Douglas Mawson
- capacity
- 154 (avg)
- year built
- 2025
- crew members
- 71-80
- length
- 342 feet
- beam
- 60 feet
- draft
- 17 feet
- cruising speed
- 10-12 knots
- flag
- Portugal
- ice class
- 1A, PC6
The Douglas Mawson is a brand new expedition ship, set to launch in Antarctica in December 2025. Joining sibling ships Sylvia Earle and Greg Mortimer, Douglas Mawson promises an active, educational and comfort-focused experience on its global departures. This state-of-the-art ship pays tribute to the legendary Australian geologist and explorer Sir Douglas Mawson, with tools and gear for off-ship adventure, plus design for a smooth and comfortable onboard experience.
Why Sail Aboard Douglas Mawson
Choose the Douglas Mawson for its adventure-forward, comfortable and thoughtful design. The third in a line of exploration-focused, Infinity Class ships, Douglas Mawson features elements from over three decades of expedition cruising: the latest X-Bow® technology, a mudroom, a sauna, Zodiac boarding platforms, eco-friendly elements, and cabins accommodating doubles, triples and singles.
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AdventureSmith Explorations has been aboard the nearly identical sibling ship Greg Mortimer firsthand. Read our dedicated Greg Mortimer Ship Review, written by our founder and president. Or consult this page further for a detailed description of the Douglas Mawson ship, including ship specs, deck plan, cabin images and a photo gallery. We can help compare the Douglas Mawson ship with others offering Antarctica cruises, Falkland Islands & South Georgia cruises, New Zealand small ship cruises and small ship cruises in Australia. Find an Antarctica ship or other expedition ships with our expertise.
Design, Sustainability & Accessibility
Douglas Mawson is a ship that incorporates lessons learned from over 30 years of exploration, plus the cutting-edge technologies of Norwegian ship builders Ulstein Group. Expect a smoother ride than most ships, education-focused spaces, plenty of common areas that bring the outside in, and a platform for both activity and relaxation.
Ulstein X-BOW®
Douglas Mawson’s inverted X-BOW® hull offers guests a more stable experience while the ship is underway, along with increased efficiency with its ability to slice through waves. An added benefit is the ability to put view windows closer to the waterline, for improved wildlife viewing.
Activity Preparation Areas
Douglas Mawson features purpose-built zones to enable efficient ship-to-shore (or paddle) activities. Two Zodiac embarkation zones get travelers off faster on multiple daily excursions, while a rear activity launchpad makes room for kayakers to come and go at the same time. A mudroom with assigned lockers keeps expedition wear organized and out of one’s cabin. And the Assembly Station offers plenty of space for groups to gather initially.
Advanced Tech Features
The Douglas Mawson cruise ship features leading safety technology, including an operating system back-up, dynamic positioning and Zero Speed™ stabilizers. The ship also offers a medical clinic ready for treatments in remote areas.
Onboard Facilities
The Douglas Mawson small ship features inviting spaces cleverly designed with over 30 years of expedition cruising by its Australian operator, B-Corp-certified Aurora Expeditions. Onboard facilities include two restaurants, a gym and sauna, a heated outdoor pool and pool bar, sun deck Jacuzzis, a citizen science center and library, and plenty of observation areas.
Lecture Theater
The Douglas Mawson cruise ship engages travelers through both off-ship exploration and on-ship enrichment. A robust series of informative lectures takes place in the theater on Deck 4—a space big enough to accommodate the entire passenger complement, itself complemented by an adjacent bar. Noted biologists, geologists, glaciologists and more provide regular talks to inform on the nature and wildlife experienced each day.
Dining, Bars & Lounges
With a formal dining room on Deck 5 and a casual top-deck restaurant on Deck 8, the Douglas Mawson ship has dining options for all. Rotating menus are international in flavor and served buffet style for breakfast and lunch, and plated for dinner. Beer, house wine and soft drinks are included with dinner. Snacks, tea and coffee are made available around the clock. Guests can also opt for quicker, self-service buffet at the top-deck restaurant, which features sweeping views and both indoor and outdoor seating.
The top deck bar and observation lounge provides 180 degrees of glass, in a chic environment. The open-air seating areas on Decks 7 and 8 are protected by a shade structure and thoughtfully located at the back of the ship, out of any headwinds.
Pool, Jacuzzis, Sauna & Gym
Deck 7 features an outdoor sun deck that’s ripe for relaxation between explorations, dining and lectures. A pool centers the space, available when the ship is not underway. Two Jacuzzis round out each back corner, offering spectacular views. Plenty of cushioned benches invite guests to lounge, either in the shade or full sun. Step inside for wellness amenities including a large, hot-stone sauna and a gym lined with a wall of windows. Gym equipment includes elliptical machines, spin bikes, treadmills, a rowing machine, weight machines, benches, free weights, yoga mats and more.
Citizen Science Center & Library
Deck 5’s citizen science center, library and glass atrium lounge (the latter split between Deck 5 and 6 by an elegant staircase) are a defining feature of the Douglas Mawson ship. Travelers can learn to use research tools like microscopes and contribute towards reporting efforts to help researchers monitor the health of wildlife and remote landscapes. A well-stocked library adds to one’s understanding of the locales through which Douglas Mawson sails, including reference books, travel journals, novels and a selection of children’s books and board games.
Mudroom & Other Facilities
Deck 3’s mudroom provides open-concept lockers and bench seating for guests to prepare for and return from regular off-ship explorations. Personal flotation devices, outerwear, boots and other clothing can be stored here between outings.
Other Douglas Mawson amenities include satellite internet, offered throughout the ship; an elevator that accesses all passenger decks; an Expedition Desk staffed by naturalist guides; a shop stocked with keepsakes and travel essentials; an open bridge, where guests can interact with captain and/or navigational crew when the seas are fair; and a Reception Desk for any needs during the trip.
Off-Ship Activities
In keeping with its adventurous namesake, the Douglas Mawson expedition ship offers a plethora of off-ship activities. All guests are treated to Zodiac cruises, walks and hikes on shore, and opportunities for birding and photography. Select departures may also offer sea kayaking, one-time paddling, camping, snowshoeing, snorkeling, diving, ski and snowboard touring, stand-up paddleboarding, mountaineering and rock climbing. Part of the expedition team is comprised of experts in these activities, ready to guide you in the field.
Crew & Expedition Guides
The 13-23 expedition team members aboard Douglas Mawson are some of the industry’s best; ask them for exciting stories from their discipline, or fun facts about the wildlife they’re spotting alongside you. Expedition guides on Douglas Mawson are an ever-present fountain of knowledge; don’t miss an opportunity to dine together as seating is open and dining hours are the same for everyone on board.
A robust deck & engine crew of 24 keep the Douglas Mawson small ship moving as planned, while a hotel team of 47-56 ensure that all guests are well attended to. With its modern technologies, Australian-inspired hospitality and thoughtful design, the Douglas Mawson ship attracts experienced crew from around the world.
Cabins & Douglas Mawson Deck Plan
The Douglas Mawson cruise ship features a wide variety of categories and configurations among its 86 cabins. Choose from 11 categories across Decks 3, 4, 6 and 7. Most cabins feature twin or king bedding (single cabins only offer a twin bed). An impressive 79% of Douglas Mawson cabins include a private balcony, and groups wanting shared cabin space have a wide selection of 58 interconnecting Balcony Staterooms to choose from. The two triple cabins can accommodate a third person (triple and single share on request).
All cabins are feature Nordic interior design and come equipped with a private bathroom, closet, individual thermostat, flat-screen TV, desk and/or sitting area, safety deposit box, one mug and drink bottle per guest, and mini bar (added cost in most cabins). Electricity is 220 volts, 60 hertz via a universal plug.
