The Exploris One is returning to France after spending several weeks laid up at the Spanish port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Expected to be sold as part of the liquidation of Exploris Expeditions & Cruises, the 1989-built vessel is currently sailing towards Caen.
AIS tracking data shows that the former Silver Explorer is set to arrive at the port in the French region of Normandy on November 16, 2025.
According to a report by Le Marin, the return to France is aimed at easing the sale of the 132-guest ship, which is one of the main assets of Exploris.
With the company initially set to be liquidated on Nov. 7, 2025, the vessel could have been considered abandoned by Spanish authorities, the French maritime news website reported.
In order to avoid further difficulties, the Nantes Commercial Court, which is overseeing the liquidation process, pushed that date to Nov. 13, 2025.
The Exploris One was getting ready for a winter season in Antarctica when Exploris was placed into administration.
Before heading to Ushuaia for a series of expedition cruises, the ship was set to undergo a regulatory drydock at a shipyard in Gran Canaria.
According to the company’s directors, the receivership process was aimed at obtaining funds to secure the shipyard stay and further operations.
In an interview with Mer et Marine, Philippe Videau, Exploris’ co-founder and president, said that the cruise line was facing financial challenges after having a charter contract cancelled on short notice.
Videau said that the company was negotiating with investors for support but could not reach an agreement before the court-imposed deadline.
As a result, Exploris cancelled all its upcoming departures and recently closed its two administrative offices in France.
All assets of the company, including the Exploris One, will be sold off as part of the liquidation process.
Before being acquired by Exploris in 2023, the 6,130-ton vessel spent over 15 years sailing for Silversea as the Silver Explorer.