61 INTERVIEW Infinity-class vessels are designed to enable guests to explore, including by kayak Enabling exploration Carsten Lund speaks with Alex Smith about how SunStone Maritime Group has designed its ships for memorable expedition excursions SunStone Maritime Group has been the largest tonnage provider to the expedition cruise market since 2012, helping its charterers to travel to some of the most remote destinations in the world. Once there, the group’s ships provide a versatile platform for guests to satisfy their sense of exploration. “These ships are going to places where larger ocean vessels can’t, often without any ports to call at,” says Carsten Lund, chief commercial officer of Sunstone. “Our onboard zodiacs are therefore a very important tool for taking passengers on excursions and sightseeing trips, but also for transporting passengers from ship to shore.” Another popular way for guests to explore is by using each ship’s fleet of kayaks. “Passengers are well-protected with their safety gear, but they’re so close to the water line, with no engine noise to disrupt the experience,” says Lund. “They can glide through the water effortlessly and just enjoy the scenery and wildlife.” SunStone’s ships are also equipped for more complex excursions, with several of its newest Infinity-class ships featuring onboard dive centres. “Polar dives are advanced and not something offered by all operators, so it’s something we can accommodate that will give our charterers a different dimension for their expeditions,” says Lund. “It opens up a completely different world underwater.” SunStone is currently in the process of selecting a shipyard for the construction of a new class of ships, the Boundless series. According to Lund, the Boundless ships have been designed with versatility in mind. “The Boundless series will still be able to visit all the destinations in very rough conditions, but we have decided to make sure they are just as suited to sailing in warm water as in cold water,” he explains. “We’ve therefore added more outdoor spaces and features to ensure the ships are more versatile.” This commitment to flexibility extends to SunStone’s approach to the construction of the Boundless series, with the company offering a significant degree of customisation to potential charterers. “We typically only sign very long charters for our newbuilds, and those clients will therefore have the ship as their own for over a decade,” says Lund. “We see it as our responsibility to allow them to customise the vessel for their passengers as much as possible.” “ Our onboard zodiacs are therefore a very important tool for taking passengers on excursions” Photo: SunStone Maritime Group
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