SunStone Maritime Group has accepted delivery of ships four and five of its Infinity Class fleet, to be operated as Sylvia Earle, by Aurora Expeditions and Ocean Odyssey, by Vantage Cruise Line.
The delivery was completed at the China Merchant Heavy Industry (CMHI) Shipyard in Haimen, China to the SunStone companies. Sylvia Earle and Ocean Odyssey will now begin repositioning before going on long-term charters with Aurora and Vantage Deluxe World Travel.
The Infinity series, featuring the Ulstein Design & Solutions X-Bow® hull, is the product of a unique collaboration between European design and technology and Chinese shipbuilding efficiency resulting in an expedition cruise vessel with best in-class safety and comfort features, and high operating efficiency.
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Infinity Class vessels are 104 meters long, and 18 metres wide. They feature a passenger capacity between 130-200 and a crew capacity between 85 and 115. The ships are Ice Class 1A, Polar Code 6 and are being built with safe return to port, dynamic positioning and zero speed stabilizers. They are small enough to give an exclusive atmosphere and yet large enough to yield all expected services and facilities such as a swimming pool, bar and restaurants, lounges, boutique, gym, spa, and sauna.
Sunstone has 10 Infinity Class ships on its order books. The three earlier Infinity Class ships already delivered and on long-term charters are Aurora Expeditions’ Greg Mortimer, Vantage Cruise Line’s Ocean Explorer and the shared operation between Albatros Expeditions (Antarctica) and American Queen Voyages (Alaska) of Ocean Victory.
According to Aurora Expeditions’ website, the first voyage of Sylvia Earle has now moved to 9 December 2023, on the Spirit of Antarctica itinerary, from the previously flagged Subantarctic Safari sailing on 4 November.
The sixth vessel in the series, Ocean Albatros, touched water for the first time in early September 2022 and is on schedule for delivery to Albatros Expeditions in March 2023.
Lead image: Aurora Expeditions’ Sylvia Earle during sea trials in 2021.