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.

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.

On Thursday, 30 May 2024, the CMHI yard, China, marked the keel lay for the next Ulstein-designed expedition cruise ship for SunStone Ships, the 'Douglas Mawson'. 

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.

The terrible weather conditions, which included more than 20m/s storm and heavy fog, tried to put obstacles in the way for the first part of the sea trials of the Ocean Albatros. However, SunStone Ships’ latest expedition cruise vessel made a great performance and completed on 19 January, in time for Chinese New Year.

The CX103 designs, Ocean Odyssey and Sylvia Earle, have been delivered from the CMHI shipyard in Haimen, China to SunStone. The final documents were signed on 21 October 2022, completing the delivery. This series of vessels is the first expedition cruise vessels to implement the X-BOW feature for increased comfort.

‘Ocean Albatros’, ship number six in the SunStone Ships’ INFINITY series, had her launching ceremony on 16 September 2022 at the CMHI Haimen yard. Ulstein Design & Solutions is providing the design and equipment package for this project.