Skip to main content

Aurora Expeditions to Launch First Purpose-Built Luxury Polar Cruise Ship

These days, Antarctic cruises are a dime a dozen as countless tour companies operate multi-week expeditions to the continent. But, few boast a truly luxurious experience. That’s all about to change as Aurora Expeditions — a company which has been leading polar expeditions for more than 25 years — recently announced plans to upend today’s polar leisure cruise model in a big way.

For decades, the baseline for Antarctic cruise liners has been to repurpose old (sometimes very old) polar research vessels into ships loosely fit for leisure travel. On the outside, the ships look much as they did in their former incarnations — solid, rugged, rigid designs with all the charm of a Russian icebreaker. Because–in many cases–that’s exactly what they are. Base- and mid-level cabins often involve cramming up to four passengers in a single room, and only the priciest, flagship suites promise modern amenities like a private bathroom.

Aurora-Expeditions
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This month, Aurora Expeditions in partnership with SunStone Ships announced a state-of-the-art, ice-class vessel that will be built to current high-performance polar code specs. The 104-meter leisure ship will be among the most technically advanced of its kind, promising never-before-seen protection for passengers and the environment. Indeed, from the outside, it appears to be part submarine and part luxury cruise liner. Among the new features is a purpose-built X-BOW. The updated bow design allows the ship to slice through the high seas with far greater stability and less vertical movement which equates to a far more comfortable ride for passengers. This is noteworthy for travelers crossing the notoriously choppy Drake Passage en route to Antarctica.

Recommended Videos

The rear of the ship will feature a custom designed deck to accommodate a larger numbers of divers and kayakers, plus a sea-level platform for Zodiac boarding. There will also be a mudroom to ensure skiers and climbers have a dedicated space to prepare for their off-ship expeditions. Inside is where passengers will notice a markedly improved cruising experience, however. Most cabins will offer private bathrooms and balconies. Luxury common amenities will include an 180-degree observation deck, plenty of outdoor viewing platforms, and a wellness center with a sauna, gym, and spa.

This currently nameless ship is slated to debut during Aurora Expeditions’ 2019/2020 Antarctic season which runs from November to March. Full itineraries will be announced later this year.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
This California city was just named the friendliest in the U.S.
San Diego came out on top
A scene from San Diego Pride 2016

If you’re looking for good vibes, helpful neighbors, and plenty of friendly smiles, you might want to book a trip to San Diego, California, as it’s just been crowned the friendliest city in the U.S.

The ranking comes from Match Group’s Yuzu app, which surveyed users across the country to find out where locals are the most welcoming. The app asked people to rate their own cities on things like how often locals smile, help strangers, and offer positive interactions. Users gave each city a friendliness score from 1 to 10, combining both quantifiable data and real-life experiences.

Read more
Inside Hawaii’s iconic pink palace: A stay at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel
Royal Hawaiian Hotel

Although there are 22 Marriott Luxury Collection resorts in the United States, only one is located in the beautiful state of Hawaii: The Royal Hawaiian Hotel Waikiki. This stunning "pink palace" holds significant importance both to travelers and residents of the island of O'ahu, symbolizing both Hawaiian elegance and architectural beauty. You can read about the fantastic history of this resort online, but experiencing it in person is an entirely different experience. The resort immerses you in not just the history of the building, but also teaches you essential lessons about Hawaiian history and culture.

As one of the first luxury hotels in Waikiki, the Royal Hawaiian has earned a hefty reputation due to its stunning pink architecture and elegant feel. Here's what you can expect during a stay at this luxury resort and what you don't want to miss.

Read more
Survey reveals the dirty truth about how Americans behave at the beach
Which of these bad beach habits have you seen?
Waikiki Beach

Looking forward to heading down the shore this summer? A new survey revealed that most Americans (93%) claim to practice good beach etiquette, yet almost 92% admitted to practicing at least one bad beach habit. In a survey of over 1,000 American adults, 93% believed they had good beach etiquette, but later contradicted themselves by admitting to some strange beach habits. The most confessed offenses include peeing in the water (70%), sneaking alcohol where it's banned (49%), and pocketing sand or shells (38%). Meanwhile, when asked, Americans reported the most annoying destructive beach behaviors as littering, not picking up after pets, playing music too loudly, and sitting too close to other people.

Per the survey, 70% of respondents said that poor beach behaviors can negatively impact their time at the beach. While 82% said littering is the worst behavior they've seen, nearly one in four respondents also admitted to participating in this bad habit themselves. When examining destructive beach behaviors, there is a generational gap in behaviors. Older Americans reported fewer destructive behaviors throughout their lives, even during their younger years. This response suggests the decline in beach etiquette isn't just associated with youth; each generation is slipping further from the standard.

Read more