{{Short description|Dutch expedition cruise ship}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image |image=2025 Hondius - IMO 9818709 by 2eight - 9SC4311.jpg |image_caption=MV ''Hondius'' at Spitsbergen in June 2025 |image_alt=Photograph of MV Hondius }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/career |name=''Hondius'' |namesake=Jodocus Hondius |owner=Oceanwide Expeditions |registry=Vlissingen, {{flag|Netherlands}} |ordered=8 November 2016 |builder=Brodosplit (Split, Croatia) |original_cost=~€100 million<ref name="obdelivery" /> |yard_number=484<ref name="lr">{{csr|register=LR|id=9818709|shipname=Hondius|access-date=11 May 2026}}</ref> |laid_down=11 December 2017 |launched=10 June 2018 |completed=22 May 2019 |maiden_voyage=3 June 2019 |in_service=2019–present |identification= *{{Call sign|PCEP}} *{{IMO Number|9818709}} *{{MMSI|244327000}} |status=In service }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics |header_caption= |type=Expedition cruise ship |tonnage= *{{GT|6603}} *{{NetT|2057}} *{{DWT|1154}} |displacement={{cvt|5633|t|LT}} |length={{cvt|107.6|m|ftin}} |beam={{cvt|17.6|m|ftin}} |draught={{cvt|5.36|m|ftin}} |ice_class=Polar Class 6 |power=2 × ABC 12DZC (2 × 2,130 kW) |propulsion=Single shaft; controllable pitch propeller |speed={{convert|15|kn}} |capacity=170 passengers in 80 cabins |crew= *57 crew *13 guides *1 doctor }} }}
'''MV ''Hondius''''' is a Dutch expedition cruise ship owned by Oceanwide Expeditions. Built by Brodosplit in Split, Croatia, the vessel entered service in 2019 and operates primarily in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. According to the owner, the ''Hondius'' is the world's first-registered Polar Class 6 ice-strengthened cruise ship.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=2026-05-12 |url=https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/our-fleet/m-v-hondius |title=m/v Hondius |language=en}}</ref>
The ship received worldwide news coverage in May 2026 following reports of eleven hantavirus infections among passengers and crew aboard, and several more cases were suspected.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harvey |first=Lex |date=2026-05-08 |title=This American doctor thought he was going on vacation. He ended up treating hantavirus patients on the infected ship |url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/08/world/hantavirus-cruise-ship-doctor-interview-intl-hnk |access-date=2026-05-12 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>
==Description== {{multiple image | width = 250 | direction = vertical | image1=2025 Hondius - IMO 9818709 by 2eight - 9SC5017.jpg |caption1=Bow | image2= MV Hondius in 10 May 2026.jpg | caption2=Port side| image3=2025 Hondius - IMO 9818709 by 2eight - 9SC5337 (cropped).jpg |caption3=Stern}} ''Hondius'' is {{convert|107.6|m|ftin}} long overall and {{convert|94.275|m|ftin}} between perpendiculars, has a beam of {{convert|17.6|m|ftin}}, and draws {{convert|5.36|m|ftin}} of water with a displacement of {{convert|5633|t|LT}}.<ref name="seaweb">{{csr|register=SEAWEB|id=9818709|shipname=Hondius|access-date=7 May 2026}}</ref> Her gross tonnage is 6,603; net tonnage 2,057; and deadweight tonnage 1,154 tonnes. Her hull and propulsion system are strengthened for navigation in ice-covered waters according to Polar Class 6, which is intended for summer and autumn operation in medium first-year ice, which may include old ice inclusions.<ref name="lr" /><ref>[https://iacs.s3.af-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/12082657/uri-1.pdf Unified Requirements for Polar Class ships] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620102507/http://www.iacs.org.uk/document/public/Publications/Unified_requirements/PDF/UR_I_pdf410.pdf |date=20 June 2012 }}. International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), April 2016. {{retrieved|accessdate=16 February 2024}}</ref>
Unlike bigger and more luxurious cruise ships,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hs.fi/maailma/art-2000011993819.html|title=HS:n toimittaja risteili kaksi vuotta sitten aluksella, jolla nyt leviää hantavirus – tällaiset olivat olot laivalla|trans-title=HS reporter cruised two years ago on a ship that is now spreading hantavirus – these were the conditions on board|language=fi|work=Helsingin Sanomat|date=9 May 2026|accessdate=9 May 2026|first=Maria|last=Pettersson}}</ref><ref name="qc" /> ''Hondius'' is built to support expedition-style voyages and activity-based shore excursions in polar regions.<ref name=rotterdam>{{cite news|format=column|title=Dan maar een nachtje op het SS Rotterdam|quote=Toen de m/v Hondius in juni 2019 Vlissingen uitvoer naar Spitsbergen, dacht ik: wat een prachtig schip. En: hiermee wil ik nog een keer naar de Noordpool. Maar inmiddels kijk ik toch naar een ander schip. En niet alleen door dat akelige hantavirus waardoor het Vlissingse Oceanwide Expeditions ongewild het wereldnieuws indobberde. Iedereen kan nu ook zien dat de Hondius, vernoemd naar de Vlaams-Nederlandse cartografenfamilie uit de Gouden Eeuw, geen varend flatgebouw is met casino's, zwembaden, cocktailparty's en buffetten voor veelvraten. De Walcherse rederij biedt dan ook geen 'cruises' aan, maar 'expedities': naar de poolgebieden om te kajakken tussen de ijsschotsen, te kamperen tussen de keizerspinguïns, te scubaduiken onder het ijs of om ijsberen te fotograferen.|first=Oscar|last=Garschagen|language=nl|trans-title=Then a night on the SS Rotterdam it is.|newspaper=Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant|date=7 May 2026|url=https://www.pzc.nl/oscar-garschagen/dan-maar-een-nachtje-op-het-ss-rotterdam~a2d34a03/}}</ref><ref name="order">{{cite web|url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/oceanwide-orders-polar-cruise-ship-at-brodosplit/|title=Oceanwide Orders Polar Cruise Ship at Brodosplit|website=Offshore Energy|date=30 November 2016|accessdate=8 May 2026}}</ref> The ship can accommodate up to 170 passengers in 80 outside passenger cabins across eight categories from four-berth staterooms to grand suites with private balcony. The public spaces include a dining room, a lecture room, and an observation lounge, as well as two gangways and an indoor platform to embark Zodiac inflatable boats.<ref name="oceanwide_deckplans">{{cite web|url=https://cdn.oceanwide-expeditions.com/v2-file_media/media696f5e76af9a7668025806.pdf|title="m/v Hondius deck plan"|website=Oceanwide Expeditions|accessdate=8 May 2026}}</ref> The ship has a crew of 57 with an additional 13 guides and a doctor.<ref name="oceanwide_hondius">{{cite web|url=https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/our-fleet/m-v-hondius|title=m/v Hondius|website=Oceanwide Expeditions|accessdate=8 May 2026}}</ref>
The ship's propulsion system consists of two {{convert|2,130|kW|hp|adj=on}} 12-cylinder Anglo Belgian Corporation (ABC) 12DZC four-stroke medium-speed diesel engines geared to a single controllable pitch propeller. This gives ''Hondius'' a service speed of {{convert|15|kn}}. Onboard electricity can be generated either with a shaft generator driven by power take-off from the ship's main propulsion or two {{convert|750|kW|hp|adj=on}} auxiliary diesel generators.<ref name="seaweb" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorship.com/tough-propulsion-gearbox-for-polar-vessel/1023862.article|title=Tough propulsion gearbox for polar vessel|website=The Motorship|date=20 June 2018|accessdate=9 May 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref> For maneuvering in ports as well as maintaining station without dropping an anchor to seafloor during shore excursions, ''Hondius'' has two transverse thrusters: one in the bow and another in the stern.<ref name="riviera">{{cite web|url=https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/news-content-hub/oceanwide-expeditions-to-build-advanced-polar-cruise-ship-30648|title=Oceanwide Expeditions to build advanced polar cruise ship|website=Riviera Maritime Media|date=25 November 2016|access-date=9 May 2026|first=Rebecca|last=Moore}}</ref>
==History== === 2016–2019: Order, construction, delivery === In late 2016, Oceanwide Expeditions ordered an ice-strengthened expedition vessel from Brodosplit in Split, Croatia.<ref name="order" /><ref name="riviera" /><ref>{{cite news|via=Krantenbank Zeeland|title=Groeiend poolreizenbedrijf bouwt nieuw vlaggenschip|trans-title=Growing polar travel company builds new flagship|first=Ernst Jan|last=Rozendaal|newspaper=Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant|date=20 April 2017|page=38|url=https://krantenbankzeeland.nl/issue/pzc/2017-04-20/edition/null/page/38|language=nl|access-date=7 May 2026}}</ref> The ship, named ''Hondius'' after the Flemish cartographer Jodocus Hondius,<ref name=rotterdam/><ref name="Namesake">{{cite web |url=https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/blog/the-man-behind-the-ship-hondius-the-cartographer |title=The Man Behind the Ship: Hondius the Cartographer |language=en|website=Oceanwide Expeditions|access-date=6 May 2026}}</ref> would be the first newly built ship for the company that had previously operated chartered or converted second-hand tonnage.<ref name="qc">{{cite web|url=https://quirkycruise.com/arctic-cruise-aboard-the-brand-new-hondius/|title=Arctic Cruise Aboard the Brand-New Expedition Ship Hondius|website=QuirkyCruise|date=3 August 2019|accessdate=9 May 2026|first=William|last=Mayes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://polarjournal.net/keel-laying-of-oceanwides-janssonius/|title=Keel laying of Oceanwide's "Janssonius"|publisher=Polar Journal|date=3 June 2020|accessdate=8 May 2026|first=Heiner|last=Kubny}}</ref>
First steel was cut on 22 August 2017,<ref>{{cite web|title=Steel cutting started for polar expedition vessel Hondius|url=https://www.shippax.com/en/news/steel-cutting-started-for-polar-expedition-vessel-hondius.aspx|website=Shippax|date=24 August 2017|accessdate=9 May 2026}}</ref> followed by keel laying on 11 December 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bairdmaritime.com/passenger/cruise/croatian-shipyard-lays-keel-for-polar-expedition-vessel-hondius|title=Croatian shipyard lays keel for polar expedition vessel Hondius|website=Baird Maritime|date=15 December 2017|accessdate=9 May 2026}}</ref> and launching on 10 June 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://maritime-executive.com/article/polar-explorer-hondius-launched|title=Polar Explorer Hondius Launched|website=The Maritime Executive|date=10 June 2018|accessdate=9 May 2026}}</ref> The completed vessel was delivered on 22 May 2019 and on the same day Oceanwide Expeditions signed a new contract with the shipyard for the construction of a sister ship, ''Janssonius''.<ref name="obdelivery">{{cite web|url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/brodosplit-delivers-new-polar-cruise-ship-to-oceanwide-expeditions/|title=Brodosplit Delivers New Polar Cruise Ship to Oceanwide Expeditions|website=Offshore Energy|date=27 May 2019|accessdate=8 May 2026}}</ref>
=== 2019–2026: Expedition cruises === In June 2019, ''Hondius'' was off on her first excursion to Spitsbergen.<ref>{{cite news|via=Krantenbank Zeeland|title=Topschip vaart langs boulevard|first=Ondine|last=Van de Vleuten|newspaper=Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant|date=3 June 2019|page=20|url=https://krantenbankzeeland.nl/issue/pzc/2019-06-03/edition/null/page/20|language=nl|access-date=7 May 2026|trans-title=Top ship sails past boulevard}}</ref>
In December 2019, ''Hondius'' participated in the search for the Chilean Air Force C-130 airplane '990' following its disappearance.<ref>{{cite news|date=11 December 2019|access-date=7 May 2026|website=Bio Bio Chile|title=Pasaba por ahí: Hondius, el crucero holandés lleno de turistas que se sumó a búsqueda del avión FACH|first=Verónica|last=Reyes|url=https://www.biobiochile.cl/noticias/economia/negocios-y-empresas/2019/12/11/pasaba-por-ahi-hondius-el-crucero-holandes-lleno-de-turistas-que-se-sumo-a-busqueda-del-avion-fach.shtml |language=es |trans-title=Dutch cruise ship full of tourists that joined the search for the Chilean Air Force plane}}</ref><ref name=viegtuig>{{cite news|via=Krantenbank Zeeland|title=Vlissings schip Hondius zoekt naar verdwenen vliegtuig|first=Timo|last=Van de Kasteele|newspaper=Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant|date=13 December 2019|page=2|url=https://krantenbankzeeland.nl/issue/pzc/2019-12-13/edition/null/page/2|language=nl|access-date=7 May 2026|trans-title=Vlissingen ship Hondius searches for missing plane}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Menselijke resten gevonden op plek waar Chileens vliegtuig in zee verdween|first=Kees|last=Graafland|newspaper=Algemeen Dagblad|date=12 December 2019|quote=Lokale media melden dat ook het Nederlandse cruiseschip Hondius uit Vlissingen zijn koers verlegde. Het schip was op weg naar Argentinië, maar werd door de Chileense autoriteiten op de hoogte gebracht van het ongeval en gevraagd om te helpen zoeken. Dat deden de bemanning en passagiers ook enkele uren.|url=https://www.ad.nl/buitenland/menselijke-resten-gevonden-op-plek-waar-chileens-vliegtuig-in-zee-verdween~a6717a28/ |language=nl |trans-title=Human remains found at site where Chilean plane disappeared into the sea}}</ref> It was the closest ship in the area, being {{convert|11|nmi|mi km}} away from where the airplane disappeared from the radar.<ref name=viegtuig/>
In March 2026, Oceanwide Expeditions signed a Letter of Intent for the construction and delivery of two new ''Hondius''-class vessels. These eco-sail vessels are an iteration of the ''Hondius'' design, featuring additional sustainability-focused features including a hybrid sail propulsion system. The first is planned for launch in 2029, with the second planned in 2030.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.mercopress.com/2026/04/01/antarctica-eco-sail-expedition-vessels-will-have-a-hybrid-sail-propulsion-system |title=Antarctica, eco-sail expedition vessels will have a hybrid sail propulsion system |date=2026-04-01 |access-date=2026-05-13}}</ref>
[[File:Hantavirus.- LLegada del crucero MV Hondius a Tenerife y traslado de pasajeros a sus países.webm |thumbtime=54|thumb|Video footage of ''Hondius'' during the hantavirus outbreak.]]
===2026: Hantavirus outbreak=== {{main|MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak}} In April 2026, an outbreak of hantavirus on board ''Hondius'' killed three people and left another seriously ill.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Imray |first=Gerald |date=5 May 2026|title=How a deadly hantavirus outbreak unfolded on a cruise ship for weeks before it was identified |url=https://apnews.com/article/hantavirus-outbreak-cruise-ship-timeline-a04e0f8097d068a00fe94bf19f840240 |access-date=7 May 2026|website=AP News|language=en}}</ref> Thereafter, the ship was placed under isolation. It was anchored off the coast of the Cape Verde Islands in early May 2026, with passengers unable to disembark.<ref name=BBCcy0294829ndo>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0294829ndo |title=Second hantavirus case confirmed after deaths on the cruise |publisher=BBC News|date=3 May 2026 |access-date=5 May 2026|first1=Ian|last1=Aikman|first2=Toby|last2=Mannand|first3=Thomas|last3=Mackintosh|language=en}}</ref> ''Hondius'' arrived at Tenerife, Canary Islands, on 10 May. Her passengers were flown home.<ref name=BBCcn7pzmg8zeno>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn7pzmg8zeno |title=Countries airlift nationals evacuated from virus-hit cruise ship |publisher=BBC News Online |access-date=10 May 2026|first1=Sarah|last1=Rainsford|first2=Aleks|last2=Phillips|language=en}}</ref> ''Hondius'' arrived at Rotterdam on 18 May. The 27 people on board were quarantined and the ship was disinfected.<ref name=DN180526>{{cite web |url=https://www.dutchnews.nl/2026/05/hantavirus-ship-hondius-to-dock-in-rotterdam/ |title=Hantavirus ship Hondius to dock in Rotterdam |publisher=Dutch News |accessdate=18 May 2026 }}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|33em}}
==External links== {{Commons category|IMO 9818709}} * {{Official website|https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/our-fleet/m-v-hondius}}
{{2026 shipwrecks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hondius}} Category:2018 ships Category:Expedition cruise ships Category:Passenger ships of the Netherlands Category:Ships built in Split