G Adventures has relaunches its former Ocean Adventurer under charter from SunStone Ships, to operate as MS Expedition for the upcoming Antarctica season. The ship will replace the existing vessel known simply as Expedition, bringing upgraded performance and sustainability to the line’s polar-offerings.
The 1975-built ship, previously operated under several names, has been adapted to meet G Adventures’ standards for small-ship expedition travel. Technical upgrades include new engines, refurbishments in living and public spaces, and enhancements to stabilisers. The ship has ice class 1A certification, enabling operation in polar waters.
The capacity of Ocean Adventurer under the new charter is set at about 128 guests, accommodated in 70 cabins. The vessel carries 11 Zodiac craft to support two daily excursions, and each voyage will feature a team of expedition experts, lectures, and wildlife-watching opportunities. Itineraries will include departures from Montevideo, with ports of call such as the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the South Shetland Islands, and the Antarctic Peninsula, concluding in Ushuaia, Argentina.
G Adventures estimates that the switch to this refurbished vessel will reduce its per-person, per-day carbon footprint by up to 30% vs. its previous vessel, in part due to improved engine efficiency and modernised onboard systems.