2019
5
80
71
15KN
107.6m
1
1
The world’s first-registered Polar Class 6 civilian vessel, Hondius was built from the keel up for expedition cruising rather than adapted from another role. Its ice-strengthened hull meets the latest Lloyd’s Register standards and surpasses the IMO Polar Code, allowing genuine reach into remote, ice-strewn waters. Carrying just 170 guests, she keeps the small-ship advantage that matters most in the polar regions: in Antarctica, IAATO rules cap shore landings at 100 people at a time, and Hondius is sized to put everyone ashore without the queues of larger ships.
Two separate gangways and a sheltered indoor Zodiac platform make ship-to-shore operations swift and safe, turning more of each day into time among wildlife and ice. Onboard, an observation lounge with a stocked bar and a dedicated lecture room host naturalist briefings, workshops and quiet hours watching the coast slide past. The mood is comfortable and informal, with a single dining room serving hearty, well-prepared meals. Sustainability is built in throughout, with LED lighting, steam heating, biodegradable paints and lubricants, and advanced power management keeping fuel use and emissions low — fitting for a ship designed to tread lightly in the places it explores.
Hondius is well suited to active travellers who are more interested in landings, seabirds, whales, glaciers, and geology than formal shipboard luxury. She offers a strong platform for Antarctica, Svalbard, Greenland, and other remote regions where flexibility, good guiding, and time off the ship are the most important measures of success.
Guests: 4, Two upper + two lower berths
Size: 16m2
Decks: 3
Two upper and two lower berths with two portholes. A small sofa and desk make the most of the space, and the cabin has a private shower and toilet. A great option for groups friends or family.
Guests: 3, Twin + upper berth
Size: 16m2
Decks: 3
Two lower beds and one upper berth lit by two portholes. A small sofa and desk round out the space, with a private shower and toilet. Well suited to families or friends sharing.
Guests: 2, Twin
Size: 13.3-16m2
Decks: 3
A cosy twin cabin with portholes, two single beds and a small sofa. A desk, wardrobe, and safe, with a private shower and toilet. A comfortable, good-value choice for guests who spend their days ashore and on deck rather than in their cabin.
Guests: 2, Twin
Size: 12.1-14.3m2
Decks: 4
A small sofa, window, desk, and ample storage make efficient use of the space, with a private shower and toilet. Some cabin windows have obstructed views.
Guests: 2, Twin
Size: 19.4-21.3m2
Decks: 6
A bright twin cabin with two windows and two single beds, A sofa, desk, refrigerator, and coffee-and-tea facilities. The private bathroom has a shower and bathrobes.
Guests: 2, Double
Size: 21m2
Decks: 6
A comfortable cabin with two windows that fill the room with natural light. A sofa offers space to relax between landings, and the layout includes a desk, refrigerator, and coffee-and-tea facilities. The private bathroom has a shower and bathrobes.
Guests: 2, Double
Size: 19.2 -20m2
Decks: 7
A spacious cabin, double window drawing in daylight and sea views. The well-considered layout keeps essentials close at hand, including a desk, refrigerator, and coffee-and-tea facilities. The private bathroom has a shower and bathrobes, and the calm, contemporary finish reflects the ship's understated character throughout.
Guests: 2, Double
Size: 26.7m2
Decks: 7
The most spacious accommodation aboard, opening onto a private balcony. A double bed and seating area sit within an uncluttered, mid-century-inspired layout, with a double window framing the view. A sofa, refrigerator, and coffee-and-tea facilities add comfort, while the private bathroom includes a shower and bathrobes.
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Strap on snowshoes to cross terrain that would otherwise be impassable, following your guide across firm snowfields and gentle ridges. The pace is steady and the focus is on the landscape — its silence, its tracks, and the wildlife that shares it.
Paddle quiet inlets away from the ship, threading between ice floes. Guided in small groups, it offers an intimate, water-level perspective on the coastline and its wildlife, well suited to reasonably fit guests seeking time on the water.
Descend beneath the ice into a hushed world of sea squirts, squat lobsters, dogfish, sea butterflies, and shrubby horsetails. Just a few of the residents you may encounter. Reserved for experienced dry-suit divers and led by specialist guides, it reveals the rarely seen life that thrives in these frigid, clear waters.
Aboard a sturdy inflatable, you sit just above the waterline as your guide noses among brash ice and towering bergs. It is the closest encounter with the polar world, seals hauled out nearby, a whale surfacing, the deep quiet broken only by cracking ice.
Sharpen your eye alongside an onboard photographer, from composing icebergs to capturing wildlife in fading light. Sessions blend practical fieldwork with deck-side guidance, helping you return home with images that do justice to what you have seen.
A brief, bracing leap from the beach into polar waters — a rite of passage taken with the crew standing safely by. Exhilarating and quickly over, it is the kind of shared moment that defines an expedition and warms the retelling for years.
Rope up with qualified guides to ascend snow slopes and modest peaks, taking in views few ever see. Suited to active guests with a head for effort, the climbs are matched to ability and conditions, rewarding the work with sweeping vistas across ice and ocean.
Spend a night ashore under the vast polar sky, swapping the ship's comfort for the profound stillness of the ice. With minimal equipment and a guide's careful briefing, it is a memorable immersion in the silence and scale of Antarctica.
Explore remote landscapes on foot, with guided hikes available for all ability levels—from relaxed walks to more challenging routes for experienced hikers.
Snorkel directly from a Zodiac, exploring clear polar waters, ice formations and remarkable marine life. Certified guides and all specialist equipment are provided, with no previous experience required.
Speak with one of our polar destination specialists to begin planning your journey. With deep regional knowledge and a wealth of first-hand experience, our consultants will take the time to understand your travel style and guide you towards the voyage thats right for you.
You can also email us on hello@polarfrontiers.com.
+61 3 9640 0622Alternatively, fill out the form below.
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