A steel cutting ceremony was held for the CX103 expedition cruise design, the ‘Sylvia Earle’, on 16 March 2020 at the CMHI Haimen yard, China. She has been designed by Ulstein Design & Solutions AS for SunStone Ships.
The Sylvia Earle is the sister vessel of the Greg Mortimer, which was delivered in September 2019. Operator for both vessels is the Australian cruise company Aurora Expeditions.
The Sylvia Earle is vessel number 2 in SunStone's INFINITY series, and the fourth of the Ulstein designed exploration cruise vessels under construction at this yard.
Designed with the X-BOW® hull, the vessel will provide the best possible comfort for passengers in rough head seas, as well as being fuel efficient.
Aurora Expeditions welcomed its third X-BOW cruise vessel, Douglas Mawson, in September 2025. “Many of our guests have travelled on other expedition ships before and immediately notice the difference. Whether it’s sleeping better at night, feeling less vibration during lectures, or spending more time in observation areas, the design truly enhances the experience,” says Katie Malone, Chief Marketing Officer at Aurora Expeditions, when commenting on the X-BOW design feature.
Ulstein Group received the 'Teamwork of the Year 2025 Award' at the IDC conference in Ålesund on 16 October 2025. The jury stated that: "Ulstein Group has built a culture where all disciplines are equally valued. The results speak for themselves: forward-looking vessels that meet both commercial and societal goals. Ulstein demonstrates how interdisciplinary collaboration can lead to groundbreaking solutions in the maritime sector, showcasing a strong ability to bring together designers, engineers, and key personnel in developing holistic concepts that combine technology, function, and aesthetics. Collaboration across disciplines and stakeholders – from local partners to international clients – drives innovation with global impact."
In October 2025, Edda Freya called at Ulstein Verft for a mobilisation on very short notice. In addition to several minor tasks, the vessel's crane, weighing 350 tonnes, needed to be relocated.
Ulstein Group ASA