In search of authentic adventure with Aurora Expeditions
“The fundamentals of a proper expedition cruise is that you don’t know where you’re going to go – you don’t have a fixed itinerary. You go with the rhythm of a place” – Greg Mortimer.
Yesterday, Travel Weekly joined Aurora Expeditions at the Sydney Botanic Gardens to hear about what’s on the horizon for this pioneering cruise company.
The backdrop of greenery, complete with squawking Cockatoos, Lorikeets and Miner birds made the perfect surrounds to learn of the intrepid new itineraries on offer.
With 95 per cent of Polar 2019 voyages sold out already Aurora Expeditions are truly off to a cracking start, so you best get in quick if you have extra adventurous clients on your hands.
So, what is it about a trip with Aurora that is quite unlike anything else in the market?
“To do justice to the polar regions you have to take risks, that’s the secret of a good expedition trip,” Greg Mortimer, Aurora’s founder said.
Aurora is leading the charge with new expedition vessel ‘The Greg Mortimer’ this custom-built ship is the first to employ an X Bow, a feature normally reserved for freighter ships, allowing movement through the ocean like a knife through hot butter.
Guests are encouraged to tailor their own adventure. With activities ranging from polar camping, snowshoeing, trekking through Norwegian and Chilean fjords, snorkelling, diving and even just a plunge into the Arctic or Antarctic sea!
One guest remembers being hurried from the dinner table to the foredeck to spot a passing pod of orca whales, such is the nature of a trip with Aurora.
Our favourite picks for new adventures were: Costa Rica & The Panama Canal, with greater biodiversity packed into one small country than the whole of Europe combined, this journey will be filled with unforgettable rainforest treks and critters of all kinds.
Another was the chance to see a Solar Eclipse in Antarctica, happening only once every two years and to witness in Antarctica surely a once in a lifetime experience. The best part yet – these and all other new itineraries are currently under an early bird special with 25 per cent off.
Lastly but certainly not least, Mortimer has always been a stoic advocate for sustainable practice in cruising.
“Raising the bar in environmental standard is in Auroras DNA but how do you balance it? An interesting conundrum for the travel industry” – answers you may find at this year’s Travel DAZE – Sustaining the Travel Industry.
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