National Geographic Endurance in ice, photo courtesy Lindblad Expeditions.

Cruise

The ULSTEIN ship designs in the expedition cruising segment have been developed to satisfy the modern explorers and travellers. Our vessels have the highest seakeeping standards, and our designs can be customised for any customer specific wish.

Cruise designs

References

Statements

Travel in style and comfort

We offer a portfolio of designs and equipment packages for the exploration cruise segment. Our thorough marketing and design concept analyses make a solid foundation for developing outstanding adventures and performances in an increasingly competitive market.

An 'Ocean Victory' Zodiac excursion in South Georgia. Photo: Albatros Expeditions.

Find your favourite

The ULSTEIN expedition cruise ship designs have been developed to satisfy modern explorers and travellers.

See portfolio

How we can help

When investing in a newbuild project, we know that many uncertainties can slow down decision processes and cause delays. Through our experience, we help to reduce those uncertainties and ensure a smooth and successful project together.

Provide helpful analysis: Market, fleet and investment insights.
Proven ship design: Well-known Norwegian design and quality.
Design and equipment packages: Increase project economy through shorter newbuild delivery time.
Global shipbuilding experience: Partner yards worldwide.
Shipbuilding at our own yard: Compact and efficient in a world-leading maritime cluster. Delivery on time to the agreed price and quality.

Proven designs - see our references

CX103

Every single trip has led to the absolute highest guest satisfaction. The possibilities these ships provide are truly beyond what I thought possible.

Martin Graser

Captain on the ‘National Geographic Resolution'

Customer stories

Learn more about the performance of our cruise vessel designs through customer stories and feature articles.

‘National Geographic Resolution’ – ‘A vessel beyond what I thought possible’: "Yesterday, in Lallemand Fjord, the fast ice edge was packed with ice. We had to go deep in for an ice landing. It felt like a 'Shackleton experience' surrounded by ice. It was probably one of the most stunning ice walk experiences in my life. After dinner, I married a couple under the bow of the ship."
Read more
Can ship design cure seasickness?: In October 2019, the first ULSTEIN X-BOW® polar expedition cruise vessel, 'Greg Mortimer', left Ushuaia for her inaugural voyage. She was heading for the dreaded Drake Passage to reach the northern part of Antarctica. Among those on board was a person who “gets seasick just by looking at water”, the diving instructor.
Read more
The X-BOW® experience: The X-BOW® makes a huge difference in sea behaviour. It splits the wave energy and reduces the slamming impact. Successfully proven in more than 100 ships, the hull shape has recently become a game changer for expedition cruising. Yachts will be next.
Read more
Combining the X-BOW® with a view: The ULSTEIN series of cruise vessels combines the offshore tough with a luxury touch. The implementation of the X-BOW® feature, firstly used on numerous offshore vessels, contributes to a more comfortable journey in any weather. The passengers get close to nature whilst protected, on an extraordinary vessel.
Read more

Greg Mortimer, photo by Sergei Andronov.

Project updates

SunStone Ships has ordered a series of expedition cruise vessels designed by Ulstein for construction at CMHI. These are the first China-built cruise vessels and were the first cruise ships contracted with the ULSTEIN X-BOW® feature, which increases comfort for the crew and passengers.

Get more details in our project updates.

Follow the project

Cruise brochure

Open the brochure to read more about:

Why you should go for a one-stop-shop for your next project
How you can achieve smarter, safer and greener operations
What you get in a package solution and how it increases project economy
Our range of reference vessels
Customer feedback

Open brochure

See how we are turning visions into reality together with our customers

Delivery of the 'Ocean Albatros' expedition cruise vessel

The CMHI Haimen yard, China, delivered SunStone's sixth expedition cruise vessel in the Infinity class, the Ocean Albatros, on Thursday, 20 April 2023. The vessel will operate on year-round charter for Albatros Expeditions.

11.07.2023

SunStone Cruise Albatros Expeditions Ocean Albatros

Ocean Albatros, finalising of the interior.

Update

Finalising the interior of the Ocean Albatros

The CX103 designed, polar expedition cruise vessel Ocean Albatros is preparing for her first journey, and these days there is hectic activity to finalise the interior. Work is proceeding on the reception, the carpet is being installed in the lecture area and the mud room is taking shape.

20.02.2023 SunStone Cruise Albatros Expeditions Ocean Albatros

An ULSTEIN CX103 expedition cruise ship design no 7 for Sun Stone Ships SB fore low

Update

Ulstein captures its 7th cruise ship design contract for SunStone

SunStone Ships goes for another cruise vessel in its INFINITY class. All the vessels in this class are designed by Ulstein Design & Solutions AS. These vessels were the first to introduce the patented X-BOW design in the cruise industry, a solution that has been warmly welcomed by cruise passengers and crews alike.

17.02.2023 SunStone Cruise Ocean Discoverer

Sylvia Earle, an expedition cruise vessel of the ULSTEIN CX103 design, photo: Aurora Expeditions/Benjamin Tan.

Update

Aurora Expeditions launches its new expedition cruise vessel 'Sylvia Earle'

The CX103 designs, Ocean Odyssey and Sylvia Earle, have been delivered from the CMHI shipyard in Haimen, China to SunStone. The final documents were signed on 21 October 2022, completing the delivery. This series of vessels is the first expedition cruise vessels to implement the X-BOW feature for increased comfort.

14.11.2022 SunStone Sylvia Earle Aurora Expeditions Cruise

At the launching ceremony of the ULSTEIN CX103, expedition cruise vessel, Ocean Albatros.

Update

Launching the Ocean Albatros

‘Ocean Albatros’, ship number six in the SunStone Ships’ INFINITY series, had her launching ceremony on 16 September 2022 at the CMHI Haimen yard. Ulstein Design & Solutions is providing the design and equipment package for this project.

19.09.2022 SunStone Cruise Albatros Expeditions Ocean Albatros

Ocean Albatros at the yard before sea trials

Update

Ocean Albatros soon ready for sea trial

Albatros Expeditions recently announced that their brand new expedition cruise vessel, Ocean Albatros, "is almost in the water and will soon be undergoing sea trials." She is scheduled to arrive for their Arctic 2023 season, and the ship operator is more than excited to be receiving her.

07.09.2022 SunStone Cruise Albatros Expeditions Ocean Albatros

Keel laying is one of the important milestones in a shipbuilding project.

Update

‘Ocean Albatros’: Keel laid for SunStone’s next Ulstein designed expedition cruise vessel

A keel-laying ceremony has been held for the ‘Ocean Albatros’, SunStone Ships’ new expedition cruise vessel, at the CMHI shipyard, China, on 20 January 2022. The ship is number six in the INFINITY class of X-BOW expedition ships, all designed by Ulstein.

21.01.2022 SunStone Cruise Albatros Expeditions Ocean Albatros

Update

First expedition ship naming ceremony in South Georgia

The ‘Ocean Victory’, one in a series of X-BOW expedition cruise vessels of the CX103 design by Ulstein, has been officially named in South Georgia in the Atlantic Ocean.

20.12.2021 SunStone Cruise Ocean Victory Albatros Expeditions

'Sylvia Earle' departing for sea trials, courtesy of SunStone Ships.

Update

Next expedition cruise ship: Sea trial completion for ‘Sylvia Earle’

The ULSTEIN CX103 design, SunStone Ships’ ‘Sylvia Earle’ newbuild, has successfully completed sea trials in end October 2021. Ulstein has delivered the ship design and a comprehensive equipment package and has also been represented with a site team at the CMHI yard during the shipbuilding period.

02.11.2021 SunStone Sylvia Earle Aurora Expeditions Cruise

Update

'Ocean Odyssey' hits the water

The expedition cruise vessel ‘Ocean Odyssey’, an ULSTEIN CX103 design, was successfully launched at the CMHI Haimen yard on 23 October 2021. The vessel is one in a series of cruise vessels contracted by the U.S. based SunStone Ships.

26.10.2021 SunStone Cruise Vantage Cruise Line Ocean Odyssey

Vessel designs for the adventure market

Ropax, expedition cruises or private yachts all keep an element of adventure. Crossing the ocean and bringing passengers or guests safely from one place to another.

At Ulstein, we use our extensive knowledge from designing and building offshore-tough vessels for the energy industry, to deliver passenger ships renowned for their seakeeping capabilities, comfort and environmentally-friendly solutions.

Cruise designs

The Ulstein ship designs in the expedition cruising segment have been developed to satisfy modern explorers and travellers. Our vessels have the highest seakeeping standards, and our designs can be customised for any customer-specific wish.

See our designs

An ULSTEIN CX123 yacht under the Aurora Borealis

Yacht and yacht support

Ulstein is a leader in ship innovations and has changed the world of ship design. With an iconic brand, we have launched ships still unmatched. All this while continuously innovating systems and products through extensive research and development programmes, always combining the latest technology with contemporary design.

See our designs

RoPax

We offer state-of-the-art ship design and equipment package solutions for RoPax customers worldwide. Our RoPax vessels have the highest seakeeping standards with sustainable travelling in mind.

See our designs