The Boston MA-based premium river cruise brand Vantage Travel announced that its new 162-passenger Ocean Odyssey ship is scheduled for launch in March 2022.
After the introduction of sistership Ocean Explorer in 2021, the newbuild (currently under construction) Ocean Odyssey will mark a major milestone in the company's 36-year history by bringing travellers to all the seven continents and new for Vantage Travel destinations, such as the Pacific Ocean's Coral Triangle (Indonesia, Malaysia, PNG, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste), Komodo Island, Borneo Island (world's 3rd-largest), northern Australia.
MS Ocean Odyssey is an ice-strengthened (polar class 1A / PC6) expedition cruise ship owned by SunStone Ships (USA) and to be operated under charter by Vantage Travel.
Ocean Odyssey is the fourth in a series of ten "Ulstein CX103" design (Infinity-Class) expedition vessels, with sisterships Greg Mortimer (2019-Aug), Ocean Victory (2020-Sept), Ocean Explorer (2021-Feb), Sylvia Earle (2021-Oct), Ocean Discoverer (2022-Sept), Ocean Albatros (2022-Oct) plus 4 more (TBN) units. The patented ULSTEIN X-BOW design is one of the unusual for expedition ship features, The vessel also utilizes the latest technologies in naval engineering. The ship is technically managed by Cruise Management International (Miami-based passenger vessel/fleet management company). CMI Leisure Miami handles hotel operations.
The expedition vessel features dedicated outdoor observation areas (including fore-located Observation Deck with two Hydraulic Platforms and two Viewing Platforms), stern marina (watersports platform serving company's sea kayaking, snorkelling, and scuba diving programs), a fleet of 20x Zodiacs (large-capacity motorized boats used for passenger transportation - tendering and landings). The aft-located Zodiac loading platform is a new design and allows easier and faster boarding. Sun Deck (top-deck forward) is furnished with premium garden furniture (sofas, armchairs, sun loungers) and used for both relaxation and wildlife viewing. The top-deck bow is the Observation Lounge (served by its own Bar) and midship is the funnel (with four stacks/engine exhaust pipes).
Other facilities include Medical Centre (Infirmary), Change Room (Mudroom), Bar Lounge (lecture theater forward on Deck 5), Dining Room Restaurant, Ship Shop, Lobby area (Reception Desk), Library, Art Room, Wellness Centre (Fitness, Spa, Sauna Room, Treatment Rooms for Massages), Lower Sun Deck (Deck 7 aft, with lifeboats and liferafts), Upper Sun Deck (Deck 8 midship, with sunbathing area and two whirlpool hot tubs). Four Zodiac Docks (2 on each side, hull access at sea-level) serve as boat launching platforms.
MS Ocean Odyssey has 10 decks and offers 15x single-occupancy cabins (out of total 80 staterooms).