Ocean Explorer
A modern polar expedition ship featuring the X-BOW® design, accommodating 138 guests in the Antarctic and Arctic, offering a smooth ride and every comfort on board.
The Ocean Explorer is part of the Infinity Class, built in 2021. With its forward-raked ULSTEIN X-BOW® bow, it cuts more smoothly through rough seas than conventionally built expedition ships, and its two-story library at the bow offers panoramic views of the ice through floor-to-ceiling triangular glass panels.
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Four separate boarding points at sea level ensure that Zodiac landings are quick and orderly; with 15 Zodiacs on board for 138 guests, everyone can move from the ship into the wilderness without having to wait in line.
Inside the ship, you’ll find a main restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows, a lecture lounge that seats 160 people and features a large screen, the Latitude Bar, a two-story observation deck with a bistro on Deck 8, and a spa area with a sauna, fitness center, and two outdoor hot tubs at the stern.
Operating in Antarctica from November through March and in the Arctic from May through September. A ship that operates year-round in the polar regions.
Stephanie Gräf
Travel expert, inventia | Travel beyond the ordinary
Specialist in travel to the Arctic and Antarctic.
I am your contact person for questions and bookings relating to the Arctic and Antarctic, and I am delighted that you are one of the few people who are traveling to the ends of the earth.
You can reach me by phone or email:
+49 (0)201 858 90 960
welcome@inventia.de
Onboard amenities
- Main restaurant (355 m², 144 seats) with floor-to-ceiling windows
- Private dining room for up to 36 people
- Latitude Bar & Lounge (seats 46)
- Explorer Lecture Lounge (160 seats, large screen)
- Discovery Library, a two-story space in the X-BOW bow (140 m², 47 seats)
- Observation Lounge & Bar (Deck 8, 63 seats, panoramic windows)
- Observation Bistro (Deck 8, 44 seats)
- Tundra Spa & Sauna (15 people), Fitness Center (75 m²)
- Two outdoor hot tubs at the stern (Deck 7)
- Medical center offering 24/7 care provided by two doctors
- Polar Boutique on board
- 15 Zodiacs for landing operations, four boarding points at sea level
Included in every cabin:
- An expedition parka as a gift
- Reusable water bottles and expedition boots available for rent
- Your own locker in the Ready Room
- Air conditioning, refrigerator, safe, hair dryer
- USB charging stations, TV, and an onboard portal with a daily schedule
- Wi-Fi package included
- Underfloor heating in the bathroom
What we love about her
- ULSTEIN X-BOW® – The forward-raked bow minimizes vibration and noise, cutting more smoothly through rough seas than conventional expedition ships.
- Discovery Library at the Bow – A two-story library with floor-to-ceiling triangular glass panels right at the bow, your prime spot for viewing the ice.
- Four boarding points – Zodiacs launch directly at sea level, 15 boats on board for 138 guests, disembarkations without waiting in line.
- Quiet and comfortable – Spacious and luxurious cabins ensure a peaceful atmosphere free from noise from neighboring cabins
- Propulsion Technology – Fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines and a gasification system that converts onboard waste into energy – no waste transport
- Spa and hot tubs at the stern – a sauna with a panoramic window, a fitness center, and two outdoor hot tubs, open in all weather conditions.
ship data
Key data:
- Type: Polar expedition ship
- Ship class: Infinity Class
- Year of manufacture: 2021
- Flag: Portugal
- Length: 104 .4 m
- Width: 18 .4 m
- Draught: 5 .3 m
- Propulsion: 4 × Wärtsilä engines, 5,600 kW
- Cruising speed: 16 .5 knots in open water
- Ice class: 1A , PC6 (Polar Class 6)
- Bow design: ULSTEIN X-BOW®
- Max. guests: 138
- Cabins: 72 (including 7 single-occupancy cabins)
- Crew: 105
- Zodiacs: 15
- Lifeboats: 2 (plus 25% reserve capacity)
Deck plans & cabin categories
Click on a cabin category for more details.

Studio Single
Outside cabin with porthole, approx. 15.4 m², double bed (can be converted from two single beds), desk, refrigerator, TV, infotainment system, bathroom with shower and heated floors, max. 1 person, for single occupancy only with no single supplement, Deck 3.
Studio Veranda Single
Outside cabin with floor-to-ceiling window and walk-in balcony, approx. 15.1 m², single bed, refrigerator, TV, infotainment system, bathroom with shower and heated floors, max. 1 person, for single occupancy only with no single supplement, Deck 7.
Deluxe Veranda Forward
Outside cabin with walk-in balcony at the bow, approx. 16.9 m², double bed (can be converted from two single beds), refrigerator, TV, infotainment system, bathroom with shower and heated floors, max. 2 guests, also suitable for single occupancy, Deck 4.
Porch Stateroom
Outside cabin with floor-to-ceiling window and walk-in balcony, approx. 19.3 m², double bed (can be converted from two single beds), separate seating area with two club chairs and a reading table, desk, refrigerator, TV, infotainment system, bathroom with shower and heated floors, max. 2 guests, also suitable for single occupancy, decks 4, 6, and 7.
Veranda Suite
Balcony suite with floor-to-ceiling windows and an accessible balcony, approx. 19.2 m², double bed (can be converted from two single beds), separate sitting area with a sofa bed, desk, refrigerator, TV, infotainment system, bathroom with shower and heated floors, max. 2 guests, also suitable for single occupancy, Decks 4 and 6.
Triple Suite
Balcony suite with two living areas and a double-width walk-out balcony, approx. 27.7 m², two single beds in the inner bedroom and a third bed in the outer seating area with a sofa bed and activity table, refrigerator, two TVs, infotainment system, bathroom with bathtub (with showerhead) and heated floors, max. 3 guests, Deck 6.
penthouse suite
Premium Balcony Suite with two living areas and a double-width walk-out balcony, approx. 25.0 m², double bed (can be converted from two single beds) in the inner bedroom, outer seating area with a sofa bed, direct access from both rooms, refrigerator, two TVs, infotainment system, bathroom with shower and heated floors, separate guest restroom in the seating area, max. 2 guests, also suitable for single occupancy, Deck 7.
Owner's Suite
Premium Top Suite with two living areas and a walk-in balcony three times the size of a standard balcony, approx. 41.2 sq. m., double bed (can be converted from two single beds) in the inner bedroom, outer living and dining area with a sofa bed, club chairs and a dining table for four, refrigerator, two TVs, infotainment system, two main bathrooms with bathtubs and heated floors, max. 2 guests, also suitable for single occupancy, Deck 7.
The MS Ocean Explorer expedition ship, seen head-on against a backdrop of Antarctic snow-capped mountains
Expedition ship seen head-on against a backdrop of Antarctic snow-capped mountains
A bird's-eye view of the MS Ocean Explorer X-Bow in the pack ice
Bird's-eye view of the X-Bow Bug in the pack ice
MS Ocean Explorer, head-on in drift ice with passengers
Ship collides head-on with drift ice while carrying passengers
MS Ocean Explorer: Two-story library with X-Bow glass panels
Two-story library with X-Bow glass panels
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