The Lowestoft-built former Scottish Fisheries patrol boat Norna has become one of the world’s most exclusive cruise ships, operating from a base in Cape Town to Antarctica at charter costs of almost £200,000 a week.
Introduced in 1988, the 235ft vessel was retired in 2010 after a career patrolling the North Atlantic to prevent illegal fishing. She has been undergoing a conversion in France over the past 18 months to operate with luxurious accommodation for 12 passengers, to be named Enigma XK.
With an 11-knot cruising speed and flying the flag of the Marshall Islands, the vessel will visit some of the toughest corners of the world, from the Antarctica to the tropics, and has fuel capacity of 48,000 gallons.
She will operate with a crew of 19 and Enigma XK, offered through EYOS Expeditions, also has a gymnasium, jacuzzi and helicopter pad installed.
