OCEANIC II

The Oceanic II (IMO: 6512354, Port of Registry: Nassau, Bahama's) is a cruise ship converted into an oceangoing university campus. The ship is equipped with the following facilities:

• Academic staff library
• Academic support center
• Convenience store
• Dining rooms & cafés
• Fitness centers (2)
• Laundry Service
• Learning resource center
• Lecture rooms
• Medical clinic
• Recreation and activity rooms
• Religious observance spaces
• Sports deck
• Staff lounge
• Student pavilion
• Swimming pools (2 outdoor, 1 indoor)
• Theatre
• Wireless network throughout ship, including in cabins

The vessel is 200 metres long, 26.5 metres wide, has 389 cabins and a gross tonnage of 28,891. She was previously named Kungsholm (1966-1979), Sea Princess (1979-1995), Victoria (1995-2002) and Mona Lisa (2002-2007). The ship is currently operated by The Scholar Ship which delivers a globally recognized academic program on semester-long voyages around the world. Participants from diverse cultural backgrounds come together to co-create life-changing experiences that develop their intercultural competence and foster friendships reaching the far corners of the world.

A letter of intent has been signed between the current owners of Oceanic II and Swedish entrepreuner Lars Hallgren for the acquisition of the ship in 2010. It is planned that certain features of the Kungsholm's original appearance, such as her two funnels, will be restored as part of her conversion to a floating hotel. Her likely mooring site will be in Gothenburg.

The Oceanic II arrived at Schiedam last night from Amsterdam and is currently berthed at Damen Shipyards where she will undergo maintenance works for a few weeks. She will be renamed back to "Mona Lisa" before leaving Rotterdam.

Note: The Mona Lisa grounded in the Irbe Strait off Ventspils on May 4, 2008. Passengers and crew were evacuated due impending bad weather.