MV Plancius

The 1976-built MV Plancius cruise ship (originally “HNLMS Tydeman”) is an ice-strengthened expedition vessel operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, sailing alongside fleetmates Janssonius (2022), Hondius (2019), Ortelius (1989), and the polar sailing vessels Noorderlicht (1991) and Rembrandt van Rijn (1994).

The vessel (IMO number 7432044) is currently Holland-flagged (MMSI 246573000) and registered in Rotterdam.

The ship was converted from an oceanographic research vessel that served the Royal Netherlands Navy between November 10, 1976, and June 3, 2004. Plancius was acquired by Oceanwide Expeditions in 2009.

Like her fleetmates, Plancius carries rigid-hulled Zodiac boats (motorized inflatables) used for landings and coastal cruising in remote regions.

During her Royal Netherlands Navy service, approximately 30% of the vessel’s operational time was allocated to non-military research organizations (universities and institutes). Along with the smaller ships HNLMS Blommendal and HNLMS Buyskes, HNLMS Tydeman formed the Navy Hydrographic Service’s “white fleet.” From 2003, this fleet was replaced by HNLMS Snellius, and from 2004 by HNLMS Luymes.

As Tydeman, the ship was named after Gustaaf Frederik Tydeman, hydrographer of the Siboga Expedition (Dutch East Indies, 1899–1900). She was the second vessel to bear this name. Designed for global deep-sea research, her final years in naval service were devoted mainly to hydrographic surveying in the Baltic and North Seas. After decommissioning, HNLMS Tydeman was sold to the Nigerian Navy, but the sale was never completed due to non-payment.

In January 2007, the Vlissingen-based company Oceanwide Expeditions acquired the vessel for EUR 0.9 million. In 2008, she underwent an extensive drydock refurbishment (interior and machinery upgrades) at the Reimerswaal Shipyard in Hansweert, the Netherlands.

On November 14, 2009, she was renamed “MV Plancius,” honoring Dutch cartographer Petrus Plancius (1552–1622).

During the June 2023 drydock (also at Reimerswaal Shipyard), the Deck 3 dining room was completely reconstructed and refurnished. The redesigned venue now functions both as the ship’s main restaurant and as a lecture hall.

MV Plancius accommodates up to 116 passengers in 53 staterooms. The crew of 45 includes 19 hotel staff (1 steward-barman, 1 hotel manager, 6 chefs, 11 stewards/cabin attendants), 17 nautical crew, 7 expedition staff (6 guides/lecturers and 1 expedition leader), and 1 doctor.

The vessel has 7 decks, of which 5 are passenger-accessible and contain accommodations (53 staterooms total).

History – construction and ownership

Specializing in expedition cruising and navigation in icy waters, Oceanwide Expeditions expanded its fleet and strengthened its brand reputation with the introduction of the newbuilds Janssonius and Hondius. The company, headquartered in Vlissingen, Netherlands, is recognized for its capacity growth and commitment to high-quality polar exploration.

Founded in 1993, Oceanwide Expeditions is one of the industry’s small cruise operators offering regularly scheduled and flexible polar voyages that allow passengers to experience wildlife, dramatic landscapes, significant polar regions, and historical sites. The company operates year-round – during summer (April to September) in the Arctic and during winter (October to March) in Antarctica. Most Oceanwide itineraries visit remote, sea-access-only destinations without port infrastructure. In such regions, the ship anchors offshore and all passengers are tendered ashore via Zodiac Milpro boats, each operated by an experienced expedition guide.

Oceanwide Expeditions supports internationally recognized organizations dedicated to wildlife conservation and sustainable environmental initiatives in the polar regions. These include AECO (Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators), active mainly in the European Arctic (Iceland, Greenland, Svalbard Norway), IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators, founded in 1991 and representing 100+ companies), and BirdLife International (a global conservation organization established in 1922).

Itineraries

The Plancius itinerary program focuses on polar expedition cruising. From homeport Longyearbyen (Spitsbergen Island, Norway), summer Arctic voyages explore Svalbard and also include destinations in Iceland and Greenland.

The ship’s Antarctic (winter) schedule features roundtrip itineraries from Ushuaia, Argentina, visiting the Antarctic Peninsula as well as the British Overseas Territories of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands.