Douglas Mawson

Setting sail in 2025, our new state-of-the-art ship, the Douglas Mawson, is the last in a line of purpose-built vessels that have redefined small ship expedition cruising.

Named after the legendary Australian geologist and explorer, our new small ship embodies Mawson’s pioneering spirit and is designed for global discovery. Featuring the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW® and purpose-built with enhanced sustainability features, it takes on average 154 adventurers to the world’s wildest places in smooth, quiet comfort. It boasts our most extensive range of cabins yet, including a range of single cabins.

While enjoying the luxurious amenities onboard, you can rest assured that our aim to get you off the ship to explore the natural environment as much as possible through our unique activities program remains unchanged.

Specifications

  • Passengers: 154
  • Staff & Crew : 99
  • Cabins: 79
  • Length: 104.4m
  • Breadth: 18.4m
  • Draught: 5.1 m
  • Chart Class:  A1 Ice Class
  • Cruising Speed: 12 Knots
  • Year built: to be completed 2024

Amenities

  • Room-controlled thermostat
  • Closet space
  • Private en-suite
  • Desk area
  • 42″ flat-screen TV
  • Room safe
  • King bed/twin beds

Facilities

  • Two restaurants
  • Citizen Science Centre equipped with microscopes 
  • Polar library
  • Gym, sauna and two outdoor Jacuzzis
  • Mudroom for practical storage of your included rubber boots and wet kit 
  • Easy access zodiac loading bay for off-ship activities
  • Complimentary access to Starlink WIFI. Please note that connection can be patchy due to the poor satellite connection in Antarctica

Deck Plan

Ship Features

1 -Change room/mudroom
2 -Zodiac access points
3 -Activity launching platform
4 -Lecture room & lounge
5 -Assembly station
6 -Reception
7 -Ship shop
8 -Dining room
9 -Library
10 -Gym
11 -Sauna
12 -Seating area
13 -Observation lounge
14 -Top-deck restaurant
15 -Bar
16 -Upper glass atrium lounge
17 -Lower glass atrium lounge
18 -Observation decks
19 -Swimming pool* and sun deck
20 -Jacuzzis
21 -Medical clinic
22 -Bridge
23 -Elevator
24 -Main entrance
25 -Expedition desk
26 -Citizen Science centre Disability accessible staterooms

Galery

The Douglas Mawson features a host of amenities to help you connect with like-minded travellers and elevate your time onboard our floating base camp for adventure. After a long day of exploring, head to the back deck to swim in the heated outdoor swimming pool, find a sun bed to read on, or soak in one of two Jacuzzis. Work up a sweat in the gym before unwinding in the sauna, resolve to learn something new in the Citizen Science Centre, then enjoy a delicious meal with new and old friends in one of two restaurants. Or, with multiple observation areas throughout the ship, simply relax in comfort while you keep watch for wildlife or incredible landscapes unfold before you.

(All images of the Douglas Mawson are artist’s impressions only and final results may vary)

Cabins

Featuring the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW® and purpose-built with enhanced sustainability features, it takes on average 154 adventurers to the world’s wildest places in smooth, quiet comfort.

It boasts our most extensive range of cabins yet, including a range of single cabins.

Stateroom Single

Cabin size: 9.85m2 (106ft2)

There are two Aurora Stateroom Single cabins featuring portholes, all with private en-suites. Located on Deck 3, they’re close to the mudroom and loading platforms.

Stateroom Single Superior

Deck 3 Cabin size: 15.18m2 (163.4ft2)

Deck 7 Cabin size: 10.97m2 (118.1ft)

There are four Aurora Stateroom Superior Single cabins featuring portholes, all with private en-suites. Located on Decks 3 & 7.

Stateroom Triple

Cabin size: 22.57m2 (242.9ft2)

There are two Aurora Stateroom Triple cabins featuring portholes, both with private en-suites. Located on Deck 3, they’re close to the mudroom and loading platforms.

Stateroom Twin

Cabin size: 15.37m² – 15.97m² (165.4ft² – 171.9ft²)

The Douglas Mawson features two Aurora Stateroom Twin cabins featuring windows, all with private en-suites. Located on Deck 3, they’re close to the mudroom and loading platforms, perfect for adventurers who are looking for a comfortable base that’s close to the action.

Stateroom Superior

Cabin size: 13.97m2 – 16.17m(150.4ft2 – 174.1ft2)

With a bit more room to stretch the legs, the Aurora Stateroom Superior are perfect for polar adventurers who travel with plenty of gear.

Located on Deck 7, the Staterooms feature french balconies, floor to ceiling windows, en-suite bathrooms and a comfortable desk area.

Balcony Stateroom

Cabin & balcony combined size: 21.07m2 – 26.77m2 (226.8ft² – 288.2ft2)

We have three cabin categories of our Balcony Staterooms. These are classified as A, B or C depending on the cabin size.

Our 15 Balcony Stateroom Category C cabins are our most economical, fitted with all the necessities and comfortable for up to 2 people. These cabins are scattered throughout Deck 4 & 6.

Balcony Stateroom Superior

Cabin & balcony combined size: 27.77m2 – 36.27m(298.9ft2 – 390.4ft2)

With a bit more room to stretch the legs, the Balcony Stateroom Superior cabins are perfect for polar adventurers who travel with plenty of gear.

Located on Deck 4 and 6, the Staterooms feature floor to ceiling windows, en-suite bathrooms and a comfortable desk area.

Some of these rooms are equipped with wheelchair accessible bathrooms.

Junior Suite

Cabin & balcony combined size: Up to 41.47m2 – 41.87m2 (446.4ft– 450.7ft2)

The four Junior Suites take in some impressive scenery from their vantage points on Deck 7. When you aren’t enjoying a landing, you can relax in the suites’ separate lounge area, or just watch the world float by from the private balcony.

Captain's Suite

Cabin & balcony combined size: 45.22m(486.7ft2)

The largest of all our rooms, the singular Captain’s Suite will take you to the polar regions in ultimate style and comfort. Complete with large lounge area, balcony, walk-in wardrobe and en-suite, you’ll need to get in early to secure this suite.

VESSEL DEPARTURES

The below departures correspond to the Aurora Expeditions – Douglas Mawson, you can use our advanced filters to help you search and find the most perfect voyage for you. Please note all prices are reflected in USD and are quoted per person. 

Advanced filters:
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Month: 
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Mawson´s Antarctica

Start : 11 Dec, 2025  End : 3 Jan, 2026
Departure : Hobart   Arrival : Dunedin
24 Days
From $24,476
$19,581
Show Prices
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Aurora Stateroom Triple Share
$24,476 $19,581
Aurora Stateroom Twin Share
$25,196 $20,157
Aurora Stateroom Superior
$26,636 $21,309
Balcony Stateroom Category C
$27,356 $21,885
Balcony Stateroom Category B
$28,796 $23,037
Aurora Stateroom Single
$29,516 $23,613
Balcony Stateroom Category A
$30,956 $24,765
Aurora Stateroom Superior Single
$32,396 $25,917
Balcony Stateroom Superior
$33,836 $27,069
Junior Suite
$42,476 $33,981
Captain Suite
$50,396 $40,317

Ross Sea Odyssey

Start : 16 Jan, 2026  End : 9 Feb, 2026
Departure : Dunedin   Arrival : Dunedin
25 Days
From $25,196
$20,157
Show Prices
Ask Us a Question
Aurora Stateroom Triple Share
$25,196 $20,157
Aurora Stateroom Twin Share
$25,916 $20,733
Aurora Stateroom Superior
$27,356 $21,885
Balcony Stateroom Category C
$28,156 $22,525
Balcony Stateroom Category B
$29,596 $23,677
Aurora Stateroom Single
$30,316 $24,253
Balcony Stateroom Category A
$31,836 $25,469
Aurora Stateroom Superior Single
$33,276 $26,621
Balcony Stateroom Superior
$34,796 $27,837
Junior Suite
$43,676 $34,941
Captain Suite
$51,756 $41,405

Epic Antarctica Crossing the 7th Continent

Start : 8 Feb, 2026  End : 13 Mar, 2026
Departure : Dunedin   Arrival : Ushuaia
34 Days
From $33,996
$27,197
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Aurora Stateroom Triple Share
$33,996 $27,197
Aurora Stateroom Twin Share
$35,036 $28,029
Aurora Stateroom Superior
$37,036 $29,629
Balcony Stateroom Category C
$37,996 $30,397
Balcony Stateroom Category B
$39,996 $31,997
Aurora Stateroom Single
$41,036 $32,829
Balcony Stateroom Category A
$43,036 $34,429
Aurora Stateroom Superior Single
$45,036 $36,029
Balcony Stateroom Superior
$47,036 $37,629
Junior Suite
$59,036 $47,229
Captain Suite
$69,996 $55,997

Falklands South Georgia & Peninsula

Start : 11 Mar, 2026  End : 1 Apr, 2026
Departure : Ushuaia   Arrival : Ushuaia
22 Days
From $21,756
$17,405
Show Prices
Ask Us a Question
Aurora Stateroom Triple Share
$21,756 $17,405
Aurora Stateroom Twin Share
$22,396 $17,917
Aurora Stateroom Superior
$23,676 $18,941
Balcony Stateroom Category C
$24,316 $19,453
Balcony Stateroom Category B
$25,596 $20,477
Aurora Stateroom Single
$26,236 $20,989
Balcony Stateroom Category A
$27,516 $22,013
Aurora Stateroom Superior Single
$28,796 $23,037
Balcony Stateroom Superior
$30,076 $24,061
Junior Suite
$37,756 $30,205
Captain Suite
$44,796 $35,837

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