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The design features Ulstein's patented X-BOW (providing fuel efficiency and significantly improved stability in rough seas). A good-sized gym for a small ship is located on deck 7 and is free for guests to use. The Life Fitness Cardio Equipment treadmills, ellipticals, and rowers face floor-to-ceiling windows, so you can watch wildlife while working out. Additionally, the Polar Spa offers massages, facials, body treatments, manicures, pedicures, and hair salon services at an additional cost. There are two wheelchair-accessible cabins (428 and 429) in the “B” category, which is a suite with a private veranda, and there is an elevator on the ship. However, because the Ocean Victory is an expedition ship, the stairs throughout the ship are steep, exterior doors are heavy, and there are raised thresholds on certain doors to keep the ship watertight.
South Shetland Islands and Antarctica
Ocean Victory's 93 cabins are mostly spacious, with a solid amount of storage room. They range from 157-square-foot cabins that come with French balconies to 465-square-foot suites with large balconies. In between, you'll find smaller suites, staterooms with verandas and even cabins that have windows that don't open. When you're cruising to Alaska, you'll likely want a view, and all cabins offer that, though you might miss a balcony if book one of the 16 View Staterooms, which offer only windows. The crew maximized the amount of time we had off the boat with two outings per day when possible.
Hornblower pulls plug on US cruise arm as American Queen Voyages put under Chapter 11 - TradeWinds
Hornblower pulls plug on US cruise arm as American Queen Voyages put under Chapter 11.
Posted: Thu, 22 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Antarctica Cruises
Additionally, the modern expedition lecture room offers a place for guests to gather and hear from expedition team members who lecture on the environment, marine biology, history, and other topics. Just behind the auditorium is a unique feature of the Ocean Victory, two hydraulic wildlife platforms on the ship’s bow. They open up and extend ten feet out over the ocean, enabling passengers to get closer to nature and look for whales, dolphins, sharks, and birds. The for Junior Suites aboard Ocean Victory have a great view from their location high up on the ship on deck 7.The suites feature a double bed or twin beds, sofa bed, seating area, a spacious bathroom with bathtub and private balcony. Starting operations for Victory Cruise Lines, Ocean Victory's itinerary program 2021 (May through September) includes a total of 20 cruises in Alaska (USA) and British Columbia (Canada). Unique travel experiences on all these voyages are the Zodiac boat landings and shoreside cruising and kayaking for up-close scenery and wildlife viewing (bears, whales, seabirds).
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Yellow Sea trials (in East China Sea) started on January 22, 2021, and were successfully completed on January 27. During the 5-day sea trials, the boat's machinery was tested by 150+ personnel, including crew, shipyard technicians, CMIH managers, Bureau Veritas representatives, SunStone Ships marine advisors. On each Alaskan voyage, Ocean Victory provides a team of 19 tour guides for the shore excursions and also to conduct onboard lectures for the passengers.
American Queen Steamboat Company (American Queen Voyages/AQV) ceased operations
You'll find plenty to eat, but those looking for an immersive dining experience might end up disappointed. The naturalists taught us how sea otters carry their young, pulled glacier ice onto the Zodiacs to show off the pieces' unique formations and gave informed narratives about the flora, fauna and geology of our surroundings. They were also expert spotters, helping us find everything from starfish to moose, bears and mountain goats on the surrounding coasts and cliffs. "Oh, that's the raven," said Zak's Cafe owner Catherine George-Byrd, who had emerged to see if she could help the two startled visitors on Wrangell's otherwise empty main street.
Observation Lounge
Breakfast and dinner are served in the Main Restaurant, while lunch is offered at the Bistro. The ship offers a variety of expedition-style voyages to the Antarctic region. These range from eight-night itineraries sailing round trip from Ushuaia in Argentina to a 22-night Southern Ocean sailing to and from Ushuaia that takes in the Falkland Islands and remote South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic.
When it comes to rest and relaxation, cabins offer the perfect ambiance for it, with modern furnishings, spacious bathrooms, and standard luxury amenities. Most suites offer separate sitting areas and balconies, from which guests can further admire the fantastic landscapes. I stayed in a Deluxe Stateroom with a Private Veranda, the most common accommodation on the ship. The living area has a loveseat and a desk next to the queen-size bed—my husband and I didn't feel like we were tripping over one another at all, even when we had all our rain gear hanging up to dry. The balcony is large enough to fit two chairs, which are perfect for enjoying views of the Alaskan wilderness and spotting wildlife. The bathroom is well-designed with a large walk-in shower and a decent amount of counter space.
The ship is striking from a distance, thanks to its X-bow design, designed to reduce shake and movement when the vessel is in especially rough waters like the Drake Passage. This hull creates two full outdoor decks at the bow of the ship (on decks 7 and 8), as well as a hybrid indoor/outdoor observation space on Deck 5. On March 16, 2017, SunStone Ships Inc signed the shipbuilding agreement with the Hong Kong-based company "China Merchants Industry Holdings" (abbrev CMIH) for the construction of 4 units. SunStone is the world's largest (by tonnage) shipowner chartering exclusively expedition vessels to cruise travel companies.
Ocean Victory, Antarctica
After that, the itinerary alternated between expedition days and stops at lesser-visited ports, such as Alaska's Wrangell Island, population 2,500. When chartered by Albatros Expeditions, Ocean Victory operates on Antarctic voyages with homeporting in Ushuaia Argentina. The Danish company's inaugural Antarctic season started in November 2021 (Maiden Voyage Nov 26th).
In the Shackleton Lecture Lounge, guests can learn from some of the world's leading experts in fields like climatology, geology, and photography. Guests can enjoy stunning views of the icy landscape from the Albatros Observation Lounge or partake in a wine-tasting menu at the Albatros Nordic Bar Lounge. The on-board gym has weight machines, cardio equipment, and floor-to-ceiling windows with breathtaking sea views. At the Polar Spa, guests can enjoy rejuvenating destination-inspired treatments.
The ship is technically managed by Cruise Management International (Miami-based passenger vessel/fleet management company). MS Ocean Victory (2021-built) is the 2nd in a 7-ship series of expedition vessels owned by SunStone Ships Inc (USA) and operated under charter by Victory Cruise Lines (AQSC). From the same INFINITY-Class, ULSTEIN CX103 design (sisterships) are Greg Mortimer (2019), Ocean Explorer (2021), Sylvia Earle (2021), Ocean Albatros (2022), Ocean Odyssey (2022), Ocean Discoverer (2025). There are four Triple cabins on board Ocean Victory featuring portholes, all with private en-suites. Triple cabins are normally with twin beds however a double bed can be accommodated.
Each stateroom has ample storage space, particularly in the two-room suites, which have a walk-in closet. All cabins come with a flat-screen TV, hair dryer, bathrobes, slippers, mini fridge, refillable water bottles, and an in-room safe. Launched in 2021, the Ocean Victory is the newest ship from American Queen Voyages, a line best known for its paddlewheel river cruises. Specifically built for expedition cruising, this new X-BOW® ship cuts through large waves and conquers extreme weather. Equally important, the ship’s unique hull shape reduces the vibrations felt from rough seas, providing a smoother ride and making cruising more comfortable for all on board. Environmentally responsible, this ship uses the cleanest fuel available to help protect the Earth’s ecosystem.
The official language onboard is English; however, the expedition team and crew are often a wonderful mix of nationalities. If you form part of a large group and require communication in your own language, please let us know and we may be able to make special arrangements to accommodate your needs. American Queen Voyages is best known for its fleet of paddlewheelers that sail America's waterways, but it entered the expedition cruising world in 2021 with Ocean Victory, an ocean-going, ice-rated ship.
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