Ortelius is an ice-strengthened vessel, originally built in 1989 as Marina Svetaeva for the Russian Academy of Science. It was later re-flagged and renamed after the cartographer Abraham Ortelius. The ship can accommodate up to 108 passengers and is equipped with 10 Zodiacs for shore landings. It offers comfortable cabins, a bar, a lecture room, and ample open-deck spaces for wildlife viewing.