Aurora Expeditions unveils updated Health & Safety Programme 

9 September 2021, London: Australia's award-winning adventure cruise company, Aurora Expeditions, has today unveiled its updated Health & Safety Programme in preparation for the resumption of expedition cruising. Every aspect of Aurora Expeditions' Health & Safety programme has been strengthened to protect against COVID-19 and to ensure the company is able to cruise in the safest, most enjoyable way possible for its guests.

Aurora Expeditions' health & safety policy now includes mandatory vaccination prior to embarking on any of its voyages, with this policy applying to all guests, crew and Expedition Team members.

“Aurora Expeditions is excited about the world emerging from the pandemic and is looking forward to the resumption of cruising and returning to doing what we do best – small ship expeditions – in our 30th year of operation,” commented Monique Ponfoort, CEO of Aurora Expeditions.

“The health and safety of our guests, staff and crew remain our number one priority, and we are committed to providing the best opportunity for our guests to fully enjoy the small ship expedition experience offered with Aurora Expeditions,” Ponfoort continued.

“Our Health & Safety programme has been strengthened and will be precisely followed, including the highest level of pre-cruising preventative measures, the capability for PCR testing on board if required, and a robust Response Plan and protocols onboard designed to bring peace of mind to all of our guests and crew.”

Along with 100% fully vaccinated ships, onboard features strengthening safety include:

• 100% Fresh Air on Board  
  Aurora Expeditions' ships have ultra-modern systems which provide 100% fresh air in every cabin – guest and crew. There is no recirculation of air throughout its vessels. 
• Medical Team & Fully Equipped Medical Centre
  An emergency medical team including a doctor and a nurse with current training in public health protocols, outbreak prevention and management protocols will be aboard every voyage.
• PCR Testing 
  A key component of Aurora's industry-leading Health & Safety Programme is the inclusion of break-through rapid on-site PCR testing machines onboard. This enables Aurora Expeditions to carry out onboard PCR testing of guests and crew to ensure continued peace of mind.
• Off-ship Experiences
  As part of Aurora Expeditions' continued commitment to providing expedition experiences in the safest and most enjoyable way possible, in each landing guests will be accompanied by a medic.

For more information about Aurora Expeditions updated health and safety protocol: click here  

For further press information please contact Cedar Tree Public Relations:
Frangelica Flook: Frangelica.flook@cedartreepr.com
T: +44 (0)20 7978 4534, M: +44 (0) 7747 606 898

Notes to Editors

Ship Image credit: Matt Horspool/Aurora Expeditions

Imagery:

Sylvia Earle The Ship images can be downloaded here.

Greg Mortimer The Ship images can be downloaded here.

For Bookings:

For more information or to book: https://www.auroraexpeditions.co.uk/

Telephone: 0808 189 2005

Email: info@auroraexpeditions.co.uk

About Aurora Expeditions

Aurora Expeditions, celebrating its 30th Anniversary, is an Australian-owned adventure company founded by renowned mountaineer and explorer, Greg Mortimer, and his wife Margaret. Over the past 30 years it has become the leader in small-group, expedition-style travel to polar regions and other wild, remote places including Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands, the Arctic (European and Canadian), Alaska, the Russian Far East, Costa Rica, Baja California and West Papua.

Aurora Expeditions offers its passengers intimate experiences in remote destinations through a range of flexible, innovative itineraries. Some voyages offer a range of experiences including mountain climbing, sea kayaking, camping, photography, polar snorkelling and scuba diving. Aurora Expeditions' expert naturalists, geologists, historians, guides and crew help unlock the wonders of these special places through a range of lectures, discussions and land or zodiac excursions.  

Committed to the preservation of the environment, Aurora Expeditions was one of the founders of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO), which created the environmental protocols for all commercial visitors to Antarctica. It is also a member of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO). In doing so, Aurora Expeditions encourages its passengers to respectfully visit the planet's wilderness areas and return as ambassadors charged with protecting these important regions. 

Aurora Expeditions has recently updated its health and safety protocol, as well as implementing a new deposit protection scheme. Further information can be found here: https://www.auroraexpeditions.co.uk/why-travel-with-us/health-safety/

Greg Mortimer, The Ship and The Founder

The recently launched expedition vessel Greg Mortimer is an intimate ship built with activity and exploration in mind. Mortimer, the man, was the first Australian to climb Everest and the first person to climb Mt Minto in Antarctica and, along with wife Margaret, co-founded Aurora Expeditions in the early 1990s.

The small ship is the world's first to sail with the patented ULSTEIN X-BOW®, this unique bow design in combination with Rolls Royce dynamic stabilisers offers unrivalled stability and comfort* on ocean crossings. The X-BOW® cuts through the swell, minimising vibrations and disturbances, and makes quicker transits through waves. This helps reduce fuel consumption by up to 60%.

Founder of Aurora Expeditions Greg Mortimer said: “Our ships are designed primarily to connect people with the environment. With the revolutionary ULSTEIN X-BOW® technology to cross oceans more comfortably, expansive observation decks to bring you closer to the environment, a first-class team of naturalists and unsurpassed environmental credentials, our ships offer the perfect base camp for in-depth explorations and culturally led itineraries.”

Sylvia Earle, The Ship and The Explorer

This new ship honours the highly accomplished marine biologist, oceanographer and explorer, Dr. Sylvia Earle. As the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and named by Time Magazine as its first 'Hero for the Planet' in 1998, this vessel, named after her, pays tribute to Sylvia's long-standing conservation efforts for marine protected areas and ocean wildlife. Dr. Sylvia Earle is actively involved in the development of her namesake.

The 'Sylvia Earle' is the second small expedition ship to join the Aurora Expeditions fleet and features the patented ULSTEIN X-BOW®. This unique bow design in combination with Rolls Royce dynamic stabilisers offers unrivalled stability and comfort* on ocean crossings. The X-BOW® cuts through the swell, minimising vibrations and disturbances, and makes quicker transits through waves. This helps reduce fuel consumption by up to 60%*.

The ship will visit many new destinations within the Aurora Expeditions programme including Alaska, Baja California, the Russian Far East, Raja Ampat and West Papua.

For more information visit https://www.auroraexpeditions.co.uk/