Aurora Expeditions is taking its signature expedition philosophy beyond the polar regions, unveiling a new collection of cultural expeditions designed to deliver the same immersive, educational experience through Europe, the Mediterranean and the British Isles.
Speaking with Travel Weekly, Aurora Expeditions’ Global Head of Product, Justin Ewin, said the new program was a natural evolution for the expedition cruise line, built around its core DNA rather than simply adding new destinations.
“We specialise in polar expeditions, and that’s what’s right at the core of our DNA,” Ewin said. “A polar expedition focuses on nature, wildlife, education and appreciating the environment you’re in. We wanted these voyages to feel just as aligned with who we are as a brand.”
Rather than creating traditional European cruises, Aurora has reimagined its existing Mediterranean and British Isles operations into what it calls Cultural Expedition voyages designed around storytelling, history, local communities and active exploration.
“We’ve made them more active, more outdoors, more nature-based,” Ewin explained. “We’re incorporating Zodiac excursions where we can, small hikes and experiences that allow guests to really connect with the destination. It’s about keeping it true to the Aurora DNA.”
Unlike conventional European itineraries, the new voyages deliberately avoid many of the region’s busiest tourist routes in favour of lesser-visited ports and islands accessible only by small expedition vessels.
“It’s not a bus tour,” Ewin said. “We’re trying to avoid buses where we can and instead focus on walking tours, local markets, small communities and genuine exploration.”
The new 2028 program includes:
- The Isles of the British Isles – an 11-day London-to-Dublin voyage exploring remote islands including Sark, the Isles of Scilly, Lundy, Anglesey, the Isle of Man, Mull, Skye and Rathlin Island.
- Forever Irish – a nine-day Dublin-to-Glasgow journey tracing Ireland’s history through Cobh, the Blasket Islands, Dingle Peninsula, Galway, Achill Island, the Slieve League Cliffs and the Giant’s Causeway.
- The Cross and the Crescent Moon – an 11-day Las Palmas-to-Barcelona voyage exploring the intertwined Islamic and Christian heritage of the Canary Islands, Morocco and Spain, including Marrakech, Tangier, Granada’s Alhambra, Cartagena and Valencia.
- Storied Shores of the Mediterranean – an 11-day Barcelona-to-Valletta itinerary visiting Menorca, Sardinia, Corsica, Capri and Sicily while exploring the region’s ancient trade routes and maritime history.
- Curious Coasts of the Mediterranean – a 15-day Valletta-to-Lisbon voyage uncovering the cultural crossroads of Sicily, Sardinia, Spain, Morocco and Portugal.
- Coasting the Atlantic – a 13-day Lisbon-to-Amsterdam sailing following the stories of pilgrims, explorers and wartime communities through Porto, Santiago de Compostela, Brittany, Normandy, Bruges and Amsterdam.
- A Northern Saga – a 14-day Amsterdam-to-Bergen expedition linking Viking heritage, Hanseatic trading cities and Norway’s spectacular fjords, including Lysefjord, Pulpit Rock and Vøringsfossen.
According to Ewin, the itineraries have also been designed to appeal to Aurora’s loyal expedition guests while attracting a new audience seeking deeper cultural experiences.
“Some of our guests have been travelling with us for 20 or 30 years,” he said. “They’re looking for something a little slower paced, but they still want that Aurora experience. At the same time, we’re appealing to the curious-minded traveller who really wants to understand a destination, not just see it.”
One of the biggest differentiators will be the educational component that expedition cruising is renowned for.
“We’re modelling the whole experience on our polar expeditions,” Ewin said. “If we’re visiting somewhere with significant history and architecture, we’ll have historians, archaeologists or architects onboard. If geology or marine life is important, we’ll bring specialists in those fields.”
Ewin believes several itineraries will stand out for agents looking for something different for well-travelled clients. Among them is The Cross and the Crescent Moon, which includes an overnight stay in Marrakech and a visit to Granada’s Alhambra, allowing guests to fully explore the region’s intertwined Islamic and Christian heritage.
Other highlights include remote islands such as Sark, Lundy, Rathlin Island and the Blasket Islands, alongside iconic walking experiences including sections of the Camino de Santiago and the Giant’s Causeway.
“They’re going to experience places that are genuinely lesser travelled,” Ewin said. “You need a small expedition ship to access many of these destinations, and that’s what makes these voyages unique. They are for the curious traveller which is what Aurora has always been known for”
For the trade, the new collection offers another compelling option for clients who have already explored Europe’s headline destinations and are now looking for a more meaningful way to experience the continent.
