Ocean Victory

MS Ocean Victory is an ice-strengthened (Polar Class 1A / PC6) expedition cruise ship delivered in February 2021. She is owned by the Danish company SunStone Maritime Group (via its US-based subsidiary SunStone Ships Inc) and, until 2024, was operated under charter by Victory Cruise Line USA (a brand owned by AQSC/AQV-American Queen Voyages) and seasonally by Albatros Expeditions (a Copenhagen, Denmark-based company specializing in Arctic and Antarctic cruise tours, and a subsidiary brand of Albatross Travel Group Ltd).

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

Since October 2025, the ship has been chartered by Polar Latitudes Expeditions, a travel brand established in 2025 through the merger of Polar Latitudes and Albatros Travel Group.

In summer 2025, Ocean Victory was briefly chartered by the Spanish luxury travel company Alma Cruceros. The company subsequently ceased operations after the shipowner terminated the time-charter agreement. Ocean Victory has been laid up at Port Funchal (Madeira, Portugal) since July 3, 2025.

The vessel (IMO number 9868869) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311000868) and registered in Nassau.

Ship technology

Ocean Victory is the second vessel in a series of ten ULSTEIN CX103 design (Infinity-Class) expedition ships. Her sister ships include Greg Mortimer (delivered August 2019), Ocean Explorer (February 2021), Sylvia Earle (October 2022), Ocean Odyssey (October 2022), Ocean Albatros (October 2022), and Douglas Mawson (2025). Four additional units were originally planned but were later canceled and replaced by the new BOUNDLESS Class vessels.

The patented ULSTEIN X-BOW design is one of the ship’s most distinctive expedition features. Ocean Victory also incorporates the latest technologies in naval engineering. She is technically managed by Cruise Management International, a Miami-based passenger vessel and fleet management company, while CMI Leisure Miami is responsible for hotel operations.

The interior design for the entire series of SunStone-owned ships was contracted to the Weston, Florida-based company Tomas Tillberg Design.

In November 2018, AQSC signed an agreement to acquire the Victory Cruise Line brand, along with its chartered vessels from SunStone Ships. Victory Cruise Line operates as a separate fleet and management entity and as a subsidiary of AQSC. AQSC’s Victory Cruise Line cooperated with the US-based shipowner SunStone Ships Inc to construct a custom-designed vessel for expedition-type voyages in polar regions, combining high adventure travel standards with modern amenities.

With the highest ice class for passenger vessels (Ice Class 1A / Polar Class 6), MS Ocean Victory has icebreaking capability of up to 1 m (3 ft) and complies with the latest Polar Code requirements and specifications. She offers advanced levels of safety and environmental protection.

The primary advantage of the patented ULSTEIN X-BOW design is the vessel’s improved stability compared to conventional bow designs. X-BOW ships experience reduced vertical motions caused by waves, allowing them to maintain smoother courses at higher speeds. As a result, the engines consume less fuel, leading to lower emissions and reduced fuel consumption.

The ship is equipped with advanced propulsion and safe-return-to-port systems, as well as state-of-the-art dynamic positioning technology. These computer-controlled systems automatically maintain the vessel’s position using her own propulsion units (thrusters and propellers), enabling stable operations for launching watercraft without the use of anchors.

Shipboard facilities

The newbuild expedition vessel features extensive outdoor observation areas, including a forward Observation Deck with two hydraulic platforms and two viewing platforms/bridge wings. A stern marina serves sea kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving programs, supported by a fleet of 20 Zodiacs (large-capacity motorized boats used for tendering and landings). The aft Zodiac loading platform is of a new design, allowing faster and easier boarding. The forward Sun Deck on the top deck is furnished with premium outdoor furniture and is used for relaxation and wildlife viewing. The Observation Lounge, located on the top-deck bow, is served by its own bar, while the funnel with four exhaust stacks is positioned midship.

Additional facilities include a Medical Centre (infirmary), Change Room (mudroom), Bar Lounge (also used as a lecture theater, forward on Deck 5), Dining Room Restaurant, Buffet Restaurant, Ship Shop, Lobby with Reception Desk, Library, Piano Bar, Art Room, and a Wellness Centre featuring a fitness area, spa, sauna, and massage treatment rooms. Outdoor amenities also include a Lower Sun Deck (Deck 7 aft, with lifeboats and liferafts) and an Upper Sun Deck (Deck 8 midship, featuring an infinity swimming pool, pool bar, two whirlpool hot tubs, an alfresco dining area, and sunbathing space).

Four Zodiac docks (two on each side, with sea-level hull access) serve as dedicated boat launching platforms.

When chartered by Albatros Expeditions, Ocean Victory offers exclusive amenities through partnerships with brands such as Gerard Bertrand (organic wines from southern France with curated tasting menus) and Julius Meinl (organic coffees and teas). Albatros also introduced the Polar Spa, providing specialty treatments and massages, as well as all-inclusive Suite accommodations featuring dedicated butler service, complimentary minibar, free laundry and pressing, in-cabin dining with daily served canapés, an espresso machine with Julius Meinl products, and unlimited access to specialty dining.

Decks and Cabins

Ocean Victory staterooms total 93 cabins, accommodating a maximum of 186 passengers. The inventory includes 68 Balcony cabins, 9 French Balcony cabins, and 16 cabins with porthole windows. The vessel is operated by approximately 100 crew members accommodated in 57 crew cabins. Most passenger cabins (around 80% of the total, excluding Deck 3 porthole cabins) feature a private step-out balcony accessed via a floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door. Each balcony is furnished with a small table and two deck chairs. Approximately 60% of the cabins can be booked for triple occupancy, with the third berth provided by a pull-out sofa bed.

• Cabin amenities include hotel-style beds (king-size or two twins, 200 x 160 cm) with under-bed storage, a sleeping sofa, bedside cabinets, mirrored vanity or writing desk with chair, built-in drawers, minibar/refrigerator, 42-inch smart HDTV (local and satellite reception), onboard telephone, digital clock/alarm, seating area with small table and armchairs, spacious wardrobe with hangers and electronic safe, individual climate control, and a medical emergency call button.
• Each stateroom has a private, full-size bathroom with shower/WC, hairdryer, and premium bath amenities.
• Suites are offered in three categories (CS Captain’s Suite, JS Junior Suite, and BS Balcony Suite). These are the largest accommodations on board, featuring double-size balconies and additional amenities such as in-room dining, including continental breakfast served on the balcony.

There are 20 pairs of connecting balcony cabins that can be combined into family staterooms accommodating up to six passengers. The ship does not offer wheelchair-accessible cabins suitable for passengers with disabilities.

The vessel has eight decks, six of which are accessible to passengers, with cabins located on four decks.

Itineraries

During her initial operations for Victory Cruise Line, Ocean Victory’s 2021 itinerary program (May through September) included a total of 20 cruises in Alaska (USA) and British Columbia (Canada), with voyage lengths ranging from 7 to 10 days. Signature experiences included Zodiac landings, shoreside cruising, and kayaking for close-up scenery and wildlife viewing, such as bears, whales, and seabirds. A team of onboard scientists, including marine biologists and naturalists, led all expeditions and delivered educational lectures.

Ocean Victory’s Alaska and British Columbia cruises opened for booking in July 2019.

Two new themed itineraries were introduced: the “Discover Beyond Alaska Expedition Adventure Cruise,” offered as a 10-night voyage from Vancouver, BC, to Sitka, AK, and an 11-night reverse itinerary from Sitka to Vancouver. Bookings for these voyages opened in October 2019.

Both itineraries featured cruising through the Inside Passage, Misty Fjords (Tongass National Forest), Ketchikan, AK (Revillagigedo Island), Metlakatla (Annette Island) with cultural visits, Petersburg, AK (Mitkof Island), Kupreanof Island (hiking), Tracy Arm Fjord, Endicott Arm Fjord, Sawyer Glacier or Dawes Glacier (with Zodiac excursions), Wrangell, AK (Anan Creek bear watching, Stikine River jet boating, and fishing), and Sitka, AK (hiking, sea kayaking, and fishing).

Alaska itineraries

Victory Cruise Line’s/American Queen Voyages’ 2021 Alaska program aboard Ocean Victory included the following voyages:

• 12-day Vancouver, BC, to Sitka, AK voyages (departures in 2021 on May 21, June 11, July 2, July 23, August 13, and September 3), visiting Inside Passage Alaska, Fiordland BC (Kynoch Inlet), Ketchikan, Misty Fjords National Monument, Wrangell, Baranof Island (Baranof Wilderness Lodge), Petersburg (LeConte Glacier), Tracy Arm Fjord (Sawyer Glacier), and Kake. Fares started from approximately USD 4,200 per person.
• 13-day Sitka to Vancouver voyages (departures in 2021 on May 31, June 21, July 12, August 2, August 23, and September 13), visiting Kake, Endicott Arm Fjord (Dawes Glacier), Tracy Arm Fjord (Sawyer Glacier), Petersburg (LeConte Glacier), Baranof Island, Misty Fjords National Monument, Ketchikan, Fiordland BC (Kynoch Inlet), and the Inside Passage BC. Fares started from approximately USD 5,000 per person.
• 12-day Vancouver to Seattle, WA voyage (departure September 24, 2021), visiting mainland British Columbia (Princess Louisa Inlet), Vancouver Island, Copeland Island, Cormorant Island (Alert Bay, U’Mista Cultural Centre), Cortes Island, Von Donop Inlet (Hathayim Marine Provincial Park), the Redonda Islands, Pender Harbour, Nanaimo, Salt Spring Island (Ganges), and Victoria, BC. Fares started from approximately USD 4,200 per person and included a pre-cruise hotel stay in Vancouver.
• This program was subsequently canceled and rescheduled for 2022.

On each Alaskan voyage, Ocean Victory carried a team of 19 expedition guides responsible for shore excursions and onboard lectures.

When chartered by Albatros Expeditions, Ocean Victory operates Antarctic voyages homeported in Ushuaia, Argentina. The Danish company’s inaugural Antarctic season began in November 2021, with the maiden voyage departing on November 26. Key destinations include the Antarctic Peninsula, Drake Passage, and South Georgia Island.

Alma Cruceros ship charter (2025 / canceled)

For the summer 2025 season (April through October), the vessel was chartered by Alma Cruceros, a Spanish luxury cruise company founded in 2024. The planned itineraries were to include destinations in the Mediterranean (including Western and Northern Africa) and Spain’s Canary Islands. In June 2025, the shipowner unexpectedly terminated the charter contract.

The Malaga-based Alma Cruceros is Spain’s first luxury cruise travel brand. The company is led by Elisardo Sanchez Burgos (President and CEO), who is also President of Premium Hotels Group. Alma Cruceros’ official inauguration was scheduled for April 2025, with the maiden voyage planned from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Malaga.

The inaugural itineraries were themed as follows:

5-night ANDALUCIA (roundtrip from Malaga), visiting Donana-Bonanza (overnight), Sevilla, Ceuta (Spanish Morocco), and Cadiz.

7-night ISLAS CANARIAS (Malaga to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria), visiting Ceuta, Tangier, Rabat (Morocco), Agadir (Morocco), and Arrecife.

7-night ANDALUCIA (roundtrip from Malaga), visiting Donana-Bonanza, Sevilla, Ceuta, Motril/Granada, Melilla (Spanish Morocco), and Almeria.

7-night MEDITERRANEO (Malaga to Barcelona), visiting Melilla, Almeria, Cartagena, Ibiza-Formentera, Valencia, and San Carlos de la Rapita/Ebro Delta.

7-night MEDITERRANEO (Tarragona to Barcelona), visiting Colliure, St. Tropez, Nice, Sanary-sur-Mer, Mahon (Menorca), and Alcudia.

7-night MEDITERRANEO (Tarragona to Barcelona), visiting Palamos/Costa Brava, Colliure, Sete, Mahon (Menorca), Alcudia, and Ibiza-Formentera.

7-night MEDITERRANEO (Barcelona to Tarragona), visiting Colliure, Cassis, St. Tropez, Ajaccio (Corsica), Alguer, and Mahon (Menorca).

7-night MEDITERRANEO (roundtrip from Barcelona), visiting Colliure, Cassis, St. Tropez, Ajaccio (Corsica), Alguer, and Mahon (Menorca).

7-night MEDITERRANEO (Barcelona to Malaga), visiting San Carlos de la Rapita/Ebro Delta, Valencia, Ibiza-Formentera, Cartagena, Almeria, and Melilla.

8-night MEDITERRANEO (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Malaga), visiting Puerto del Rosario (Fuerteventura), Agadir, Rabat, Tangier, and Ceuta.