About M/V Plancius

M/V Plancius is a Dutch-flagged, ice-strengthened expedition vessel built for active exploration in Antarctica and the Arctic. Originally constructed in 1976 as the Royal Dutch Navy oceanographic research ship Hr. Ms. Tydeman, she was completely rebuilt as a passenger vessel in 2009. Plancius is comfortable and practical rather than a conventional luxury cruise ship, with the emphasis on wildlife observation, shore landings and time outdoors.

The ship carries no more than 108 passengers in 50 cabins, all with private shower and toilet. Public spaces include a restaurant and lecture room on deck 3, a spacious observation lounge and bar with panoramic windows on deck 5, and broad open deck areas with walk-around access on deck 4. Ten inflatable Zodiacs and two starboard gangways allow the expedition team to move guests efficiently between ship and shore when conditions permit.

Cabins range from quadruple and twin porthole rooms to twin-window, twin-deluxe and superior cabins. Lower berths are provided throughout, apart from the upper and lower berths in the four quadruple cabins; superior cabins have a queen-size bed. Some cabins may have a partially obstructed view, so travellers for whom the view is especially important should ask Scantours to confirm the most suitable available category.

An international crew of 40 is joined by eight expedition staff and a doctor. Lectures, wildlife interpretation and Zodiac operations support an exploratory programme, while optional activities vary by departure and must be checked for the particular voyage.