SunStone Lists Sea Spirit for Sale Ahead of Poseidon Newbuild
Built in Italy in 1991 as Renaissance Five, Sea Spirit was converted for expedition cruising in late 2010 and refurbished during a 2017 dry dock in Vigo, Spain.
SunStone Ships has listed the 114-passenger Sea Spirit for sale or charter from October 2028. The vessel is currently operating for Poseidon Expeditions under a long-term charter that began in 2014.
The availability follows Poseidon’s agreement with United Waterways to operate a newbuild from September 2028. Sea Spirit is Poseidon’s only currently operating expedition ship, and the operator plans to take delivery of the replacement when it withdraws the older vessel.
The 4,200-gross-ton Sea Spirit operates Arctic and Antarctic voyages. At 90.6 metres long, it has an ice-strengthened hull listed as Ice Class 1D.
On board Sea Spirit
SunStone’s sale-and-charter listing gives the vessel 60 guest cabins, while Poseidon describes its current passenger accommodation as 54 suites. The owner also lists crew accommodation for up to 85 people.
Public spaces include a main restaurant seating 128 and a presentation lounge with 110 seats. The ship also has a specialty restaurant, gift shop, gym, wellness area and medical centre.
For expedition operations, Sea Spirit carries Zodiacs and kayaks and has a dedicated mudroom. It is equipped with a zero-speed stabilizer system. Passenger facilities also include two elevators, air-conditioned interiors and an outdoor Jacuzzi area.
From Renaissance Five to Sea Spirit
Built in 1991 at Nuovi Cantieri Apuania in Carrara, Italy, the ship reached 35 years of service in 2026. It entered service as Renaissance Five, part of Renaissance Cruises’ original megayacht series.
Its previous operators include Cruise West, Star Cruises, Sun Cruises and Quark Expeditions. During its Cruise West service, the vessel sailed as Spirit of Oceanus on small-ship itineraries that included Alaska.
The vessel was converted for expedition cruising in late 2010, with technical upgrades and hull ice-strengthening. It subsequently underwent a $2.5 million refurbishment in 2017 during a dry dock in Vigo, Spain, covering the restoration of public spaces and renovation of guest suites.
United Waterways is developing Poseidon’s replacement vessel through its white-label ocean platform. The company has said the newbuild’s features and further specifications will follow in a later announcement.
