Ocean Diamond

The 1974-built/2024-scrapped MV Ocean Diamond was previously owned by SunStone Ships (as "Diamond XI") and chartered to the Copenhagen-based Albatros Travel company specializing in polar expedition cruises and tours. Quark Expeditions (USA-based polar cruise travel company) also operated it under a time charter.

As an expedition vessel, Ocean Diamond had an ice-strengthened hull and two stabilizers, and as a cruise ship accommodated a maximum of 189 passengers.

The vessel (IMO number 7325629) was last Portugal-flagged (MMSI 255806403) and registered in Madeira. It was previously Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311063900/registered in Nassau) and before that was France-flagged (MMSI 578101000/registered in Wallis and Futuna).

Renamed DIAMOND XI and registered as an accommodation ship, Ocean Diamond's AIS transmitted for the last time on August 25, 2024, at 19:07 UTC, showing the 50-year-old vessel at Aliaga Turkey where it was beached for scrapping.

History - construction and ownership

The superyacht's previous owner (Compagnie du Ponant) sold it in late-2011 to investors. In November 2012, it was contracted by Quark Expeditions for charter operations under the name "Ocean Diamond". The polar travel company Quark Expeditions (1991-founded) specializes in expedition cruises to Antarctica and the Arctic via icebreaking vessels (passenger ships with ice-strengthened hulls). Quark Expeditions became part of TUI Travel (UK) in 2007 and since 2016 has been owned by Travelopia Group Holdings Ltd (UK).

In April 2024 was announced that Bridgemans Services Group LP (2013-founded, Richmond BC Canada-based company) had purchased the vessel from SunStone Ships Inc (1990-founded, Miami, Florida USA-based cruise shipowner). Following the acquisition, the 40-year-old vessel (Diamond XI) was converted into a hotel ship/floatel.

Brian Grange Bridgemans Group's President) described the vessel as suitable for projects requiring premium accommodation space (up to 350 beds). The new shipowner intended to use it for chartering to companies working on projects in their initial stages or provide additional accommodation during peak workforce periods.

Bridgemans Floatels operates a fleet of former cruise vessels refitted into floating hotels. They are chartered by companies looking to quickly deploy accommodations to 100-1500 people working on inshore or offshore projects. The ships are fitted with full-service staterooms (providing modern hotel amenities and services) as well as fully-equipped onboard facilities like flexible business areas (meeting areas, conference rooms, private office spaces), Auditorium (media presentations, training sessions), Car Deck (large storage capacity and Ro-Ro deck access), Helideck (helicopter landing zone with direct access to the Infirmary).

Bridgemans Services Group has a division specializing in ship conversions/refits.

Ocean Diamond's new fleetmate was the former Tallink Isabelle ferry (now Isabelle X).

Bridgeman's refurbishment of the vessel (in March 2024 at Gibdock Shipyard, Gibraltar UK) included a Dining Room renovation, the creation of an Auditorium (capacity 200 seats), a gym and an office area (equipped with 45 PCs/workstations).

Shipboard facilities

Being one of the most eco-friendly and fastest cruise ships in Antarctica, Ocean Diamond is also one of the most comfortable ones. The 101 elegantly furnished cabins and suites all feature exterior views. There are also expansive common spaces, a spacious restaurant and club lounge.

The boat offers a wealth of adventure options, plus onboard interactions with photography instructors (dedicated photography enrichment program), yoga classes, aromatherapy treatments and massage therapy (wellness program). Zodiac cruising and landings, snowshoeing and hiking tours ashore are included in cruise fares, while kayaking is optional. After a day of exploration, guests can relax and browse DVDs or books in the well-stocked polar library.

The vessel's draft is only 16 ft (4,9 m) allowing access to remote islands and unique coastal destinations. The ship is powered by two WICHMANN marine diesel engines (total power output 7375 HP). The hull is ice class 1D. The ship has all 2 lifeboats, which are fully enclosed. Ship-to-shore communications are via Inmarsat Capsat Fleet 77 (satellite phone and Internet).

In addition to the lifeboats, MS Ocean Diamond carries a tender on davits (a crane-like device used for raising, and lowering the boats) located across the stern. The cruise ship also serves the "Expert in Residence" program, letting polar researchers, scientists, historians and other experts to undertake field work out of the ship. Passengers are allowed to assist. All landings include expedition jackets and rubber boots on loan.

Itineraries

Ocean Diamond cruises in Antarctica (Antarctic Peninsula region). itineraries also visit the wildlife paradise of South Georgia Island and the remote Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas). Antarctica departures are out of Ushuaia (Argentina) and fly-cruise deals are offered from Buenos Aires.

In the summer, the ship operates on European itineraries (cruises in Iceland) with roundtrip departures from Reykjavik. These seasonal ship charters are since 2015 and by the local tour brand Iceland ProCruises (run by the Iceland ProTravel agency). In 2018 was introduced a new 7-day cruise itinerary program targeting the USA-Canada market. Most itineraries are 9-days and longer and visit port destinations in Iceland and Greenland.

Quark cruise deals

Quark Expeditions cruise deals are inclusive of:

• 1-night pre-cruise hotel stay, group transfers (airport-hotel on the day prior departure, and hotel-ship on embarkation day)
• onboard accommodation (daily housekeeping service)
• all onboard meals (breakfasts, lunches, dinners) - know that the ship's galley/kitchen can't prepare kosher meals
• all Zodiac landings (daily, weather permitting) and Zodiac transfers and cruising (daily)
• media presentations by Expedition Team members and special guest lecturers
• waterproof expedition boots (onshore landings)
• complimentary Quark Expeditions logoed parka
• lifejackets and immersion suits
• complimentary coffee, tea and cocoa (24 / 7)
• hairdryer and bathrobe (in all cabins)
• pre-departure materials (including maps)
• all service taxes and port fees
• all onboard luggage handling
• emergency evacuation (medevac) insurance to a max benefit USD 100,000 pp
• Fly-cruise deals are inclusive of complimentary house wines (by the glass), beers and spirits on the ship, also of all gratuities (staff and crew) and all domestic flights (prior to embarkation).
• Shipboard laundry and Ironing services are available at additional cost.
• Ship-to-shore communications are via Inmarsat Capsat Fleet 77 (satellite phone and Internet) and cost extra.