Aurora Expeditions reports its largest-ever Antarctic season, operating 30 voyages with about 819 landings and a 30% rise in passenger numbers across 56 nationalities. The season included the debut of a third ship, Douglas Mawson, enabling three simultaneous vessels in Antarctica for the first time, a return to East Antarctica after 15 years, and new 'Active Antarctica' voyages with 14 included activities.
Highlights included Douglas Mawson reaching 78º44.405' south, a claimed record for the southernmost expedition voyage, plus 2,835 polar plunges and 269 onboard lectures. The company also introduced AI-assisted route planning, microplastic filtration systems and drone-supported scouting for ice and landing assessments, alongside citizen science programmes. Aurora's 2026/27 Antarctic season is now open for booking.