Ocean Endeavour Ends Adventure Canada Charter After 10 Seasons

SunStone Ships’ Ocean Endeavour has completed its final charter season with Adventure Canada, ending a 10-season partnership focused on expedition cruising in the Arctic, Northern Europe and Canada. The 199-guest vessel is now docked in Canada and is being marketed for sale or charter, according to SunStone’s website.

Farewell sailing closes a decade-long charter run

The ship’s final voyage for Adventure Canada sailed in mid-October on an 11-day itinerary focused on Atlantic Canada. The cruise circumnavigated Newfoundland and included a call at Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, the French archipelago off Newfoundland’s south coast.

That farewell itinerary capped a last season that began earlier in the year, starting in early June with a ten-night voyage from Scotland to the British Isles. Ocean Endeavour then continued a series of North Atlantic expeditions that included Iceland and Greenland before arriving in Canada in early August.

Once in Canadian waters, the ship operated itineraries to the High Arctic, Labrador, Newfoundland and the Northwest Passage, before completing its final charter sailing for the operator.

From Soviet-era ferry to expedition mainstay

Ocean Endeavour traces its origins to the early 1980s, when it was built in Poland as a Soviet cruise ferry. The vessel was later converted in the 1990s to operate as a full-time cruise ship, and it went on to sail for multiple operators over the years.

Its service history includes time with Kristina Cruises, Quark Expeditions, Mano Maritime and Intrepid Travel, before becoming a cornerstone of Adventure Canada’s expedition program for the past decade.

Adventure Canada’s fleet transition begins in 2026

With Ocean Endeavour’s charter concluded, Adventure Canada is planning a shift to different tonnage starting in 2026. Ocean Nova is set to replace Ocean Endeavour for most of the company’s expedition operations across the Arctic, Canada and Northern Europe.

Ocean Victory is also slated to enter Adventure Canada’s program, with three sailings planned under the company’s flag. Those voyages are scheduled between September and October and are set to cover remote-region routes that include Greenland, the Canadian Arctic and the Northwest Passage.

Adventure Canada previously announced plans in 2025 to operate summer expeditions aboard Exploris One, but later canceled its charter contract with Exploris Expeditions and Voyages.

No official statement from SunStone Ships or Adventure Canada was included in the available reports.

Ocean Victory’s 2026 Arctic season goes on sale, including an eclipse voyage

Separate from Adventure Canada’s shift away from Ocean Endeavour, Ocean Victory is scheduled to operate a broader run of Arctic expeditions during the summer of 2026, with departures being sold by both Adventure Canada and Polar Latitudes Expeditions.

The 186-guest ship is scheduled to offer six itineraries ranging from eight to 17 nights, running from late July into early October. The routes span Iceland, Greenland, the Canadian Arctic and Northwest Passage cruising, and one voyage is positioned around a total solar eclipse with viewing planned in the High Arctic.

How the Ocean Victory program is split between sellers

• Polar Latitudes Expeditions is selling three cruises, including the High Arctic eclipse voyage and additional itineraries that focus on Greenland and Iceland.
• Adventure Canada is selling three sailings, including an expedition pairing Greenland with Labrador and two voyages that traverse the Northwest Passage between Nuuk, Greenland, and Coppermine, Canada.

Before its Arctic season, Ocean Victory is scheduled to operate in Antarctica during the 2025-26 season for Albatros Expeditions.

Ocean Victory’s build profile and shifting operating history

Ocean Victory entered service in 2021 after being built for SunStone Ships at China Merchants Heavy Industry Shipyard in Haimen. At approximately 8,000 tons, the ship was designed for expedition cruising in polar and remote destinations.

In earlier deployments, the vessel sailed in summer seasons for American Queen Voyages and in winter seasons for Albatros Expeditions. After American Queen Voyages ceased revenue operations, Ocean Victory was chartered to Spain-based startup Alma Cruceros, which planned Mediterranean cruises aimed at Spanish-speaking markets starting in 2025.

That Mediterranean project was short-lived: the ship was arrested by Spanish authorities only weeks after entering service. It then spent much of the summer season laid up in Funchal, Madeira, before returning to polar-focused deployment plans.

With Ocean Endeavour now on the market and Ocean Victory’s 2026 Arctic itineraries on sale, Adventure Canada’s near-term schedule centers on executing its updated ship lineup, beginning with Northern Europe and Arctic sailings and continuing into late-season Northwest Passage itineraries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Ocean Endeavour still operating with Adventure Canada?

No. Ocean Endeavour has completed its final charter season with Adventure Canada after a 10-season run. The ship is now docked in Canada and is being marketed for sale or charter by SunStone Ships.

Which ships are planned to replace Ocean Endeavour in Adventure Canada’s program?

Adventure Canada plans to use Ocean Nova for most expedition operations starting in 2026, and Ocean Victory is also scheduled to operate three sailings for the company. Adventure Canada also announced plans in 2025 to operate summer expeditions aboard Exploris One, but later canceled its charter contract with Exploris Expeditions and Voyages.

What makes Ocean Victory suitable for polar expeditions?

Ocean Victory was designed for expedition cruising in polar and remote destinations and carries 186 guests. The ship features an X-Bow hull design and is described as having advanced systems aimed at polar operations, while its size supports itineraries to remote-region ports and landing areas.

Will Ocean Victory offer a solar eclipse expedition in 2026, and when?

Yes. One of Ocean Victory’s Arctic itineraries on sale for the late July to early October 2026 period includes plans for guests to view a total solar eclipse in the High Arctic.

Why did Ocean Victory temporarily cease operations in 2025?

After being chartered to the Spain-based startup Alma Cruceros for Mediterranean cruises in 2025, Ocean Victory was arrested by Spanish authorities only weeks after entering service. The ship then spent much of the 2025 summer season laid up in Funchal, Madeira.