Turning visions into reality is our slogan and driving force. It motivates us to keep pushing for progress in the maritime industry.
Through our stories, you can learn more about how we work with our customers to achieve their visions.
An expedition cruise takes you to the edges of the world, places that remain wild, remote and profoundly beautiful. As exploration gives way to evening, the transition back to the ship feels seamless, from raw landscapes to effortless luxury.
For Norway, the relationship with the sea is so fundamental that it is reflected even in the country’s currency. For centuries, people have relied on the sea, not for conquest or adventure, but for survival, transport and connection. Long before the age of the Vikings, boats were already an essential part of everyday life, shaped by the need to operate safely and reliably in open, often unforgiving waters. Rock carvings and archaeological finds show that early vessels were carefully adapted to their environment, evolving over generations through experience rather than ambition.
When the expedition cruise vessel, 'Greg Mortimer', entered service in 2019, she marked a turning point for the industry. Today, several years and countless voyages later, she stands as a proven reference for a new generation of expedition cruise ships.
Aurora Expeditions' Douglas Mawson was officially named in Sydney on 27 November 2025 before embarking on her inaugural trip to Tasmania. This milestone marks history as the first expedition vessel featuring Ulstein’s X-BOW® design to operate in Australian waters. More than a striking visual signature, this pioneering hull shape represents a breakthrough in maritime engineering.
Aurora Expeditions welcomed its third ULSTEIN 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.
With the delivery of Douglas Mawson on 9 September 2025, the seventh vessel in the Infinity class for SunStone Ships, the proven ULSTEIN CX103 platform continues to demonstrate its strength. Built at the CMHI shipyard and chartered to Aurora Expeditions, the vessel is now ready to explore polar regions, remote coastlines, and global destinations.
The sea trial of the expedition cruise vessel, Douglas Mawson, was successfully completed on 2 July 2025. This significant milestone marks a step closer to the vessel's delivery in autumn 2025. The vessel was contracted by SunStone Ships and will be operated by Aurora Expeditions.
"When a viral Drake Passage video surfaced showing huge swells crashing over the bow of Quark Expeditions' Ocean Explorer, it wasn't just the power of the Southern Ocean that made waves. The real star? The ship's cutting-edge X-BOW design."
Alex Loizou, Mundy Adventure.
More bang for your buck: In the competitive world of cruise ship ownership, making smart investments is crucial. Ulstein's innovative cruise ship designs offer unparalleled value, combining efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Here are nine reasons why investing in Ulstein's cruise vessels benefits shipowners, operators, and passengers.
28 November 2024: The 'Douglas Mawson' expedition cruise vessel, an ULSTEIN CX103 design, has been successfully launched at the CMHI shipyard, China.
The Douglas Mawson, featuring the ULSTEIN X-BOW, offers high passenger comfort with her immersive bow lounge and panoramic observation areas. She meets Solas 2020 stability requirements and is tailored to client specifications, accommodating up to 300 people.
Aurora Expeditions, the Australian-owned expedition travel company, will soon welcome its third purpose-built small expedition ship, Douglas Mawson, to its family of pioneering vessels. The cruise vessel, based on the ULSTEIN CX103 design, is due to begin sailing in December 2025.
Marking a significant achievement in the world of expedition cruising, SunStone Maritime Group recently celebrated the start of construction for their seventh and final Infinity-class vessel, based on the ULSTEIN CX103 design.
The CMHI Haimen yard, China, delivered SunStone's sixth expedition cruise vessel in the Infinity class, the Ocean Albatros, on Thursday, 20 April 2023. The vessel will operate on year-round charter for Albatros Expeditions.
The CX103 designed, polar expedition cruise vessel Ocean Albatros is preparing for her first journey, and these days there is hectic activity to finalise the interior. Work is proceeding on the reception, the carpet is being installed in the lecture area and the mud room is taking shape.
SunStone Ships goes for another cruise vessel in its INFINITY class. All the vessels in this class are designed by Ulstein Design & Solutions AS. These vessels were the first to introduce the patented X-BOW design in the cruise industry, a solution that has been warmly welcomed by cruise passengers and crews alike.