s/v Remvrandt van Rijin
Our three-mast schooner, Rembrandt van Rijn, is ideally suited for expedition cruising among the fjords of Greenland and Spitsbergen.
Specifications
| Passengers: | 33 in 16 cabins |
| Staff & crew: | Crew 10 | Guides 2 |
| Length: | 49,50 meters |
| Breadth: | 6,65 meters (22,9 ft) |
| Draft: | 2,8 meters (8 ft) |
| Ice class: | Suitable to sail in the Svalbard and Greenlandic waters. |
| Displacement: | 435 tonnes |
| Propulsion: | 2 cummins engines together 550 KW |
| Speed: | 6,5 knots average cruising speed |
Cabins Gallery
Ship Interior Gallery
Ship Exterior Gallery
S/V Rembrandt Van Rijn was originally built as a herring lugger in 1947. The vessel was then rebuilt as a three-mast passenger sailing schooner in he Netherlands in 1994, sailing in Spitsbergen (1994 – 1996) and the Galápagos (1998 - 2001). The vessel later underwent a complete rebuilding and refurbishment program until 2011. The communication and navigation equipment has been completely renewed according to the latest SOLAS regulations.
Perfect for expedition cruising among small islands
The ship is well suited for expedition cruising among small islands and offer good open deck viewing areas, also when under sail. The two inflatable rubber crafts (Zodiacs) enable landing and wildlife viewing opportunities in otherwise inaccessible areas.
Comfort and Character
Rembrandt van Rijn measures 49,50 meters in length, 7 meters in width, and has a draft of 2,8 meters. The average cruising speed on engines is 6,5 knots. It has an experienced crew of 12 persons on board including 2 tour guides. The ship can accommodate a maximum of 33 passengers in 16 cabins. It has one Triple Private cabin (with shower and toilet and porthole), six Twin Private Inside cabins (with shower and toilet, no porthole), and nine Twin Private cabins (with shower and toilet and porthole).
Age range & Nationality onboard
Passengers on a typical voyage range from their 30s to their 80s - with a majority usually from 45 - 65, but a little younger on the Rembrandt van Rijn, between 30 - 55. Our expeditions attract independent-minded travellers from around the world. They are characterised by a strong interest in exploring remote regions. The camaraderie and spirit that develops aboard is an important part of the expedition experience. Many departures have several nationalities on board.
Catering
Three simple but good meals of international cuisine per day are served buffet style in the restaurant and is prepared by our cook.
Dress code
In keeping with our expeditions atmosphere, dress on board is informal. Bring casual and comfortable clothing for all activities. Keep in mind that much of the spectacular scenery can be appreciated from the deck, which can be slippery. Bring sturdy shoes with no-slip soles and make sure the parka is never far away in case of the call "Whales!" comes over the loudspeaker and you have to dash outside. Wear layers since it is comfortably warm aboard the ship - and often cold on deck.
Electric Current
The electrical supply aboard the ship is 220 volt 50hz. Electrical outlets are standard European with two thick round pins. U.S. passengers may need a 220v/110v converter.
Excursions & Landings
Every day there will be excursions on land, weather and ice permitting. The landings will take three to six hours per day over untracked areas. According to circumstances (the weather, the ice situation or the passengers´ wishes) the program can sometimes be adjusted. Ample time will be devoted to wildlife, vegetation, geography, and history.
Gratuities
The customary gratuity to the ship's crew and expedition leader is made as a blanket contribution at the end of the voyage. Tipping is a very personal matter and the amount you wish to give is at your discretion. We suggest to give cash in Euros, US Dollars or Danish kroner.
Non-smoking policy
On board our vessels we have a non-smoking policy. It is prohibited to smoke inside the ship. You can smoke in designated ares. Please respect the wishes of non-smokers.
The crew
The crew of the ´Rembrandt van Rijn´ consists of 9 experienced crew and 2 expedition guides and a cook. The sailors are in charge during sailing and will bring us ashore.
Your physical condition
You must be in good general health and you should be able to walk several hours per day. The expedition is ship-based and physically not very demanding. Although we spend as much time as possible ashore, you are welcome to remain aboard the ship if you like. To join most excursions, you must be able to get up and down the ladder from the ship to the water level to board the Zodiacs. Staff will assist you in and out of the boats. This will become progressively easier with practice. Ashore it can be slippery and rocky. You are travelling in remote areas without access to sophisticated medical facilities, so you must not join this expedition if you have a life-threatening condition, or need daily medical treatment.
- Nexta Expeditions does not allow the use of recreational UAVs/quadcopters/drones during its voyages. This applies both on the ship and off, regardless of any permits held by the passenger. The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) has prohibited the recreational use of UAVs/quadcopters/drones on member vessels, Zodiac boats, and during scheduled landings. Also, the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands have issued a ban on recreational use of these devices in their territories. The Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) has also prohibited the recreational use of UAVs/quadcopters/drones on member vessels and during all cruise excursions. As a full member of both IAATO and AECO, Nexta Expeditions supports their prohibition on the recreational use of drones in order to minimize environmental impact and enhance passenger experience.
- Yes, but the minimum age we can allow on board is three years old, however we advise against travelling with children under 8 years old. The maximum age we consider to be a child is 16 years old. We offer a 40% child discount in certain cabin types on a selection of voyages for children between three and 15 years old.
- Aboard Hondius, Ortelius, Plancius, and Rembrandt van Rijn, refreshments and souvenirs will be charged to your cabin. The day before disembarking, you can settle your bill with the hotel manager and pay by Visa or MasterCard, Diners Club/Discover, Union Pay, or cash (Euro or USD). The prices and standard currency on board all of our vessels is the Euro.
- No, you are not able to get cash advances on the vessel.
- The sun sets for the last time in Spitsbergen in mid-September and rises above the horizon again in mid-February. The winter landscape and temperatures prevail until May.
- This depends on what you want to experience at Spitsbergen. In case you want to experience the Polar night or the Aurora Borealis, November to February is the best time to travel to Spitsbergen. Do you want to see the midnight sun and enjoy boat trips, kayaking or hiking? Then the best time to visit Spitsbergen is around May until September. This is the summer period of Spitsbergen.
- We reserve the right to apply a fuel surcharge. If a fuel surcharge is applicable, you will be informed. Please see our Terms and Conditions section 4.2 for details.
- The vessel Rembrandt van Rijn can accommodate maximum of 33 passengers in 16 cabins. Furthermore, there is an experienced crew of 12 on board including two tour guides.
You May Also Like

Alpine Peaks of Spitsbergen, Ski & Sail
Arctic Ocean - Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice Edge, Spitsbergen, Birding
North Spitsbergen - Arctic Spring , Hike & Sail
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice - Polar Bear Special
Arctic Ocean - Jan Mayen, Ice edge, Spitsbergen, Birding
Arctic Ocean - Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice edge, Spitsbergen, Birding - Summer Solstice
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
North Spitsbergen Basecamp – Summer Solstice - Free Kayaking, Hiking, Photo Workshop, Diving (supplemented)
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife - Summer Solstice
North Spitsbergen - Arctic Summer
East Spitsbergen - Home of the Polar Bear, Including Long Hikes & Cleaning the Shores
Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice
North Spitsbergen Explorer – Into the Pack Ice – Polar Bear & Whale Special
Northeast Greenland Solar Eclipse Explorer Voyage
Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland, Fly & Sail
Around Spitsbergen incl. Nordaustlandet
Alpine Peaks of Spitsbergen - Ski & Sail
Arctic Ocean - Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice Edge, Spitsbergen, Birding Special
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile Landscapes, Sea Ice & Wildlife
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the Pack Ice - Polar Bear Special
North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer - Summer Solstice
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile Landscapes, Sea Ice & Wildlife - Summer Solstice
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the Pack Ice - Polar Bear Special - Summer Solstice
Arctic Ocean - Spitsbergen: Jan Mayen, Ice Edge & Birding - Summer Solstice
North Spitsbergen Basecamp - Free kayaking, Hiking, Photo Workshop
North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer
Around Spitsbergen, in the Icy Realm of the Polar Bear
A Taste of North Spitsbergen - Compact Arctic Adventure
South Spitsbergen Explorer - Bear Island - Diving (supplemented)
Around Spitsbergen - Arctic Summer
Around Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet, In the Icy Realm of the Polar Bear
Spitsbergen, Northeast Greenland & Scoresby Sund, Including Long Hikes
South Spitsbergen, Bear Island & Mainland Norway - Aurora Borealis
Birds of the North: 29 Arctic Birds and Seabirds
Arctic Flowers, Trees, and Other Plant Life
The Arctic’s Most Phenomenal Fjords
Polar bear feast
A Bug’s Life in Svalbard
Six Must-See Svalbard Sites
Birding Opportunities Abound in Spitsbergen
Svalbard’s 12 Most Iconic Animals
The polar bear: king of the Arctic food chain
The Arctic Borderland of Kongsfjorden, Svalbard
Polar Bear Sets Impressive New Diving Record
The Northern Lights dancing across the skies
Navigating by touch through the sea ice
Spitsbergen: Alkefjellet magic
Arctic Foxes: Constant Gardeners of the Arctic
Polar bear encounter in Spitsbergen
Circumnavigating Spitsbergen
Arctic Icon: 10 Facts about the Polar Bear
Seizing the Season: Spitsbergen’s Late Spring, Early Summer

