Aurora Expeditions announced a new maximum passenger capacity for its polar voyages, effective immediately, according to a press release.

For its 2024-25 Antarctic season and beyond, the company will limit the number of passengers to 130 across its fleet, including the Greg Mortimer, Sylvia Earle and the set-to-be-launched Douglas Mawson, set to sail in December 2025.

“With passenger landing limits in Antarctica and some areas of the Arctic, we wanted to reinforce our commitment to providing the small ship experiences our passengers know us for, with more time off ship and more immersive activities. This change solidifies our position as one of the most intimate small ship offerings in our class for the polar regions,” commented Aurora Expeditions’ CEO, Michael Heath.

“We also recognize our responsibility to protect and preserve the remote places we travel to, and we are proud to be one of the few companies visiting Antarctica and the Arctic with under 150 passengers. We remain steadfast in our commitment to responsible travel and our vision to be the global leader in sustainable expedition travel.” 

Aurora Expeditions’ 2024-25 season begins this October and runs through early April 2025. The company has also launched its Antarctica 2025-26 season, which includes a range of voyages across its three ships. New departures will feature routes to East Antarctica and the Ross Sea from Hobart, Australia and Dunedin, New Zealand.