AURORA EXPEDITIONS

Antarctic, Papua New Guinea, Russian Far East (Kamchatka & Kuril Islands), Arctic, Norway, Greenland, Spitsbergen, Scottish Isles, Australia Kimberley Coast

POLAR PIONEER

Passenger Capacity: 56
Built: 1985
Length: 71.60 meters
Officers: Russian

  • Staff and Crew: Expedition staff is Australian, American, Canadian, New Zealand
  • Itinerary: Between November and March Polar Pioneer visits the Antarctic Peninsula, Falkland Islands and South Georgia. June to September she is in the High Arctic, visiting the Scottish Isles, Norway, Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland.
  • Cabins: 29. Triple and twin cabins have shared facilities, while other cabins and suites have private bathrooms. Triple cabins have upper and lower berths, and other categories have two lower bunks or a double bed.
  • Dress: Casual
  • Facilities and Activities: This is an ice-strengthened ship specifically designed for polar travel. A small fleet of inflatable Zodiacs are used for shore landings, usually two or three times a day, and naturalists give lectures on the wildlife, landscapes and history of the regions visited. Some voyages have kayaking, Antarctic climbing and diving. Open bridge.
  • Rates: 11-day Antarctic Peninsula expedition $5,290-$8,490 per person; 20-day Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia $8,690-$13,990 per person.


Coral Princess - Australia, South Pacific

CORAL PRINCESS, CORAL PRINCESS II

Passengers: 46, 50
Length: 115 ft.
Crew: Australian

  • Itinerary: Year-round 3, 4 & 7-night Great Barrier Reef cruises in Australia from Cairns and Townsville including Dunk, Pelorus and Lizard Islands.
  • Cabins: Cabins have twin or double beds, air conditioning, large windows, and private bathroom with shower.
  • Dining: The dining room accommodates all guests in one sitting and tables are unassigned. Menus feature Australian and international dishes, Australian and New Zealand wines.
  • Facilities and Activities: These are catamarans carry live aboard passengers on explorations of the Great Barrier Reef and other parts of Australia. The vessels are air-conditioned throughout. There is a lounge, library with books and videos, hot tub, a glass-bottom boat and zodiacs for exploring. A dive master and marine biologist are on board. There is an open bridge policy. There is snorkeling, scuba diving, walks in an island rainforest and a beach barbecue. Snorkeling and dive equipment are supplied. Introductory scuba experience is included with additional dives available.
  • Fares: A 3-night cruise $1.300 US to $1,700 per person double occupancy. The vessel is sometimes chartered by other cruise lines and tour operators and can be booked with air for a package tour.

A range of cabins, facilities and features that all make for a memorable voyage to the Kimberley coast - cruising to the heart of nature in Australia.

The Coral Princess is a 35-metre luxury catamaran, designed to operate with comfort and stability in the remote waters of Australia's north. The boat was conceived by the affable and experienced Captain Tony Briggs and has earned a fine reputation while operating in the waters of Far North Queensland, and now, the Kimberley.

 

Wilderness Adventurer - Alaska

At Aurora Expeditions we believe small ships are best. It is for this reason we have chosen the purpose built 60-passenger Wilderness Adventurer to navigate Alaska.

Refurbished in 2011, she makes a comfortable base for us to explore. Each twin and double cabin features a private bathroom, outside window, flat screen TV/DVD and iPod docking station. The main lounge evokes the style of a National Park Lodge, and is a great place for socializing, or watching the action from the bow-mounted underwater camera.

Three accessible decks are fully equipped for comfort and action. The observation deck allows for over-the-top wildlife viewing from the bow; the sun deck has an on-deck spa, sauna and fitness equipment; and the EZ Dock launch platform on the main deck makes for easy access to the water for Zodiac cruises.

Our 3:1 guest ratio means you will be well looked after. Our expedition leader will ensure you experience the very best of Alaska, whilst our on board naturalist will provide a range of informative talks about the regions environment and wildlife. Our chefs serve freshly prepared wholesome, hearty meals, and the crew ensure that you have a comfortable stay throughout your voyage.

 

Anakonda - Amazon

M/V Anakonda is a purpose-built, 45 metre, 40-passenger expedition ship offering all inclusive comfort in the middle of the Ecuadorian Amazon. The observation deck with outdoor lounge and spa are ideal places to relax and enjoy spectacular views. Excursions are in fiberglass ecologic canoes equipped with four-stroke, low emission engines.

The observation deck with outdoor lounge and spa are ideal places to relax and enjoy spectacular views. Excursions are in fiberglass ecologic canoes equipped with four-stroke, low emission engines.

The M/V Anakonda is the most unique way to experience the Amazon!

 

Coral I - Galapagos

The German built Coral I features a perfect mix of beauty and style. With high-class standards and luxurious features such as berths featuring private bathrooms and air conditioning, as well as a central Jacuzzi, dining area and lounge. M/Y Coral I is a 39.7 metre, 36-passenger, modern, adventure-style, small expedition ship. Handsomely decorated, the teak finish and interior carpets offer warmth and comfort, while ample panoramic windows bring nature to you.

It's fully equipped with spacious social areas, including sun and shadow decks, an outdoor jacuzzi, a welcoming lounge and dining room. The chef specialises in Ecuadorian and international cuisines.

Each cabin has its own fully private bath and range in size from 7 sqm to 12 sqm. A stern platform makes boarding and disembarkation a dream.

 

50 years of Victory - Artic

Carrying the highest ice class rating possible, '50 years of Victory' can crush ice up to 3 meters (10 feet) thick, and is the world's largest and most sophisticated nuclear-powered icebreaker.

Onboard you hardly feel a thing. Absolutely unforgettable is the sound of mammoth slabs of ice colliding with the hull! An onboard helicopter extends the vessels ability to reach ice-locked, remote Arctic islands en route from the North Pole.

Please note: Arktika Suites 46 and 48 have obstructed views from their windows

The expedition ship provides a comfortable, friendly atmosphere for just 128 guests. Her icebreaking capabilities and two 74,000 horsepower nuclear reactors means she can take us literatlly to the top of the world, a place where regular ships cannot access. On board she offers 4 fully enclosed lifeboats ensure your safety in all conditions, a fleet of Zodiacs that bring you up-close and personal with Arctic wildlife, icebergs and more, plus helicopter rides for aerial-sightseeing.

 

Oceanic Discoverer- NZ, Australia and Papua New Guinea

Passengers: 72
Length: 207 ft.
Built: 2005
Crew: Australian, New Zealand

  • Itinerary: New Zealand (5 or 12 nights), Papua New Guinea (12 nights), Melanesia (PNG, Solomon Islands, Vanatua, New Caledonia 13-15 nights), Vanatua (5 nights), Australia's Kimberley (10 nights) and across-the-top-of-Australia (11 nights).
  • Cabins: 36. Cabins have twin or double beds, air conditioning, large windows, private bathroom with shower.
  • Dining: The dining room accommodates all guests in one sitting, tables are unassigned. Menus feature Australian and international dishes and Australian and New Zealand wines.
  • Facilities and Activities: This an expedition ship with lounges, hot tub, library, internet, a excursion tender and a fleet of zodiacs. There is an open bridge.
  • Fares: A 5-night New Zealand cruise from $2,500 US per person , 10-night Kimberley cruise $6,500 per person, and 10-night PNG cruise from $6,500.

Oceanic Discoverer is a 63 metre vessel. Built for comfort & safety, she is large enough to provide the luxury & convenience of a larger cruise ship yet with a maximum of 72 guests. Oceanic Discoverer is small enough to enable access to sites beyond the reach or larger vessels & all shore excursions are carried out on our specially designed excursion vessel 'Explorer', 3 Zodiacs and spacious glass bottom coral viewing boat.

 

SPIRIT OF ENDERBY - Antarctic

Passenger Capacity: 48
Built: 1984
Length: 72 m
Beam: 12.8 m
Officers: Russian
Staff and Crew: Australian & Russian

  • Itineraries: Between November and March the ship cruises the southern hemisphere to Antarctica, New Zealand. Some voyages go to remote subantarctic islands such as Campbell, Auckland, Snares, Macquaire, Antipodes, and Bounty.
  • Cabins: All cabins are outside with either an opening porthole or window and are equipped with individually controlled air-conditioning. Some cabins have two lower berths with a washbasin but share shower and toilet. Some have two lower berths or a bunk with private en suite facilities. There is one suite with double bed and a daybed plus en suite facilities, and a separate living area.
  • Dining: There are two dining rooms, both with open seating. New Zealand chefs prepare Pacific Rim dishes, with local wines. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated.
  • Dress: Casual at all times. Wet weather gear are a must. A polar expedition parka is provided.
  • Facilities and Activities: This is a former Russian Polar research vessel. Facilities include a bar, lounge, sauna, laundry service, and a lecture room used for slide shows, lectures, and re-caps. The ship has an open bridge policy. There are three inflatable naiad crafts that provide access to remote locations and two amphibious all-terrain vehicles for shore excursions, and on Antarctic expeditions a helicopter is carried. There is a team of naturalists. A European doctor is on board.
  • Fares: 18-day birding cruise around the Sub Antarctic Islands in November and December starting from $6,986 per person, a 7-day trip in December beyond the Roaring Forties to the Subantarctic Islands from $2,875. A 28-day South to Antarctica Expedition in January from $11,310 per person, and a 24-day February cruise in the footsteps of Scott and Shackleton from $9,750 per person. Expedition to the remote Kermadec Islands from $2,971 per person. Fares include shore excursions. government fees are additional.

The name Spirit of Enderby honours the work and the vision of the Enderby Brothers of London. The Enderby Captains were at the forefront of Antarctic exploration for almost 40 years in the early 1800's. It also celebrates Enderby Island, arguably the greatest Subantarctic Island in the world.

The real focus and emphasis of every expedition is getting you ashore as often as possible for as long as possible with maximum safety and comfort. Our Expeditions are accompanied by some of the most experienced naturalists and guides, who have devoted a lifetime to field research in the areas that we visit. The ship is crewed by a very enthusiastic and most experienced Russian Captain and crew.

Contact: pamela@smallcruiseships.net or (303) 504-0400 - USA & Canada (888) 321-0103. International Calls Welcome.