Photo: Rendering of Aurora Expeditions' new ship (all renderings courtesy Aurora Expeditions)

Aurora Expeditions will soon welcome its third purpose-built small expedition ship to its fleet.

Set to sail in December 2025, Douglas Mawson’s inaugural season will also mark Aurora Expeditions’ return to East Antarctica for the first time in 15 years, with new itineraries to include a Mawson’s Antarctica voyage to East Antarctica in honour of the ship’s namesake, departing from Hobart.

The inaugural voyage and full program will be announced soon. Those who pre-register their interest in the inaugural Antarctica 2025/2026 season before April 18, 2024 are eligible to receive an additional US$2,000 per couple off their trip with Aurora Expeditions.

To pre-register go to aurora-expeditions.com.

The ship 

Douglas Mawson will carry an average of 154 passengers and will be the newest Infinity Class vessel to enter the market, joining Aurora’s sister ships Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle, also named after pioneers in their field.

The small ship will feature the latest revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW, designed for smoother and faster ocean crossings and world-leading fuel efficiency, and will offer Nordic interior design features with stylish staterooms and suites across 11 different categories, most featuring private balconies. For the first time, Aurora will also offer several single-berth cabins to cater to the growing solo traveller segment.

Public spaces include two restaurants, two bars, an outdoor heated swimming pool, pool bar and Jacuzzies, a gym and sauna, relaxation and wellness areas, a library lounge, a citizen science centre and lecture theatre, and expansive decks offering panoramic views.

Like Aurora’s sister ships, Douglas Mawson is designed to be a comfortable base camp for adventure, with Zodiac access points, a changing room and mudroom preparing passengers for off-ship and on-shore activities, while a dedicated science center is the hub for a variety of participative and educational Citizen Science programs.

For more information go to aurora-expeditions.com/ship. 

Source: Travelweek