Blog

OTL27-23, trip log, Ross Sea

We arrived at the iconic Ross Ice Shelf (or Barrier) in the wee hours of the morning.

HDS29-23, trip log, Antarctica - Basecamp

Our zodiac cruise rewarded us with humpback whale and Weddell seal encounters.

HDS28A23, trip log, Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica

The day has come! We made it to Antarctica! After our breakfast we all go to our cabins and get ready for our very first landing.

PLA29-23, trip log, Antarctica - Weddell Sea Explorer

Our first day in Antarctica! Some of us got up early to see the Antarctic Sound; a stunning landscape as we saw the first icebergs.

Guide’s Choice for Binoculars: Swarovski Optik

Our guests often ask us what they should pack when it comes to the more optional polar travel gear, such as cameras or binoculars.

Keeping the Arctic Clean: Interview with Eelco Leemans

We spent some time talking to Eelco Leemans about what got him started in the project of waste removal and analysis on Svalbard.

Antarctic Inspired: Interview with Ruben Hein

While we love when our guests are inspired by our trips, we rarely hear of them making a nature documentary, musical album, and biodiversity

PLA28-23, trip log, Antarctica

Our first day in Antarctica! This exciting day began with the beautiful site of Cuverville. Some of us got up extra early to see the first r

HDS27A23, trip log, Antarctic Peninsula-Basecamp

Right after breakfast begins the sign-up for the activities in the lecture room: we start with mountaineering, then kayaking followed by cam

PLA27-23, trip log, Falklands – South Georgia – Antarctica

As the day started breakfast was served on board, and most of us started to develop what we call the “sea legs”. The weather was relatively

HDS26-23, trip log, Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica

After breakfast we go straight back to our cabins to prepare for Carcass Island. We put on our waterproof gear, pack our backpacks with came

Charting Flanders Bay

Until then, this spot in the northwestern Antarctic Peninsula had only been charted three times since 1898, when it was roughly mapped by th

PLA26-23, trip log, Antarctica - Basecamp

We entered the port and were welcomed by the Expedition Team and the Hotel Team at the Plancius’ gangway. After we had been shown to our roo

OTL26-23, trip log, Antarctic Peninsula, Discovery and Learning Voyage

The day had finally come, it was time to board Ortelius for our expedition trip to the Antarctic Peninsula! Some of us had booked the trip y

HDS25-23, trip log, Antarctica - Basecamp

Our next stop is Paulet Island, a very interesting historical site. There is a Stone hut on Paulet Island which was built in February 1903 b

OTL25-23, trip log, Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica

Birding highlights prior to breakfast were Black-browed Albatross, Northern and Southern Giant Petrels, Wilson’s Storm Petrels, Sooty shearw

PLA25-23, trip log, Antarctica - Basecamp

Meanwhile M/V Plancius continued southwest towards Deception Island and right after midday we found ourselves transiting through the so call

HDS24-22, trip log, Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage

At 6pm it is time for Captains cocktail to celebrate the beginning of the voyage with a glass of prosecco and delicious canapes. Captain Ton

PLA24-22, trip log, Antarctica - Basecamp

We entered the port and were welcomed by the Expedition Team and the Hotel Team at the Plancius’ gangway. After we had been shown to our roo

Oceanwide charts Antarctic island

Guests, guides, and crew all helped chart a route around the largest of the Guyou Islands in Flandres Bay, returning to the ship late that e

OTL24-22, trip log, Basecamp Antarctica Incl. Anvers Island and Flandres Bay

At first just a trickle of people, clutching camera bags and obviously eager to view the ship, ambled along the quayside. This slowly increa