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

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.

  • The Ulstein designed CX103 expedition cruise vessel, 'Sylvia Earle'.
  • Sylvia Earle' science lab, courtesy of SunStone Ships.
  • 'Sylvia Earle' observation lounge, courtesy of SunStone Ships.
  • 'Sylvia Earle' observation lounge, courtesy of SunStone Ships.
  • 'Sylvia Earle' library, courtesy of SunStone Ships.
  • 'Sylvia Earle' library, courtesy of SunStone Ships.
  • 'Sylvia Earle' pool and Jacuzzis.
  • 'Sylvia Earle' lecture lounge, courtesy of SunStone Ships.
  • 'Sylvia Earle' mudroom, courtesy of SunStone Ships.
  • 'Sylvia Earle' as seen from the aft.
  • 'Sylvia Earle' dining room, courtesy of SunStone Ships.
  • 'Sylvia Earle' cabin, courtesy of SunStone Ships.
  • 'Sylvia Earle', a CX103 expedition ship design from Ulstein Design & Solutions AS, courtesy of SunStone Ships.

 

The Ulstein integrated equipment package includes the Brunvoll rudders, steering gears, bow thrusters, main propulsion gears and propellers, the Wärtsilä generator sets and SCR system, the extensive Aeron HVAC delivery as well as Ulstein's Integrated Automation System (IAS), the Power Management System (PMS), a power package (switchboards, bow thruster starters, drives), bridge and navigation equipment, and ULSTEIN COM (Internet, TV, telephone, PA system).
 

Want to know more about our cruise vessel designs? Watch our cruise webinars here.


SunStone's purpose-built INFINITY cruise series are all designed by ULSTEIN, based on the CX103 design. Each vessel has been chartered out to various operators and the design proves its flexibility by having been customized for each charterer's needs. The 'Sylvia Earle' will be operated by Australia-based Aurora Expeditions, the first cruise charterer to take in use the revolutionary ULSTEIN X-BOW® to cross oceans more comfortably.

According to a press release from SunStone Ships, the sea trial commenced on 17 October 2021. The sea trials consisted of five days of intense testing of the vessel's systems while underway in the south China Sea.

The cruise vessels of the CX103 design measure 104 metres in length and 18 metres in the beam, with a draft of 5.1 metres. The passenger capacity varies between 130 and 200 and the crew capacity between 85 and 115. The vessels are built to Ice Class 1A and Polar Code 6 standards and comply with the Safe Return to Port regulations. Although compact in size, the vessels hold all the services and facilities to be expected in a luxury cruise vessel: Restaurant, bar, spa, gym, lounges, hot tubs and pool, as well as numerous possibilities to go adventuring outside the vessel, such as zodiacs and kayaks.

So far, three of the INFINITY Class newbuilds have been delivered, the 'Greg Mortimer', the 'Ocean Explorer' and the 'Ocean Victory', while three vessels are in various phases of shipbuilding, the 'Sylvia Earle', the 'Ocean Odyssey' and the 'Ocean Albatros'.

Get in touch

Lucy bw

Lucy Lu

Description
Sales & Marketing Director
Affiliation
Ulstein Marine Systems (Shanghai) Co. Ltd

Latest news

ULSTEIN Navy2025 Dec25 SB Duo
Feature

Ulstein designs for the standardised naval auxiliary vessels

With over a century of shipbuilding heritage, Ulstein is a vital part of the Norwegian maritime cluster, synonymous with innovation in ship design and the engineering that follows. From offshore vessels navigating the harshest seas to expedition cruise vessels exploring the polar regions, the company has consistently proven its ability to deliver advanced, reliable platforms. 

This experience forms the backbone as Ulstein now develops concepts for standardised naval vessels for the Royal Norwegian Navy. The ships will meet the Navy’s need for advanced, reliable and efficient vessel platforms.

Naval
N Xyyy Navy v3 Nov25 Sea Mil Ops Interceptor SB Aft Low
Press Release

Shipyard collaboration on standard auxiliary ships for the Norwegian Navy

The Royal Norwegian Navy has an ambition to acquire series‑produced, standardised naval vessels. This requires ships that are versatile, robust and future‑oriented, yet cost‑effective to build. Few shipyards in Norway can meet this challenge. Together, Larsnes Mek. Verksted (Larsnes) and Ulstein Group (Ulstein) have extensive experience and strong references in the design, construction, and maintenance of vessels. They collaborate to offer a solution that ensures the efficient production of naval ships. 

Naval