Press
Magellan Discoverer
July 2026
“Tomas Tillberg Design has created a guest journey with remarkable coherence, from a Patagonian building to a purpose built polar vessel, and very few expedition cruise companies can claim that kind of end-to-end design intentionality.”
Antarctica21’s Scandar Jacob
Magellan Discoverer is a 76-guest hybrid-electric expedition ship, currently under construction at the ASENAV shipyard in Valdivia, Chile, with interior work underway ahead of the ship’s expected delivery to Antarctica21 in September 2026. Antarctica21 has designed the ship as a boutique expedition cruise vessel specifically tailored for Antarctic exploration. Tomas Tillberg Design has created the interiors, with the project led by Nedgé Louis-Jacques, managing partner and senior vice president of design, and David Tovar, project director. The team travelled to the ASENAV shipyard to spend time onboard sister ship Magellan Explorer and to tour Explorers House, Antarctica21’s private expedition centre in Punta Arenas.
“The Antarctic landscape is never just outside, it is woven into every moment onboard” “Tomas Tillberg Design developed an interior identity for the ship inspired by Explorers House, our converted early 20th-century wool warehouse which established our brand’s design DNA: the interplay of heritage materials and modern accents, warm neutrals and black metal framework,” says Scandar Jacob, business partner at Antarctica21. “Through this immersion and several meetings with our team, Louis-Jacques, Tovar and their team developed a firsthand understanding of our brand, our values and the way guests experience journeys onboard Antarctica21 ships.
“The Antarctic landscape is never just outside, it is woven into every moment onboard”
This, combined with the hands-on involvement of our operations, fleet and commercial teams, who brought more than 20 years of experience operating on various ships and the practical lessons learned from Magellan Explorer, had a direct and positive impact on the final result. The vessel carries forward our signature blend of casual elegance and expedition spirit.”The ship’s interiors feature modern details, black and graphite metal accents and a warm, neutral palette, which Jacob believes “balances high-end comfort with durable finishes suited to the polar environment”. Magellan Discoverer will feature numerous enhancements compared to Magellan Explorer, which launched in December 2019.
While both ships meet Polar-Class 6 standards, Magellan Discoverer also features a hybrid electric propulsion system (with Corvus Energy battery storage and ABB Azipod technology) for quieter operation, larger cabins and expanded public spaces. “The heart of Magellan Discoverer is the Observation Lounge and Bar,” says Jacob. “Featuring large windows which frame the Antarctic landscape, the space dissolves the boundary between inside and out. It is where guests can take a comfortable seat to watch humpback whales surface from the ocean; where expedition guides deliver presentations to deepen every encounter in the field; and where friendships blossom over evening gatherings and Chilean wines. The industrial accents carried over from Explorers House ground the space in our brand identity while allowing the scenery to take centre stage. The space is intimate enough to feel personal yet spacious enough to feel open. Guests are sure to find themselves returning again and again, not because they have to but because everything they want to see and feel is right there.”
Large windows are also a feature of the ship’s onboard sauna. “Watching icebergs drift past you in the sauna as you warm up after a Zodiac excursion captures something essential about the Antarctica21 experience: the Antarctic landscape is never just outside, it is woven into every moment onboard,” says Jacob.
The ship’s all-balcony cabins and suites feature higher ceilings, expanded layouts and sliding glass doors that open onto private balconies. Heated bathroom floors, ample wardrobe space and a private sitting area add to the accommodation’s boutique-hotel feel, while the ship’s 12 exclusive suites, including family and triple suites, cater for multigenerational groups.“Every interior decision reflects the ship’s purpose: to navigate Southern waters with agility, reaching places larger vessels simply cannot access, without sacrificing charm or comfort,” says Jacob.
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M/V Douglas Mawson
The seventh and final vessel in SunStone's first series of Infinity class vessels was delivered to the owners in September 2025.
The ship's interior design, crafted by Tomas Tillberg Design, prioritises bringing the outdoors inside. The two-story atrium and spectacular forward bow windows connect passengers to the natural world. It’s all about seamlessly transitioning from the ship’s cosy interiors to the awe-inspiring landscapes beyond. Public spaces include two restaurants, two bars, a heated outdoor swimming pool, pool bar and Jacuzzis, a gym, sauna, relaxation, and wellness areas. There is also a library lounge, a citizen science centre, and a lecture theatre. Observation decks offer panoramic views of wilderness and wildlife.
The Infinity-class expedition cruise vessel boasts a unique feature shared by three sister vessels: windows enveloping the bow lounge, flooding the interior with natural light and creating an immersive connection to the surrounding nature. Imagine sipping your morning coffee while gazing out at the breathtaking vistas through these expansive windows! Built to Polar Class 6 standards, the Douglas Mawson accommodates guests in 80 cabins.
Designed by Ulstein Design & Solutions AS, this vessel is part of the Infinity class, which introduced the patented X-BOW design to the cruise industry. This innovative design significantly reduces wave resistance and vessel motion, enabling smoother and more efficient operations in challenging sea conditions. It also reduces noise and improves fuel efficiency, making it an excellent choice for expedition cruising.
Interior Design by Tomas Tillberg Design and outfitted by Makinen (naval architect Ulstein in Norway and built by China Merchant Heavy Industries yard in China)
