An ULSTEIN CX103 design, the expedition cruise vessel Ocean Explorer, arriving Poole, UK. Courtesy of SunStone Ships/Vantage Travel.

Ocean Explorer

The INFINITY CLASS vessels are 104,4 m long and 18,4 m wide, small enough to give an exclusive atmosphere, large enough to yield all expected services and facilities. They can be individually adapted, according to operator's specifications.

Owned By
SunStone Ships Inc
Built By
Partner yard
Year
2021
IMO Number
9883194
Operated By
Quark Expeditions

Primary Specifications

Length
104.4 m
Beam
18.4 m
Draught (max)
5.3 m
Speed (max)
15.5 kn
Accommodation
165 PAX
Accommodation
300 POB

Additional Data

DWT approx (draught 5.1m)
1,000 t
DWT approx (draught 5.3 m)
1,450 t
Note: Specifications may have changed since the original completion date.
Classifications: PolarClass6, ICE1A*, PassengerShip, POLARCAT-B, +HULL, +MACH, INWATERSURVEY, Comf-Noise-Pax1, Comf-Noise-Crew3, CLEANSHIP, AUT-UMS, MON-SHAFT, LI-HG-S2, SEEMP, UnrestrictedNavigation, SRP

The flexible design of the INFINITY class series opens up new possibilities for every new vessel. The 'Ocean Explorer' stands out from vessel number 1, the 'Greg Mortimer' by having an infinity pool installed on deck 7. Like her sister vessels in this series, she carries the patented Ulstein feature, the ULSTEIN X-BOW®.

A new feature on this vessel is an atrium forward consisting of a two-level lounge with a piano bar and panoramic bow windows.

When the vessel visited Oslo in July 2022, some of our ship designers paid a visit on board for the first time since the vessel's completion at the CMHI yard. They received feedback from the crew, who were stunned by the vessel's soft motions in the sea, comparing her movements to a dolphin. The bow lounge with the windows is impressive and adds an extra wow factor - and a lot of light - to the vessel, and the lounge is very popular among the guests.

IMO 9883194

Ocean Explorer bow windows

Ship history

Milestones

Contract signed: February 2019 

Steel cutting: 5 September 2019

Keel laid: 16 December 2019

Launch ceremony: 12 August 2020

Sea trial: February 2021

Delivery: 13 July 2021

Various companies operate the vessels in SunStone's INFINITY class on long-term conditions. As of January 2024, Quark Expeditions announced that the Ocean Explorer, previously operated by Vantage, will enter the Quark fleet and start service for the 2024-25 Antarctica season.

An ULSTEIN CX103 design, the expedition cruise vessel Ocean Explorer, arriving Poole, UK. Courtesy of SunStone Ships/Vantage Travel.