Douglas Mawson

Designed to navigate the planet’s most remote environments, the Douglas Mawson is Aurora Expeditions’ newest expedition vessel, built to offer the perfect balance of adventure, sustainability, and comfort. The ship features the innovative Ulstein X‑BOW inverted bow design, a technology that enables smoother navigation in polar seas with enhanced stability, reduced wave impact, and lower fuel consumption—even in challenging conditions, making the onboard experience more comfortable for everyone.
On board the Douglas Mawson, everything is designed for an intimate, relaxed setting ideal for exploration without sacrificing modern comforts. Its 91 cabins—many with private balconies—are spacious, furnished in elegant Nordic style, and crafted to offer privacy, natural light, and a constant connection with the surrounding landscape. What truly sets life on board apart is the range of communal spaces devoted to well‑being and social interaction. There are two restaurants serving cuisine inspired by both local and international flavors with sea views, two panoramic bars, an observation lounge with floor‑to‑ceiling windows, a library, a lecture theatre for conferences and Citizen Science programs, as well as a spa, a gym, and two outdoor jacuzzis, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploration amid the ice.
Built with exploration in mind, the vessel includes fast boarding platforms, a large mudroom for technical gear, and everything needed for Zodiac landings, kayaking, trekking, and wildlife observation. The outer deck and multiple observation points offer privileged views of spectacular landscapes like Antarctica, the Arctic, or the world’s most remote islands. From an environmental standpoint, the Douglas Mawson is at the cutting edge: it is optimized for cleaner fuels (such as methanol), incorporates heat recovery systems and waste management technology, and operates in a way that minimizes impact on fragile polar ecosystems.
Giorgia Lombardo