Aurora Expeditions

The Sylvia Earle is a purpose-built expedition vessel, designed to connect like-minded travelers in a meaningful way on perspective-altering voyages to the planet's most remote, unique, and spectacular regions.

Expedition and Guest Experience

• Intimate Capacity: With a maximum capacity of just 132 guests, the ship ensures a personalized and intimate experience, operating with a low guest-to-crew ratio.

• Maximize Off-Ship Adventure: Designed as a comfortable base camp for adventure, the primary aim is to get you off the ship and experiencing the natural environment as much as possible.

• Treading Lightly: The small group size not only enhances the experience but also allows the vessel to tread lightly, minimizing environmental impact and actively contributing to a positive presence in the environments visited.

Features and Ethos

• A Floating Ambassador for Conservation: The ship serves as a powerful ambassador for global conservation, paying tribute to its namesake, Dr. Sylvia Earle, and six other pioneering female conservationists. Each of the vessel’s public decks is dedicated to one of these inspiring leaders—Dr. Carden Wallace AM, Joanna Ruxton, Sharon Kwok, Bernadette Demientieff, Dr. Asha de Vos, and Hanli Prinsloo—educating expeditioners on their impressive and important conservation work.

• Certified 100% Climate Neutral: Demonstrating a commitment to sustainability, the Sylvia Earle is certified 100% Climate Neutral, utilizing the latest in expedition ship technology.

• The Citizen Science Centre: The ship is equipped with a fully furnished Citizen Science Centre, which is the heart of its onboard educational programming. Through expert lectures and participative Citizen Science programs, the Centre enriches your knowledge and deepens your connection to the places we travel.

Cruise Norway is a preferred travel partner of Aurora Expeditions. You can find more than 80 Aurora expedition cruises offered by Cruise Norway at great savings here.

The Greg Mortimer was designed by Aurora Expeditions, drawing on centuries of collective experience to create a purpose-built vessel for sailing to the most remote places on Earth. It has redefined expedition cruising for the future, offering the perfect base camp for adventures at the outer limits of human exploration.

Key Features and Guest Experience:

• The Revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW®: The Greg Mortimer was the first passenger ship to feature the ground-breaking X-BOW®. This inverted bow design allows the ship to cross oceans more comfortably and efficiently by cutting through waves and reducing the pitching motion, resulting in a smoother journey and less fuel consumption.

• Intimate Capacity & Luxurious Staterooms: The ship accommodates an average of 132 expeditioners across 76 cozy, comfortable cabins. Crucially, all cabins have an ocean view, and an impressive 85% include their own private balcony, allowing guests to enjoy the scenery directly from their room.

• Expedition-Ready Amenities: The ship is equipped with features essential for deep exploration:

  • Extensive Observation Decks and expansive windows to bring you closer to the environment.

  • Dedicated Zodiac Launching Platforms for fast and efficient deployment of the rigid inflatable boats, maximizing time spent exploring.

  • A Modern Lecture Lounge and multiple communal areas for expert presentations and socialising.

  • Wellness Facilities including a gym, a wellness centre, and outdoor Jacuzzis.

  • A spacious Mudroom for seamless preparation and decontamination of expedition gear.

With its unsurpassed environmental credentials and focus on bringing you closer to the polar and remote regions, the Greg Mortimer offers an unparalleled expedition experience.

Cruise Norway - Worldwide Expeditions offers more than 80 Aurora expedition cruises at vast savings here.

The Douglas Mawson, launched in 2026, is Aurora Expeditions' state-of-the-art adventure vessel. This purpose-built ship is the newest addition to the fleet that has redefined small-ship expedition cruising. Named after the legendary Australian geologist and explorer, the vessel embodies Sir Douglas Mawson's pioneering spirit and is designed for global discovery.

Expedition Features and Design:

• Ulstein X-BOW®: Featuring the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW®, the ship is engineered to cross oceans in smooth, quiet comfort. This inverted bow design enhances stability, reduces pitching in rough seas, and improves fuel efficiency, ensuring a more pleasant and environmentally conscious voyage.

• Capacity and Comfort: The Douglas Mawson takes an average of 154 adventurers to the world’s wildest places. It boasts Aurora Expeditions’ most extensive range of cabins yet, including an array of single cabins, offering greater choice and comfort for solo travelers.

• Enhanced Sustainability: The vessel is purpose-built with enhanced sustainability features, underscoring Aurora's commitment to responsible travel and minimizing its environmental footprint as it travels to sensitive ecosystems.

Onboard Guest Experience: The Douglas Mawson serves as a luxurious, floating base camp for adventure, with a host of amenities designed to connect like-minded travelers and elevate time onboard:

• Relaxation and Wellness: After a long day of exploring, guests can unwind with the heated outdoor swimming pool on the back deck, find a quiet space on a sunbed, or soak in one of two Jacuzzis. For fitness, there is a modern gym and a sauna for post-workout relaxation.

• Learning and Discovery: The ship features a dedicated Citizen Science Centre, encouraging guests to resolve to learn something new and participate in meaningful research projects that deepen their connection to the environment.

• Dining and Socializing: Guests can enjoy delicious meals with new and old friends in one of the two restaurants, offering a variety of culinary experiences. Multiple observation areas are positioned throughout the ship, allowing guests to relax in comfort while keeping watch for wildlife or spectacular landscapes unfolding before them.

While enjoying the luxurious amenities onboard, guests can rest assured that the expedition team’s primary aim remains unchanged: to get you off the ship to explore the natural environment as much as possible through a unique and immersive activities program.

Inaugural Season Highlights:The Douglas Mawson's inaugural season will mark Aurora Expeditions’ return to East Antarctica for the first time in 15 years, with new itineraries including:

• Mawson’s Antarctica Voyage: A special voyage to East Antarctica, departing from Hobart, in honor of the ship’s namesake.

• Semi-Circumnavigation of Antarctica.

• Immersive Explorations of the Subantarctic Islands.

Here is a guide to Aurora Expeditions Antarctica sailings