Personally selected by Expedition Advisory · Antarctic Peninsula
Spirit of Antarctica
Cross the Drake Passage to penguin colonies, sculpted icebergs and glacier-lined bays, with Aurora Expeditions’ team guiding your days by Zodiac and on foot.
Book with experienced expedition guides. Independent advice, personal support and no EA service fee.
Why book through Expedition Advisory?
Your expedition, backed by people who’ve guided it.
Book your voyage through EA and get firsthand advice, help with the details and personal preparation support, with no EA service fee.
Firsthand experience
Understand the ship, days ashore and practical trade-offs with guides who’ve worked these voyages.
Independent advice
Compare operators, routes and cabins around your priorities, with a tailored quote for your chosen voyage. We search all available itineraries from our partner operators, including voyages not listed on our website.
Personal support
Get help with your booking, packing and preparation, plus a pre-departure call with a regional guide.
No extra booking fee
No EA service fee for your voyage. We can also book your hotels and transfers with no extra booking fee.
The experience
A closer look at Antarctica
The classic Antarctic journey, with time to explore.
There is something special about arriving in Antarctica by sea. The crossing gives you time to settle into life aboard, learn from the expedition team and watch for the first icebergs on the horizon.
Then the pace changes. A Zodiac ride brings you close to the water; a shore walk reveals penguin colonies and wide Antarctic views. Each day follows the conditions, with wildlife and the landscape shaping the experience.
Ice in every direction
Glaciers, sculpted icebergs and the quiet of sheltered Antarctic bays.
Wildlife at water level
Watch for seals resting on ice and whales feeding in the Southern Ocean.
Out exploring by Zodiac
Join the expedition team for a closer look at remote coastlines and wildlife.
Your journey
From Ushuaia to the Antarctic Peninsula
A guide to Aurora’s 12-day programme. The 11-day sailings follow a shorter schedule, confirmed with your chosen departure. Landings depend on weather, ice and wildlife.
Arrive in Ushuaia
Transfer to your included pre-voyage hotel and meet Aurora’s ground team. The published programme includes one hotel night with breakfast; other meals on arrival day are at your own expense.
Tierra del Fuego and embarkation
Join the included Lake Escondido tour or spend time independently before the transfer to the ship. Settle into your cabin, attend the briefings and sail through the Beagle Channel.
Cross the Drake Passage
Watch for albatrosses and petrels while the expedition team introduces Antarctica’s wildlife, history and biosecurity procedures. Approaching the South Shetlands, keep watch for your first icebergs; an early landing may be possible if time and weather allow.
The Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
The team chooses each day’s sites around ice, weather and wildlife. Aurora generally aims for two landings or Zodiac excursions a day, with shore walks, penguin colonies and iceberg-filled coves among the possibilities.
The journey north
A final South Shetland outing may precede the return Drake crossing. Enjoy the lecture programme, review your photographs and spend time on deck watching Southern Ocean seabirds.
Disembark in Ushuaia
Return through the Beagle Channel and disembark in the morning. Transfers operate as specified by Aurora. The operator advises against flights before noon; reconfirm your departure’s arrangements before booking flights.
These photographs show the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. They illustrate the experience; individual sites and wildlife encounters cannot be guaranteed.
Days of discovery
Choose your kind of adventure
Make the most of every landing
Zodiac cruising, guided shore walks, wildlife watching, photography and the lecture programme are included. The polar plunge is offered when conditions permit.
Go a little further
Sea kayaking, paddling, camping and snorkelling are optional adventures with additional charges. Availability, experience requirements and operation depend on the sailing and conditions.
Tell us the activity you most want to try so we can match it to the right departure.
Life aboard
Small ships. A comfortable return.
Greg Mortimer, Sylvia Earle and Douglas Mawson each carry a maximum of 130 guests on Aurora’s expeditions. Your departure determines your ship.
Your expedition base
Greg Mortimer
Built in 2019 with 76 cabins, Greg Mortimer carries a maximum of 130 guests on expedition voyages. Its X-BOW hull, dedicated Zodiac boarding points and mudroom support days off the ship. Between outings, guests have a library, observation lounge, restaurants, gym, sauna and outdoor hot tubs.
Ask about this ship
Step aboard Greg Mortimer
Aurora Expeditions’ official ship introduction. This video shows Greg Mortimer; your departure determines which ship you sail on.
Video: Aurora Expeditions. Watch on YouTube.
Your expedition base
Sylvia Earle
Built in 2022 with 71 cabins, Sylvia Earle carries a maximum of 130 guests. Observation spaces, a library and a Citizen Science Center bring the landscape and learning into life aboard, alongside restaurants, a gym, sauna and outdoor jacuzzis.
Ask about this ship
Your expedition base
Douglas Mawson
Built in 2025 with 86 cabins, Douglas Mawson carries a maximum of 130 guests on expedition voyages. Dining and observation spaces, a library and a wide choice of cabins, including dedicated single staterooms, make it a comfortable base between excursions.
Ask about this ship
Your private space
Cabins & suites
A balcony for quiet moments, a suite with more living space, or a comfortable base between outings. Start with how you want to use your cabin, then compare the options on your chosen ship.
Greg Mortimer
Balcony Stateroom A
24.1-28 m² published size
A private balcony and preferred positions on Decks 4 and 6.
Sylvia Earle
Captain’s Suite
43.9 m² published size
Separate living space, a private balcony and a walk-in wardrobe.
Douglas Mawson
Balcony Stateroom C
19.8-24.2 m² published size
A private balcony, ensuite and a comfortable retreat between excursions.
Sylvia Earle
Junior Suite
41.9 m² published size
A separate lounge area and private balcony on Deck 7.
Every cabin category, by ship
Open a ship below to compare occupancy and published sizes. Layouts vary by cabin. We’ll confirm the exact cabin, balcony measurements and availability with your quote.
Greg Mortimer 11 categories
| Category | Sleeps | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Captain's Suite | 2 | 44.5 m² |
| Junior Suite | 2 | 38.9 m² |
| Balcony Stateroom Superior | 2 | 28.2 m² to 31.3 m² |
| Balcony Stateroom Category A | 2 | 24.1 m² to 28 m² |
| Balcony Stateroom Category B | 2 | 23.6 m² to 24.8 m² |
| Balcony Stateroom Category C | 2 | 20.9 m² to 24.8 m² |
| Balcony Stateroom Category A – Solo | 1 | 23.6 m² to 24.1 m² |
| Balcony Stateroom Category B – Solo | 1 | 21.9 m² to 22.8 m² |
| Balcony Stateroom Category C – Solo | 1 | 22.9 m² |
| Aurora Stateroom Twin Share | 2 | 17.5 m² |
| Aurora Stateroom Triple Share | 3 | 22 m² |
Sylvia Earle 11 categories
| Category | Sleeps | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Captain's Suite | 2 | 43.9 m² |
| Junior Suite | 2 | 41.9 m² |
| Balcony Stateroom Superior | 2 | 29.2 m² to 31.2 m² |
| Balcony Stateroom Category A | 2 | 23.7 m² to 28.7 m² |
| Balcony Stateroom Category B | 2 | 21.5 m² to 24.6 m² |
| Balcony Stateroom Category C | 2 | 19.9 m² to 24.6 m² |
| Balcony Stateroom Category A – Solo | 1 | 19 m² to 24.4 m² |
| Balcony Stateroom Category B – Solo | 1 | 24.6 m² |
| Balcony Stateroom Category C – Solo | 1 | 23.2 m² |
| Aurora Stateroom Superior | 2 | 19.9 m² |
| Aurora Stateroom Triple Share | 3 | 22.7 m² |
Douglas Mawson 12 categories
| Category | Sleeps | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Captain's Suite | 2 | 43.5 m² |
| Junior Suite | 2 | 41.5 m² |
| Balcony Stateroom Superior | 2 | 28.5 m² to 30.2 m² |
| Balcony Stateroom Category A | 2 | 23.5 m² to 28.3 m² |
| Balcony Stateroom Category B | 2 | 19.8 m² to 24.2 m² |
| Balcony Stateroom Category C | 2 | 19.8 m² to 24.2 m² |
| Balcony Stateroom Category A – Solo | 1 | 23.5 m² to 24.2 m² |
| Aurora Stateroom Superior | 2 | 13.4 m² to 15.7 m² |
| Aurora Stateroom Superior Single | 1 | 10.4 m² to 15.2 m² |
| Aurora Stateroom Single | 1 | 9.5 m² |
| Aurora Stateroom Twin Share | 2 | 15.9 m² |
| Aurora Stateroom Triple Share | 3 | 22.6 m² |
All ship and cabin imagery is supplied through Aurora’s official website. Published sizes are a guide; category-specific fares and solo arrangements are available on request.
Plan your expedition
Enquire about this voyage
Request current pricing and availability
Tell Expedition Advisory your preferred dates, cabin style and activities. We will confirm the best available sailings, current fares, inclusions and booking terms.
The practical details
What your voyage includes
Included in the voyage
- One hotel night with breakfast in Ushuaia on day one
- Lake Escondido tour on day two and specified transfers
- Ship accommodation, daily cabin service and voyage meals
- Tea, coffee, soft drinks, juices and the alcoholic drinks listed by Aurora
- Shore excursions, Zodiac cruises and expedition guiding
- Polar expedition jacket and use of Muck Boots
- Port, permit and landing fees; Wi-Fi, subject to remote connectivity
Allow for separately
- Flights and transfers not specified in the programme
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
- Optional adventure activities and excursions
- Extra hotel nights and meals not listed
- Crew and expedition-team gratuities, unless covered by suite benefits
Aurora adds an adjustable daily gratuity to the onboard account, with this covered for suite guests under Suite Benefits. Ask EA to confirm the current arrangements and departure-specific terms.
The Expedition Advisory difference
Why book this voyage with us?
Choose your voyage and cabin with confidence. We’ll help with the rest of your journey.
Operator Pricing
You pay the expedition operator’s fare. We check applicable offers and promotions for your voyage. Our advice and booking support cost you nothing extra.
Independent Advice
Compare this voyage with other Antarctic options. We match the ship, season and cabin to your priorities. We search all available itineraries from our partner operators, including voyages not listed on our website.
Field Experience
Our polar guiding experience helps you understand the crossing, time ashore and daily expedition life before you choose.
Beyond the Cruise
Your trip overview brings together recommended flight routes, buffer days, travel and packing tips. You can also book a hotel and transfer package through us.
Personal advice · No obligation · No advisory fees
Let’s make it happen
Find your Antarctic expedition
Tell us when you want to travel, the cabin you have in mind and the experiences you most want from Antarctica. We’ll help you choose the right sailing.
Itinerary, ship and cabin details were checked against Aurora’s official Spirit of Antarctica itinerary and ship pages on 28 September 2026. Routes and activities depend on conditions. Contact EA for current pricing, availability and the details for your chosen departure.