SunStone Ships owns a series of Ulstein-designed cruise vessels, of which the Douglas Mawson is number seven. These vessels introduced the patented X-BOW design to the cruise industry.
Designed for global discovery and adventure, the Douglas Mawson is an excellent choice for small-ship expedition cruising. Operated by Aurora Expeditions, the ship is named after the legendary Australian geologist and explorer. The state-of-the-art vessel embodies Mawson’s pioneering spirit.
The vessel’s interior design, crafted by Tomas Tillberg Design, focuses on bringing the outdoors inside. The two-story atrium and spectacular forward bow windows connect passengers to the natural world, seamlessly transitioning from the ship’s cosy interiors to the awe-inspiring landscapes beyond. Public spaces include two restaurants, bars, an outdoor heated swimming pool and Jacuzzis, a gym and sauna, and relaxation and wellness areas. There is also a library lounge, a citizen science centre, and a lecture theatre. Observation decks offer panoramic views of wilderness and wildlife.
The X-BOW improves the expedition cruise experiences: Rather than crashing into the waves, the ship slices through them smoothly, like a knife, providing a more comfortable journey by minimising slamming and vibrations, reduces noise and improves fuel efficiency. With the X-BOW, the passengers can observe the scenery directly in front of the ship from the bridge or one deck above without leaning forward.
Although all the SunStone vessels in this class are designed on the same platform, being 104.4 metres long and 18.4 metres wide, they are all customised to accommodate various numbers of passengers and crews. The Douglas Mawson holds totally 300 people.
The public spaces are also carefully designed according to the client’s request.
All the vessels in the INFINITY class are built at the China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) shipyard in China.
Key features:
- Sustainability: Less resistance due to the ULSTEIN X-BOW leads to more efficient sailing, and thus reduced fuel consumption. minimising environmental impact.
- Comfort: The ULSTEIN X-BOW is an innovative hull design for smoother sailing, reducing slamming and noise. The vessel holds an extensive range of staterooms, including single staterooms, ensuring a comfortable journey, and large windows are an important part of the design.
- Immersive bow lounge: Windows enveloping the bow lounge flood the interior with natural light, creating an impression of being connected to the surrounding nature.
Onboard amenities:
- Heated outdoor swimming pool
- Two Jacuzzis
- Gym and sauna
- Citizen Science Centre
- Two restaurants and two bars
- Library lounge and lecture theatre
- Multiple observation areas for panoramic views
