SunStone Ships takes delivery of expedition vessel Ocean Explorer

US-based cruise operator SunStone Ships has taken delivery of the Infinity-class expedition vessel Ocean Explorer.

Built by China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) to a Norwegian design, the newbuild will sail on worldwide year-round expedition cruises under charter to Vantage Travel.

The vessel will soon depart CMHI’s Haimen shipyard and sail for Manila to pick up crew. It will then sail for Malta to pick up additional crew and supplies before heading for Poole in the UK, from where it will begin cruise sailings in late August 2021.

Ocean Explorer measures 341 by 59 feet (104 by 18 metres) and has capacity for up to 200 guests and 115 crew. The vessel also has Bureau Veritas’ ice class 1A and Polar Code 6 notation and has been built with safe return to port, dynamic positioning, and zero speed stabilisers.