Oceanwide Expeditions Cruises

11 Reviews
Oceanwide Expeditions

About Oceanwide Expeditions Cruises

Oceanwide Expeditions, which sails primarily in Antarctica and the Arctic, owns its fleet of small ships, all with ice-strengthened hulls; cruises are super active and require a high level of fitness. The line has been offering "basecamp" sailings since 2010; a basecamp voyage includes hiking, snowshoeing, kayaking, mountaineering and camping out overnight.

  • More about Oceanwide Expeditions

  • Who goes on Oceanwide Expeditions cruise ships?

  • Do I have to dress up on a Oceanwide Expeditions cruise?

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Hondius
Hondius (Oceanwide Expeditions)

7 Night
North Spitsbergen, Polar Bears & Bowhead Whales In...

5 Reviews
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Plancius
M/V Plancius (Photo: Oceanwide Expeditions)

7 Night
East Spitsbergen, Home Of The Polar Bear - Summer...

2 Reviews
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Hondius
Hondius (Oceanwide Expeditions)

9 Night
Around Spitsbergen, In The Realm Of Polar Bear & I...

5 Reviews
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Ortelius
M/V Ortelius (Photo: Oceanwide Expeditions)

7 Night
North Spitsbergen, Basecamp, Free Kayaking, Hiking...

3 Reviews
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9 Night
Around Spitsbergen, In The Realm Of Polar Bear & I...

2 Reviews
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13 Night
Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland - Aurora Boreali...

2 Reviews
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9 Night
Around Spitsbergen - Kvitoya, In The Realm Of Pola...

3 Reviews
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8 Night
East Greenland, Scoresby Sund - Aurora Borealis

5 Reviews
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14 Night
Around Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer

1 Review
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8 Night
North Spitsbergen - Kvitoya - Farthest North

5 Reviews
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9 Night
Around Spitsbergen - Kvitoya, In The Realm Of Pola...

5 Reviews
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7 Night
North Spitsbergen, Arctic Spring, Hike & Ski & Sai...

1 Review
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10 Night
North Spitsbergen, Arctic Spring - Birding

1 Review
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7 Night
Alpine Peaks Of Spitsbergen, Ski & Sail

1 Review
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7 Night
North Spitsbergen, In The Realm Of Polar Bear & Ic...

2 Reviews
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Oceanwide Expeditions Cruises Tips, Activities, and Overview

Who goes on Oceanwide Expeditions cruise ships?

Oceanwide Expeditions draws passengers from the U.S., Europe, Canada, Australia, Japan and China, all of whom share a passion for exploration, nature and wildlife. Expect to meet people in their mid-40s to mid-60s. Younger travelers are more prominent on the most adventurous sailings, and it's not unusual to see fit cruisers in their 70s and 80s on any sailing. (Children must be at least 3 years old to sail.) Solo travelers are welcome, though the line does charge a single supplement for solo cabins, or you can request that the line find a roommate for you.

Do I have to dress up on a Oceanwide Expeditions cruise?

No. The vibe onboard is casual. Plan to dress for comfort and warmth rather than to impress.

Is everything free on Oceanwide Expeditions cruises?

Shore excursions, usually by Zodiac and including helicopter rides on MV Ortelius, are included. On select cruises, the company provides rubber boots in your size with advance notice. For "basecamp" cruises, camping gear and kayaking are included, as well. Transfers, internet service, laundry, wine with meals, drinks at the bar and gratuities are extra. The onboard currency is euro.

What are Oceanwide Expeditions’s most popular activities?

An Oceanwide Expeditions cruise is all about wildlife and nature, and the cruise line programs its itineraries to give you access to as many landings by Zodiac as weather conditions permit. All of the activities offered are popular, including guided Zodiac sailings, hiking, kayaking and snowshoeing. Camping overnight in Antarctica is popular among the hardiest cruisers.

Oceanwide Expeditions also has an onboard helicopter on certain itineraries aboard MV Ortelius. And helicopter excursions on those sailings are in high demand.

Why go with Oceanwide Expeditions?

  • Experienced line with extensive knowledge of the Arctic and Antarctica
  • The chance to camp overnight in Antarctica
  • Free excursions like hiking, kayaking and snowshoeing
  • Rugged expedition vessels with conveniences like internet access and for-fee laundry service

Best for: Hardy, super adventurous types who don't mind pitching in to haul kayaks or pitch a tent

Not for: Anyone with an aversion to hourslong hikes and snowshoeing; anyone who can't navigate a steep gangway

Oceanwide Expeditions Cruises Cruiser Reviews

A very rounded and complete experience which exceeded our expectations

The hotel staff were friendly and very kind, the food was very good without being overly "posh" , the helicopter team were friendly and enthusiastic and the Captain (Per) not only inspired confidence but was also very much part of the team (he was seen regularly doing non captain jobs like filling the coffee machine).The captain's good judgement got us right into the Ross Sea and we reached all the historic huts and the McMurdo dry valleys and I think the sea froze solid two days after we left.Read More
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Fatgerbil

few6-10 Cruises

Age 60s

Eager for New Destinations

Although Jordi on one hiking day had lost a little bit the sight for the group that he served the guides in general were very engaged in their job - Jordi has written a perfect log book and could do any job that occurred, Christian has the talent to share his enthusiasm with the whole group and keep the moods high even in fog and rain; both of them held very interesting and vivid lectures.The whole crew conveyed the impression that they fit together and are a real team - and that had an impact on the atmosphere among the passengers as one could see at the very cordial good-bye and the announcements at CNP airfield to the group following us ("You can be glad, you will have great guides!Read More
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ArcticIgel

couple2-5 Cruises

Age 70s

Stunning

We had an amazing time, even in the midst of the Covid pandemic.We saw gentoo, adelie, and chinstrap penguins, birds (albatross, petrols, shags, and skuas), several types of whales (fin, humpback and minke), as well as weddell seals, crab-eater seals and even a leopard seal close up!Read More
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87hoya

many10+ Cruises

Age 50s

Disappointing (and dangerous) Zodiak/land excursions, blocked view cabin at full price, mediocre food and surly hotel manager

Drivers weren't keeping safety switches on their arms, excessively bouncing the boats on purpose while people in the front were being tossed and claiming they were great drivers (I fell and got a mild concussion from hitting my head on the camera of the man next to me and the woman who'd had back surgery was in severe pain after our last trip ashore), falling in the boats while trying to get us on and off, calling "go" when it wasn't the right time to board the ship (my friend had to reach up 2 feet and hurt her back).On this cruise, we were limited to a maximum of 2 trips/day, assigned one of 4 color groups, had to go when group was called, no choice of driver, and the team put out red poles on the few landings we did have that we had to follow and could not cross, no matter what happened with the conditions and wildlife ashore.Read More
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Patagonia Pals

many10+ Cruises

Age 60s

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