Oceanwide Expeditions

Oceanwide Expeditions is a Dutch company specializing in expedition-style voyages to Antarctica and the Arctic. Deploying its own fleet of ice-strengthened vessels, Oceanwide emphasizes small-scale, flexible tours that provide passengers close contact with polar wildlife, landscapes, and historical sites. Tours usually take place in regions only accessible by sea, with little to no infrastructure. The locations visited are first reached by ship, after which expedition guides take small groups of passengers to landing sites by way of Zodiac Milpro RIBs (rigid inflatable boats), enabling safe cruising and maximum shore time.

Oceanwide Expeditions
TypeTour Operator
IndustryTourism
Founded1993
HeadquartersVlissingen, Zeeland, Netherlands
ProductsExpedition Cruise Tours
Websitewww.oceanwide-expeditions.com

History

Starting in 1983, the Dutch “Plancius Foundation” was the first operator to organize yearly polar expedition cruises to the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. Oceanwide Expeditions continued with the activities of the Plancius Foundation in 1993.

The origin of the Plancius Foundation started with the Arctic Centre at the University of Groningen, which launched a research program investigating 17th-century Dutch whaling around Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard chain. With Arctic archaeology professor Louwrens Hacquebord leading the initiative, the ship Pollox was purchased in 1979 and renamed Plancius to accommodate research around the Dutch settlement of Smeerenburg.[1]

Along with the scientists on board were tourists who had paid for their Arctic journey, and their contributions formed part of the later financial support for the Svalbard expeditions. Eventually, however, funding troubles overtook the Plancius Foundation and the ship was sold.

Awards and recognitions
  • Four-time winner of World's Leading Polar Expedition Operator Award at the World Travel Awards in 2011[2]
  • Geo Saison's Best Activity Provider Award at the 2013 ITB Berlin Goldene Palme Awards
  • Outside Magazine's first Active Travel Award winner in 2012
  • Puffin Award in 2014 for outstanding contributions to and cooperation with AECO

Partnerships

Oceanwide Expeditions works closely with organizations that support the preservation of natural habitats and sustainable environmental conditions. In the Arctic, these entities include the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO)[3] and Clean Up Svalbard. In Antarctica, the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO)[4] and BirdLife International are two organizations with whom Oceanwide works.

Fleet

Oceanwide Expeditions currently operates four vessels of different nautical classes: the sailing vessels S/V Rembrandt van Rijn and S/V Noorderlicht as well as the former Royal Dutch Navy oceanographic research vessel MV Plancius[5] and former Russian Academy of Science vessel MV Ortelius.[6] All of these vessels are equipped with Zodiac Milpro RIBs for ship-to-shore landings, and Ortelius is even fitted with a helipad and two helicopters.

In summer of 2019, Oceanwide will launch its newest ship, MV Hondius, the world's first-registered Polar Class 6 cruise vessel. Hondius will offer expanded Arctic and Antarctic itineraries, additional passenger space, and a wide variety of interactive, informative, and entertaining activities not previously available. [7]

Destinations
MV Ortelius in Antarctica
MV Plancius in Longyearbyen
SV Noordelicht in Greenland

Arctic region

Antarctic region

The ideal time of year to visit the Arctic is around the Northern Hemisphere summer, from April through September. The Southern Hemisphere summer, from October through March, is the best time to visit Antarctica.

See also

References
  1. de Korte, J. "A Tourist in the Arctic" (PDF). University of Groningen. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  2. "World Travel Awards: Oceanwide Expeditions". www.worldtravelawards.com. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  3. "Our Members". Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  4. "Service Providers and Operators". International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  5. Abbuhl, Ruedi & Priska (2010). "Antarktis mit MV Plancius". Polar News (in German). Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  6. Bryant, Dennis (May 2013). "Maritime Musings: MV Ortelius". maritimeprofessional.com. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  7. Cruise and Boat Tours
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