Here’s details about a great ice-strengthened Polar Ship used by AQUA-FIRMA to the Arctic & Antarctica. Comfortable small ship expedition cruises with expert guides & adventure options.Aqua-Firma's in-house polar team have guided and lectured onboard M/V Plancius since her launch. Many years of first-hand on-board experience in both the Arctic and Antarctica leaves us with no doubt that she is an excellent small ship choice.

Plancius carries just 108 passengers, making her one of the smallest polar vessels now exploring the polar regions. Originally an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy, she was recently rebuilt and internally refurbished to a high standard.  Plancius is classed by Lloyd's Register in London and flies the Dutch flag. Voyages aboard her are primarily defined by an exploratory educational travel programme, spending as much time ashore as possible in the company of expert natural history guides.

Contact our Polar Team to discuss ship options

Please click on any side photo to view ships gallery

The vessel is comfortable and being ice-strengthened is well suited to the task of polar expedition cruising. She is equipped with 10 Mark V zodiacs, including 40 HP 4-stroke outboard engines and 2 gangways, guaranteeing a swift zodiac operation. She has a diesel-electric propulsion system which reduces the noise and vibration of the engines considerably. 

There is a free-seating  restaurant serving excellent meals on deck 3 and a spacious observation lounge/lecture room (with bar) on deck 5 with large windows, offering full panoramic views. Plancius has large outside deck spaces and all are welcome to stand beside the captain and crew as they navigate at the bridge. Unlike some other vessels you are free to spend time at the open bow which provides close encounters with marine life and an exhilarating experience when pushing through cracking sea ice.

Client review:

"We were totally impressed by the ship !  I have to say, the whole experience was beyond expectation.  The boat was very comfortable and the activities fantastic.  Best of all, is the quality of the service provided by the whole crew team.  I am so impressed.  Food was great with so much variation......such a professional and attentive team which offered us excellent activity choices.  All the seminars were planned and presented well and educated us well. We cannot be more satisfied with this whole trip." 

Wei Gu (Antarctic Adventure Voyage)