and photo workshops.

Twin Cabin with Window

26 cabins (12.5 square metres) with two lower berths and a window.

Quadruple Cabin

4 cabins (12.5 square metres) on the lower deck (Deck 2) with two lower berths and two upper berths (bunks), and a porthole.

Superior

There are 10 spacious Superior Cabins (21 square metres); 9 are on the upper decks (Deck 5 and Deck 6) and 1 is on Deck 4. All cabins have a queen bed plus a single sofa bed, and a window.

Triple Cabin

2 cabins on the lower deck (Deck 2) with one bunk bed (upper and lower berth) and one single lower berth, and a porthole.

Twin Cabin with Porthole

9 cabins (12.5 square metres) with two lower berths and a porthole.