{{Short description|Expedition ship}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}} {{Infobox ship |display_title=ital |section1={{Infobox ship/image |image= Caen Exploris One.jpg |image_caption= ''Exploris One'' in Caen, France on 11 December 2025 }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/career |hide_header= |name=*1989–1990: ''Delfin Clipper'' *1990–1992: ''Sally Clipper'' *1992: ''Baltic Clipper'' *1992–1997: ''Delfin Star'' *1997–2002: ''Dream 21'' *2002–2004: ''World Discoverer'' *2004–2005: ''World Adventurer'' *2005–2008: ''World Discoverer'' *2008–2011: ''Prince Albert II'' *2011–2023: ''Silver Explorer'' *2023–present: ''Exploris One'' *2027– (planned): ''Heritage Discoverer'' |owner= |operator=*2002?–2007: Society Expeditions *2007–2011: Silversea Cruises *2011–2023: Filipino Owner *2023–2026: Exploris *2026–present: Heritage Expeditions |registry=Nassau, {{flag|Bahamas|civil}} |route= |ordered=1 May 1986<ref name="seaweb">{{csr|register=SEAWEB|id=8806747|shipname=Exploris One|accessdate=3 April 2026}}</ref> |builder=Rauma-Repola, Rauma, Finland |original_cost=$50 million<ref name="seaweb" /> |yard_number=304 |laid_down=21 October 1988<ref name="seaweb" /> |launched= 3 February 1989<ref name="seaweb" /> |completed=June 1989<ref name="seaweb" /> |maiden_voyage= |in_service= |out_of_service= |identification=*{{IMO Number|8806747}} *{{Call sign|CQ2915}} *{{MMSI|311562000}} |fate= |status=In service |notes= }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics |hide_header= |header_caption=<ref name="seaweb" /> |class= |tonnage=* {{GT|6,158}} * {{NetT|1847}} * {{DWT|635}} |displacement= {{cvt|3768|t|LT}} |length=*{{cvt|108.1|m|ftin}} |beam={{cvt|15.6|m|ftin}} |height= |draught={{cvt|4.38|m|ftin}} |depth={{cvt|9.6|m|ftin}} |decks=7 (5 passenger) |ice_class=Finnish-Swedish ice class 1A |power=2 × Wärtsilä Vasa 6R32D (2 × 2,250 kW) |propulsion= Two shafts; controllable pitch propellers |speed={{convert|14|kn}} |capacity= 144 passengers |crew= 118 |notes= }} }}
'''''Exploris One''''' is an ice-strengthened expedition cruise ship built by Rauma shipyard in Finland. She was launched in 1989 as MS ''Delfin Clipper'' and was the first luxury cruise vessel built at this shipyard. Over the period 1989 to 2001 she operated under several names before being acquired by Society Expeditions, who operated her from 2001 to 2007 under the names ''World Discoverer'' and ''World Adventurer''. In 2007, she was purchased by Silversea Cruises and after a major refit was renamed ''Prince Albert II'', becoming the first expedition cruise vessel in the Silversea line. In April 2011, she was renamed ''Silver Explorer''.
After 15 years in the Silversea fleet, ''Silver Explorer'' was sold to Exploris Cruises and Expeditions in January 2022. She was transferred to Exploris in September 2023 and began sailings as ''Exploris One'' in December 2023. Exploris was liquidated in November 2025 and the ship was sold at auction to the Nordic Group.
In February 2026, Heritage Expeditions, an expedition cruise company operating from Christchurch, New Zealand, announced that the vessel would join their expedition cruise fleet and be renamed as ''Heritage Discoverer,'' with voyages commencing in May 2027.
==General characteristics==
The ship is an Ice Class 1A rated passenger vessel. She is {{Convert|108.11|m||abbr=on|order=}} in length, with a beam of {{convert|15.83|m||abbr=on}} and a draught of {{convert|4.38|m||abbr=on}}.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/HECROS1991PZ/page/490/mode/2up |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping 1990-91 P-Z |pages=491}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> The main engines are Wärtsilä-Vasa type 6R32D, each producing {{Convert|2,250|kW|Hp|abbr=on}} at 750 rpm. Propulsion is provided by two variable pitch propellors. The ship has two Wärtsilä auxiliary engines each rated at 1,000 kW driving 440 V 60 Hz generators rated at 840 kW.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=December 1989 |title=Outstanding ocean-going ships of 1989 |url=https://magazines.marinelink.com/Magazines/MaritimeReporter/198912/content/outstanding-oceangoing-ships-200553 |access-date=29 March 2026 |work=Maritime Reporter and Engineering News}}</ref>
The ship has five decks.<ref name="monster" /> At the time of commissioning in 1989 she had 178 passenger cabins. These included eight suites equipped with private Jacuzzis. Many of the cabins were single, intended to suit the market for conference passengers. The original facilities included conference seating for 150 people, a shop and casino, a nightclub/disco, a beauty salon, medical unit, and sauna, Jacuzzi and swimming pool.<ref name=":1" />
Accommodation was reduced to 132 passengers during a major refit in 2008. Following the refurbishment, the most common cabin size was {{Convert|200|ft2|abbr=on}}, but there were suites of up to {{Convert|675|ft2|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":4" /> Another extensive interior refurbishment was completed in 2017, including converting 8 large suites into 16 smaller suites with inter-connecting doors. The revised accommodation had capacity for up to 144 passengers in 72 cabins.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Scott |date=23 June 2017 |title=First look at redesigned Silver Explorer |url=https://www.theluxurycruisecompany.com/articles/article/first-look-at-redesigned-silver-explorer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815210811/https://www.theluxurycruisecompany.com/articles/article/first-look-at-redesigned-silver-explorer |archive-date=15 August 2019 |website=theluxurycruisecompany.com}}</ref>
By 2019, the vessel was operating with a fleet of 14 Zodiacs.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2019/12/22/silversea-worlds-first-ultra-luxury-fly-cruise-to-antarctica/|title=Silversea: World's First Ultra-Luxury Fly-Cruise to Antarctica - Modern Diplomacy|website=moderndiplomacy.eu|date=22 December 2019|access-date=28 March 2026|archive-date=10 March 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260310175922/https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2019/12/22/silversea-worlds-first-ultra-luxury-fly-cruise-to-antarctica/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Career== The ship was built by Rauma-Repola, at the Rauma shipyard, Finland, and handed over to her owners Delfin Cruises as the MS ''Delphin Clipper'' on 1 June 1989.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=M/S Delfin Clipper |url=https://www.faktaomfartyg.se/delfin_clipper_1989.htm |access-date=29 March 2026 |website=Factsaboutships|language= Swedish}}</ref> She was the first luxury cruise vessel built at this shipyard. In 1990 she was chartered by Sally Cruise to replace a vessel destroyed in a shipyard fire, and was renamed MS ''Sally Clipper''. She operated under several other names between 1992 and 2002 before being acquired by Society Expeditions. They operated her from 2002 to 2007 under the names ''World Adventurer'' and ''World Discoverer''.<ref name=":2" /> In 2003, the ship was seized by the bank holding a mortgage on the vessel. It had been chartered by Society Expeditions through a holding company, but following the seizure, Society Expeditions International purchased the ship for approximately $USD30 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tobin |first=Rebecca |date=30 June 2003 |title=Society Expeditions buys World Discoverer |url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Society-Expeditions-buys-World-Discoverer |access-date=29 March 2026 |website=Travel Weekly |language=en}}</ref> In June 2004, the vessel was again seized by creditors, and Society Expeditions filed for bankruptcy.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=11 July 2004 |title=Society ship is seized Society Expeditions Inc., a... |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jul-11-tr-log11-story.html |access-date=29 March 2026 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
She was purchased by Silversea Cruises in autumn 2007, and underwent a multimillion-pound refit at Fincantieri, Trieste. Passenger accommodation was reduced from 175 to 132.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Jainchill |first=Johanna |date=3 September 2008 |title=First Call: Silversea strives for elegance aboard expedition ship |url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/First-Call-Silversea-strives-for-elegance-aboard-expedition-ship |access-date=29 March 2026 |website=Travel Weekly |language=en}}</ref> In June 2008, at a ceremony in Monte Carlo attended by Prince Albert II of Monaco, she was renamed ''Prince Albert II''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 February 2008 |title=Silversea renames expedition ship |url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Silversea-renames-expedition-ship |access-date=29 March 2026 |work=Travel Weekly}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.travel-lists.co.uk/headarch08b.html| title=Silversea's first expedition ship departs London on her maiden voyage| publisher=Travel Lists| date=13 June 2008| accessdate=9 August 2009| url-status=dead| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201080251/http://travel-lists.co.uk/headarch08b.html| archivedate=1 December 2010}}</ref> She then sailed to London to embark passengers for an inaugural cruise.<ref name="monster">{{cite web| url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/lifestyle/travel/news/article_1415831.php/New_expedition_ship_Prince_Albert_II_begins_first_voyage| title=New expedition ship Prince Albert II begins first voyage| publisher=Monsters and Critics| date=9 July 2008| accessdate=9 August 2009| url-status=dead| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905020142/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/lifestyle/travel/news/article_1415831.php/New_expedition_ship_Prince_Albert_II_begins_first_voyage | archivedate=5 September 2008}}</ref>
''Silver Explorer'' operated polar adventure cruises lasting between 10 and 27 days.<ref name="monster" /> In the summer she cruised in the Arctic Circle and the Northeast Passage with calls at the Svalbard archipelago, Iceland and Greenland. During the northern hemisphere autumn and winter, she cruised off South America and Antarctica.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.etravelblackboard.com/showarticle.asp?id=80705&nav=5&suc=&cid=&email=&news=| title=More than half of Silversea Cruises guests are newcomers| work=Travel Blackboard| date=7 August 2008| accessdate=9 August 2009}}</ref> ''Prince Albert II'' was renamed ''Silver Explorer'' in late April 2011.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Prince-Albert-II-to-be-renamed-Silver-Explorer|title=Prince Albert II to be renamed Silver Explorer|first=Donna| last=Tunney| date=21 April 2011|work=Travel Weekly|access-date=29 March 2026}}</ref> ''Silver Explorer'' was refurbished in 2017, expanding its passenger capacity to 144 in 72 cabins.<ref name=":5" />
In 2018, the ship was chartered by a group of 130 golfers for a golfing tour of the Pacific Northwest. She anchored at Coos Bay and docked in North Bend.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://theworldlink.com/news/local/cruise-ship-silver-explorer-finds-its-way-to-coos-bay/article_8f91aa42-b4a5-53cd-864b-4436a1722b76.html |title=Cruise ship Silver Explorer finds its way to Coos Bay |first=Nicholas A. |last=Johnston |website=The Coos Bay World |access-date=29 March 2026 |archive-date=23 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241223065342/https://theworldlink.com/news/local/cruise-ship-silver-explorer-finds-its-way-to-coos-bay/article_8f91aa42-b4a5-53cd-864b-4436a1722b76.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2019, the Silver Explorer made the first voyage by a Silversea vessel through the Northwest Passage, travelling in Arctic pack ice accompanied by a Russian icebreaker.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cruisetradenews.com/watch-silversea-crosses-northwest-passage-first-time-in-history/ |title=Silversea crosses Northwest Passage for first time in cruise line's history |date=23 September 2019 |website=Cruise Trade News|access-date=29 March 2026|last=Sharpe|first=Olivia}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=31 January 2022 |title=Silver Explorer to Sail for New Cruise Line Exploris From 2023 |url=https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2022/01/silver-explorer-to-sail-for-new-cruise-line-exploris-from-2023/ |access-date=29 March 2026 |work=Cruise Industry News |archive-date=21 February 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260221211940/https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2022/01/silver-explorer-to-sail-for-new-cruise-line-exploris-from-2023/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2019, the ship made a maiden voyage to Sokcho, South Korea as the first Silversea ship to visit the port.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/20901-silver-explorer-makes-maiden-call-to-sokcho.html|title=Silver Explorer Makes Maiden Call to Sokcho|first=C. I. N.|last=Staff|date=21 May 2019|website=www.cruiseindustrynews.com}}</ref>
In January 2022, after 15 years in the Silversea fleet, the ship was sold to a French expedition cruise company Exploris Cruises and Expeditions.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 January 2022 |title=Silver Explorer sells |url=https://anbord.de/silver-explorer-verkauft/ |access-date=29 March 2026 |work=anbord.de |language=German}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/exploris-des-anciens-de-ponant-lancent-une-nouvelle-compagnie-de-croisiere-francaise |title=Exploris: des anciens de Ponant lancent une nouvelle compagnie de croisière française |work=Mer et Marine |date=14 January 2022 |first=Vincent |last=Groizeleau |access-date=29 March 2026 |language=French}}</ref> She was transferred to Exploris in September 2023.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/26689-silver-explorer-to-sail-for-new-cruise-line-exploris-from-2023.html |title=Silver Explorer to Sail for New Cruise Line Exploris From 2023 |work=Cruise Industry News |date=31 January 2022 |access-date=23 February 2022 |archive-date=13 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813071521/https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/26689-silver-explorer-to-sail-for-new-cruise-line-exploris-from-2023.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Silver Explorer'' completed its final cruise for Silversea on 19 November 2023,<ref>{{cite news|access-date=8 December 2023|date=23 November 2023|title=Silver Explorer Completes Final Cruise for Silversea|url=https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2023/11/silver-explorer-completes-final-cruise-for-silversea/|work=Cruise Industry News|archive-date=11 October 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251011141809/https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2023/11/silver-explorer-completes-final-cruise-for-silversea/|url-status=live}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref> and the maiden voyage as ''Exploris One'' departed Valparaiso on 23 December 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 January 2024 |title=Former Silver Explorer begins new life with Exploris Expeditions & Cruises |url=https://www.expeditioncruising.com/2024/01/former-silver-explorer-begins-new-life.html |access-date=30 March 2026 |work=Expedition Crusing}}</ref> Exploris Cruises and Expeditions was liquidated in November 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Valandina |first=Michèle |date=3 November 2025 |title=Exploris in liquidation, sole expedition ship to be sold |url=https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/finance-legal-regulatory/exploris-in-liquidation-sole-expedition-ship-to-be-sold |access-date=29 March 2026 |work=Seatrade Cruise News}}</ref>
''Exploris One'' was sold at auction for 4.5 M Euro, and purchased by the Nordic Group based in Hamburg.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2026/02/exploris-one-reportedly-sold-at-auction-for-4-5-million-euros/|title=Exploris One Reportedly Sold at Auction for 4.5 Million Euros|date=2 February 2026|work=Cruise Industry News|access-date=29 March 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Neumeier |first=Franz |date=27 February 2026 |title=Nordic acquires expedition cruise ship Exploris One at auction – from 2027 "Heritage Discoverer" |url=https://www.cruisetricks.de/nordic-ersteigert-expeditionskreuzfahrtschiff-exploris-one |access-date=29 March 2026 |work=www.cruisetricks.de|language=German}}</ref> In February 2026, Heritage Expeditions, an expedition cruise tourism company operating from Christchurch, New Zealand, announced that the vessel would join their expedition cruise fleet in May 2027 and be renamed as ''Heritage Discoverer''.<ref name="Granville">{{cite news| url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/360943880/kiwi-family-owned-cruise-company-celebrating-addition-brand-new-vessel|work=Stuff|first=Alan|last=Granville|title=Kiwi family-owned cruise company celebrating addition of new vessel| date=26 February 2026| accessdate=29 March 2026}}</ref> The company plans to operate the vessel with 130 passengers and an expedition crew of 15. There will be 14 Zodiacs to provide expedition experiences off the vessel.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 March 2026 |title=Heritage Expeditions Announces New Ship Heritage Discoverer and New Expedition Cruise Adventures |url=https://www.adventuretravelnews.com/heritage-expeditions-announces-new-ship-heritage-discoverer-and-new-expedition-cruise-adventures |access-date=29 March 2026 |website=adventuretravelnews.com |language=en}}</ref> Prior to entering service with Heritage Expeditions cruises, the vessel was chartered out to Polar Latitudes Expeditions.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hutcheon |first=Helen |date=27 February 2026 |title=Heritage Expeditions to operate the former Exploris One |url=https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/ship-operations/heritage-expeditions-to-operate-the-former-exploris-one |access-date=29 March 2026 |work=Seatrade Cruise News}}</ref>
==Incidents== In June 2019, as the ship was sailing into Bering Sea it became entangled in a fishing net which caused propeller damage, forcing the ship to drydock for repairs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Fishing-net-sends-Silver-Explorer-into-drydock-for-repairs|title=Fishing net sends Silver Explorer into drydock for repairs: Travel Weekly|website=www.travelweekly.com}}</ref> On 15 March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic on cruise ships, the ship docked in Castro, Chile, with 111 passengers and 120 crew, after an 83-year-old man fell ill and tested positive for COVID-19.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/cruise-ships-stranded-coronavirus-trnd/index.html |title=Multiple cruise ships are left stranded as coronavirus cases increase |last=Zdanowicz |first=Christine |work=CNN |date=17 March 2020 |access-date=23 March 2020 |archive-date=16 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316001502/https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/cruise-ships-stranded-coronavirus-trnd/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5rzuXIJXV88 Exploris One becomes Heritage Explorer] video showing time-series of name changes, at YouTube
{{DEFAULTSORT:Exploris One}} Category:Expedition cruise ships Category:1989 ships Category:Ships built in Rauma, Finland Category:Cruise ships involved in the COVID-19 pandemic