Ocean Advice, a member of the UNITED WATERWAYS Group based in Basel (Switzerland), has taken over the nautical and technical management of the expedition cruise vessel MS Seaventure. The agreement allows Ocean Advice to expand its portfolio on the high seas and strengthen its presence in the expedition cruise market.
This move marks a significant milestone for Ocean Advice, which was rejuvenated two years ago following the sale of the Group’s Blue Water Division several years back. Since its inception, Ocean Advice has successfully leveraged its white label management to start up a French Ocean Cruise Line. The partnership with “66° Expeditions” to operate the MS Seaventure will further expand the Group’s presence in the expedition cruise market.
MS Seaventure, owned by “66° Expeditions”, offers polar voyages to both international and the Chinese market with distinctive oriental highlights. The ship was specially built for this demanding nautical environment and has the highest ice class, enabling it to navigate even under the harshest climatic conditions in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Over the years, MS Seaventure has safely completed more than 300 polar expeditions in both the Arctic and Antarctic regions. In 2025, the boutique ship underwent extensive modernization while maintaining its intimate atmosphere, accommodating 150 passengers and 115 crew members. The itineraries include cruises around Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard and Antarctica.
Traveling beyond the 66th parallel
The brand name “66° Expeditions” reflects the Chinese company’s mission to offer Arctic and Antarctic expeditions beyond the 66th parallel. This radius aligns with the growing interest in polar exploration among international and Chinese travelers, providing them with the opportunity to embark on extraordinary journeys to some of the most remote and pristine regions of the world.
The MS Seaventure was formerly known as MS Seascape, MS Bremen, and SeaQuest. Each name reflects a different chapter in the ship’s history and vouches for the history of a first-class expedition cruise ship. UNITED WATERWAYS will be responsible for the entire ship management with a proven team of international ship operation experts.
Important step for UNITED WATERWAYS
UNITED WATERWAYS, a member of the Chinese non-governmental organization “World Tourism Alliance”, is already active in the Asian market and currently operates three successful ships in the white label sector for Asian customers. Additional ships are under construction and scheduled for completion in 2026 and beyond.
“We are delighted that our experienced management team will be operating the Seaventure and that we will be able to to expand on the Asian market whose cultures and ways of travel we are fully committed to support”, says Oliver Sassen, CEO of Ocean Advice.
Oliver Sassen is joined by Sascha Gill, CEO of UNITED WATERWAYS, who welcomes “66° Expeditions” in the white label network. “This is a huge step forward for us and we are proud that we are able to support the ‘66° Expeditions’ brand with our infrastructure, logistics and all other benefits that come with economy of scale.”
UNITED WATERWAYS plans to launch another expedition cruise ship and a coastal cruiser by 2028, thereby expanding its presence on the high seas.