Sylvia Earle, Lilliehöökbreen, Svalbard

Sylvia Earle

An expedition cruise vessel of the ULSTEIN CX103 design. Designed with the X-BOW® hull, the vessel provides the best possible comfort for passengers in rough head seas and is fuel-efficient.

Owned By
SunStone Ships Inc
Built By
Partner yard
Year
2022
IMO Number
9872327
Operated By
Aurora Expeditions

Primary Specifications

Length
104.4 m
Beam
18.4 m
Draught (max)
5.3 m
Speed (max)
15.5 kn
Accommodation
144 PAX
Accommodation
249 POB
Note: Specifications may have changed since the original completion date.
Classifications: PolarClass6, ICE1A*, +HULL, +MACH, PassengerShip, POLARCAT-B, INWATERSURVEY, Comf-Noise-Crew3, CLEANSHIP, AUT-UMS, MON-SHAFT, LI-HG-S2, SEEMP, UnrestrictedNavigation

Ship history

IMO 9872327

Shipbuilding milestones

Contract signing: 2018

Ship name decision: Jan 2020

Steel cutting: Mar 2020

Keel laying: July 2020

Launch: Mar 2021

Sea trial: Oct 2021

Delivery: 22 Oct 2022

Review of the vessel by Aurora Expeditions

In addition to kayaking, diving, hiking excursions, and honing wildlife photography skills, there's plenty to do onboard the Sylvia Earle, which features state-of-the-art perks like an ocean-view sauna, a quiet library for reading up on Antarctic history, regular lectures, and stately lounge and deck areas for taking in the views. The entertainment is outside: icebergs, whales, penguins, snow, mountains, colours, the sea.

Thanks to the ship's X-BOW design, seasickness is also likely to be less of an issue.

A journey of a Lifetime

The Sylvia Earle is a dream of a ship—elegant, eco-conscious with every aspect, and perfectly designed for polar adventure.
Meike, Expeditioner
  • Sylvia Earle interior ULS 02677
    Spectacular bow views from the fore staircase on the Sylvia Earle.
  • Sylvia Earle exterior ULS 02680
    Pool area on the Sylvia Earle
  • The observation deck on the Sylvia Earle.
    Observation deck on the Sylvia Earle
  • Expedition cruise vessel Sylvia Earle of the CX103 design ULS 02487
    Sylvia Earle exploring the glacier shelf at Svalbard.
  • A room with a view on the Sylvia Earle.