Aurora’s first ever newbuild

AURORA Expeditions, the Australian polar cruise pioneer established by mountaineer Greg Mortimer and his wife Margaret, is set to chart a new course in cruising with the construction of the company’s first ever purposebuilt expedition vessel ( CW breaking news).

The class 1A ship will be the first expedition newbuild from SunStone Ships, which in Mar inked an agreement to build four expedition vessels, with options for six more ships ( CW 21 Mar).

SunStone told Cruise Weekly the ship will be on a long term, year-round charter to Aurora Expeditions, and will be exclusively for Aurora.

The vessel will use an X-BOW hull design to improve fuel efficiency and make travelling in rough waters more comfortable.

The yet-to-be-named ship will feature a water level Zodiac platform for multiple daily shore visits, as well as facilities for kayakers, divers, climbers & skiers - and in between adventures pax will return to the “warm, friendly and inclusive on board atmosphere for which Aurora Expeditions is well known”.

The ship will be delivered in time for the 2019/20 Antarctic season, with itineraries available later this year.