Itinerary Map
Itinerary Map
Trip Summary
Date: Aug 17, 2027 – Aug 24, 2027
Duration: 8 Days
Ship: Douglas Mawson
Kayaking 
PhotographyPre voyage hotel night + Round-trip charter flights Oslo-Longyearbyen included!
Starting at: $ 14395
Svalbard offers one of the most accessible yet remote Arctic experiences. Cruises typically depart from Longyearbyen, with some itineraries including charter flights from Oslo. Over 8 to 12 days, you'll explore dramatic fjords, towering glaciers, and expansive sea ice. This region is renowned for its rich wildlife, including polar bears, walruses, Arctic foxes, reindeer, and a variety of seabirds. Daily excursions by Zodiac and guided hikes provide intimate encounters with this pristine environment. The Midnight Sun during summer months offers extended daylight, enhancing wildlife viewing and photography opportunities.
Arrive in Longyearbyen, the northernmost town in the world. Enjoy time to explore the colorful town before boarding your expedition vessel in the afternoon. After embarkation, the ship sails out through Isfjorden and into the vast wilderness of the Svalbard archipelago.
Spend your days exploring the rugged coastline and remote fjords of Spitsbergen. Activities include Zodiac cruises along glaciers, shore landings for guided hikes, and wildlife spotting—keep your eyes open for polar bears, walruses, Arctic foxes, and reindeer. Depending on ice conditions, you may visit sites like the Lilliehöök Glacier, Kongsfjorden, or the historical whaling station at Smeerenburg.
Return to Longyearbyen for disembarkation. Transfer to the airport or spend extra time exploring the Arctic town before departure.
The Douglas Mawson, setting sail in 2025, redefines small ship expedition cruising. Designed for global exploration with enhanced sustainability features, it accommodates up to 154 guests on cruises and 130 adventurers on expeditions. It features the innovative Ulstein X-BOW® and a wide range of staterooms, including single staterooms. Amenities include a heated outdoor swimming pool, two Jacuzzis, a gym, a sauna, a Citizen Science Centre, and two restaurants, along with multiple observation areas to enjoy landscapes and wildlife.
Technical Specs
Cabins & Amenities
Lecture Theatre
On all expeditions you will meet naturalists and local specialists, who offer presentations on their area of expertise to enhance your appreciation of the destination you are exploring.
Join the team in the lecture theatre for presentations covering a broad range of topics to suit every interest, from history and culture to biology and climate change. Regardless of the topic, they all have one thing in common: they all aim to engage, educate, entertain and turn you into an ambassador for the planet.
Citizen Science Center & Lounge
Learn more about the world and the unique destinations Aurora visits by visiting the onboard naturalist and Expedition Team in the world-class Citizen Science Center. You will be rewarded for your thirst for knowledge with one of the best views on the ship.
Library
With floor-to-ceiling windows, the library is a peaceful sanctuary where you can find non-fiction books to read up on the day’s destinations, use a public laptop to organise your photos or play board games with newfound friends.
Choose from our range of informative non-fiction titles, wildlife guidebooks, travel journals, novels and a selection of children’s books and board games.
Wildlife guides, books and binoculars can also be found on the observation lounge on Deck 7.
Mudroom
No need to take your wet expedition gear back to your stateroom to dry. Keep your stateroom warm and cosy by leaving your outer jackets and pants in the mudroom.
The mudroom is your launchpad for all shore excursions and activities. Here, you will have access to a locker when you can hang your gear up to dry, and store your boots between excursions.
Swimming Pool & Jacuzzis
There are two Jacuzzis on the top outside deck which offer amazing views of the world outside, a heated outdoor pool surrounded by sun beds you can relax on after a long day of exploring, and a pool bar.
Gym & Sauna
During your voyage, enjoy complimentary access to the gym or visit our sauna, which we highly recommend after the Polar Plunge!
Restaurants
One of the most important parts of any expedition is the food! Whatever adventures the day holds, you will be fuelled-up with hearty meals and delicious morning/afternoon teas cooked by our onboard chefs.
Meals are a great time to soak up the expedition camaraderie in our open seating dining area. Share stories with your fellow travellers and ask our expedition team questions that may have come up during the day.
Tea, coffee and snacks are available 24 hours a day, and our chefs offer different menu options and courses for each meal. Enjoy the range of house wine, beers and soft drinks included with dinner after a long day in the wild.
We also invite you to join your captain and expedition team for informal Captain’s Farewell drinks, with complimentary beverages and cocktail appetisers, followed by a 3 course meal.
Bars & Lounges
Communal meeting areas have always played a major role in fostering the warm camaraderie on board our ships. They are the heart of the expedition, where people meet to share tales from the day, swap photos, keep an eye out for wildlife and watch the sun go down.
The bars and lounges on board are refined yet inviting places to gather, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning views, and of course friendly bartenders to shoot the breeze with.
Notes
