Small-ship polar and remote expedition cruising from a Certified B Corp
AE Expeditions (formerly and still trading as Aurora Expeditions in Australia) was founded in 1991 by mountaineer Greg Mortimer and his wife Margaret — both environmentalists. 33+ years later they're a Certified B Corporation™, carbon neutral since 2021, and operate three purpose-built small expedition ships (Greg Mortimer, Sylvia Earle, Douglas Mawson) with capacities of 130-160. 1:7 staff-to-guest ratio, complimentary 3-in-1 polar jacket on polar voyages, optional kayaking, snorkelling, scuba, camping, snowshoeing, and ski/snowboard touring. Antarctica, Arctic, Patagonia, Scotland, Costa Rica.
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Six reasons we recommend this line to the right kind of traveller.
AE's 130-160 guest ships mean every expeditioner can join landings, zodiac cruises and optional activities (kayaking, snorkelling, etc.) — no rotational lottery for shore time as on bigger expedition vessels. Plus IAATO regulations restrict landings to 100 guests at a time, which AE handles by simply having ships small enough to comply on a single rotation.
AE Expeditions became a Certified B Corp in January 2024 — a rigorous independent assessment of environmental and social performance. Carbon neutral since 2021, single-use plastics eliminated, partnered with Inuit communities through the Oxen Network Community Ambassador Program. The credentials are real, not aspirational marketing.
Every AE sailing has 10 dedicated solo cabins with NO single supplement (selected categories). Plus an informal cabin-mate finding service that matches solo guests of the same gender for a shared cabin at the per-person double rate. AE's solo travellers represent ~30% of any voyage — a meaningful share.
On all polar voyages every guest receives a complimentary AE Expeditions 3-in-1 polar jacket (yours to keep) and the use of expedition-grade muck boots for the duration of the voyage. House wine, beer, soft drinks at all meals included; Captain's Farewell drinks and dinner included; one night pre-voyage hotel + arrival transfer included on most Antarctic voyages.
Optional add-on activities include sea kayaking, snorkelling (Antarctica + Arctic), scuba diving (advanced + dry-suit certified), polar camping on Antarctic shore, snowshoeing, paddleboarding, ski/snowboard touring, rock climbing, trekking and the Shackleton Crossing in South Georgia. All optional and pre-bookable; many sell out before departure.
Once you complete your first AE voyage you become a Bronze Adventurer in the loyalty programme — automatic 5% discount on all future AE voyages, on top of any running offer. Silver (after 2 voyages) and Gold (after 3) tiers add a minimum 15% discount and complimentary cabin upgrades subject to availability.
No cruise line is for everyone. Here's where AE Expeditions might not fit. We'll point you elsewhere if so.
AE ships are purpose-built EXPEDITION vessels — comfortable but not luxury. No marble bathrooms, no butler service, no formal evenings. Cabins are functional with floor-to-ceiling windows; common areas are well-equipped lecture lounges and a single dining venue. For luxury polar look at Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot, Silversea's Silver Endeavour, Scenic Eclipse or Hapag-Lloyd Hanseatic.
No theatre, no shows, no casino, no spa. Evening entertainment is recap from the expedition team, the next day's briefing, lectures from naturalists, a single bar with house wine and beer. The voyage IS the entertainment — what you see ashore by day is the point.
Expedition cruising is fundamentally about nature, wildlife, science and conservation. If you want a beach-resort cruise, Mediterranean ports of call or Las Vegas onboard variety, this is not the right operator. Look at NCL, Royal Caribbean, MSC for entertainment-led; Azamara or Silversea for cultural-port-led.
Expedition voyages require reasonable mobility — getting in/out of zodiacs, walking on uneven terrain, sometimes ice. AE accepts guests with limited mobility but cannot guarantee all landings; "ice tendering" excludes guests who can't take steps. Please discuss specific needs with a Travel Designer before booking.
The AE Expeditions fleet at a glance.
AE Expeditions' newest ship (2025-2026 season debut), named after the legendary Australian polar explorer Sir Douglas Mawson. Same Ulstein X-BOW® hull as the Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle (cuts through swell to reduce roll), with refined interior and additional wellness space. 154 guests, 80 cabins.
Named after pioneering oceanographer Dr Sylvia Earle. 130 guests, Ulstein X-BOW® hull for stable polar crossings, dynamic positioning system, large mudroom for fast zodiac embarkation, 100% LED lighting. Modern interiors emphasising sustainable materials.
The line's first purpose-built X-BOW® expedition ship, named after AE Expeditions co-founder Greg Mortimer. 130 guests, single dining venue, lecture lounge, observation lounge, gym, sauna and aft-deck jacuzzis. Identical hull and layout to Sylvia Earle.
Every AE ship has a buffet-style open seating main restaurant plus a smaller reservations-required à la carte restaurant — both included in the voyage fare. House wines and beer included with dinner. Captain's Farewell four-course dinner with house cocktail included.
Every voyage carries 15-25 expedition specialists across marine biology, glaciology, ornithology, geology, polar history, photography and zodiac driving. Daily lecture programme, recap-and-briefing sessions, naturalist-led shore landings. Many team members are PhD-level researchers and published authors in their fields.
Optional onboard participation in real scientific research — cloud observation for NASA's GLOBE programme, microplastics sampling, phytoplankton monitoring, seabird counting. Data contributed by AE guests has supported published peer-reviewed research. A real engagement option for travellers who want to do more than just observe.
Modest but well-equipped gym, sauna, hot tub and observation lounge on each ship. The Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle have heated outdoor jacuzzis on aft deck with panoramic views; Douglas Mawson adds extended wellness space. Not a destination spa — adequate for an active voyage.
Professional photographer joins every voyage as part of the expedition team — daily photography tips, optional photography masterclasses on selected voyages, and the digital voyage log shared 4-6 weeks after the trip. Guests are encouraged to contribute photos to the log.
Every AE Expeditions fare bakes these in.
3-in-1 polar jacket yours to keep on polar voyages
Expedition-grade boots provided for voyage duration
Wine, beer and soft drinks at dinner; coffee/tea throughout day
Four-course dinner with paired wine and cocktails
Multiple landings per day weather permitting
On most Antarctic voyages: 1 night Buenos Aires + arrival airport transfer
Three-tier programme starting from your first voyage. Automatic discount on all future bookings, growing onboard credit and complimentary cabin upgrades at higher tiers.
A Travel Designer who knows AE Expeditions will pick the right ship, the right itinerary, and the right cabin tier for you. No call centres.