Cruise Talk: Universe Explorer replaced by Explorer ex Olympia Explorer

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

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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

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