Trip Code: ACAEROSD
DIFFICULTY RATING: 2 (light adventure)
Start: Dunedin, New Zealand
Finish: Dunedin, New Zealand
SHIP: Douglas Mawson
Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand & Antarctica
16/01/2026
Breakfast at hotel & All meals, snacks, tea and coffee onboard & Beer, house wine & soft drinks with dinner
Group Transfers throughout
Hotel & Cabin on board ship
Daily Antarctica & Sub-Antarctic Island Excursions in location when possible/permitted, Zodiac Cruising, Onboard Expert Lectures & Briefings by the Experienced Expedition Team
NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather & ice conditions
On an exploratory trip on the opulent Douglas Mawson, discover one of the most isolated and historically significant regions of the deep South in comfort. with the subantarctic, where royal albatrosses nest amidst moors covered with giant herbs and yellow-eyed penguins stroll through aged rātā woods, your adventure begins. See emperor and Adélie penguins porpoising along the ice edge, orcas patrolling for prey, and snow petrels flying against a backdrop of the huge Antarctic Ice Sheet as you cross the Antarctic Circle and cruise the pack.
As you go along the Victoria Land Coast and enter the Ross Sea, where the Antarctic Ice Sheet meets the longest floating ice shelf in the world, embrace the spirit of adventure. These are the historic waters where the valiant assaults on the South Geographic Pole were made by the explorers of the Heroic Age. Discover the tales of their adventures and make an attempt to set foot at a few of their incredibly pristine huts.
*Save up to 15% on selected departures and cabins. Discounts are on sale until 31 Dec 2024 and subject to availability. Discounts are not combinable with any other promotions except back-to-back voyage or loyalty discounts. Discounts and pricing are subject to change and may be withdrawn or varied at any time. Price based on triple share cabin.
PLEASE NOTE: Pricing is subject to change and availability at the time of booking. Contact us for more information.
Arrive in Dunedin, where you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred with your fellow expeditioners to your assigned pre-voyage hotel. If you are already in Dunedin, we ask you to make your way to your hotel. This afternoon, visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality desk in the lobby to collect your luggage tags. Please clearly label the tags with your name and ship cabin number. Our team will confirm details regarding your embarkation day, answer any questions and provide you with information on where to dine or purchase last minute items.
That evening, enjoy light refreshments as you meet your fellow expeditioners at a Welcome Reception and Pre-Embarkation Briefing. Afterwards, enjoy your evening in New Zealand’s southernmost city. You may like to indulge in a meal at one of Dunedin’s fine restaurants, or perhaps enjoy a leisurely stroll along the picturesque Otago harbour.
This morning, enjoy breakfast and check-out. Please ensure your cabin luggage is fitted with cabin tags clearly labelled with your name and cabin number. By 11.00 am, take your cabin luggage to hotel reception, prior to, or at check-out. Your luggage will be stored and transferred directly to the port for clearance, to be placed in your cabin ahead of your arrival on board. Please keep any valuables or personal items with you throughout the day.
Your morning is at leisure to explore Dunedin.
Settle into your cabin, where each detail was designed with your comfort in mind. This luxurious vessel is yours to explore! As we throw the lines and set sail, join your expedition team on deck before tucking into a delicious dinner, and toast to the voyage ahead.
On an expedition such as this, the journey is as significant as the destination. Sea days are a wonderful opportunity to relax, meet your fellow travellers and learn about the history, environment and local wildlife in this fascinating corner of the globe.
As you acclimatise to life on board, your expedition team is available to answer any questions you may have and offer pro-tips on photography and birdwatching. With decades of collective experience in the region, they love to share their expertise and enthusiasm with fellow travellers. Join them in the lecture room for entertaining talks and presentations to enrich your understanding of the wildlife, landscapes and historic sites we hope to encounter.
You may like to pamper yourself with a sauna, a visit to the Wellness Centre, or work out at the onboard gym. While away the hours spotting seabirds on deck, curl up with a book in our well-equipped polar library, or chat with your fellow expeditioners at the bar.
First visited by Māori navigators centuries ago, these islands are of great significance to Ngāi Tahu, the indigenous peoples of New Zealand’s South Island. Their natural beauty and astonishing biodiversity have now been recognised globally, but few have had the privilege to visit these far-flung shores, which are now yours to explore.
As Campbell Island slips over the horizon, keep watch for Campbell, Salvins and white-capped albatross, which may follow the ship to bid us farewell as we continue south.
Close observers may notice a subtle change in the character of the sea as we cross the Antarctic Convergence. Beyond this belt where the waters of the north and south mix, the sea surface temperature drops by about 4°C (39°F), signalling our entry into the Antarctic. This transition zone is known for its nutrient-rich waters, so keep watch for porpoising penguins, flocks of fluttering Antarctic petrels, or perhaps the more solitary snow petrel. You’re not far from the Antarctic Circle, so your first iceberg can’t be far away!
Sea days are a great opportunity for some R & R as you digest your subantarctic experiences and prepare for the next phase of your voyage. Relax and unwind your way, perhaps meeting newfound friends at the bar, treating yourself to a sauna, or editing some images in the comfort of your cabin. And join your expedition team in the lecture room for presentations on the charismatic wildlife and extraordinary adventures that took place along the epic Antarctic coastline you are about to experience.
It’s almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in this storied, ice-bound sector of Antarctica. Stepping outside and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience to cherish forever.
The Ross Sea region is a globally significant wildlife sanctuary. Its nutrient-rich waters support an astonishing array of uniquely adapted Antarctic species, including Ross Sea orcas, Antarctic petrels and South Pacific Weddell seals. It is also home to Antarctica’s largest Adélie penguin colony, and many of the largest emperor penguin colonies. The unique biodiversity of the Ross Sea has been protected within the world’s largest marine protected area since 2016.
The human heritage of the Ross Sea coast is equally impressive. Since James Clark Ross discovered the region in 1841, countless expeditions have built base camps on scattered ice-free slivers of land, using them as staging posts for bold forays across the polar plateau. Many of them departed in a hurry, leaving artefacts, scientific equipment and sometimes entire huts behind. Today these sites are preserved as open-air museums and protected under the Antarctic Treaty System.
Embrace the spirit of exploration as your expedition team designs your voyage from day to day, bringing decades of experience to selecting the ideal sites based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities.
We leave the grandeur of the ice to the seals and penguins and head northwards, but our voyage is far from over. In the days ahead there is plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home. You won’t want to miss presentations from your onboard specialists about the wonderful wildlife and rich human history of Macquarie Island.
These days at sea also offer time and space to reflect on the emotions and special moments you’ve lived over the past few weeks. You may like to take a moment of quiet contemplation or reminisce with your fellow travellers over a cuppa (or other beverage of choice!)
As you approach Macquarie Island keep watch for graceful grey-headed, black-browed and light-mantled albatross, which may venture from their nests to welcome their human visitors.
As they sailed towards Antarctica, Mawson and his men encountered ‘an exquisite scene’. Macquarie Island (known affectionately as Macca) rises steeply from the Southern Ocean in a series of emerald summits: a beautifully fierce, elemental landscape teeming with life.
Keep your binoculars handy because this subantarctic refuge is home to 3.5 million breeding seabirds, including no less than four species of penguin! Alongside boisterous colonies of tuxedoed kings, charming gentoos, robust rockhoppers and endemic royal penguins, you’ll find three types of fur seals and a large proportion of the world’s elephant seals. Layer up and head out on deck to experience the sound, sight (and smell!) as you approach one of the largest concentrations of life in the Southern Ocean.
Remember to keep an eye out for Macca’s kelp forests—these remarkable underwater ecosystems are quite mesmerising as their fronds sway back and forth on the water’s surface.
In addition to being a globally recognised and protected wildlife refuge, Macquarie Island played an important role in Antarctic history. It was here, in 1911, that five men disembarked Mawson’s Aurora and established a radio relay station which would transmit the first communication from Antarctica to the outside world.
As your journey draws to a close, take some time to reflect on the experiences of the past few weeks. Perhaps take some time to organise your photos, jot some more notes in your journal or simply relax and soak up the ambiance on board as you farewell your travel mates . . . until next time!
We hope you become ambassadors for the great Southern Ocean, advocating for its conservation and preservation, and share your experiences with your loved ones, so they might visit and become ambassadors themselves.
After breakfast, farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature.
Walk along boisterous beaches teeming with harems of New Zealand (Hooker's) sea lions to reach the rare yellow-eyed penguins that live in twisted rātā woods.
Savor the diversity of the distinct Ross Sea environment, which is a Sylvia Earle Mission Blue "Hope Spot" and a portion of the Ross Sea Region Marine Protected Area.
Travel through shimmering pack ice that is home to whales eating in unfathomable depths, Adélie and emperor penguins, Weddell and leopard seals, and penguins.
As we try to visit some of the exquisitely maintained historic huts belonging to the Heroic Age explorers, consider the amazing feats they accomplished (conditions permitting).
The Douglas Mawson is a brand-new Antarctic vessel setting sail in 2025. Honouring the famed Australian geologist and explorer, this purpose-built ship epitomises Mawson’s pioneering ethos, dedicated to discovery. It boasts the innovative Ulstein X-BOW®, enabling seamless traversal of waves for swifter, more comfortable voyages, with reduced fuel consumption and emissions. Featuring the latest in nautical technology, the ship is fitted with world-class return-to-port equipment. The ship also features a medical clinic designed for use in remote areas. And for citizen scientists, there’s a separate centre and lounge with all of the scientific gear needed to contribute vital research data. Easy access to zodiacs means more time for excursions Facilitating seamless access to Zodiacs, the vessel is equipped with dedicated boarding points and an activities platform, ensuring swift, efficient, and safe embarkation, minimising wait times for extended periods of exploration. The nearby mudroom provides lockers for gear and boots storage, alongside rapid drying areas for clothing, enhancing the overall expedition experience. Luxury amenities After a day of exploration, guests can relax in the heated outdoor swimming pool or one of two Jacuzzis on the rear deck. For the more active, hit the gym before unwinding in the sauna. Guests can also enrich their knowledge at the Citizen Science Centre and then indulge in culinary delights at one of two restaurants. Passengers can also simply relax in comfort across multiple observation areas, admiring wildlife or breathtaking landscapes. In addition to its advanced features, the Douglas Mawson offers an array of amenities helping to connect fellow travellers, enhancing the floating base camp experience. Stylish and modern staterooms Tasteful and spacious cabins and suites feature Antarctic photography and plenty of gear storage space. All staterooms are spacious, with easy deck access, and some suites have separate lounge areas where you can unwind. Some of the Balcony Stateroom Superior rooms are equipped with wheelchair-accessible bathrooms.
WHY WE LOVE THE DOUGLAS MAWSON
FEATURES OF THE DOUGLAS MAWSON
Innovative technology like no other
Ice Class:
Length: 104.4m
Breadth: 18.4 mMax
Draft: Cruising
Speed: 15.5 Knots – maximum speed only used in case of emergencies
Electricity: 220V, 60HZ AC. Universal plug Passenger
Capacity:154
View Ship Details
We believe that appropriate accommodation should add to the authentic travel experience, as well as providing utmost enjoyment. For that reason our accommodation is scrutinised by our staff on the ground frequently, ensuring the properties adhere to our high standards. This key will help you understand the levels of accommodation available on this tour.
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Luxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.
Optional Activities vary for each itinerary. Limited spaces available. Contact your Destination Specialist for pricing & availability.
Experience the unforgettable thrill and serenity of kayaking in Antarctica as part of a small, expertly guided paddling group.
Learn MoreRoss Sea Odyssey | Douglas Mawson from £ 26,536 | ||
Departing | Ending | Duration |
---|---|---|
16 Jan 2026 | 09 Feb 2026 | 25 |
Prices are based on per person, twin share* (unless otherwise stated for triple/quad cabins)
Prices are correct at time of publishing but are subject to change at any time.
Itinerary is subject to change depending on government regulations, weather and ice conditions
* Landings at the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand are by permit only as administered by the Government of New Zealand. No landings are permitted at The Snares.
1 Night hotel accommodation in Dunedin, pre-cruise Day 1
Cabin accommodation on board Douglas Mawson
All meals whilst on board ship and breakfast in the hotel
Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner
Captain’s Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages
All scheduled landings & excursions
Guiding and lectures by English-speaking expedition leader and team
All port fees
All landing fees
Expedition jacket provided (yours to keep)
A pair of expedition boots for use during voyage
Wi-Fi (Please note we travel to remote regions and therefore the connection can be unreliable)
Airfares to and from embarkation/disembarkation city
Transfers – unless specified in the itinerary
Visa fees (if applicable)
Travel insurance
Beverages (other than tea and coffee)
All items of a personal nature, including but not limited to alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses or phone charges.
Pre or post cruise travel expenses
Optional activities & excursion surcharges
Gratuities for ship’s crew - (A $15 USD per person per day gratuity for the crew is automatically added to your onboard account. It is at your discretion if you would like to remove the tip (or adjust the amount) when you settle your bill. It is not necessary to tip the expedition team members. This gratuity amount is included for suites as part of their ‘Suite Benefits’.)
Available upon request. Subject to availability, contact us for more details.
Departure date, fuel surcharges, cabin category, currency fluctuations, seasonality and availability.