The Ulstein designed CX103 expedition cruise vessel, 'Sylvia Earle'.

The Sylvia Earle’s new design revealed

Aurora Expeditions is on schedule with the build of its second state-of-the-art expedition ship, the Sylvia Earle, and recently revealed its new exterior design. The expedition cruise vessel, and X-BOW design from Ulstein Design & Solutions, is under construction at the CMHI yard, China.

The Sylvia Earle is Aurora Expeditions' second purpose-built expedition ship. The keel was laid in July 2020, and the vessel is planned to be delivered in autumn 2021.

Read about Greg Mortimer ? Aurora Expeditions' - and the world's - first X-BOW cruise vessel.

Further reading is an extract from a news update by cruisepassenger.com.au:

The cutting-edge design of the Sylvia Earle features the ULSTEIN X-BOW, whose inverted bow blueprint offers unrivalled stability and comfort on ocean-going crossings. The X-BOW also offers extraordinary views to the front of the ship. This means when cruising in the polar regions, passengers will be able to appreciate the majesty of an iceberg immediately as it appears on the horizon.

The ship will also have an outdoor, heated swimming pool and its interiors reflect a casual, elegant style to make guests feel at home.

There will also be a Sylvia Earle Science Centre to host onboard science programs.

"Exploring the natural world is at the heart of what we do and therefore we have brought elements of nature into the interior design of the Sylvia Earle. Ensuring passengers completely immerse themselves in the destination is of paramount importance to Aurora Expeditions," says CEO Monique Ponfoort.

"The goal for us has always been to create lifelong ambassadors for the protection of the wilderness areas they travel to and education and conservation are integral to our DNA and this design is reflective of that," she added.

Latest news

ULSTEIN Navy2025 Dec25 SB Duo
Feature

Ulstein designs for the standardised naval auxiliary vessels

With over a century of shipbuilding heritage, Ulstein is a vital part of the Norwegian maritime cluster, synonymous with innovation in ship design and the engineering that follows. From offshore vessels navigating the harshest seas to expedition cruise vessels exploring the polar regions, the company has consistently proven its ability to deliver advanced, reliable platforms. 

This experience forms the backbone as Ulstein now develops concepts for standardised naval vessels for the Royal Norwegian Navy. The ships will meet the Navy’s need for advanced, reliable and efficient vessel platforms.

Naval
N Xyyy Navy v3 Nov25 Sea Mil Ops Interceptor SB Aft Low
Press Release

Shipyard collaboration on standard auxiliary ships for the Norwegian Navy

The Royal Norwegian Navy has an ambition to acquire series‑produced, standardised naval vessels. This requires ships that are versatile, robust and future‑oriented, yet cost‑effective to build. Few shipyards in Norway can meet this challenge. Together, Larsnes Mek. Verksted (Larsnes) and Ulstein Group (Ulstein) have extensive experience and strong references in the design, construction, and maintenance of vessels. They collaborate to offer a solution that ensures the efficient production of naval ships. 

Naval