Aurora Expeditions Cruises

Accommodations Review

I was glad our Adventure Specialist, Andrew Browning, recommended a 4th floor cabin -there was minimal rocking and we were conveniently located between the dining area, theater presentation floor, and the mudroom for activities.

Meals Review

Meals were delicious and varied with lovely selections: meat, fish and vegetarians selections every meal. The upstairs optional dining room had great views but a more limited lunch and breakfast menu. After trying what appealed to us on that menu, we stayed with the main dining room most days.

Itinerary Review

[We most enjoyed]...kayaking in Paradise Bay by the Argentinian station where we saw penguins and in Fortier Bay with the humpback whales surfacing around us. Our expedition director was staff at Port Lockroy 10 years ago and had insights and experiences to share. Port Lockroy staff came on-board for presentations and dinner on board. It was fun to visit with them.

Crew & Guides Review

Flo was the primary expiration leader and presented destinations and weather reasoning.  She'd had jobs in Antarctica at Port Lockroy and crewing on a sailboat which she shared with us. That deepened our appreciation for the area and the people it attracts. Sigor and Vanya were our kayaking guides. Their enthusiasm greatly enriched our experience. At first, the wet suit was scary and claustrophobic for me and Vanya patiently helped me into it, adjusted, and worked with me to master my fear. I appreciated her patient, professional attitude.

Fellow Passengers Review

Aurora did a great job of orienting passengers and encouraging a sense of comradery amongst the 85 passengers on board.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Adventure Smith has been wonderfully prompt and helpful in their information and connections.

Accommodations Review

Great

Meals Review

Excellent food

Itinerary Review

The boat, room and staff were great!  The landings were spectacular. We were lucky that the Drake passage was pretty mild. Only complaint is the long sea days but if you do all we did that's the way it is. South Georgia was the best. No real suggestions for improvement.

Crew & Guides Review

All the staff was very professional and knowledgeable.  Went above and beyond.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Very professional

Accommodations Review

Beautiful ship, excellent staff.

Meals Review

Most of the meals were good. This was not an important thing for me.

Itinerary Review

We were hoping to see a polar bear on this trip but fully prepared not to as we realized that is always an unknown with wildlife. We completed the cruise seeing a total of 10 polar bears! That was in addition to minke whales, walrus, arctic fox, harp seals, bearded seals and a variety of different species of birds.

The crew was excellent, as good as any we’ve experienced on a ship. The expedition team members were absolutely outstanding and their knowledge, experience and sense of humor really made the trip.

We have completed over 65 cruises and would put this trip at the top of the list.

Crew & Guides Review

Absolutely the best I’ve ever seen. I can’t remember all of the names but definitely included Rune, John, and Gaby.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Kept us informed in a timely manner about all aspects of the trip.

Fellow Passengers Review

Great bunch of like minded folks. Included a lot of Aussies who I always find entertaining.

Accommodations Review

Greg Mortimer staff was exceptional. 

As Leslie warned us, the initial day bus trip before boarding was largely boring.  I wish Greg Mortimer had a better idea for dealing with that unavoidable interval between arrivals and boarding.

Meals Review

meals were perfectly acceptable, but not as good as is common on larger cruise ships.

Itinerary Review

The kayaking made the trip for me. It such a superior way to see / be in the moment.  If we're honest, on a Zodiac, a lot of what you see is the row of passengers across from you.

In a kayak, you see what you came to see. And you have the quiet.

Crew & Guides Review

Here's where Greg Mortimer really shined:

The hotel staff and waiters were excellent, even compared with staff on normal cruise ships - and we have a lot of experience on Viking and other first-rate cruise lines.

The expedition staff was outstanding. We expected competence and knowledge, but we also got plenty of individualized attention, always cheerful.

I did the kayaking option.  They were just great at helping me - and others - with the unfamiliar gear (dry suits, etc.) and boats.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Leslie was great.  We didn''t need much support, but we got plenty of attention.

Accommodations Review

The Sylvia Earle is a great ship. The room was spacious, lots of storage, nice bathroom, loved the balcony.

Itinerary Review

[We most enjoyed]...the Antarctic Peninsula. Ice. Penguins. Sea Kayaking. Zodiac expeditions and landings. Expert lectures. [We least enjoyed]...crossing The Drake.

Traveler Advice

Be flexible since the ship can only make stops if the weather is cooperating. Participate in the lectures - you'll learn a lot. Don't overpack - it's easy to do laundry in the shower, our clothes dried over night and no one cares what you wear or how often you wear it!

Fellow Passengers Review

It was a good group of passengers and there is enough space to avoid people you might want to avoid.

Crew & Guides Review

Flo Kuyper was amazing. She has a wide breadth of knowledge and was excited to share it with us. I'd go on any trip she leads.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Great information to prepare us for the trip.

Accommodations Review

The vessel was amazing. Brand new...hard to complain.

Meals Review

The food was amazing, I mean come on, lamb shank?! That's rad!

Itinerary Review

[I most enjoyed]...the Western side of the Antarctica Peninsula more because the rock formations were more impressive. The Weddell sea was a wonderful opportunity to observe and appreciate. The huts got old after seeing a few. I was more interested in the kayaking and activities on land.

Transportation Review

The transportation was great. The transfer between domestic and international in Argentina took a little thinking, but it was easy with your guidance to use Tienda Leon.

Crew & Guides Review

This group was top notch! On the kayaking side, Eamon and Segurt were very fun to be around and easy to get along with. I very much so enjoyed my time kayaking with these guides and they were very helpful with getting photos as well.

Fellow Passengers Review

The whole group was stellar, we bonded and had a great time.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

You all did an amazing job. I didn't have to think much and you took care of it all. That was much needed as I was swamped coming at the end of 6 months straight of travel.