Reviews

I believe the Oceanwide team did everything possible to give us the best possible expedition. When plan A could happen pan b c or d were on a par or better. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this trip to anyone.

In November 30th, I took my two children on the Oceanwide cruise to explore the pure land of Antarctica. From the moment I boarded the ship, I felt the enthusiasm of all the crew members, especially for a family combination like us - a father with two children, one 7 years old and the other 11 years old. For children, Antarctica is more difficult to reach and faces more difficulties. Fortunately, on the ship, the crews were well taken care of and were not ignored because of their young age. Expedition leader Sara and all the expedition members put their safety first when landing on the island and cruising to ensure their safe tour in Antarctica. In the wheelhouse, the crew told them some knowledge about the ship. Although the children's Englishwas not very good, the children felt cared for. There are also two Chinese translators, Yukan and Shan, who are the most important roles of the staff. Their translated notices, safety instructions of the expedition members, daily summaries and itinerary plans for the next day enable many Chinese people, including children, who do not know English, to fully understand the information on the cruise ship. During the process of landing on the island, I lingered around taking photos. Two Chinese translators took the initiative to take care of my children, reminding them not to go to dangerous places such as the beach. They showed them penguins and taught them about seals, whales, and penguins. They became good friends with the children, allowing them to experience the warmth of the Antarctic family while enjoying the beautiful scenery. The children are reluctant to part with them. During the island landing, I was busy taking photos. Two Chinese translators helped me take care of the children, reminding them not to go to dangerous places such as the beach, and told them about seals and penguins. They became good friends with the children, allowing them to feel the warmth of the Antarctic family while enjoying the beautiful scenery. In short, it was a very pleasant trip. I will recommend OEACNWIDE to my friends, and I will definitely board this ship again to explore the unknown wonders of the Arctic.

Wir waren vom 30.November - 10.Dezember 2024 mit der MS Ortelius auf der Tour "Antarktis - Entdeckungs- und Lernreise + Navigationsworkshop" unterwegs, und erlebten das Wohl größte Abenteuer das man erleben kann. Es erwartete uns eine tolle Crew an Bord, das Schiff begeisterte uns immer wieder als Homebase unserer Expeditions-Schiffsreise, das Essen an Bord war großartig und die Antarktis einfach unbeschreiblich. Wir hatten auch viel Glück mit traumhaften Wetter und konnten zahlreiche Aktivitäten unternehmen. Ich finde die Tour "Antarktis - Entdeckungs- und Lernreise" ist die perfekte Antarktisreise, weil man besonders viel von der antarktischen Halbinsel sieht und viel Zeit für Unternehmungen und Landgänge hat. Die Fahrt durch die Gerlache Strait und den Lemaire Channel war ein Traum, die zahlreichen Landgänge, Wanderungen und Bergtouren bei Cuverville & Danco Island sowie bei Necko + Paradise Harbour begeisterten. Highlight war auch der Eisberg-Friedhof mit Eisbergen so groß das es uns die Sprache verschlag. Dazu sahen wir unzählige Pinguinkolonien und Wale. Wir fühlten uns jeden Tag wie die ersten Entdecker in der Antarktis, sahen unberührte Landschaften und waren manchmal so sprachlos und den Tränen nahe. EIne Reise - sorry, falscher Begriff - es ist keine Reise, es ist eine wahre Expedition - ein Abenteuer - das ein Leben lang in Erinnerung bleibt. Das besondere an den Reisen von Oceanwide Expedition ist auch die überschaubare Größe der Schiffe, wir waren auf der Ortelius rund 100 Leute, somit sind Landgänge unbeschränkt möglich, wir hatten somit viel Zeit an Land und bei den Zodiacfahrten. Ich kann die Reisen uneingeschränkt empfehlen, ein Erlebnis! Großes Lob und Dank an das gesamte Oceanwide-Team, ihr seid SPITZE, es war für uns das größte Abenteuer das man erleben kann.

This was the best experience in my life! Thank you so much for everything!

This was our second trip with Oceanwide and it made me wish that they went to even more destinations in the world. From the incredible knowledge and backgrounds of the expedition staff to the warm, welcoming hospitality of the hotel and navigational staff, any trip with Oceanwide is one to remember!

Not fond of ocean wave movement but by the third day I was doing much better. The sights were beyond spectacular…and being among Emperor penguins was magical. The weather was perfect, the staff and crew were exceptional, the food amazing and the total experience was beyond my expectations! Was thinking a “once and done” but now contemplating my next trip down again! Can’t recommend Oceanwide and the Ortelius enough! Thanks for the trip of a lifetime!!!!

Amazing trip overall, Drake lake on the way out, spectacular scenery, exciting sailing surrounded by ice, the first ship into the Weddell Sea thanks to Capt Per and the visit to the emperor penguin colony on a hot, sunny day--even the penguins were too hot and were lying on the ice( we weren't allowed! ) followed by visits to other penguin colonies just as fascinating. Expedition crew worked to hard to give us the best experience. All the lecturers were interesting and accomplished. Drake passage also kind on return. fabulous!

What a time we had. Excellent presentations on all things Antarctica. From lectures on whales, penguin, personal experiences, history, art and many more topics. All presentations were well received by all of the great guests.

The Xperience was breathtaking, incredible, magnific. The penguin colonies visits, the navigation through Weddell Sea, the Emperor Penguin Xperience including helicopter, really unique. All the staff very proffessional, competent and kind. But, with the price of the Expedition, should you invoice 2 € for the seasickness pills? Best regards

Gerne wieder

Great Adventures!

What an amazing trip. The sights were stunning. The hikes had variety. The pace of the trip was perfect. The food was great/varied. The staff was so helpful, educated and engaging. Highly recommend as a first timer to Greenland.

This year I had been injured in an accident and hospitalized during March this year. It took a lot of time and effort to start walking again and be able to do some serious hiking. I had been on previous Oceanwide Expeditions trips and decided to book the Greenland trip to Scoresbysund in september. It turned out to be my best trip ever. To start with the ship itself and the crew. You might think this is an old and battered ship. It is not. All cabins are neat and nicely outfitted. The ship itself is sturdy and very suitable to navigate the Polar regions. Not too small, not too big. The captain and officers are very experienced. The deckhands do an excellent professional job. They are approachable and friendly. The expedition staff was amazing. Very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The hotel management and stewards trying to do their utmost to serve you as best they can. We were lucky to have very nice weather with blue skies offering fine photo and video opportunities. We saw a lot of wildlife, four polar bears, several polar fixed, whales, seals, musk oxen, arctic hares, and various birds. On various nights we had fabulous Northern Light sightings. I can still hear the crackling of the ice, the calving of ice sheets from the glacier, the tumbling of the small icebergs, the looming big icebergs while we were driving by in our zodiacs. The landscapes were amazing, red mountains, stark black mountains covered with snow and ice, immense tundra plains with scattered skeletons of musk oxen. We also visited Ittoqqortoormiit, an Inuit settlement. School was out and all the children waving at you. No harbour so the landing was with the zodiacs. But the thing that stroke me the most was the absolute serenity of the long hikes and the kayaking. Being in touch with the landscape. That was the lifestyle experience I was looking for. I will be back. Thank you Oceanwide for a memorable experience.

Second trip with Oceanwide (first was Antartica in Feb 2023). Spotless organization. Great staff and crew. Various offshore activities to choose according to own’s abilities. Staff and guides very professional, available at any time, worked around the clock to maximize the experience on and off-shore. Services on board (restaurants, facilities) very good. Excellent food.

I’ve just had the most amazing 9 day trip around Svalbard with Oceanwide. We had great weather with very little arctic fog and wall to wall sunshine and light winds. We saw 6 polar bears; 1 on the sea ice and 5 on land. We also saw a blue whale, lots of Svalbard reindeer, walrus, arctic fox and so many different seabirds. I especially loved the puffins and little auks, but the Brunnich guillemot cliffs were just awesome. Seeing 6 polar bears was just incredible.