Greg Mortimer

MS Greg Mortimer cruise ship is an ice-strengthened (polar class 1A / PC6) expedition vessel. The boat is owned by SunStone Ships (USA) and operated under charter by Aurora Expeditions (Australian company specializing in Arctic and Antarctic cruisetours).

The vessel (IMO number 9834648) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311000866) and registered in Nassau.

History - construction and ownership

Greg Mortimer is the first in a series of ten "Ulstein CX103" design (Infinity-class) expedition vessels, with sisterships Ocean Victory (2021-March), Ocean Explorer (2021-Feb), Sylvia Earle (2021-October, fleetmate), Ocean Odyssey (2022-March), 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.

For the interior designs of this entire series of SunStone-owned ships was contracted the Weston Florida-based company Tomas Tillberg Design.

Aurora Expeditions cooperated with the US-based shipowner SunStone Ships Inc to construct a custom-designed vessel for expedition-type voyages in the polar regions, providing the industry's best adventure travel vacation experiences and modern amenities.

Aurora Expeditions is among the pioneers of polar expedition cruising and a leading adventure travel company on the Australian market. The company was one of the first to introduce ship travel to numerous remote destinations in the polar regions. Established in 1991, in 2008 Aurora Expeditions was sold and the new owners remained true to the original expedition spirit. Initially offering small-group cruises to Antarctica, Aurora Expeditions now also operates expedition voyages to Norway's Svalbard Islands, Russia's Far East, Greenland, Papua New Guinea, Africa (Chobe River safari cruises in Botswana), Amazon River. For polar operations, Aurora Expeditions charters the ice-strengthened Polar Pioneer (fka Akademik Schuleykin), as well as the Russian research ships Spirit of Enderby (Professor Khromov) and Akademik Shokalskiy.

Ship technology

The major advantage of the patented "ULSTEIN X-BOW" design is the ship's ability to navigate with improved stability in comparison to traditional bow-design vessels. X-BOW vessels are less subject to vertical motions (induced by waves), continuing on course smoothly while maintaining high speeds. The ship's engines use less fuel, which results in reduced air emissions and fuel consumption.

The ship is equipped with the latest propulsion and return-to-port systems. It also has top-notch dynamic positioning technology - computer-controlled systems allowing automatic maintenance of the vessel's position through its own propulsion units (thrusters and propellers). This allows stable floating while maintaining the necessary stability for launching watercraft - and without using anchors.

With the highest for passenger vessel ice-class 1A (Polar Class 6 / PC6), MS Greg Mortimer has icebreaking capacity 1 m (3 ft) and complies with the maritime industry's latest polar code requirements and specifications. The boat offers unprecedented levels of safety and environmental protection. Exclusively designed for polar cruises, the ship allows Aurora Expeditions to continue to provide the company's authentic, top-quality small-ship travel experience.

Shipboard facilities

The cruise ship features dedicated outdoor observation areas (including fore-located Observation Deck with two Hydraulic Platforms / Viewing Platforms accessed from Deck 5), a stern marina (watersports platform serving the company's sea kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving programs), a fleet of 15x Zodiacs (large-capacity motorized boats used for passenger transportation - tendering and landings). The aft-located Zodiac loading platform (accessed from either side on Deck 3) is a new design launching platform that allows easier and faster boarding for shoreside transportation. 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 smokestacks/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.

Cabins

MS Greg Mortimer staterooms (80 total) are for 120 passengers (max capacity 160). Most cabins (80% of all, excepting only Aurora cabins with portholes on Deck 3) are with a private, step-out balcony accessible from the living area via sliding, floor-ceiling glass door. Each balcony is furnished with a small table and two deck chairs. 60% of all cabins can be booked with triple occupancy (accommodate a 3rd person on pull-out couch/sofabed).

Hotel beds (King-size or two twin, size 200 x 160 cm, ample under-bed storage space for suitcases), sleeping couch (sofabed), bedside cabinets, mirrored vanity (writing desk / dressing table) with chair, built-in dressers with drawers, mini-bar / refrigerator, 42-inch smart HDTV (local and satellite reception), phone (onboard communication only), digital clock / alarm, seating area (small table with 1 or 2 armchairs), spacious wardrobe (closet with hangers, drawers, electronic safe), individual climate control, medical emergency button.

Each stateroom has a private, full-size bathroom with shower / WC, hairdryer, premium bath amenities. Suites are in 3 categories - CS-Captain's, JS-Junior and BS-Balcony. These are the largest staterooms, with double-size balconies and offering extra amenities, such as in-room dining service (continental breakfast served on the balcony).

The ship has a total of 20 pairs of connecting cabins (balconied rooms) that can be booked as one stateroom ("family cabin") for up to 6 persons. The boat has no wheelchair-accessible cabins (for passengers with disabilities).

Itineraries

On January 22, 2018, Aurora Expedition officially announced MS Greg Mortimer's full polar cruise itinerary program for the inaugural season 2019-2020. The inaugural cruise departure was scheduled for October 31, 2019.

Following the "Inaugural Cruise" to Antarctica were planned a total of 20 "icy voyages" (season 2019-2020) with itineraries visiting Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia Island (UK) and The Falklands, as well as the Arctic destinations Svalbard Islands (Norway), Jan Mayen Island (Norway), Franz Josef Land (Russia), East Greenland, Iceland.