The season includes the company’s first-ever voyages to Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Coast, and introduces a brand-new style of exploration – ‘Small Ship Cruises’.
Plus, in welcome news for solo travellers, every sailing includes new dedicated solo cabins.
The 2026 Arctic and Beyond season features 42 departures, including new expedition voyages to Indonesia and Borneo, an opportunity to view the 2026 solar eclipse from Greenland on the popular ‘Jewels of the Arctic’ itinerary, and new Arctic destination combinations on its polar voyages, travelling with a maximum of 130 passengers.
Also in the 2026 program are Aurora’s best-selling voyages to Scotland and Costa Rica, with the option to take a shorter seven-day voyage in Costa Rica.
In addition to Aurora’s core offering of polar and remote area expeditions, the 2026 Arctic and Beyond season features a distinct program of ‘Small Ship Cruises’, a new style of immersive exploration.
These cruises will offer curated experiences guided by storytellers and framed by included pre and post-land programs, as well as a choice of all-inclusive shore excursions at every port.
The Small Ship Cruises will visit the Mediterranean, Atlantic Coast, British Isles and Ireland.
To cater to growing demand from the solo traveller segment, Aurora Expeditions will also be introducing 10 dedicated solo cabins per sailing with no solo supplement across its fleet of three small ships.
These will be offered across a variety of stateroom categories commencing from this new Arctic and Beyond 2026 season.
“The Aurora style of travel is focused on destination immersion and responsible small-ship exploration in a relaxed and informal setting – and is consistent no matter which corner of the planet we are exploring,” says CEO Michael Heath.
“Our 2026 Arctic and Beyond season heralds an exciting evolution for Aurora Expeditions. We have grown from our core offering of polar and remote area expeditions to a greater diversity of destinations, climates and exploration styles to allow our passengers to experience more.
“We are also extending an even greater invitation to our adventurous solo passengers, with a commitment to offering 10 dedicated single berth cabins – with no solo supplement – on every sailing commencing from this new season.
“With us soon to welcome the Douglas Mawson to our fleet of small ships, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to diversify and innovate our offering for both our loyal passengers who have joined us in the past, as well as those yet to discover the Aurora difference.”
To see the full 2026 Arctic and Beyond program, visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au
Highlights of the 2026 Arctic and Beyond program:
Expeditions
Oslo/Reykjavik, 02-26 August 2026 on the Sylvia Earle
Experience the magic of a total solar eclipse! Embark on an extraordinary adventure to Scoresbysund, Greenland, sailing through stunning Arctic landscapes in preparation for the celestial spectacle.
Bali/Singapore, 24 October-08 November 2026 on the Greg Mortimer
Enjoy a 16-day voyage across the heart of the Indonesian Archipelago to Singapore, exploring a tapestry of islands, each offering unique treasures to discover.
Aberdeen/Reykjavik, 17-29 May 2026 on the Greg Mortimer
Encompassing some of the wildest, most rugged outliers of the North Atlantic Ocean and Iceland, this distinctive voyage offers a fascinating journey covering archaeological sites, dramatic landscapes, vast glaciers and active volcanoes.
San José/San José, 23-29 April 2026 on the Sylvia Earle
Costa Rica, meaning ‘rich coast’, contains around six per cent of the world’s biodiversity, making it a nature lover’s paradise. Discover the unique wildlife and protected jungle, which makes up roughly a quarter of the country.
Small ship cruises
Marrakech/Barcelona, 20 June-02 July 2026 on the Douglas Mawson
Follow the captivating narrative of the Moorish Empire and the Iberian Christians – whose cultures collided to forge the kingdoms of Spain and Morocco – with a journey through the labyrinths of Morocco’s medinas, Moorish architecture, Spanish citadels and Andalucian villages.
Dublin/Dublin, 08-26 May 2026 on the Douglas Mawson
Dig deep into Ireland’s past to understand its present. Search the cliffs, castles, backstreets and hollow tree trunks of Ireland and Northern Ireland for tales of four-leaf clovers, leprechauns and pots of gold.
Athens/Naples, 14 September-01 October 2026 on the Douglas Mawson
This epic journey navigates legendary kingdoms, mythical lands and ancient sites as you explore Greece, Turkey, Montenegro, Croatia, Italy and Sicily.
