M/V Hondius, Antarctic cruises

Location

ex Ushuaia (Antarctic cruises, Antarctica)

Description

Quick facts - Level: First Class | Passengers: 170 | Duration: 9-20 nights | Length: 353 feet | Cruising speed: 15 knots | Operator: Oceanwide Expeditions

Built in 2019, Hondius is the world's first-registered Polar Class 6 cruise ship, and is also one of the most environmentally friendly vessels in Antarctica. She has an ice-strengthened hull, and was designed specifically for polar exploration. Hondius has a large observation lounge, a presentation room, library, dining room, bar and infirmary.

Capacity

170 passengers

Activities

International expedition staff lead shore excursions and give daily lectures on board. Wellington boots and snow shoes are provided, and an expedition jacket can be pre-ordered at an additional cost. Sea kayaking and camping are available as optional activities on some cruises, at an additional cost. Hiking is also offered as an optional extra activity, free of charge. In-field and on-board discovery and learning workshops, exhibitions and performances are included free of charge on the Discovery and Learning cruises.

Accommodation

The 80 cabins are on 4 decks and all have private bathrooms with either portholes or windows.

When to go

November to March.

Most cruises start and end in Ushuaia (Argentina). The only exception to this is the 20 night Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica itinerary, which starts in Puerto Madryn and ends in Ushuaia.

Most itineraries either follow or are close variants of our standard Antarctica itineraries (www.lastfrontiers.com/antarctica/itineraries). One exception is detailed below.

For exact details of specific cruise departures please just contact us.

Whale watching discovery and learning voyage

Day 1: Ushuaia
Days 2-3: Drake Passage
Days 4-5: Entering Antarctica; Cuverville Island, Neko Harbour, Paradise Bay
Days 6-8: Journey through the Gullet; Pourquoi Pas Island, Horseshoe Island, Stonington Island; Hanusse Bay*
Days 9-11: The whales of Crystal Sound
Day 12-13: Drake Passage
Day 14: Ushuaia

*Days 6-8: Alternative program if the route to the south of Crystal Sound/Hanusse Bay is blocked by ice. The ship may take a course around the western side of Adelaide Island to reach Marguerite Bay. Should ice conditions not allow for this approach, the program could be continued by exploring the Antarctic Peninsula in and around the Penola and Gerlache Straits.

Twin cabin with porthole

The 28 twin cabins with porthole (12-18 square metres) are on Deck 3. They all have 2 portholes, 2 single beds, a small sofa, desk and chair.

Grand Suite

The 6 grand suites (27 square metres) are on Deck 7. Each one has a private balcony, as well as 1 double window, 1 double bed, a sofa, desk, chair, fridge and coffee and tea maker.

Junior Suite

There are 8 junior suites (19-20 square metres) on Deck 7. They have 1 double window, 1 double bed, a sofa, desk, chair, fridge, and coffee and tea maker.

Quadruple cabin with porthole

The 4 quadruple cabins (12-18 square metres) are on Deck 3. Each one has 2 portholes, bunk beds, a small sofa, desk and chair.

Superior cabin

There are 8 superior cabins (20-21 square metres) on Deck 6. They have 2 windows, 1 double bed, a sofa, desk, chair, fridge, and coffee and tea maker.

Triple cabin with porthole

The 2 triple cabins (12-18 square metres) are on Deck 3. Each one has 2 portholes, 1 upper berth and 2 lower berths, a small sofa, desk and chair.

Twin cabin with window

The 14 twin cabins with window (12-14 square metres) are on Deck 4. They all have 1 window, 2 single beds, a small sofa, desk and chair.

Twin Deluxe

There are 11 twin deluxe cabins (19-21 square metres) on Deck 6. They have 2 windows, 2 single beds, a sofa, desk, chair, fridge, and coffee and tea maker.