By
Alex Smith |
Australian expedition cruise company Aurora Expeditions is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2021, marking three decades as one of the leading providers of small-ship cruising to remote destinations. It’s a legacy that the cruise line is determined to continue, says CEO Monique Ponfoort.
“We pride ourselves in being innovators in small group, expedition-style travel and we visit some of the most incredible and remote places on Earth,” she explains. “The destinations we travel to and our unrivalled opportunities for adventure and exploration, combined with our intimate and friendly onboard atmosphere, make for a one-of-a-kind experience that our guests won’t find anywhere else.”
Though competition has increased with the continued growth of the expedition sector, Ponfoort is convinced that Aurora can continue to differentiate itself through the strength and variety of its itineraries, along with the unique opportunities it offers to explore rarely visited destinations.
“We take great pride in curating unique adventures for our guests, allowing for endless opportunities for exploration and discovery,” she says. “This activity programme contributes to our differentiated itineraries, allowing guests to have a personalised experience on each of our voyages, whether they choose to participate in our sea kayaking programme, guided hikes, snorkelling, photography or even ice camping – without a tent! We are a pioneer in the activity space, and for our more adventurous guests, we are the only operator to offer polar scuba diving, as well as a regular Shackleton’s crossing experience.”
Helping to enable these experiences are Aurora’s two new ships, Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle, which have been designed with a number of features to enhance the expedition experience.
“Our modern vessels are purpose-built for discovery, specifically designed and engineered to get into far-reaching and remote places that other ships cannot,” says Ponfoort. “And though our ships provide a very comfortable base camp, at Aurora Expeditions our aim is to ensure our guests are exploring and interacting with the natural world as much as possible on our expeditions. Our ships have been designed to enable this. Onshore exploration and activities are made easier and more convenient with four sea-level Zodiac-loading platforms and our innovative floating dock, a mudroom and activity preparation area.”
Sylvia Earle’s upcoming voyage to the far east seas of Russia is a particularly exciting prospect for Ponfoort.
“The Russian Far East is one of the planet’s least explored destinations, but it is one of the greatest places in the world to observe wildlife and to create a memorable adventure,” she says. “Our Wrangel island voyage is particularly special, where travellers visit Wrangel Island Nature Reserve, home to the world’s highest concentration of polar bear dens, the largest population of Pacific walrus and more than 100 migratory bird species. Our expeditioners will also experience thrilling Zodiac cruise encounters with grey, humpback and beluga whales. Even better, this voyage is very accessible for our guests travelling from North America, as it begins and ends in Anchorage, Alaska.”
As Aurora looks to the future, it will continue to look to push the boundaries of expedition cruising with new and exciting experiences.
“We’re incredibly excited about what’s to come in our third decade of operation, which will include growth, new destinations, and continued exploration with the utmost respect for the natural environment,” says Ponfoort. “The first Antarctic Climate Expedition led by Dr. Sylvia Earle will set sail on the Sylvia Earle in February 2023. The ground-breaking 12-day voyage will change the way people see and understand the Antarctic and the role it plays in the safety and vitality of our environment.”