By
Laura Hyde |
Aurora Expeditions has taken delivery of its newest expedition cruise ship Douglas Mawson at China Merchants Heavy Industry in Haimen, China.
Douglas Mawson accommodates 170 guests and 102 crew and is Ice Class 1A and Polar Class 6 certified, which will enable it to operate in both warm and cold waters. Onboard features include a lecture theatre, science centre, heated outdoor pool, gym and spa, mudroom facilities and several dining venues. It is named after Sir Douglas Mawson, the Australian geologist and Antarctic explorer.
Read more: Douglas Mawson: Designed for discovery
The purpose-built ship is the third Infinity-class vessel after Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle to join the Aurora Expeditions’ fleet and is the seventh constructed by Sunstone Maritime Group. It is the result of collaboration between Norwegian naval architect firm Ulstein, Swedish-American interior designers Tomas Tillberg Design USA, and Finnish interior contractors Makinen, as well as the Chinese shipyard.
“We are very pleased with the performance of our Infinity-class, and we are proud to have now delivered seven of these beautiful vessels to the expedition market,” said Carsten Lund, CEO of SunStone Maritime Group.
Douglas Mawson’s inaugural voyage will follow in the footsteps of its namesake’s expeditions by sailing a ‘Mawson’s Antarctica’ itinerary. It will spend the rest of its maiden season in Antarctica.
Read more: How Sunstone Maritime Group is enabling exploration