Aurora Expeditions
Aurora Expeditions is an Australian expedition cruise company founded in 1991 by mountaineer Greg Mortimer and Margaret Mortimer and named after Sir Douglas Mawson's ship Aurora. It specializes in small-group voyages to Antarctica and the Arctic, and has added warm-water and European itineraries so that its trips now reach all seven continents.
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About Aurora Expeditions
The company ran its first Antarctic expedition in 1992 and its first Arctic trip in 1997 on chartered ships. It took delivery of its first purpose-built vessel, Greg Mortimer, in 2019, followed by Sylvia Earle in 2022 and Douglas Mawson in 2025. All three share the Ulstein X-Bow hull and carry no more than 130 guests on expeditions or 154 on the line's small ship cruises.
Voyages put the emphasis on time off the ship, with optional sea kayaking, snowshoeing, camping, polar snorkelling and diving, and an expedition team ratio of about one guide for every seven guests. Antarctic voyages leave from Ushuaia, Argentina, while the northern program covers Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and the coasts of Europe.
What Aurora Expeditions is known for
Aurora is well regarded for its activity program and small guest numbers. Reviewers often mention the range of paddling, camping, alpine and diving options, the knowledgeable guides and the relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere, and the X-Bow ships are praised for a steadier ride through rough seas. The company has also built a reputation for citizen-science programs and for women's-only and photography departures.
On the other side, the most popular activities have limited places and need to be booked early, and the ships, though modern, are simpler than luxury expedition vessels. As with any polar operator, ice and weather can force changes to landings and routes. In April 2020 a COVID-19 outbreak on Greg Mortimer left passengers and crew at sea until Uruguay allowed the ship to dock.
Who it's for
Expedition · small ships to remote places, with naturalists and landings
- Adventure seekers
- Solo travelers
- Couples
Aurora suits active travelers who want to do more than watch from the deck: kayakers, campers, divers and hikers, as well as solo travelers, who get ten dedicated solo cabins with no single supplement on every sailing from the 2026 Arctic and 2026–27 Antarctic seasons. Australians and New Zealanders will find an operator with its roots close to home, and the small ships suit people who value landings and expert guiding over onboard extras.
Travelers who want gourmet dining, butler service or large suites should look at luxury expedition lines, and those who prefer a larger ship with more entertainment and amenities are not the market Aurora aims at.
Cruising solo on Aurora Expeditions
Aurora is a strong choice for solo travelers: all three of its expedition ships, Greg Mortimer, Sylvia Earle and Douglas Mawson, have solo staterooms, and the line sets aside 10 dedicated solo cabins on every 2026 and 2027 sailing with no single supplement. Those who want a different cabin to themselves pay a 50 percent surcharge. With no more than 130 guests on expeditions and landings and activities run in small groups, solo guests travel in a small, sociable setting, although the line publishes no solo-specific events.
- Cabins for one
- Solo balcony staterooms (Balcony Stateroom Category A, B and C - Solo); Douglas Mawson also has Aurora Stateroom Single cabins
- Single supplement
- Ten dedicated solo cabins on every sailing of the 2026 and 2027 seasons carry no single supplement. A solo traveler who wants another available stateroom alone pays a 50 percent surcharge.
How it rates
- Cabins
- 4.7/5
- Dining
- 3/5
- Entertainment
- 2/5
- Service
- 4/5
- Pools & decks
- 2.3/5
- Value
- 3/5
The fleet's average on each metric, across 3 rated ships in service. Each ship is scored 1 to 5 by Cruises Frog's editors; these are not reader reviews.
Rankings and comparisons
Where Aurora Expeditions sails
Ships
Best rated
#13.2 ★Douglas Mawson2025 · 154 guests · Antarctica · MediterraneanDouglas Mawson is Aurora Expeditions' newest ship, delivered at a ceremony in Sydney in 2025 and named after the Australian geologist and Antarctic explorer whose ship Aurora…#23.2 ★Greg Mortimer2019 · 7,892 GT · 148 guests · Antarctica · Northern EuropeGreg Mortimer is Aurora Expeditions' first purpose-built ship, an Infinity-class vessel owned by SunStone Ships and built by China Merchants Heavy Industry at Haimen, where she…
#33.2 ★Sylvia Earle2022 · 130 guests · Antarctica · Northern EuropeSylvia Earle is Aurora Expeditions' second purpose-built ship, built by China Merchants Heavy Industry in Jiangsu, China, and named in honor of the marine biologist Sylvia Earle…Every ship, by class
Infinity class
1 ship · 2019 · 7,892 GT · avg 3.2 ★
Other ships
2 ships · 2022–2025 · avg 3.2 ★
Where to fly in
- Ushuaia - Malvinas Argentinas International (USH)3 Aurora Expeditions ships sail from Ushuaia, Argentina1 lounge on Lounge Frog
Quick answers
What is Aurora Expeditions known for?
Aurora is well regarded for its activity program and small guest numbers. Reviewers often mention the range of paddling, camping, alpine and diving options, the knowledgeable guides and the relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere, and the X-Bow ships are praised for a steadier ride through rough seas. The company has also built a reputation for citizen-science programs and for women's-only and photography departures.
Who is Aurora Expeditions best for?
Aurora suits active travelers who want to do more than watch from the deck: kayakers, campers, divers and hikers, as well as solo travelers, who get ten dedicated solo cabins with no single supplement on every sailing from the 2026 Arctic and 2026–27 Antarctic seasons. Australians and New Zealanders will find an operator with its roots close to home, and the small ships suit people who value landings and expert guiding over onboard extras.
Is Aurora Expeditions good for solo travellers?
Aurora is a strong choice for solo travelers: all three of its expedition ships, Greg Mortimer, Sylvia Earle and Douglas Mawson, have solo staterooms, and the line sets aside 10 dedicated solo cabins on every 2026 and 2027 sailing with no single supplement. Those who want a different cabin to themselves pay a 50 percent surcharge. With no more than 130 guests on expeditions and landings and activities run in small groups, solo guests travel in a small, sociable setting, although the line publishes no solo-specific events.
Where does Aurora Expeditions sail?
Aurora Expeditions's ships in service sail Northern Europe (3 ships), Antarctica (3 ships) and Mediterranean (1 ship).
How is Aurora Expeditions rated?
Aurora Expeditions's fleet averages 3.2 out of 5 on Cruises Frog, across 3 rated ships. Its best-rated ship is Douglas Mawson at 3.2.
How many ships does Aurora Expeditions have?
Aurora Expeditions has 3 ships in service on Cruises Frog: Douglas Mawson, Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle.
What ship classes does Aurora Expeditions sail?
Aurora Expeditions sails 1 class of ship in service: Infinity class (1 ship), plus 2 ships not in a named class.
Where is Aurora Expeditions based?
Aurora Expeditions is headquartered in Sydney, Australia. It has operated since 1991.
What is Aurora Expeditions's loyalty program called?
Aurora Expeditions's past-guest loyalty program is Aurora Expeditions Loyalty Program.
What is the largest Aurora Expeditions ship?
Greg Mortimer is Aurora Expeditions's largest ship at 7,892 gross tons, carrying 148 guests.
Cruising with children
Aurora is a choice for families seeking an expedition together. Meeting the minimum age is only the first step; the child also needs to be comfortable with the activities and conditions.
Read the Aurora Expeditions family guide →Is a drinks package worth it?
House wine is included in Aurora Expeditions' fares, so you may not need a drinks package. If you'd want cocktails or premium wines, enter what they cost.
House wine is included in Aurora Expeditions' fares, so you may not need a drinks package at all. Aurora Expeditions ↗
Per person, a day, as the line quotes it.
A typical drink you'd buy on board.
Optional. Count coffees and sodas if the package covers them.
The days the package is charged for.
To make the drinks package pay for itself
6drinks a day
A $75-a-day package costs the same as 5.8 drinks at $13. Over 7 days that's $525, or 41 drinks for the cruise.
Pay as you go
At 5 drinks a day, buying drinks one at a time costs about $70 less than the package.
- Drinks package, 7 days
- $525
- Drink by drink, 5 drinks a day
- $455
Break-even is a target for your wallet, not a dare for your liver.
Traveller reviews
What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.
Related news about Aurora Expeditions and its ships
- Aurora Expeditions and the solo traveler: ten cabins, no supplement, and a kayak with your name on it
The Australian polar line sets aside ten solo cabins on every sailing with no single supplement. Here is how to use them and what the trip is like alone.
Cruise lines
- 5 things Aurora Expeditions does well—and 1 it doesn’t
Five strengths of Aurora Expeditions, one clear drawback, and the travelers most likely to enjoy its cruise style.
Cruise lines