Plancius: An ice-strengthened expedition vessel with comfort and character
Days: 11-20 | From: $7,250/per person
M/v “Plancius” was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and was named “Hr. Ms. Tydeman”. The ship sailed for the Dutch Navy until June 2004 when it was completely rebuilt as a 116-passenger vessel. The ice-strengthened vessel is an excellent vessel for Antarctica expedition cruises.
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Vessel Information
Accommodations
M/v “Plancius” accommodates 116 passengers in 53 passenger cabins with private toilet and shower in 4 quadruple porthole cabins, 2 triple porthole cabins, 9 twin porthole cabins, 26 twin cabins with window and 2 twin deluxe cabins, all (ca. 12,5 square meters) and 10 twin superior cabins (ca. 21 square meters). All cabins offer lower berths (one queen-size bed in the superior cabins and two single beds in the twin cabins), except for the 4 quadruple cabins (for 4 persons in 2x upper and lower beds), and 2 triple cabins (1 bunk bed plus 1 lower bed).
The vessel offers a restaurant/lecture room on deck 3 and a spacious observation lounge (with bar) on deck 5 with large windows, offering full panorama view. M/v “Plancius” has large open deck spaces (with full walk-around possibilities on deck 4), giving excellent opportunities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. She is furthermore equipped with 10 Mark V zodiacs, including 40 HP 4-stroke outboard engines and 2 gangways on the starboard side, guaranteeing a swift zodiac operation.
M/v “Plancius” is comfortable and nicely decorated, but is not a luxury vessel. The voyages in the Antarctic regions are primarily defined by an exploratory educational travel program, spending as much time ashore as possible. The vessel is equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system which reduces the noise and vibration of the vessel considerably. The 3 diesel engines generate 1.230 horse-power each, giving the vessel a speed of 10 - 12 knots. The vessel is ice-strengthened and was specially built for oceanographic voyages. M/v “Plancius” is manned by an international crew of 37 (18 nautical crew and 19 hotel crew), 8 expedition staff (1 expedition leader, 1 assistant expedition leader and 6 guides/lecturers), and 1 doctor.
Vessel Specifications
Staff & Crew: 47
Guests: 116
Length: 293 feet, 89 meters
Breadth: 47 feet, 14,5 meters
Draft: 16 feet (5 meters)
Ice class: 1D (Plancius has a Lloyds class notation 100A1 Passenger ship, Ice Class 1D at a draught of 5 meters)
Speed: 10.5 knots (average)
Displacement: 3211 tonnes
Propulsion: 3x Diesel-Electric

Itineraries & Pricing
Antarctic Peninsula (11 days)
Day 1
Embarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina
Days 2 & 3
Drake Passage
Days 4 – 8
Antarctic Peninsula
Days 9 & 10
At Sea
Day 11
Disembarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina
Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Peninsula (20 days)
Day 1
Embarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina
Day 2
At Sea
Days 3 & 4
Falkland Islands
Days 5 & 6
At Sea
Days 7 to 10
South Georgia
Day 11
At Sea
Day 12
South Orkney
Day 13
At Sea
Days 14 to 17
Antarctic Peninsula
Days 18 & 19
At Sea
Day 20
Disembarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctic Peninsula - Basecamp (12 days)
Day 1
Embarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina
Days 2 & 3
Drake Passage
Days 4 to 9
Antarctic Peninsula
Days 10 & 11
At Sea
Day 12
Disembarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctic Peninsula - Polar Circle (12 days)
Day 1
Embarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina
Days 2 & 3
Drake Passage
Days 4 to 9
Antarctic Peninsula
Days 10 & 11
At Sea
Day 12
Disembarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina
(800) 342-1796
Displayed itineraries are just summaries. Our travel specialists will help you select the best cruise based on your interests, timing and budget.
Pricing
Pricing varies based on departure date, trip length, and cabin type. Listed pricing is per person, based on double occupancy (unless otherwise noted) and subject to change. Please contact us for current pricing and availability.
Included: All meals on board, guides & activities
Not included: International airfare, domestic airfare, gratuities, adventure activities such as sea kayaking or camping
Single Supplement: 70% (Twin or Superior cabin rate)
Child discount: 40% in Superior, Triple, and Quadruple Cabins (1 child per cabin)
2020-2021 Season
Dates | Itinerary | Days | Quadruple Porthole | Triple Porthole | Twin Porthole | Twin Window | Twin Deluxe | Superior |
Feb 4 – 14, 2021 | Antarctica | 11 | $8,050 | On request | $9,950 | $10,350 | $11,000 | $11,900 |
Feb 14 – 25, 2021 | Polar Circle | 12 | $8,050 | On request | $9,950 | $10,350 | $11,000 | $11,900 |
Feb 25 – Mar 8, 2021 | Antarctica – Basecamp | 12 | $8,050 | On request | $9,950 | $10,350 | $11,000 | $11,900 |
Mar 8 – 19, 2021 | Antarctica – Basecamp | 12 | $8,050 | On request | $9,950 | $10,350 | $11,000 | $11,900 |
Mar 19 – 31, 2021 | Antarctica – Whale Watching | 13 | $8,050 | On request | $9,950 | $10,350 | $11,000 | $11,900 |
2021-2022 Season
Dates | Itinerary | Days | Quadruple Porthole | Triple Porthole | Twin Porthole | Twin Window | Twin Deluxe | Superior |
Oct 23 – Nov 11, 2021 | Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica | 20 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Nov 11 -23, 2021 | Antarctica – Basecamp | 13 | $8,500 | $10,450 | $10,450 | $10,950 | $11,600 | $12,300 |
Nov 23 – Dec 12, 2021 | Antarctica – Solar Eclipse | 20 | $16,400 | n/a | $19,800 | $20,600 | $22,100 | $23,700 |
Dec 12 – 22, 2021 | Antarctica | 11 | $7,300 | $8,950 | $8,950 | $9,400 | $9,950 | $10,700 |
Dec 22, 2021 – Jan 3, 2022 | Antarctica – Basecamp | 13 | $9,100 | $11,200 | $11,200 | $11,650 | $12,300 | $13,100 |
Jan 3 -15, 2022 | Antarctica – Basecamp | 13 | $9,100 | $11,200 | $11,200 | $11,650 | $12,300 | $13,100 |
Jan 15 – Feb 3, 2022 | Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica | 20 | $15,500 | $18,700 | $18,700 | $19,500 | $20,800 | $22,400 |
Feb 3 – 13, 2022 | Antarctica | 11 | $8,050 | $9,950 | $9,950 | $10,400 | $11,000 | $11,900 |
Feb 13 – 24, 2022 | Antarctica – Polar Circle | 12 | $8,050 | $9,950 | $9,950 | $10,400 | $11,000 | $11,900 |
Feb 24 – Mar 8, 2022 | Antarctica – Basecamp | 13 | $8,500 | $10,450 | $10,450 | $10,950 | $11,600 | $12,300 |
Mar 8 – 20, 2022 | Antarctica – Basecamp | 13 | $8,500 | $10,450 | $10,450 | $10,950 | $11,600 | $12,300 |
Mar 20 – 31, 2022 | Antarctica – Whale Watching | 12 | $7,250 | $8,900 | $8,900 | $9,200 | $9,800 | $10,450 |
Why Travel with Vaya?
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