M/V Plancius, Antarctic Peninsula

Location

ex Ushuaia (Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica)

Description

Plancius was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy. In 2006 the 267 foot ship was bought by Oceanwide Expeditions and has been re-built to carry 110 passengers in 54 comfortable cabins with a restaurant/lecture room, a spacious observation lounge offering panoramic views, large open deck spaces, a library, small gym and sauna and an infirmary. She is ice-strengthened, equipped with 10 zodiacs for excursions, manned by international crew and operated by Oceanwide Expeditions.

Capacity

110 passengers

Activities

International expedition staff lead shore excursions and give daily lectures on board. Kayaking, overnight camping and diving are offered on selected cruises. Wellington boots are provided and an expedition jacket can be pre-ordered at an additional cost.

Accommodation

54 cabins with private facilities including 4 quadruple cabins on the lower deck, 39 twin cabins and 10 superior cabins. Twin cabins have two single lower berths, 11 with a porthole, 26 with a window and a couple with 2 windows. Superior cabins have one queen-size double berth and a single sofa bed. The quadruple cabins have two lower berths and two upper berths (bunks). For the 2010-11 season all twin cabins are the same price.

When to go

November to March.

Client comments and reviews

“Antarctica was fabulous and Plancius, the expedition leaders and the activities were generally excellent. Our biggest challenge was knowing what kit and clothes to take but in the end we got it right!” - ME, February 2012

The special fly cruise departures that will operate in December 2011 and January 2012 cut down the number of days spent at sea making the overall length shorter, but still allow the same number of days for landings and activities. They also avoid the crossing of the Drake passage twice by boat.

Please note all prices quoted for the Plancius are in Euros (€).

Sea kayaking, diving and camping are all available as optional activities on all itineraries apart from Ultimate Antarctica. The prices per person are as follows:

Kayaking €250

Diving €300

Camping €70

Free optional activities include hiking and the use of snowshoes.

During Basecamp Plancius Itinerary Voyages, free extra optional activities include kayaking, camping, mountineering and a photo workshop. The photo workshop is also available at no additional charge during the voyage departing on 20 March 2013.

Fuel Surcharge 2011-12 departures: Due to the increase in cost of a barrel of Brent Crude Oil all 2011-12 departures have a surcharge of €18 per person/per night.

 

Quadruple Cabin

4 cabins on the lower deck (2) with two lower berths and two upper berths (bunks), a private toilet and shower and a porthole.

Superior

10 spacious cabins (approx 21 Sq metres) on the upper decks (5 & 6) and one on deck 4. All cabins with one queen-sized double berth and a single sofa bed, a private toilet and shower and a window.

Twin cabin

2 Twin Deluxe cabins (approx 15 Sq metres) with two lower berths, two windows and a private toilet and shower.

Twin cabin with porthole

11 cabins (approx 15 Sq metres) with two lower berths, a port hole and a private toilet and shower.

Twin cabin with window

26 cabins (approx 15 Sq metres) with two lower berths, a window and a private toilet and shower.

From	To	Days	Room type	Price	Notes
Ultimate Antarctica
3 Nov 2012	22 Nov 2012	20 (19 ship nights)	Quadruple Cabin	€8,190
			Superior	€8,750
			Twin cabin	€8,190
			Twin cabin with porthole	€7,390
			Twin cabin with window	€7,750
Classic Antarctica
22 Nov 2012	3 Dec 2012	12 (11 ship nights)	Quadruple Cabin	€5,290	Special Basecamp Plancius Itinerary
			Superior	€7,750	Special Basecamp Plancius Itinerary
			Twin cabin	€6,990	Special Basecamp Plancius Itinerary
			Twin cabin with porthole	€6,290	Special Basecamp Plancius Itinerary
			Twin cabin with window	€6,590	Special Basecamp Plancius Itinerary
3 Dec 2012	13 Dec 2012	11 (10 ship nights)	Quadruple Cabin	€4,790
			Superior	€7,050
			Twin cabin	€6,350
			Twin cabin with porthole	€5,750
			Twin cabin with window	€5,990
13 Dec 2012	22 Dec 2012	10 (9 ship nights)	Quadruple Cabin	€4,350
			Superior	€6,350
			Twin cabin	€5,750
			Twin cabin with porthole	€5,150
			Twin cabin with window	€5,390
22 Dec 2012	2 Jan 2013	12 (11 ship nights)	Quadruple Cabin	€5,750
			Superior	€8,390
			Twin cabin	€7,550
			Twin cabin with porthole	€6,850
			Twin cabin with window	€7,150
Ultimate Antarctica
2 Jan 2013	20 Jan 2013	19 (18 ship nights)	Quadruple Cabin	€9,550
			Superior	€14,090
			Twin cabin	€12,650
			Twin cabin with porthole	€11,350
			Twin cabin with window	€11,890
20 Jan 2013	7 Feb 2013	19 (18 ship nights)	Quadruple Cabin	€9,550
			Superior	€14,090
			Twin cabin	€12,650
			Twin cabin with porthole	€11,350
			Twin cabin with window	€11,890
Classic Antarctica
7 Feb 2013	17 Feb 2013	11 (10 ship nights)	Quadruple Cabin	€5,490
			Superior	€7,990
			Twin cabin	€7,190
			Twin cabin with porthole	€6,490
			Twin cabin with window	€6,790
17 Feb 2013	26 Feb 2013	10 (9 ship nights)	Quadruple Cabin	€4,950
			Superior	€7,290
			Twin cabin	€6,490
			Twin cabin with porthole	€5,850
			Twin cabin with window	€6,090
26 Feb 2013	9 Mar 2013	12 (11 ship nights)	Quadruple Cabin	€5,290	Special Basecamp Plancius Itinerary
			Superior	€7,750	Special Basecamp Plancius Itinerary
			Twin cabin	€6,990	Special Basecamp Plancius Itinerary
			Twin cabin with porthole	€6,290	Special Basecamp Plancius Itinerary
			Twin cabin with window	€6,590	Special Basecamp Plancius Itinerary
Crossing the Antarctic Circle
9 Mar 2013	20 Mar 2013	12 (11 ship nights)	Quadruple Cabin	€5,290
			Superior	€7,750
			Twin cabin	€6,990
			Twin cabin with porthole	€6,290
			Twin cabin with window	€6,590
Classic Antarctica
20 Mar 2013	29 Mar 2013	10 (9 ship nights)	Quadruple Cabin	€4,090
			Superior	€5,850
			Twin cabin	€5,350
			Twin cabin with porthole	€4,790
			Twin cabin with window	€4,990