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 and was eventually purchased by Oceanwide Expeditions. The vessel was completely rebuilt as a 116-passenger vessel in 2009 and complies with the latest SOLAS-regulations (Safety Of Life At Sea). M/v “Plancius” is classed by Lloyd’s Register and flies the Dutch flag.

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Plancius: a vessel with comfort and character

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. Her voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic regions are primarily defined by an exploratory educational travel programme, spending as much time ashore as possible. Plancius fully meets the demands to achieve this. 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.

There are 53 passenger cabins, all with either a window or porthole, private toilet and shower.  

Plancius deck plan

Plancius deck plan

The ship measures 89 meters (293 feet) in length, with a breadth of 14.5 meters (47 feet), and a draft of 5 meters (16 feet).  Her average cruising speed is 10.5 knots. She has an ice class of 1D (Lloyds class notation 100A1 Passenger ship, Ice Class 1D at a draught of 5 meters).

 

The vessel offers simple but comfortable cabins and public spaces

• 4 quadruple porthole cabins with bunk beds (these can also be used as triple or twin cabins)

• 2 triple porthole cabins with bunk beds (these can also be used as quads or twin cabins)

• 9 triple porthole cabins with 2 single lower berths

• 26 twin cabins with window and 2 single lower berths 

• 2 twin deluxe cabins with window and 2 single lower berths (ca. 12.5 square meters)

• 10 twin superior cabins with window and queen-sized bed (ca. 21 square meters)

Plancius dining room

Plancius dining room

Plancius library

Plancius library

twin deluxe cabin

twin deluxe cabin

twin porthole cabin

twin porthole cabin