Ocean Atlantic

The 1986-built and 2025-scrapped MV Ocean Atlantic was an ice-strengthened expedition vessel designed for commercial cruise operations in polar regions (Arctic and Antarctica). The ship was last owned and managed by SunStone Ships Inc. (USA) through its subsidiary ATLPRT ATLANTIC PARTNERS. Until 2023, she was chartered by the Copenhagen-based polar travel company Albatros Expeditions, which specializes in Arctic and Antarctic voyages.

The vessel (IMO number 8325432) was last flagged in Portugal/Madeira (MMSI 255806400) and registered in Funchal Madeira. Previously, she sailed under the France flag (MMSI 538003028) and was registered in Majuro, Marshall Islands.

The 39-year-old Ocean Atlantic arrived at the Aliaga Ship Breaking Yard (Turkey) on May 3, 2025, for dismantling and recycling.

Polar itineraries

Albatros Expeditions’ itineraries cover Arctic Europe (Svalbard Norway, Faroe Islands, Scotland), Arctic Canada (including Greenland and Iceland), and Antarctica (with Patagonia/Chilean Fjords and SGSSI–South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands).

In July 2022, Albatros Expeditions canceled the ship’s entire 2022–2023 Antarctic program. The schedule included 9- to 21-day voyages visiting South Georgia and the Falklands.

Ship history

The 230-passenger Ocean Atlantic was built in Szczecin Poland and launched as a ferry. Her initial owner was FESCO (Far Eastern Shipping Company) based in Vladivostok Russia. Between 1986 and 1988, she operated scheduled services between Vladivostok and ports in Japan and South Korea.

The ship was built as a Ro-Ro passenger and car ferry (“MS Konstantin Chernenko”) for the USSR’s Black Sea Shipping Company. She was the seventh and final vessel in the “Dmitriy Shostakovich-class” (project B-492/B-493). Sisterships included Dmitriy Shostakovich (1980, scrapped 2016 as New Imperial Star), Georg Ots (1980, illegally scrapped 2014), Lev Tolstoy (1981, scrapped 2014 as Ocean Life), Konstantin Simonov (1982, now Ocean Endeavour), Mikhail Suslov (1982, scrapped 2013 as Ocean Jewel of St Petersburg), Mikhail Sholokhov (1986, scrapped 2011 as Phoenix), and Konstantin Chernenko (1986, now Ocean Atlantic).

Originally, each of these ferries was designed for ~400 passengers and ~170 crew, powered by four Sulzer-Skoda marine diesel engines (combined output 12,800 kW), with two fixed propellers, a maximum speed of 20 knots (23 mph / 37 kph), and nine decks (six accessible to passengers).

In 1989, the ship was renamed “MS Russ” and homeported in Stockholm Sweden for scheduled service between Stockholm and Riga Latvia. Between 1995 and 1997, she was chartered to the Pacific Cruise Company. During summer 2000 (as “MS Russ”), she operated between Odessa Ukraine and Haifa Israel (Black Sea – Eastern Mediterranean). In 2001, she sailed on itineraries between Russia and Japan.

In 2010, the vessel entered drydock in Italy for an extensive refit and refurbishment. She was rebuilt into a cruise ship and renamed “SC Atlantic.” From 2010 to 2012, she operated Baltic Sea cruises from St Petersburg Russia, calling at Helsinki Finland, Stockholm, and Tallinn Estonia.

In July 2012, the vessel was sold to the Miami-based company International Shipping Partners Inc. and renamed “MS Ocean Atlantic.” She arrived in Gdynia (Gdansk) Poland and remained there until 2013. From 2015 to 2017, the ship was homeported in Helsingborg Sweden. After a 2017 refurbishment in Gdansk, she was chartered by Quark Expeditions (Seattle USA-based).

Ocean Atlantic’s maximum passenger capacity is 198, reduced to 132 when chartered by Quark Expeditions. She has an ice-strengthened hull (ice class 1B) and is powered by four marine diesel engines (total output 14,400 kW). The ship carries eight fully enclosed lifeboats and 20 Zodiacs (large inflatable craft used for landings and coastal exploration). She has two Electrofin SR-4 stabilizers and a 19 ft (6 m) draft, allowing access to remote coastal destinations. Ship-to-shore communications use Inmarsat Capsat Fleet 77 (satellite phone and Internet).

Decks and Cabins

All Ocean Atlantic staterooms are oceanview (with portholes or picture windows) and range from 11 m² to 35 m² (120–375 ft²). Cabin amenities include an en-suite bathroom, hairdryer, bathrobes, bath products (shower gel, shampoo, soap), LCD TV, electronic safe (in the closet), individual climate control, and standard European 2-pin outlets (220 V).

The largest accommodations are the Premium Suites (two-room suites on Marco Polo Deck 5). Other cabin grades include Category A (Marco Polo Deck 5), Category B (Magellan Deck 7 and Hudson Deck 8), Category C (Columbus Deck 4 and Marco Polo Deck 5), and Category D (porthole cabins on Columbus Deck 4).

The ship has nine decks, six of which are passenger-accessible and three with cabins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

MS Ocean Atlantic offers three lounges, two professionally staffed bars, a Fitness Center (modern gym), a Library (with polar literature and DVDs), a Polar Boutique (shop), a Dining Room (serving international cuisine), an Infirmary/Medical Centre (with a licensed physician), two lifts (note: elevators do not access all decks), a Mud Room (for wet gear storage), several lecture halls, observation platforms, a sauna, and a swimming pool.

All public areas on Erickson Deck (Deck 6) feature large windows.

Quark cruise deals

Quark Expeditions cruise fares include:

• 1-night pre-cruise hotel stay and group transfers (airport–hotel the day before departure, and hotel–ship on embarkation day)
• onboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
• all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner); note that the galley cannot prepare kosher meals
• daily Zodiac landings (weather permitting) and Zodiac cruising
• educational presentations by the Expedition Team and guest lecturers
• waterproof expedition boots for shore landings
• a complimentary Quark Expeditions parka
• lifejackets and immersion suits
• complimentary coffee, tea, and cocoa (24/7)
• hairdryer and bathrobe in all cabins
• pre-departure materials, including maps
• all service taxes, port fees, and onboard luggage handling
• emergency evacuation (medevac) insurance up to USD 100,000 per person
• Fly-cruise packages include complimentary house wines (by the glass), beers, spirits, all gratuities (crew and staff), and all domestic flights prior to embarkation
• laundry and ironing services (at additional cost)
• ship-to-shore communications via Inmarsat Capsat Fleet 77 (additional charges apply)