Aurora Expeditions Reviews 

Words cannot describe how wonderful my recent Aurora “In Shackleton’s Footsteps” expeditions trip to the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia! The professionalism, the focus on safety whilst making sure we had an amazing time, the on board lectures provided by experts, the respect for the environment and the great hospitality shown by the team, has made this an experience of a lifetime! So much so I’ve booked another one! I can’t recommend it highly enough!

An absolutely unforgettable Antarctica expedition. The experiences were unmatched — out twice a day, non-stop in the best way, and we made the most of every moment. The whole team went above and beyond, especially Jay, Ed, Gregory, Antoine and Leo with their fantastic lectures. Gregory’s passion, humour and kindness even sparked a new love of birdlife in me, and Jay kept us laughing throughout.

Snorkelling, kayaking and camping were incredible thanks to the enthusiasm and support of Freya, Alan, Darren, Gabe, Elo, Monica and Mac. Fiona’s photos and slideshow were brilliant, and Catherine was an exceptional, uplifting leader. Reza brightened every day in the shop, Zaldy kept my room spotless (with adorable towel penguins!), and the bar and restaurant staff looked after us so well.

It felt personal from start to finish — like travelling with family. A true once-in-a-lifetime journey.

Very knowledgeable, passionate and experienced staff who don't cut corners on safety. Food quality and choice impressive and good wines provided, room staff top level.

I came with a bias as I had taken 3 magical expedition cruises previously on the Sylvia Earle. Aurora says life changing experiences and they are 100% correct. The ship itself is a lovely blend of luxury without pretense, so homey and welcoming. With the help of Aurora's wonderful hotel and expedition teams, I was able to extend last minute the trip up the west coast of Greenland. I had no previous knowledge to speak of of Greenland and I can't imagine any better an introduction. To be able to continue my deep dive into the spectacular landscape and history of Greenland was a dream come true. Our expedition leader Ashley took us to places which had never been reached with this type of vessel. She was brilliant. It was the best of the best. Most importantly is the respect Aurora has for our planet and the communities we visit. These were my 4th and 5th trips. I never missed a lecture. They completed and refreshed all we did. Each expedition team member had a specialty . I have learned so much about our planet and have taken many new friends into my heart who enriched these trips.
Well done Aurora.
P>S> I have traveled to Antarctica, South Georgia, the Falklands, Ireland, Scotland and the Arctic Svalbard. Each trip was breathtaking.

We recently enjoyed exploring the Northwest Passage with Aurora Expeditions on board the Greg Mortimer. This was a true adventure combining history, wonderful scenery and culture. The ship is modern, clean and comfortable with all the amenities for a safe and enjoyable cruise. All the staff, in every department were friendly, good humoured, professional and focussed on ensuring the safety and enjoyment of the passengers. One occasion served to demonstrate the professionalism of the expedition team arose when, after landing all the passengers on shore by zodiac for an excursion, word came that a polar bear had been spotted nearby, which meant an immediate evacuation back to the ship. This was achieved swiftly, calmly and safely, demonstrating their training and teamwork. Shore excursions and zodiac cruises were conducted smoothly and safely. Even though many of us were definitely senior citizens the crew made it easy. We were fortunate to have on board two guest Inuit people. Every day these two lovely women shared their stories, culture and language with us, enriching our experience of visits to Inuit settlements. Animal sightings were not common but included polar bears, walrus, seals, narwhals and beluga whales. Food and beverages were excellent. Overall the organisation of the expedition, embarkation and disembarkation and transfers went without a hitch. This cruise would suit anyone of any age with a taste for adventure and exploring remote parts of the world safely and comfortably and is highly recommended.

A once-in-a-lifetime, blemish-free experience. Memories to last forever. Huge thanks to all at Aurora.

Our Svalbard Odyssey expedition in July 2025 was outstanding, totally exceeding expectations. We were lucky with the weather and conditions with the great fortune of viewing polar bear up close along with other wildlife (closer). The expedition crew were outstanding and the care and happiness from the whole crew of the Greg Mortimer was amazing.

It’s hard to put into words just how deeply moving and unforgettable our experience with Aurora Expeditions was. My best friend and I joined their 12-day voyage to Antarctica and the Weddell Sea aboard the beautiful Sylvia Earle in late March into early April. It was the tail end of the Antarctic season, and honestly, we were very nervous about storms, crossing the Drake Passage and bad weather. Having just completed the voyage, I think the late season made it even more magical and I feel lucky we chose this departure. The landscape was otherworldly—snow covered mountains, icebergs glowing in soft light, dramatic skies, and a stillness I’ll never forget.
But the real gift of traveling this late in the season? The humpback whales. We were completely surrounded by them—"whale soup" everywhere we turned, there were flukes, fins, and gentle giants surfacing close to the zodiacs. One afternoon, we sat in still water with half a dozen whales circling us, feeding and diving, completely unbothered by our presence. In fact some came close to our kayaks to check us out. One whale came so close I was able to smell his breath (!). It was humbling, awe-inspiring, and something I’ll carry with me forever.
I also had the incredible opportunity to join the paddling program, and it was hands down one of the highlights of the trip. Gliding silently through the icy waters in an inflatable kayak, flanked by icebergs and curious penguins, was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. The paddling guides were phenomenal—skilled, patient, and clearly passionate about what they do. Their calm confidence made me feel completely safe, even as we explored some truly remote and wild places.

The Sylvia Earle herself is a dream of a ship—elegant, eco-conscious with every aspect, and perfectly designed for polar adventure. The food was beyond outstanding: fresh, creative, full of variety, and nourishing after long, exhilarating days. From hearty breakfasts to beautifully plated dinners, I was genuinely impressed (and a little spoiled!). Oh and not to forget the incredible Indian dishes prepared by the Prem, sooo good.

Oh—and yes, I did the Polar Plunge! It was freezing, hilarious, and surprisingly energizing. Luckily, I could warm up afterward in the heated outdoor pool and jacuzzis on Deck 7, which offered the most surreal views—mountains, icebergs, and the open sea as far as the eye could see.

The entire Aurora team, from the expedition crew to the hospitality staff, were absolutely top-notch. Warm, welcoming, and so clearly passionate about what they do. You can feel the deep respect they have for the polar regions, and it’s contagious.

I came back changed—grateful, grounded, and more in love with our planet than ever before. If you’re considering going to Antarctica, I can’t recommend Aurora Expeditions and the Sylvia Earle enough. It’s more than a trip. It’s a soul-stirring adventure, and I feel so lucky to have been a part of it.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | The Experience of a Lifetime with Aurora Expeditions

If I could give this trip more than five stars, I would. Traveling with Aurora Expeditions was truly the adventure of a lifetime, and I can confidently say they are the best choice for Antarctic expeditions. Every aspect of the journey—from the ship to the staff to the breathtaking itinerary—was exceptional.

The ship was immaculate, offering the perfect blend of comfort and functionality for exploring one of the most remote places on Earth. The dining was outstanding, the cabins were cozy, and the common areas were inviting, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere.

The crew and expedition team were the true heroes of this trip. Their knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm were infectious, and they made every landing, lecture, and Zodiac cruise unforgettable. They went above and beyond to ensure every guest experienced the best of Antarctica.

The absolute highlight for me was sea kayaking. Being out on the water, gliding silently among icebergs, seals, and curious penguins, was an indescribable experience. It was magical to get up close and personal with the wildlife in their natural habitat, surrounded by the raw beauty of the Antarctic landscape.

This wasn’t just a trip—it was a life-changing journey. If you’re considering exploring Antarctica, Aurora Expeditions is the only way to go. Thank you to the entire team for making this dream come true. These memories will stay with me forever!

Wonderful experience, the crew were all terrific, and the Greg Mortimer is very comfortable. The focus on safety was impressive and welcome. Great food, interesting lectures and the excursions on land and on the zodiacs were better than we dreamed.

The Expedition Team was AMAZING!
Having the opportunity to get off the ship 2 times each day was key to seeing so many beautiful sites.

Our second trip with Aurora having been to Antarctica 2 years ago on the Greg Mortimer. I thought the Greg Mortimer was a fantastic ship but the differences on the Sylvia Earle take it to a different level. Having the large library and citizen science centre at the bow was visionary and the second restaurant was a bonus.

The expeditions team were extremely hard working and Howard and Ashley were instrumental in sorting out our itinerary when it became apparent we had no chance of landing anywhere along the east coast of Greenland due to the exceptionally large amount of ice off the coast at this time of year.

It all worked out and we had excellent sightings of whales and got into places no other ship had managed all season.

The “hotel” and restaurant staff were amazing, accommodating and friendly. We have already booked our third expedition on board the Greg Mortimer going to the NW passage in September 2025.

A very memorable trip!

Aurora delivered a next level expedition by seamlessly navigating a variety of Arctic conditions to maximize our time in the destination. The Expedition Team's vast knowledge of the region combined with the crews willingness to pivot as often as needed to make our experience as fulfilling as possible demonstrates its commitment to expedition travel. They are truly best in class, and the energy on board was a testament to their successes.

Went on a Northwest Passage cruise that left from Greenland and was supposed to end in Cambridge Bay. I'm rating two stars instead of one just because the ship we were on was really nice in terms of restaurant and facilities and most of the staff was friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.

I am saying "most" because I don't think the expedition leader was very customer oriented.

I have suggested to some staff on the ship to send out surveys as there was a general belief among the staff that the trip I was on starting on 28th of June was a success. The survey never arrived. I then sent an email to them a month after the trip that I never got a reply to so I am going to just paste most of it here.

The trip description online, as well as in the email I got when I first reached out, set certain expectations which were not even close to being met. Whereas I understand the nature of the trip, and that it's an unpredictable environment, we only achieved about a third of the objectives mentioned on the trip description, half if I want to be really positive about it. The description does indeed present vagueness around the area from Resolute to Cambridge Bay, but certainly not at the level where you would expect to spend more than half of the trip struggling to pass time. Some points like Baffin Island were really clear and that was the main reason I chose this trip over others... a couple of outings a day were advertised for the days not spent at sea. According to the original itinerary, that was supposed to be more than 10 days.

The trip, unlike advertised, had very little wildlife focus. There is hardly any wildlife opportunity in the middle of the sea, and this is mostly where we spent our time. Besides that, even when we were close to the shores, and there were occurrences of wildlife, there wasn't enough effort to make the experience about that. We saw a couple of polar bears on the ice floe in the middle of the sea and we sailed closer to them, but:
- other than a whale off the coast of Greenland, we never went close enough to see the wildlife without a telescope/binocular
- we went to Prince Regent Inlet where we were going to get off but there was a bear with a cub so instead we stayed on the ship. There were also a lot of belugas at the shore. I was very happy that there was wildlife instead of yet another history walk which we were going to do, and which we did anyway a day later in lack of anything else to do, but we stayed there in the middle of the sea struggling to see a white dot on the land and minuscule dots coming out of the water from very far away, the zodiacs were not dropped to take us any closer to either the bear or the belugas. We were a lot, a lot further than 200m from either of them.
- as we were approaching Point Zenith, on the opposite hill there were a lot of muskox. We never got closer to them, just the usual struggle to catch some dots with the binocular.
- we went off on tundra land, with marks and traces of animals and it was beautiful weather. The alternatives were always (on the few occasions where we landed anywhere) a hike and a short history walk. The hikes were very good and the history talks were also very good but the trip was supposed to have a wildlife expedition component which completely missed. Why not go for a long walk in the tundra to at least give us the sense that we were searching for some wildlife?
- the trip was about finding ways to pass time really, we spent an entire day in Resolute in a waiting room, with limited things to do as well as days in Lancaster Sound in the middle of the sea.
- the outings were scarce and very short and why were we rushed back? just so we can be in the middle of the sea with not much to do.

The trip may have overachieved on the history and archeology component and maybe it delivered on geology but, personally, I chose it for the wildlife component. A comparative trip, maybe better than what Aurora delivered, was a bit more than half the price. I have explored that as well, but the description that Aurora has for the Northwest Passage trip was misleading enough to make it look worth the additional US $7k.

The organisation with the coastguards was not smooth enough and there were situations where we couldn't enter a port because we had to inform them a day ahead which we had not done. We didn't enter Cambridge Bay because of ice but another ship with the same ice category was coming out of Cambridge Bay.

You can miss some objectives due to weather but we're talking about more than half of the itinerary. In addition, it didn't feel like everything was being done to deliver as much as possible, it didn't feel like there was the necessary expertise to do that and it didn't feel like there was at least an acknowledgment of the failure.

I have returned from the most magical place on Earth , taken there by an incredible team from Aurora expedition ship Greg Mortimer and her crew.
From the Captain and his colleagues who navigated seas and winds to amazing locations including inside A23a , Expedition team for their knowledge and humour and the cheerful hospitality staff the trip couldn’t have been more wonderful .
There are not enough compliments to shower upon them .
If it is on your bucket list .. don’t wait and if you are fit enough learn to kayak and choose this activity .. you won’t regret it .

Adventure of a lifetime!
Hard to find any fault with my recent voyage to Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands. The brilliant Expedition Team and the rest of the ship's crew, made memories which will last a lifetime.
Thank you!

To be able to participate in an Aurora Expeditions Antarctica Journey is an experience you will never forget. It is unbelievably beautiful and the people you meet are like minded and become friends.
The Aurora Expedition Ships are state of the art and superbly suited to expedition cruising and the expedition staff and ships crew are the very best in the business backed up by a very knowledgeable support and sales team back in Sydney.

Fully switched on to sustainability, a B Corp. Maximum chance to go ashore, often twice per day, 2-3 hours each time. Totally expert and dedicated expedition staff. Brilliant expedition leadership and ship captaining to get to the best places while dodging the worst of the weather. Totally fabulous, very well worth the price.

With the Aurora restrictions put into place whilst viewing Penguin colonies a 200mm zoom lens will not have the desired reach.
I would suggest a 500-600mm zoom to get close to penguins, Sea lions, Orcas or Whales if you are lucky enough to spot any.
During our cruise (5-14 Dec 2023) we did not spot any whales and had only about a minute to photograph a sea lion from the Zodiac.
Once again not the optimum medium to take photographs from as you share the zodiac with another 9 people shoulder to shoulder.
Biggest drawback was the unwillingness of the expedition team to spend more time on interesting ice formations or the occasiona sea lion resting on an iceberg.

Wake up Aurora. Boring cruise for a photographer at a premium price.

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