Ocean Endeavour

The 1982-built MS Ocean Endeavour cruise ship was launched under the name “Konstantin Simonov” and was initially operated in Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea. In 1988, the vessel underwent a major drydock refit (complete makeover) and was converted into an expedition cruise ship. During the period 1996–2001, she was deployed in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean Sea and operated as “MS Francesca”.

The vessel (IMO number 7625811) is currently Portugal/Madeira-flagged (MMSI 255806401) and registered in Funchal. When operated as “Kristina Katarina”, her flag state was Finland (MMSI 230614000).

NEWS: In May 2025, SunStone Ships Inc listed Ocean Endeavour for sale after the ship’s charter contracts were not renewed. The vessel will be available for delivery to a new owner in October 2025.

History - construction and ownership

Ocean Endeavour is owned by SunStone Ships and operated by the Copenhagen-based company Albatros Travel, which specializes in polar expedition cruises and tours.

Quark Expeditions (USA-based polar cruise travel company) operated the vessel under charter until 2014. For the Antarctica 2022–2023 season, the ship was chartered to Adventure Canada / Intrepid Travel.

Adventure Canada is a joint venture between Intrepid Travel (founded in 1989 and currently ranked as the world’s largest travel company specializing in small-group adventures) and Chimu Adventures (specializing in tours and cruises mainly in Central and South America, as well as Antarctica and the Galapagos).

The vessel was built in Szczecin Poland as a Ro-Ro ship (passenger and car ferry) named “MS Konstantin Simonov” for the USSR (Soviet Union / Russia) Black Sea Shipping Company. She was launched as the fourth ship in a series of seven “Dmitriy Shostakovich-class” ferries (project B-492/B-493). The list of sister ships includes Dmitriy Shostakovich (1980, scrapped 2016 as Royale Star), Georg Ots (1980, illegally scrapped in 2014), Lev Tolstoy (1981, scrapped in 2014 as Ocean Life), Konstantin Simonov (1982, now Ocean Endeavour), Mikhail Suslov (1982, scrapped in 2013 as Ocean Jewel of St Petersburg), Mikhail Sholokhov (1986, scrapped in 2011 as Phoenix) and Konstantin Chernenko (1986, now Ocean Atlantic). Originally, each of these ferry ships was designed with a passenger capacity of around 400, crew capacity of around 170, power provided by four Sulzer-Skoda marine diesel engines (combined output 12,800 kW), propulsion via two fixed propellers, maximum speed of 20 knots (23 mph / 37 kph), and a total of nine decks (six of which were passenger-accessible).

Until 2010, the ship was operated by Mano Cruise (Israel-based travel company and subsidiary of Mano Maritime) under the name “The Iris” on Eastern Mediterranean itineraries. In late 2010, she was refurbished again and became the flagship of Kristina Cruises, renamed “Kristina Katarina”, replacing the smaller Kristina Regina (IMO 5048485). On January 8, 2014, the vessel was sold and renamed “Ocean Endeavour”, subsequently starting voyages along Canada’s east coast (Atlantic Ocean) and Greenland. Canadian Arctic cruises are offered during the northern summer season, while Antarctica itineraries departing from Chile (Ushuaia and Punta Arenas, with optional fly-cruise deals from Buenos Aires) are offered during the southern summer season.

The vessel’s draft is only 18 ft (5.6 m), allowing access to remote islands and unique coastal destinations. She is powered by two MAN marine diesel engines with a total output of 5,400 HP. The hull is ice class 1B. The ship is equipped with six fully enclosed lifeboats. Ship-to-shore communications are provided via Inmarsat Capsat Fleet 77 (satellite phone and Internet).

Decks and Cabins

Staterooms are offered in numerous categories, most featuring exterior views through portholes or windows. The only exception is a block of interior single cabins on Deck 5. Booking one of these allows solo travelers to avoid sharing with another passenger or paying a single supplement. Twin cabins come in a variety of layouts and sizes due to the ship’s older design, with options for one or two portholes, single or double picture windows, and in some cases obstructed views. Bed configurations include one double bed or two single beds. Triple cabins are also available.

The largest staterooms on Ocean Endeavour are the Owner’s Suite and the Junior Suites. While the Junior Suites are similar in size (approximately 30 m2 / 320 ft2), the Owner’s Suite features two large forward-facing windows overlooking the bow, as well as a bathroom with a hot tub. All Junior Suites have a single window, and most bathrooms are shower-only. All accommodations are equipped with DVD players and flat-screen TVs.

Shipboard facilities

Ocean Endeavour is the only Antarctica-visiting cruise ship with a strong focus on health and wellness. Onboard amenities include a day spa, yoga room, swimming pool, hot tub, gym, two saunas (separate for men and women), and a wellness café with juice bar. Passengers can further engage with the ship’s wellness theme by participating in snowshoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, or kayaking excursions (the latter two available at an additional cost).

For onboard relaxation, the ship offers three lounges (Aurora, Nautilus, and the top-deck Meridian Club), a library (open 24 hours), and a top-deck outdoor observation platform.

Ocean Endeavour has an infirmary (medical clinic staffed by a resident physician and a nurse) and a self-service laundry facility.

Quark cruise deals

Quark Expeditions cruise deals are inclusive of:

• one-night pre-cruise hotel stay and group transfers (airport to hotel on the day prior to departure, and hotel to ship on embarkation day)
• onboard accommodation with daily housekeeping service
• all onboard meals (breakfasts, lunches, and dinners); note that the ship’s galley cannot prepare kosher meals
• all Zodiac landings (daily, weather permitting), including transfers and cruising
• media presentations by expedition team members and special guest lecturers
• waterproof expedition boots for onshore landings
• complimentary Quark Expeditions logo 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 and port fees
• all onboard luggage handling
• emergency evacuation (medevac) insurance up to a maximum benefit of USD 100,000 per person
• Fly-cruise deals also include complimentary house wines (by the glass), beers, and spirits onboard, all gratuities (staff and crew), and all domestic flights prior to embarkation.
• Shipboard laundry and ironing services are available at an additional cost.
• Ship-to-shore communications via Inmarsat Capsat Fleet 77 (satellite phone and Internet) are available at extra charge.

Antarctic itineraries (Adventure Canada)

Adventure Canada’s Antarctic expeditions are operated through partnerships with the travel agencies Chimu Adventures (Australia) and Intrepid Travel (England, UK).

Adventure Canada chartered Ocean Endeavour for a total of three itineraries during the 2022–2023 season (November–March).

• (January 7–27) 20-day “Antarctica, South Georgia and Falklands Explorer” itinerary to the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia Island, and Falkland Islands (call at Port Stanley).
• (January 26–February 8) 14-day “Journey to the Circle” itinerary crossing the Antarctic Circle, exploring the Antarctic Peninsula’s wildlife, and visiting the South Shetland Islands.
• (February 16–26) 10-day “Antarctic Whale Journey” itinerary visiting the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.

Intrepid Travel’s 11-day “Best of Antarctica” itinerary visits the Antarctic Peninsula, Anvers Island (Palmer Station), Deception Island, and the South Shetland Islands.

All Antarctic expeditions begin with a transit of the Drake Passage.

Adventure Canada’s Ocean Endeavour schedule for 2023 also included the following Arctic voyages (ship charter July–October 2023).

The 11-day “Greenland and Arctic Canada: High Arctic Explorer” itinerary (July 25–August 5, August 5–16, August 15–27) included a direct flight from Canada to Greenland (Toronto to Kangerlussuaq). The voyage sailed between Kangerlussuaq and Qausuittuq/Resolute (NU Canada), visiting Greenland (Kangerlussuaq, Sisimiut, Ilulissat), the Davis Strait, and Nunavut, Canada (Mittimatalik/Pond Inlet, Tallurutiup Imanga/Lancaster Sound, Devon Island, Beechey Island, and Qausuittuq/Resolute Bay). Prices ranged from USD 8,995 to USD 17,295 per person.

The 15-day “Greenland & Wild Labrador: A Torngat Mountains Adventure” itinerary (September 17–October 1) visited Greenland (Kangerlussuaq, Kangerlussuatsiaq Fjord, Nuuk), the Davis Strait, and Canada’s Torngat Mountains National Park (NL), Labrador (Hebron, Nain, coastal navigation), L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site (Newfoundland), and ended in St John’s (NL Canada). Prices ranged from USD 7,995 to USD 17,595 per person.

The 11-day “Newfoundland Circumnavigation” itinerary (June 5–16, June 16–27, October 1–12) was a roundtrip from St John’s (NL Canada), visiting L’Anse aux Meadows, Red Bay (Labrador), Gros Morne National Park (Newfoundland), Miawpukek/Conne River (Newfoundland), Saint Pierre and Miquelon (France), and returning to St John’s. Prices ranged from USD 6,695 to USD 14,995 per person.