Douglas Mawson
Sails from Ushuaia, Argentina · Fly into USH
Page updated
Douglas Mawson in Sydney Harbour, November 2025 · Photo: JustARandomEditor123, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About Douglas Mawson
Douglas Mawson is an Aurora Expeditions cruise ship, in service since 2025. She carries 154 guests. She sails Antarctica, Mediterranean, Northern Europe itineraries. We rate her 3.2 out of 5.
Douglas 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 also gave the company its name. Built by China Merchants Heavy Industry in Jiangsu, she is 104 meters long with eight decks and 86 cabins, and carries up to 154 guests on small ship cruises or 130 on expeditions. Aurora calls her the last of its line of purpose-built X-Bow ships, with lounges behind floor-to-ceiling windows and several open decks. Her 2027 schedule includes a long Antarctic voyage in January and Mediterranean and Irish small ship cruises in the European spring and summer.
Ship facts
- Guests
- 154
- Fewer guests than 76% of 600 ships
- Entered service
- 2025
- Length
- 104 m
- Shorter than 87% of 575 ships
- Decks
- 8
Ratings
- Cabins
- 5/5+0.3, fleet average 4.7
- Dining
- 3/5, fleet average 3.0
- Entertainment
- 2/5, fleet average 2.0
- Service
- 4/5, fleet average 4.0
- Pools & decks
- 2/5−0.3, fleet average 2.3
- Value
- 3/5, fleet average 3.0
Editorial scores, 1 to 5 per metric; the overall is their average, not an average of reader reviews. Ticks mark the Aurora Expeditions fleet average across 3 rated ships in service.
More from Aurora Expeditions
The ships in the fleet closest to her in size.
3.2 ★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…
3.2 ★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…Official deck plans
Photos

Douglas Mawson in Sydney Harbour, November 2025Photo: JustARandomEditor123, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where she sails
- Antarcticaexpedition ships from Ushuaia, November to March
- MediterraneanWestern Med, Greek Isles and Adriatic, mostly April to November
- Northern Europethe Baltic, British Isles and Iceland, May to September
Home port: Ushuaia, Argentina.
Flying in for your cruise?
Douglas Mawson sails from Ushuaia, Argentina. The airport is Ushuaia - Malvinas Argentinas International (USH), with 1 lounge to wait in before you board.
The lounge at Ushuaia - Malvinas Argentinas International on Lounge FrogEvery ship sailing from Ushuaia, ArgentinaQuick answers
Which cruise line operates Douglas Mawson?
Douglas Mawson is operated by Aurora Expeditions.
How big is Douglas Mawson?
Douglas Mawson measures 104 metres in length, with 8 decks.
How many passengers does Douglas Mawson carry?
Douglas Mawson carries 154 guests at double occupancy.
When did Douglas Mawson enter service?
Douglas Mawson entered service in 2025.
Where does Douglas Mawson sail?
Douglas Mawson sails Antarctica, Mediterranean and Northern Europe itineraries. Her home port is Ushuaia, Argentina.
Which airport should I fly into for Douglas Mawson?
Douglas Mawson sails from Ushuaia, Argentina. Fly into Ushuaia - Malvinas Argentinas International (USH), which has 1 airport lounge listed on Lounge Frog.
Where can I find the deck plans for Douglas Mawson?
Aurora Expeditions publishes the deck plans for Douglas Mawson; this page links to Deck plans.
How is Douglas Mawson rated?
Cruise Frog rates Douglas Mawson 3.2 out of 5 overall, the average of 6 editorial scores. She scores best on cabins (5/5) and lowest on pools & decks (2/5).
Traveller reviews
What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.
Related news about Douglas Mawson
- 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