MV Hondius

MV Hondius is a Dutch expedition cruise ship owned by Oceanwide Expeditions, built in Croatia and entering service in 2019. Designed for a maximum passenger capacity of 196, though limited to 174 guests on polar voyages, she's a small ship and the first registered Polar Class 6 ice-strengthened cruise ship. She takes her name from Jodocus Hondius, a Flemish cartographer whose maps helped shape European understanding of the world during the Age of Exploration and remain valued by collectors today.

The vessel operates primarily across the Arctic and Antarctic regions, and everything about her is built for polar work rather than comfort theatre. She offers one dining room, three bars and lounges, two sun deck areas, and a fleet of Zodiac boats for landings, though there are no elevators or swimming pools onboard. Her 82 cabins and staterooms accommodate two, three, or four guests, with categories ranging from suites with private balconies to smaller cabins featuring porthole or panoramic windows, and a helipad sits on the forward top deck.

Hondius carries rigid-hulled Zodiac boats for landings and tendering in remote regions, along with sea kayaks and an aft located, covered marina platform for water-based outdoor activities. A dedicated observation lounge and a room for lectures and readings round out the public spaces. Oceanwide's expedition guide teams include experts in biology, glaciology, history, and photography, alongside additional activity-focused guides specialising in hiking, kayaking, diving, and mountaineering, ensuring every landing is backed by genuine specialist knowledge.

MV Hondius suits travellers drawn to polar regions who value authentic expedition over resort-style amenities, and who want to reach remote landscapes and wildlife that larger ships simply cannot access.

Been on a voyage aboard MV Hondius? Log this expedition cruise on your account at The Cruise Globe to relive the actual route of your specific cruise.