Stop The Press! The sailing for Goldring Travel’s 2026 Culinary & Cultural Journey: Borneo & Indonesia on Aurora Expeditions is technically SOLD OUT. Fortunately, I have a couple of staterooms on hold, but only for a few more days. If you are interested, NOW is the time to book it.
OK, now onto my intended article!
It is exciting times at Aurora Expeditions! I was introduced to Aurora Expeditions when it was a one ship operation. It now two ships and soon it will be three. Importantly, as Aurora Expeditions grows, I have seen a refinement (improvements) in its product and a continuity within the expedition team that truly makes it a team – with most returning year after year – focusing of really getting you out there in a friendly, informative, and safe manner.
Most exciting is that Aurora Expeditions is expanding its itineraries to “really get you out there” worldwide and not just the polar regions. More on that in a minute!
Aurora’s original ship, Greg Mortimer, launched in 2019, carries only 130 guests/76 staterooms with 85% having balconies, and is the first passenger vessel to have an X-Bow; giving it a rather unique profile but – and trust me on this after my experience on her sistership – an amazingly comfortable ride through rough seas. (There are now quite a few ships with it because it is that good!) She also has hydraulic viewing platforms that fold out near the bow, giving incredible views of marine life and seabirds as well as dynamic positioning (so less use of anchors), coupled with a Polar Class A hull, among other attributes.
Greg Mortimer is also one of the first purpose-built true expedition ships that placed more focus on having beautiful and comfortable public spaces and suites, thereby offering a premium, comfortable, experience.
Sylvia Earle – which I have sailed on twice – is quite similar to Greg Mortimer and was launched in 2022. While she doesn’t have the viewing platforms, she has the same 130 guest capacity in 71 staterooms and a striking windowed bow.
Aurora Expeditions – Goldring Travel Checks It Out: Part VIII – Reflections
Aurora Expedition’s third ship, Douglas Mawson, will launch in 2025 and, while larger, having the ability to carry 154 guests in 86 staterooms, still limits guests to 130 in polar regions. She will have a number of technical innovations but will remain overall consistent with both Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle.
With this expansion of the fleet, Aurora has taken on an aggressive and, more importantly, creative development of itineraries spanning much of the world, while also focusing on it Australian heritage!
If Antarctica is on your list, the Douglas Mawson will embark on a unique 24-day expedition to East Antarctica departing from Hobard, Tasmania and ending in Dunedin, New Zealand and a 25-day expedition to the Ross Sea and McMurdo Sound roundtrip Dunedin, New Zealand.
Interested in combining Antarctica with hiking in Patagonia? Aurora’s Trails of Antarctica & Patagonia expedition combines an Antarctic sailing expedition with some real trekking as well as some nice day trips. I think this is a fantastic opportunity.
Want something not so “polar”, how about a Circumnavigation of Tasmania? Very Cool!
If you are interested in Central America, there is a Costa Rica & Panama sailing in April 2025 and April 2026.
Yes, there are more itineraries, including the expected – and unexpected – Arctic and Antarctic ones…and I have been truly impressed with Aurora Expeditions in both polar regions.
So, if you are interested in a world-class expedition with a premium onboard experience, give me a call or drop me an email, text, WhatsApp, or message!
