WestSea Yard, part of Martifer Group, has won an order for an expeditionary oceanic cruise ship for Portuguese based cruise company Mystic Cruises.
The vessel, to be called the World Explorer, will be the company's first expeditionary oceanic cruise ship. World Explorer will offer expeditionary cruise itineraries in Antarctica from November to March and the vessel's inaugural Antarctic season is already fully chartered to Quark Expeditions. For the rest of the season it will visit small and distinct ports around the world normally not accessible to larger cruise ships and will be run under the Nicko Cruises banner.
World Explorer is the first of several ships to be built by Mystic for its expeditionary cruise line. The design is the result of several years of study and development to create a balance between luxury, comfort, efficiency and environmental friendly operation.
She will be equipped with Bergen C25:33L8P main engines and a Bergen C25:33L6P auxiliary dual generator. These connect to a low voltage AFE "SAVeCUBE" power electric system which allows the engines to operate at variable speeds, maximising their efficiency for the required power. The Promas propulsion system comprises two CPP propellers integrated with two flap rudders, supported by steering gears and tunnel thrusters.
World Explorer will accommodate 200 guests served by a 111 crew members. The ship will have an operating cruise speed of 16 knots with a strengthened hull and propellers for traversing ice. She will be 126 metres in length with a width of 19 metres, a draught of 4.8 metres and a tonnage of 9,300GT.
Construction of the vessel, designed by Italian Naval Architect Giuseppe Tringali, is already underway at the WestSea Shipyard in northern Portugal with completion expected October 2018.
