La Belle des Océans

La Belle des Océans is a compact expedition and destination-cruise ship operated by the French cruise company CroisiEurope. The vessel was built in 1989 for the Japanese market as Oceanic Grace and has subsequently served under several names and operators, reflecting its long career in specialized small-ship cruising. It was later known as Oceanic Odyssey, Clipper Odyssey and, most recently before its CroisiEurope service, Silver Discoverer. The ship is designed for destination-intensive voyages rather than the broad entertainment and resort facilities associated with large contemporary cruise ships. It measures approximately 338 feet in length, has a gross tonnage of about 5,218, and can carry up to 130 passengers. Its accommodation is composed entirely of outside cabins, with a smaller number of balcony rooms and a single suite. This layout emphasizes views and access to remote destinations rather than onboard scale. Onboard facilities include a swimming pool, jogging track, gym, beauty salon, restaurant, pool grill, panoramic lounge and lecture room. The lecture space supports destination briefings and educational programming. During its expedition-cruise period, the ship also carried 12 Zodiac boats and a glass-bottom boat for wildlife observation and shore access. A decompression chamber was installed historically for diving operations but is no longer in service. The vessel entered the expedition market under Clipper Cruise Line as Clipper Odyssey after being acquired in 1999. International Shipping Partners purchased it in 2007. Silversea Cruises announced its acquisition in September 2013, and the ship entered Silversea service as Silver Discoverer on 1 March 2014 following a renaming ceremony in Singapore. It then operated remote-region itineraries in areas including the Kimberley coast of Australia, Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia, the Russian Far East, Southeast Asia, New Zealand and other Australian waters. Silversea's expedition program used a multidisciplinary team that included expedition leaders, divemasters, marine biologists, historians, geologists and naturalists. Silver Discoverer left the Silversea Expeditions fleet in 2019. Its owners, Florida-based SunStone Ships, subsequently sold the vessel to CroisiEurope, with the transaction brokered by Aminima Shipbrokers. Renamed La Belle des Océans, it became part of CroisiEurope's small-ship portfolio. Since 2021, its regular seasonal program has included cruises among six islands of the Canary archipelago in winter and around Corsica in summer, supplemented by repositioning voyages calling at ports in Morocco, Spain and France. The ship's identity is therefore closely associated with small-capacity cruising, expedition-style access and itineraries built around scenery, culture and remote coastal destinations.

La Belle des Océans was built in 1989 for the Japanese market under the name Oceanic Grace. Its early operation was followed by a transfer to Indonesia's Spice Islands Cruises, which renamed the ship Oceanic Odyssey. In 1999, St. Louis-based Clipper Cruise Line acquired the vessel and gave it the name Clipper Odyssey. The ship's later career developed around small-ship and expedition cruising, a segment requiring access to ports and coastlines that are unsuitable for much larger vessels. International Shipping Partners acquired the ship in 2007. Silversea Cruises announced its purchase on 10 September 2013, and the vessel was rechristened Silver Discoverer in Singapore by Elda Turco Bulgherini. It entered service with Silversea on 1 March 2014. The ship subsequently operated as part of Silversea Expeditions, visiting remote regions such as the Kimberley coast of Australia, Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia, the Russian Far East, Southeast Asia, New Zealand and other Australian destinations. Its expedition model combined small-group landings and Zodiac operations with onboard interpretation from specialists in fields including marine biology, geology, history and natural history. The ship's physical design supports this operating model. With a gross tonnage of approximately 5,218 and a length of about 338 feet, it is substantially smaller than mainstream resort ships. It carries up to 130 passengers in five cabin categories. All cabins are outside-facing, while only some include balconies and one is configured as a suite. Public spaces include a restaurant, pool grill, panoramic lounge, lecture room, gym, beauty salon, swimming pool and jogging track. Twelve Zodiac boats and a glass-bottom boat support exploration and wildlife viewing. A decompression chamber once associated with diving operations is no longer used. Silver Discoverer left the Silversea Expeditions fleet in 2019. SunStone Ships, identified as the vessel's owner, subsequently sold it to CroisiEurope in a transaction brokered by Aminima Shipbrokers. The ship was renamed La Belle des Océans and became part of CroisiEurope's small-ship cruise operations. From 2021 onward, its published operating pattern included winter voyages through six islands of the Canary archipelago and summer cruises around Corsica. It also undertook repositioning cruises calling at destinations in Morocco, Spain and France. The vessel's successive names and operators show how a specialized small cruise ship can move between regional, classic-cruise and expedition-oriented markets while retaining the same core yacht-style platform.

• 2021

  Began Canary Islands and Corsica seasonal program

  [1]La Belle des Océansen.wikipedia.org

  The ship began operating winter cruises in the Canary Islands and summer voyages around Corsica, alongside repositioning itineraries.

• 2019

  Transferred to CroisiEurope

  [1]La Belle des Océansen.wikipedia.org

  After leaving the Silversea Expeditions fleet, the vessel was sold to CroisiEurope and renamed La Belle des Océans.

• 2014

  Entered service as Silver Discoverer

  [1]La Belle des Océansen.wikipedia.org

  The rechristened vessel entered Silversea service on 1 March 2014 and began expedition operations.

• 2013

  Purchased by Silversea Cruises

  [1]La Belle des Océansen.wikipedia.org

  Silversea announced the purchase of the vessel on 10 September 2013.

• 2007

  Acquired by International Shipping Partners

  [1]La Belle des Océansen.wikipedia.org

  International Shipping Partners purchased the ship from its previous operator.

• 1999

  Renamed Clipper Odyssey

  [1]La Belle des Océansen.wikipedia.org

  After acquisition by Clipper Cruise Line, the ship adopted the name Clipper Odyssey.

• 1989

  Built as Oceanic Grace

  [1]La Belle des Océansen.wikipedia.org

  The vessel was constructed for the Japanese market and entered service as Oceanic Grace.

A small-capacity, yacht-style cruise experience focused on remote destinations, scenic coastal navigation, educational programming and expedition access rather than large-ship entertainment.

• Small expedition cruise ship · 1989

  La Belle des Océans

  A 5,218-gross-ton yacht-style cruise ship approximately 338 feet long and 51 feet wide. It accommodates up to 130 passengers in five cabin categories, with all cabins outside-facing, a limited number of balcony rooms and one suite. Its facilities include a pool, jogging track, gym, beauty salon, restaurant, pool grill, lecture room and panoramic lounge. Expedition equipment includes 12 Zodiac boats and a glass-bottom boat.

• 2021Canary Islands and Corsica seasonal cruising

  Canary Islands · Corsica · Morocco · Spain · France

  CroisiEurope deployed the renamed ship on a seasonal itinerary strategy: winter cruises through six Canary Islands, summer cruises around Corsica and repositioning voyages linking destinations in Morocco, Spain and France.

  Outcome. The program established La Belle des Océans within CroisiEurope's small-ship and destination-focused cruise portfolio.

  Source

• 2021

  Adoption of a seasonal regional itinerary strategyStrategy

  Background

  CroisiEurope operated the ship as a small-capacity vessel suited to scenic and destination-led routes.

  Action taken

  The company scheduled winter cruises in the Canary Islands, summer voyages around Corsica and additional repositioning cruises in the western Mediterranean.

  Aftermath

  La Belle des Océans continued to serve as a destination-focused cruise ship rather than a large resort-style vessel.

  Source

• 2019

  Sale to CroisiEuropeM&A

  Background

  The ship left Silversea Expeditions after several years of remote-region operations.

  Action taken

  SunStone Ships sold the vessel to CroisiEurope, with Aminima Shipbrokers acting as transaction broker, and the ship was renamed La Belle des Océans.

  Aftermath

  The vessel moved into CroisiEurope's small-ship cruise program and later received seasonal Canary Islands and Corsica assignments.

  Source

• 2013

  Silversea acquisitionM&A

  Background

  The vessel was available for a new operating role after its ownership by International Shipping Partners.

  Action taken

  Silversea Cruises purchased the ship, renamed it Silver Discoverer and placed it in the Silversea Expeditions fleet.

  Aftermath

  The ship entered service in 2014 and operated remote-region expedition cruises under the Silversea brand.

  Source

1. 1La Belle des Océansen.wikipedia.org