Ocean Explorer

The 2021-built MS Ocean Explorer cruise ship is an ice-strengthened (polar class 1A / PC6) expedition vessel owned by SunStone Ships (USA) and operated under charter by Vantage Cruise Line - subsidiary and brand owned by Vantage Travel Service Inc (brand name "Vantage Deluxe World Travel").

The vessel (IMO number 9883194) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311000869) and registered in Nassau.

Ship technology

Ocean Explorer is the third in a series of ten "Ulstein CX103" design (Infinity-Class) expedition vessels, with sisterships Greg Mortimer (2019-Aug), Ocean Victory (2021-March), Sylvia Earle (2021-Sept), Ocean Odyssey (2022-Feb), Ocean Discoverer (2023-March), Ocean Albatros (2022-Oct) plus 4 more (TBN) units. The patented ULSTEIN X-BOW design is one of the unusual for expedition ships 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.

With the highest for passenger vessel ice-class 1A (Polar Class 6 / PC6), MS Ocean Explorer 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.

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 maritime industry's latest propulsion and return-to-port systems, as well as dynamic positioning technology. These computer-controlled systems allow automatic maintenance of the ship's position via propulsion units (thrusters and propellers). This allows stable floating while maintaining the necessary stability for launching watercraft - and without using anchors.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

The newbuild expedition vessel features 3x bars, dedicated outdoor observation areas (including fore-located Observation Deck with two Hydraulic Platforms and two Viewing Platforms), stern/aft Marina (watersports platform serving company's sea kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving programs), a fleet of 20x Zodiacs (large-capacity motorized RIB speedboats used for coastal cruising and 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 is used for both relaxation and wildlife viewing. At top-deck's bow is the Observation Lounge & Bar (also serves as a meeting room, lecture hall, show lounge/with live performances), midship is the Funnel (with four smokestacks/engine exhaust pipes).

Other facilities include Medical Centre (Infirmary), Change Room (Mudroom), Bar Lounge (lecture theater and cinema, forward on Deck 5), Dining Room Restaurant (with hot rock-cooking station), Ship Shop, Lobby area (Reception Desk), Library (200+ books), Art Room, Wellness Centre (Fitness, Spa, Sauna Room, Treatment Rooms for Massages, Hair Studio), Lower Sun Deck (Deck 7 aft, with lifeboats and liferafts), Upper Sun Deck (Deck 8 midship, with sunbathing area, swimming pool/Infiniti Pool, two Jacuzzies/whirlpool hot tubs).

Four Zodiac Docks (2 on each side, hull access at sea level) serve as boat launching platforms.

WiFi is provided complimentary and unlimited. The onboard expedition team (5-17 persons) are certified experts who curate themed lectures during the voyage. Live music performances, cultural events and alcoholic beverages during dinner (beers and wine by the glass) are also complimentary.

Decks and Cabins

Ocean Explorer staterooms (a total of 80/including 15x with single-occupancy) allow max passenger capacity 162. Most cabins (80% of all, excepting only Deck 3 cabins with Portholes) are with private, step-out balconies 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).

The boat has 8 decks, of which 6 are passenger-accessible and 4 with cabins.

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).

Each stateroom has a private, full-size bathroom with shower / WC, hairdryer, premium bath amenities. There are a total of 20 pairs of connecting rooms (balconied cabins) that can be booked as one "family stateroom" for up to 6 persons. There are no wheelchair-accessible cabins (suitable for passengers with disabilities).

Standard cabin amenities include hotel beds (King-size or two twins, size 200 x 160 cm, ample underbed storage 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 box), individual climate control, medical emergency button.

Itineraries

Next, are listed Ocean Explorer ship's inaugural cruise itineraries 2021 as themes. These voyages were officially announced in May 2019.

• Across the Indian Ocean: India and the Best of the Emirates
• Around the Arabian Peninsula: Dubai, Oman, Egypt, Jordan and Israel
• The Beauty of the British Isles
• East Asia Adventure: Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Beyond
• Eastern Mediterranean Crossing: The Holy Land, Greek Islands, Cyprus, Turkey, Egypt and Suez Canal
• Essential Asia: Hong Kong to Singapore
• Jewels of Scandinavia and the Baltics
• Lisbon to London: A Coastal Odyssey
• Mediterranean Delights: Greece, Italy, France, Monaco and Spain
• Pearls of Northern Europe and the North Sea
• Spain and the Portuguese Coast: A Cruise Around Iberia

For season 2021-2022 Vantage Travel offered 15 different itineraries, of which 4 include Flynn Cruiseport Boston (Massachusetts USA).

• "Autumn in New England and Canada" from Montreal (Quebec Canada) to Boston MA
• "Charting the Eastern Seaboard: Colonial America and Cultural Capitals" from Boston to Nassau (Bahamas)
• "Canada's Spring Awakening" from Boston to Montreal
• "From the Amazon to the Americas" - repositioning from Callao-Lima (Peru) to Boston
• "Final Frontiers: Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands"
• "Deep into the Amazon: Brazil, Colombia and Peru"
• "Arctic Adventure: Iceland, Greenland, and Beyond"