SunStone Maritime Group introduced it has secured multi-year charters for 2 of its expedition cruise ships.
The offers are for SunStone’s Infinity Class vessels Ocean Explorer and the Ocean Odyssey, each constructed by China Retailers Heavy Trade (Jiangsu) and delivered in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Beneath its new constitution settlement, Ocean Explorer will return to polar cruising in October 2024 for SunStone’s long-term consumer Quark Expeditions. The vessel, which ran aground in a distant a part of Greenland final yr, is at present working on short-term constitution to a different operator.
The Ocean Odyssey will reactivate out of heat layup for operations “outdoors the cruise market”, SunStone stated. An organization didn’t instantly reply to MarineLink’s request for added data.
Expedition cruising has been rising in recognition amid rising demand for vacationers to discover remoted, much less visited and exhausting to achieve areas such because the Alaska, the Galapagos Islands, the Arctic and Antarctica.
SunStone’s Infinity Class vessels are licensed Ice Class 1A and Polar Class 6 and characteristic zero-speed stabilization, digital anchoring and Protected Return to Port. Every ship has capability of as much as 95 passenger cabins, most with balconies. Facilities embrace eating places, lecture area, lounges, a 180-degree indoor commentary deck, outside viewing areas, a health club, sauna, spa, and a custom-designed platform catering to kayakers and divers. Zodiac excursions are supported by 4 sea-level loading platforms and a mud room.
