PlanciusLongyearbyen

The MV Plancius is a former research vessel of the Dutch Marine. The ship was converted for cruising in the Arctic and Antarctic.

The Arctic Antarctic and scenery in itself is a very unique experience which is still the privilege to the few people who get to this fascinating part of the world. Pure nature experiences are the main objective of the excursions, which have the characteristics of expeditions. Diving is only possible during some of the Arctic excursions. Cruising and diving combination trips are offered in the area of Spitsbergen.

On some excursions interesting country and diving programs are on offer. The diving tours in the Arctic visit Spitsbergen from/to the main town of Longyearbyen on the island. The Antarctic journeys start in Ushuaia.

MV Plancius Excursions start and end in the main town of Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen. The Antarctic journeys are from/to Ushuaia. No diving is offered during the Antactic expeditions.

The 79 meter (260 ft) ship is comfortable and well equipped, but it is not like a luxury livebaoard ship, like you have them in other parts of the world.
The ship has room for 112 passengers in 54 cabins. The cabins all have private bathroom and toilet. There are 10 larger superior cabins (about 21 sqm/226 square feet), 40 twin cabins and 4 three-bed cabins.

The Plancius has five decks. The restaurant is located on deck 3. There is also much space for the guests outdoors, to enjoy the landscape, but one can always warm up inside if need arises and keep enjoying the scenery on deck 5. Here is a nice lounge with a bar and large windows to observe the fascinating outside world. In the interior of the vessel smoking is not allowed. The daily excursions are made with rubber dinghies.

The Plancius has an international crew of 30 people plus extra dive crew. There are also 10 stewards/stewardesses, six employees for the hotel, including purser and bartender and six employees for the expeditions, and a doctor on board. The ship is registered with the North German Lloyd, there is much emphasis on safety.

A maximum of 24 divers are taken per expedition. All dive trips are led by specially trained instructors and dive guides. Diving is only possible for experienced divers. Participants must be able to proof that they have done sufficient diving in dry suits and each participant must already have made at least two dives under the ice.

One or two dives at most are offered per day. The timing for diving during the expeditions is dependent on the constantly changing weather and ice conditions. This can always lead to a short-term change in the program. Since the ice is constantly moving, the situation under water can change at any time.

Arctic diving: In the Atlantic waters Oceanwide Expeditions offer the regular zodiac diving as well as wreck diving. The dives in the Polar areas vary from shallow ice diving, whereby you will dive near or under the ice-floes (approx. 30 feet) to shore diving, whereby you dive to approximately 30 to 60 feet. The combination of sunlight, sea water and the often extraordinary formations of ice cause an overwhelming, ever-changing spectra of colours, with a fantastic variety of shades and brilliance.

While snorkelling or diving along the ice-floes, you will be amazed and never forget these deep blue colours. In the Atlantic water you may observe typical marine life such as sea squirts, squat lobsters and many species of star fish, spider crabs, soft corals, anemones, peacock worms, and dogfish.

Diving in the Arctic does not only offer ice, but also an interesting marine life, such as kelp walls, sea-snails, crabs, sea butterflies, various Arctic fish, shrubby horse-tails, jelly-fishes, sea-hedgehogs and starfishes. In Spitsbergen we may dive with seals. During December and January no diving is offered at all.

An amazing experience in spectacular landscape and animals which live in the coldest parts of the world, certainly interesting enough with and without diving.