SunStone Ships, the Florida based tonnage provider for the expedition cruise market, is planning to order newbuildings that would be larger than the Infinity class it is currently building, CEO Niels Erik Lund told CruiseBusiness Online.

To be called the Boundless class, the projected vessels would have a gross tonnage of about 12,000 to 13,000 compared to 8,500 of the Chinese built Infinity class vessels and their 124 metre length would exceed the figure of infinity ships by 20 metres.

SunStone Ships plans to build at least three units of the new class, which would replace Ocean Endeavour, Ocean Atlantic and Ocean Diamond. However, it is possible that the series will be longer as SunStone Ships plans to grow its business.

The Infinity class ships feature X-Bow, a feature patented by the Norwegian shipbuilding group Ulstein. This significantly enhances the seakeeping qualities of the ships.

Lund declined comment on whether the Boundless class would feature it as well. However, he noted that in any case, the bow of the new ships would be an inverse design as such a feature improves seakeeping, a very important aspect in expedition cruising that often includes voyages to regions where the conditions are demanding.

SunStone Ships is at an advanced stage in the design of the new class and the first order could be placed before the end of this year, he said.