MV Hondius

The 2019-built MV Hondius is the first of the newest vessels in the Oceanwide Expeditions fleet, joined by Janssonius (2022, sistership), Ortelius (1989), Plancius (1976) and the polar sailing ships Noorderlicht (1991) and Rembrandt van Rijn (1994).

The vessel (IMO 9818709) is Holland-flagged (MMSI 244327000) and registered in Rotterdam. The newbuild sisters Hondius and Janssonius are LR-PC6 (“Lloyd’s Register Polar Class 6”) passenger ships with ice-strengthened hulls.

The fleetmates Plancius and Ortelius are former state-owned research vessels previously operated by the Royal Dutch Navy and the Russian Academy of Science.

History - construction and ownership

Specializing in polar passenger navigation, Oceanwide Expeditions (headquartered in Vlissingen, Netherlands) expanded significantly in fleet size and brand visibility with the addition of the newbuilds Hondius and Janssonius. The ship’s name honors Jodocus Hondius (1563–1612), the renowned Dutch-Flemish cartographer noted for his maps of Europe and the New World (Americas and Oceania). Joost de Hondt (Jodocus Hondius the Elder) was born in Wakken (West Flanders, Belgium) and died in Amsterdam.

Founded in 1993, Oceanwide Expeditions is among the industry’s small cruise operators, offering regularly scheduled and flexible polar voyages. Its programs provide opportunities for close encounters with Arctic and Antarctic wildlife, unique landscapes, and historically significant polar locations. The company maintains year-round deployment: summers (April–September) in the Arctic and winters (October–March) in Antarctica.

Most Oceanwide itineraries visit remote, sea-access-only areas without port infrastructure. In these regions, the ship anchors offshore and guests are transported to landing sites via Zodiac Milpro boats, each crewed and guided by the expedition team.

Antarctic destinations include Bouvet Island, the Antarctic Peninsula, Ross Sea, Weddell Sea, and Ushuaia (homeport). Atlantic destinations include the Cape Verde Islands, South Orkney Islands, South Shetland Islands, as well as UK territories and dependencies such as SGSSI (South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands), the Falkland Islands, Ascension Island, Saint Helena and Tristan da Cunha.

Oceanwide supports prominent polar-environment organizations dedicated to wildlife preservation and sustainable development, including AECO (Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators), IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators), and BirdLife International.

Due to the growing demand for polar cruising, Oceanwide Expeditions ordered two ice-strengthened ships (Janssonius and Hondius), each powered by two main engines (total output 4.26 MW) and designed for a maximum passenger capacity of 196 (85 staterooms). On polar voyages, capacity is limited to 174.

Shipboard facilities

Like all Oceanwide vessels, Hondius carries rigid-hulled Zodiacs (inflatable high-speed motorized boats) used for landings and tendering in remote regions. The ship also features a forward top-deck helipad for emergency helicopter operations.

This expedition ship is purpose-built for cruising in the Earth’s polar regions. She is equipped with fast Zodiac boats, sea kayaks, and an aft-located covered marina platform for water-based outdoor activities. The vessel also offers an observation lounge and a dedicated room for lectures and readings.

Decks and Cabins

MS Hondius staterooms (82 total) accommodate 2–4 guests (double, triple, or quad occupancy). Accommodation options include 1 Hondius Suite (35 m2 / 375 ft2, currently unavailable), 6 Balcony Grand Suites (27 m2 / 290 ft2), 8 French Balcony Junior Suites (19–20 m2 / 205–215 ft2), 19 oceanview cabins (19–21 m2 / 205–225 ft2), and 14 panoramic-window doubles (12–14 m2 / 130–150 ft2). The ship also offers porthole-window cabins sized 12–18 m2 (130–190 ft2), including 31 doubles, 2 triples, and 4 quads.

Standard cabin amenities include windows (some opening), one double bed or two single beds (non-convertible), under-bed storage, bedside cabinets, wall-mounted reading lamps, LED ceiling lighting, a lounge area (writing desk with chair, LCD TV, telephone, Wi-Fi, refrigerator, tea/coffee maker, binoculars), wardrobe, electronic safe (in closet), and an en-suite bathroom (WC, single-sink vanity, shower, bath products, bathrobes, towels, hairdryer). All cabins feature individually controlled air-conditioning.

The ship has 7 decks, of which 5 are passenger-accessible and 4 contain cabins.