Oceanwide Expeditions’ new ship Hondius to embark on maiden voyage

The new ship for Oceanwide Expeditions, m/v Hondius, has completed its extensive sea trials, achieved the desired speeds, and exceeded expectations for all nautical systems. On June 3, it will embark on its first Arctic expedition cruise.

Below you can see multiple images and a video of Hondius, all recently captured near the Brodosplit shipyard in Split, Croatia.

The world’s first-registered Polar Class 6 expedition cruise vessel, Hondius will begin its Arctic program in Vlissingen, Netherlands, making stops at Aberdeen, Fair Isle, and Jan Mayen before reaching the awe-inspiring Arctic island of Spitsbergen.

Spitsbergen is the principal island of Norway’s Svalbard archipelago and one of the best places on the planet to spot polar bears, along with many other emblematic Arctic animals.

Hondius will then spend the summer engaged in a number of classic Arctic voyages, giving its passengers not only the best of the Arctic terrain but also the chance to view (in addition to polar bears) Arctic foxes, walruses, and various species of whale, seal, and seabird.

But this doesn’t mean Hondius will sail exclusively in the Arctic. Beginning in the 2019 austral summer, the ship will start its Antarctic cruise program, visiting such iconic locations as the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Shetland Islands, South Georgia, and the Falklands.

About Oceanwide Expeditions:

Leading the polar pack for over 25 years, Oceanwide Expeditions has been providing passengers once-in-a-lifetime adventures in one-of-a-kind destinations since 1993. We specialize in small-scale, close-contact, exploratory expedition voyages with a focus on wildlife and activities, emphasizing short sea legs and long shore landings that get passengers off the ship and into the action.

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