Cruise Talk: Universe Explorer replaced by Explorer ex Olympia Explorer

Cruise Talk

Cruise News

Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.

>>> Reader Reviews
>>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery
>>> Join Our Cruise Club.

Latest News...Norwegian Cruise Line today celebrates the arrival of Norwegian Aqua to her new homeport of Miami, kicking off her winter season of Caribbean cruises with calls to the Company's quintessential private island, Great Stirrup Cay. Following her first season of Bermuda sailings from New York City, Norwegian Aqua will offer guests an opportunity to embark on a variety of fun-in-the-sun cruises to the Caribbean...

Latest News... Princess Cruises celebrates the maiden voyage of its newest Sphere-Class ship, Star Princess, which is departing Barcelona on an 11-day Inaugural Western Mediterranean voyage. Continuing the brand's tradition of innovation, elegance, and warm service that connects guests to the world and to one another, the gleaming Star Princess now sails as the 17th jewel of the Princess fleet...

Latest News...Royal Caribbean is introducing the family time of a lifetime on Legend of the Seas* with more adventure than ever before. The boldest vacation to visit the world's top destinations in Europe and the Southern Caribbean, Legend will deliver a lineup of unrivaled experiences, including thrills and chill, the most dining at sea with 28 options, all-new nightlife and entertainment,..

More Cruise News...

my profile | register | search | faq | forum home

»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » Universe Explorer replaced by Explorer ex Olympia Explorer

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: Universe Explorer replaced by Explorer ex Olympia Explorer

Westerdam
First Class Passenger
Member # 2093

posted 06-03-2004 12:29 PM

The Institute for Shipboard Education has taken delivery of the former Olympia Explorer and will launch the vessel’s first Semester at Sea program on June 17, Seatrade Insider has learned.
KfW and Fortis Bank sold the high-speed vessel to Stellar Maritime, a company established by V. Ships. Stellar has entered into a 15-year charter/purchase option arrangement with the Institute, said chief operating officer Les McCabe. The ship has been renamed Explorer and reflagged from Greece to the Bahamas. It replaces the aging Universe Explorer, which has operated the University of Pittsburgh’s Semester at Sea program since 1996.

Explorer is currently at Cascade General in Portland, undergoing work prior to sailing for Vancouver on June 13 in preparation for a 65-day voyage to destinations in Russia, Korea, China, Vietnam, Taiwan and Japan. McCabe said 420 students are booked for the summer semester, with 750 scheduled for the autumn term.

V. Ships Leisure will manage and crew the Explorer. While terms of the vessel's acquisition were not disclosed, V. Ships’ London-based marketing manager Mark Stokes said the price paid was similar to the court sale. In March, an attorney representing KfW put that figure at $90m.

With a cruising speed of 28 knots, the 2002-built Explorer is considerably faster than the Universe Explorer’s average 16-knot speed, which will enable the inclusion of more geographic areas in the Semester at Sea program. The ship will carry an 11,000-volume library, a computer lab with wireless Internet access, a student union and campus store in addition to the two restaurants, a fitness center and 418 cabins.

Source: Seatrade Insider

Does anyone know what is going to become of the Universe Explorer? My guess would be scrapping but who knows anything is possible. Maybe she could return to World Explorer Cruises for their Alaska and Caribbean voyages since they still seem to be on the hunt for a ship.

Posts: 329 | From: Waukegan, Illinois | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

CGT
First Class Passenger
Member # 3531

posted 06-03-2004 01:23 PM

Such a poor use of Olympia Explorer.

Posts: 2760 | From: New York, New York, USA | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

Cambodge
First Class Passenger
Member # 906

posted 06-03-2004 05:21 PM

CGT: Why?

Posts: 2149 | From: St. Michaels MD USA , the town that fooled the British! | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 06-03-2004 05:27 PM

Would they really run her at those high speeds?? I was under the impression that the two sisters burned quite a bit of fuel, even with their advanced hull and engine design while cruising at 28 knots. I also read that the interior layout was not the best and the cabins smallish-any feedback??

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 06-03-2004 08:47 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Westerdam:

Explorer is currently at Cascade General in Portland, undergoing work prior to sailing for Vancouver on June 13 in preparation for a 65-day voyage to destinations in Russia, Korea, China, Vietnam, Taiwan and Japan.

Wait, so the ex. OLYMPIA EXPLORER Is now at Cascade General? Is indeed she is leaving on June 13th, I can possibly go to my dad's office and snap a few pictures from the riverside. O well, its time to check the port calendar and head over there this weekend.

quote:
Does anyone know what is going to become of the Universe Explorer? My guess would be scrapping but who knows anything is possible. Maybe she could return to World Explorer Cruises for their Alaska and Caribbean voyages since they still seem to be on the hunt for a ship.

Hopefully the UNIVERSE EXPLORER can escape India, but do not expect that to happen. I photographed the UE few days ago and she has a few streaks of rust, but looks great! BTW, what is the status of WEC financially?

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

Ocean Liners
First Class Passenger
Member # 4013

posted 06-03-2004 10:42 PM

Welcome to Our New Shipboard Campus!

The state of art Explorer will serve as a fully functional university campus that includes classrooms, an 11,000-volume library, computer lab with wireless internet access, a student union, campus store, two dining rooms, swimming pool, and a fitness center. The elegantly styled ship has six passenger decks with space well suited for Semester at Sea’s academic mission. The Explorer is a 24,300-ton motor vessel with a length of 590 feet, beam of 84 feet and a draft of 24 feet. Built in 2002 by Blohm & Voss shipbuilders in Germany, it is billed as the fastest passenger ship afloat today with a cruising speed of 28 knots.

From www.semesteratsea.com

Posts: 4502 | From: Japan | Registered: Jul 2003 | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 06-04-2004 01:28 AM

I thought QE2 was still the fastest passenger ship afloat with a top speed of 32-34 knots??

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

Ocean Liners
First Class Passenger
Member # 4013

posted 06-04-2004 01:37 AM

The advertisement expressed to exceed fact.

[ 06-04-2004: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

Posts: 4502 | From: Japan | Registered: Jul 2003 | IP: Logged

gpcruisedude
First Class Passenger
Member # 3533

posted 06-05-2004 03:52 PM

The New" Explorer" is an excellent use for the former Olympia Explorer! And to see her in Vancouver, who would have thought u would see her on the West Coast at all?

As for World Explorer I dont know their current status, they still have a website and email and have moved their offices I believe to Santa Clarita,Ca. But maybe they will be going after the Universe Explorer as the company that owns her I believe is in San Fransisco!

Posts: 865 | From: Grande Prairie,Alberta | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

Captain Rhone
First Class Passenger
Member # 3498

posted 06-05-2004 03:58 PM

The Queen Elizabeth 2 (32.5 knots+) is faster than the 31 knot Olympia Explorer.

Posts: 686 | From: New York,USA | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

steeplechase
First Class Passenger
Member # 4056

posted 06-05-2004 04:12 PM

They have taken down the picture of Universe Explorer and put up the new Explorer. Where has my girl gone?

Posts: 663 | From: elkton maryland | Registered: Aug 2003 | IP: Logged

linerguy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4289

posted 06-08-2004 10:10 AM

Watching Universe Explorer depart Nassau two years ago with students lining the rails, waving at hundreds of crying parents, grandparents, and siblings, I can say it was, even for an observer, VERY moving. I have never experienced such an emotional send off; it was wonderful.

I can think of no better use for Olympia Explorer than to host the trip of a lifetime.

Russ

Posts: 1486 | From: Bright, Indiana | Registered: Dec 2003 | IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)

Ultimate Bulletin Board^TM 6.1.0.3

VACATION & CRUISE SPECIALS

Check out these great deals from CruisePage.com

Royal Caribbean - Bahamas Getaway from $129 per person

Description: Experience the beautiful ports of Nassau and Royal Caribbean's private island - CocoCay on a 3-night Weekend Getaway to the Bahamas. Absorb everything island life has to offer as you snorkel with the stingrays, parasail above the serene blue waters and walk the endless white sand beaches. From Miami.

Carnival - 4-Day Bahamas from $229 per person

Description: Enjoy a wonderful 3 Day cruise to the fun-loving playground of Nassau, Bahamas. Discover Nassau, the capital city as well as the cultural, commercial and financial heart of the Bahamas. Meet the Atlantic Southern Stingrays, the guardians of Blackbeard's treasure.

NCL - Bermuda - 7 Day from $499 per person

Description: What a charming little chain of islands. Walk on pink sand beaches. Swim and snorkel in turquoise seas. Take in the historical sights. They're stoically British and very quaint. Or explore the coral reefs. You can get to them by boat or propelled by fins. You pick. Freestyle Cruising doesn't tell you where to go or what to do. Sure, you can plan ahead, or decide once onboard. After all, it's your vacation. There are no deadlines or must do's.

Holland America - Eastern Caribbean from From $599 per person

Description: White sand, black sand, talcum soft or shell strewn, the beaches of the Eastern Caribbean invite you to swim, snorkel or simply relax. For shoppers, there's duty-free St. Thomas, the Straw Market in Nassau, French perfume and Dutch chocolates on St. Maarten. For history buffs, the fascinating fusion of Caribbean, Latin and European cultures. For everyone, a day spent on HAL's award winning private island Half Moon Cay.

Celebrity - 7-Night Western Mediterranean from $549 per person

Description: For centuries people have traveled to Europe to see magnificent ruins, art treasures and natural wonders. And the best way to do so is by cruise ship. Think of it - you pack and unpack only once. No wasted time searching for hotels and negotiating train stations. Instead, you arrive at romantic ports of call relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the world.

Holland America - Alaska from From $499 per person

Description: Sail between Vancouver and Seward, departing Sundays on the ms Statendam or ms Volendam and enjoy towering mountains, actively calving glaciers and pristine wildlife habitat. Glacier Bay and College Fjord offer two completely different glacier-viewing experiences.

More Vacation & Cruise Specials...