MV Janssonius

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

The vessel (IMO 9896191) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311875984) and registered in Nassau.

The newbuild sisterships Janssonius and Hondius are LR-PC6 (“Lloyd’s Register Polar Class 6” / Finnish-Swedish ice class “1A Super”) passenger vessels with ice-strengthened hulls.

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

History - construction and ownership

Specializing in passenger shipping and navigation in icy waters, Oceanwide Expeditions—headquartered in Vlissingen, Netherlands—expanded both its fleet and market presence with the newbuilds Janssonius and Hondius. The ship name “Janssonius” honors the Dutch cartographer Johannes Janssonius (1588-1664), born (as Jan Janszoon) in Arnhem and later based in Amsterdam.

Founded in 1993, Oceanwide Expeditions is among the industry’s small cruise operators, offering regularly scheduled and flexible polar voyages that allow passengers to experience Arctic and Antarctic wildlife, unique landscapes, critical polar regions, and historical sites. The company maintains year-round itineraries: summer (April–September) in the Arctic and winter (October–March) in Antarctica. Most Oceanwide itineraries visit remote, infrastructure-free areas where the ship anchors offshore and passengers are tendered ashore via Zodiac Milpro boats, each crewed and guided by the expedition staff.

Oceanwide Expeditions actively supports organizations dedicated to wildlife preservation and sustainable environmental development in the polar regions, including AECO (Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators), IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators), and BirdLife International (a global wildlife conservation organization founded in 1922).

To meet the rising global demand for polar cruises, Oceanwide Expeditions ordered two ice-strengthened newbuilds—Janssonius and Hondius—each powered by two main engines (combined output 4.26 MW) and designed with a maximum passenger capacity of 196 (85 staterooms). On polar voyages, capacity is limited to 174.

Shipboard facilities

Like all Oceanwide vessels, Janssonius carries rigid-hulled zodiacs (inflatable, motorized high-speed boats) used for landings and ship-to-shore transfers in remote coastal regions. The ship also features a forward helipad on the top deck, used primarily for emergencies.

This expedition ship is purpose-built for cruising in Earth’s polar regions. She carries fast zodiac boats, sea kayaks, and offers a covered marina platform for water-based outdoor activities. There is a deck with an observation lounge and a dedicated room for lectures and briefings.

Decks and Cabins

MS Janssonius staterooms (82 total) accommodate 2–4 passengers (double, triple, or quadruple occupancy). Cabin categories include 1 Janssonius Suite (35 m2 / 375 ft2, currently not available), 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). Additional accommodations (12–18 m2 / 130–190 ft2) include 31 doubles with portholes, 2 triple-occupancy cabins, and 4 quadruple-occupancy cabins.

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 lights, a lounge/seating area (writing desk with chair, LCD TV, phone, WiFi Internet, refrigerator, tea/coffee maker, binoculars), wardrobe, electronic safe (in the closet), and an en-suite bathroom with WC, single-sink vanity, shower, bath products, bathrobes, towels, and hairdryer. All cabins have individually controlled air conditioning.

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