Latest news with #AuroraExpeditions
The Age
6 hours ago
- The Age
Not quite luxe but this expedition ship is the real deal
For a ship that carries 130 passengers, Greg Mortimer beats some larger expedition opposition in its generous public areas, which include a large lecture lounge with a help-yourself coffee station, and adjacent Elephant Island bar and lounge, popular for pre-dinner cocktails. The forward-facing observation lounge on Deck 8 has a small bar and large deck from which to view wildlife and scenery. Another expansive deck faces aft on Deck 7, which might normally be filled with Zodiacs on expedition ships. I particularly like the snug library on the port side, crammed with polar reference and history books, and with windows often framing views of mountains or icebergs. The ship also has a reception desk, small shop and, in its bowels, a mudroom for storing boots and poplar jackets (both supplied by Aurora Expeditions) and with access onto Zodiacs for excursions. The stateroom I'm in a balcony stateroom, each of which varies slightly in size. Mine is 20.9 square metres plus balcony. It's a generous and well-considered space with enough room for a desk and two small armchairs, and ample storage space for the contents of two suitcases. A large TV, a minibar and abundant electric and USB sockets are among amenities. The room is well insulated: I can't hear my jet-lagged neighbours, who worry I might be disturbed by their TV late at night. The ensuite is a decent size but is lacking a cabinet or much counter-top space. Yet it has what you really need in polar conditions: underfloor heating, and a generous shower space with gushing hot water. The food Dining times are short, and service swift but attentive. Seating is open. There's only one restaurant, with breakfast and lunch served buffet-style and providing a good range of hot and cold dishes. At lunchtime I'm very happy with the salad bar, cold cuts and cheeses, an always excellent soup, and various hot dishes and desserts that change daily. The galley delivers consistently good, home-cooking-style cuisine, rather than the fancy or adventurous. The menu is Europe-inspired but among the choices is always an Indian (and sometimes other Asian) dish to enliven the palate. Wine is included at dinner. A small section of the dining room is set aside in the evenings as a speciality, inclusive Tuscan grill restaurant. It has a limited and unchanging menu but the two pasta dishes (pappardelle alla norma and oxtail ragout) are excellent, as are various vegetable side dishes. Wellness The ship has a small spa, a good-sized gym with an impressive range of equipment, and two hot tubs on Deck 7 at the front of the ship that make for fabulous wallowing as glaciers and icebergs pass by. Also popular is the sauna, where chilled bones can be warmed, especially following the notorious 'polar plunge' or rite-of-passage dip into the icy Antarctic Ocean. Entertainment Nobody is on this ship for singers or piano players. Greg Mortimer is focused on maximising the expedition experience, so 'entertainment' is confined to informative lectures by highly experienced expedition staff, many of whom are scientists specialising in geology, ecology, Antarctic history or niche subjects from whales to penguins. Guests make Zodiac excursions twice daily (conditions permitting) and may opt for additional adventure activities such as kayaking, snowshoeing, mountain climbing, ice camping and scuba-diving or snorkelling (yes, even in polar regions). Greg Mortimer has a huge advantage in Antarctica, where regulations restrict landings to 100 people at a time. With some guests out kayaking or doing sporting activities elsewhere, guests can maximise their time ashore without any need, as on larger ships, to rotate. The crew The quality of any expedition hinges on the experience, knowledge and good sense of the expedition team, where Aurora excels. Greg Mortimer himself leads the team on my voyage but all its members are impressive, whether in the lecture lounge or out in the Zodiacs. On shore they patiently answer questions about everything from sea-ice formation to the sex life of penguins. The regular ships' crew are mostly from the Philippines, with all the usual charm and friendliness you expect from that nation's hard-working cruise staff. They soon remember guests' names and dining preferences. A shout-out in particular to the irrepressible Pel and the always-singing Wendy in the restaurant, who manage attentive service while always appearing relaxed. The verdict Aurora Expeditions isn't a fancy cruise company with an expedition-lite arm but the real deal, offering a thrilling and rugged sense of adventure in the remotest places – and yet not sacrificing comfort to do so. The details A 23-day Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula itinerary round-trip from Ushuaia departing December 27, 2025, is priced from $US28,215 a guest all-inclusive, except for some adventure activities. Greg Mortimer has two staterooms with disabled access. See The rating out of five
Sydney Morning Herald
6 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Not quite luxe but this expedition ship is the real deal
For a ship that carries 130 passengers, Greg Mortimer beats some larger expedition opposition in its generous public areas, which include a large lecture lounge with a help-yourself coffee station, and adjacent Elephant Island bar and lounge, popular for pre-dinner cocktails. The forward-facing observation lounge on Deck 8 has a small bar and large deck from which to view wildlife and scenery. Another expansive deck faces aft on Deck 7, which might normally be filled with Zodiacs on expedition ships. I particularly like the snug library on the port side, crammed with polar reference and history books, and with windows often framing views of mountains or icebergs. The ship also has a reception desk, small shop and, in its bowels, a mudroom for storing boots and poplar jackets (both supplied by Aurora Expeditions) and with access onto Zodiacs for excursions. The stateroom I'm in a balcony stateroom, each of which varies slightly in size. Mine is 20.9 square metres plus balcony. It's a generous and well-considered space with enough room for a desk and two small armchairs, and ample storage space for the contents of two suitcases. A large TV, a minibar and abundant electric and USB sockets are among amenities. The room is well insulated: I can't hear my jet-lagged neighbours, who worry I might be disturbed by their TV late at night. The ensuite is a decent size but is lacking a cabinet or much counter-top space. Yet it has what you really need in polar conditions: underfloor heating, and a generous shower space with gushing hot water. The food Dining times are short, and service swift but attentive. Seating is open. There's only one restaurant, with breakfast and lunch served buffet-style and providing a good range of hot and cold dishes. At lunchtime I'm very happy with the salad bar, cold cuts and cheeses, an always excellent soup, and various hot dishes and desserts that change daily. The galley delivers consistently good, home-cooking-style cuisine, rather than the fancy or adventurous. The menu is Europe-inspired but among the choices is always an Indian (and sometimes other Asian) dish to enliven the palate. Wine is included at dinner. A small section of the dining room is set aside in the evenings as a speciality, inclusive Tuscan grill restaurant. It has a limited and unchanging menu but the two pasta dishes (pappardelle alla norma and oxtail ragout) are excellent, as are various vegetable side dishes. Wellness The ship has a small spa, a good-sized gym with an impressive range of equipment, and two hot tubs on Deck 7 at the front of the ship that make for fabulous wallowing as glaciers and icebergs pass by. Also popular is the sauna, where chilled bones can be warmed, especially following the notorious 'polar plunge' or rite-of-passage dip into the icy Antarctic Ocean. Entertainment Nobody is on this ship for singers or piano players. Greg Mortimer is focused on maximising the expedition experience, so 'entertainment' is confined to informative lectures by highly experienced expedition staff, many of whom are scientists specialising in geology, ecology, Antarctic history or niche subjects from whales to penguins. Guests make Zodiac excursions twice daily (conditions permitting) and may opt for additional adventure activities such as kayaking, snowshoeing, mountain climbing, ice camping and scuba-diving or snorkelling (yes, even in polar regions). Greg Mortimer has a huge advantage in Antarctica, where regulations restrict landings to 100 people at a time. With some guests out kayaking or doing sporting activities elsewhere, guests can maximise their time ashore without any need, as on larger ships, to rotate. The crew The quality of any expedition hinges on the experience, knowledge and good sense of the expedition team, where Aurora excels. Greg Mortimer himself leads the team on my voyage but all its members are impressive, whether in the lecture lounge or out in the Zodiacs. On shore they patiently answer questions about everything from sea-ice formation to the sex life of penguins. The regular ships' crew are mostly from the Philippines, with all the usual charm and friendliness you expect from that nation's hard-working cruise staff. They soon remember guests' names and dining preferences. A shout-out in particular to the irrepressible Pel and the always-singing Wendy in the restaurant, who manage attentive service while always appearing relaxed. The verdict Aurora Expeditions isn't a fancy cruise company with an expedition-lite arm but the real deal, offering a thrilling and rugged sense of adventure in the remotest places – and yet not sacrificing comfort to do so. The details A 23-day Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula itinerary round-trip from Ushuaia departing December 27, 2025, is priced from $US28,215 a guest all-inclusive, except for some adventure activities. Greg Mortimer has two staterooms with disabled access. See The rating out of five
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Travel + Leisure
7 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Travel + Leisure
White Sneakers Were My Travel Uniform Until I Found This Ultra-comfy, Celeb-loved Pair That Matches Everything
Let's be honest: finding the perfect travel shoe is never easy. What works well for one trip might be completely off for another. We all want shoes that are cute but not flashy, comfortable but not clunky, versatile but still show off our unique style—and bonus if they don't scream 'tourist.' After years of lugging multiple pairs of shoes around the world 'just in case', I've finally found one of my favorite travel shoes: the Puma Speedcat OG sneakers. Don't get me wrong, I do love a good pair of white sneakers. But after ruining one too many on muddy streets (I tend to hike or run wherever I go), I started looking for something more practical. I wanted shoes that were colorful, versatile, and could keep up on subway commutes in London or trails in Colorado. The Puma Speedcats aren't just another pair of sneakers; they make my feet feel good even after thousands of steps, and still look cool when you are stepping out for dinner in a new city after exploring all day. Plus, they come in a variety of colors and work with everything in my travel bag. $100 at Nordstrom $100 at I picked up the Puma Speedcat OGs right before a work trip that took me from Santiago to Punta Arenas and then onto an Antarctica cruise with Aurora Expeditions. Traveling light was key as I was taking a charter flight with strict luggage weight restrictions (33 pounds) from Punta Arenas to King George Island before my cruise, but I also had a couple of days in Santiago with plenty of exploring crammed in. Normally, I'd bring at least two, maybe three pairs of shoes: something to walk in, something to dress up, and a backup. But these Speedcats made me gamble, and that really paid off in terms of traveling light. I wore them straight out of the box onto my flight and all over Santiago. I paired them with everything from my comfortable airport joggers, jeans, and a T-shirt in Santiago, and a dress for the captain's dinner aboard Aurora Expeditions' Silvia Earle. What I really like about these shoes is their low-profile sole, which is flat but surprisingly supportive, keeping me comfortable for hours on my feet without the dreaded arch ache. That's thanks in part to the OrthoLite insert built into the shoe, which adds just the right amount of cushioning and support. Despite their street style appeal, the Puma Speedcat OG's rubber outsole has a similar grip to the traditional performance shoes I'd normally wear for running or hiking, a nod to Puma's motorsport heritage; the original Speedcat, which debuted in 1998 as a Formula 1 racing shoe, was designed with an ultra-slim profile to help drivers shave off precious milliseconds on the track. $100 at Nordstrom $100 at There's also a padded tongue and collar that provide extra cushion without adding too much weight. I've worn these shoes with jeans, joggers, and even a skirt, and they work flawlessly. Another thing I appreciated about the Puma Speedcat is its sleek, aerodynamic profile. They come with either a suede or leather upper with Puma's iconic Formstride leather. Maybe that's why these shoes have been embraced by celebrities like Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Jennifer Lawrence, who were spotted wearing them everywhere. If you're still not brave enough to travel with just one pair, let me tell you a secret: these shoes collapse down surprisingly well in a suitcase for easy carry (the flexible shape helps). However, they're so comfy that I never end up packing them; instead, I just wear them through security, on the flight, and straight out into whatever city I land in. The only thing to keep in mind is that, because of their sleek design, the shoe may seem narrow for those with wide feet. In that case, just size up for a little bit more room. $100 at Nordstrom $100 at So, if you're a frequent traveler, a light packer, or just tired of swapping shoes midday like me, I can't recommend the Puma Speedcat OG Sneakers. But if you don't want to travel with just one pair and want to explore other stylish options from Puma, here are five other travel-ready picks worth checking out. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
The Advertiser
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
All-women aboard: these cruise ships are all-female missions
Inspired by the all-female space mission? Women can swap the rocket ship for a cruise ship, with better food and a journey lasting longer than 11 minutes. There are two special sailings for the sisterhood: a river cruise in France and a polar expedition. Personally, I like a few men on my cruises. Alas, in the spirit of Mother's Day, I shall celebrate this pioneering trend. It's a great idea for a mum-and-daughter trip. It gives a wife an excuse to travel without her husband, especially if he refuses to ever go on a cruise. And it reassures single women that they won't be chased around the ship by dozens of single men. (Trust me, that never happens on cruises, but I live in hope.) The world's first women-only cruise is Uniworld's sojourn along the Saone and Rhone rivers. Departing this year, on August 31, the week includes such traditional hobbies as lavender weaving, truffle hunting and burlesque. In Burgundy and Provence, you can count on daily wine-tasting, too. The celebrity guest is Saturday Night Live comedian Rachel Dratch, who will deliver a 45-minute comedy set, followed by a Q&A the next day. Australian company Aurora Expeditions is planning an Antarctic voyage for women, designed by women and led by women, aboard Sylvia Earle, a ship named after a marine biologist, with six decks named after other female conservationists. The 10-day adventure celebrates the power of women in exploration, storytelling and environmental conservation. The guest speakers are former NASA astronaut Dr Sandra Magnus and photographer and author Lola Akinmade Akerstrom. Departing February 23, 2027, this cruise suits anyone worried about seasickness. Passengers will fly both ways across the Drake Passage, skipping the roughest seas and maximising the time on the continent. Lesbian and LGBTQ+ women can travel together with Olivia Cruises, which charters the whole ship for each trip. Among upcoming itineraries are the Mekong River, Tahiti, Alaska, Iceland, Greek Islands, Italy and Croatia. Some tour operators offer women-only group cruises. Insight Vacations has a 12-day Egypt package with a week on the Nile, and Melbourne-based Sisterhood Women's Travel escorts an Alaska/Canada rail-cruise combo. Certain theme cruises attract mostly women. In the past year, you could have joined the Taylor Swift-themed cruise, called In My Cruise Era or Golden Fans in the Caribbean, inspired by the 1980s TV show Golden Girls. People can easily fall off cruise ships It's not possible to accidentally fall overboard, unless you have deliberately climbed up on your cabin's balcony, which is strictly not allowed. Overboard incidents usually involve reckless behaviour, intoxication or intentional actions. Modern cruise ships have high railings - about chest height on the average person - on all balconies and open deck areas. Safety protocols, surveillance systems and lockable balcony doors also help to prevent such accidents. The idea that someone could simply trip and tumble into the ocean is misleading. Despite the tragic stories often portrayed in the media, cruising is one of the safest forms of travel. Inspired by the all-female space mission? Women can swap the rocket ship for a cruise ship, with better food and a journey lasting longer than 11 minutes. There are two special sailings for the sisterhood: a river cruise in France and a polar expedition. Personally, I like a few men on my cruises. Alas, in the spirit of Mother's Day, I shall celebrate this pioneering trend. It's a great idea for a mum-and-daughter trip. It gives a wife an excuse to travel without her husband, especially if he refuses to ever go on a cruise. And it reassures single women that they won't be chased around the ship by dozens of single men. (Trust me, that never happens on cruises, but I live in hope.) The world's first women-only cruise is Uniworld's sojourn along the Saone and Rhone rivers. Departing this year, on August 31, the week includes such traditional hobbies as lavender weaving, truffle hunting and burlesque. In Burgundy and Provence, you can count on daily wine-tasting, too. The celebrity guest is Saturday Night Live comedian Rachel Dratch, who will deliver a 45-minute comedy set, followed by a Q&A the next day. Australian company Aurora Expeditions is planning an Antarctic voyage for women, designed by women and led by women, aboard Sylvia Earle, a ship named after a marine biologist, with six decks named after other female conservationists. The 10-day adventure celebrates the power of women in exploration, storytelling and environmental conservation. The guest speakers are former NASA astronaut Dr Sandra Magnus and photographer and author Lola Akinmade Akerstrom. Departing February 23, 2027, this cruise suits anyone worried about seasickness. Passengers will fly both ways across the Drake Passage, skipping the roughest seas and maximising the time on the continent. Lesbian and LGBTQ+ women can travel together with Olivia Cruises, which charters the whole ship for each trip. Among upcoming itineraries are the Mekong River, Tahiti, Alaska, Iceland, Greek Islands, Italy and Croatia. Some tour operators offer women-only group cruises. Insight Vacations has a 12-day Egypt package with a week on the Nile, and Melbourne-based Sisterhood Women's Travel escorts an Alaska/Canada rail-cruise combo. Certain theme cruises attract mostly women. In the past year, you could have joined the Taylor Swift-themed cruise, called In My Cruise Era or Golden Fans in the Caribbean, inspired by the 1980s TV show Golden Girls. People can easily fall off cruise ships It's not possible to accidentally fall overboard, unless you have deliberately climbed up on your cabin's balcony, which is strictly not allowed. Overboard incidents usually involve reckless behaviour, intoxication or intentional actions. Modern cruise ships have high railings - about chest height on the average person - on all balconies and open deck areas. Safety protocols, surveillance systems and lockable balcony doors also help to prevent such accidents. The idea that someone could simply trip and tumble into the ocean is misleading. Despite the tragic stories often portrayed in the media, cruising is one of the safest forms of travel. Inspired by the all-female space mission? Women can swap the rocket ship for a cruise ship, with better food and a journey lasting longer than 11 minutes. There are two special sailings for the sisterhood: a river cruise in France and a polar expedition. Personally, I like a few men on my cruises. Alas, in the spirit of Mother's Day, I shall celebrate this pioneering trend. It's a great idea for a mum-and-daughter trip. It gives a wife an excuse to travel without her husband, especially if he refuses to ever go on a cruise. And it reassures single women that they won't be chased around the ship by dozens of single men. (Trust me, that never happens on cruises, but I live in hope.) The world's first women-only cruise is Uniworld's sojourn along the Saone and Rhone rivers. Departing this year, on August 31, the week includes such traditional hobbies as lavender weaving, truffle hunting and burlesque. In Burgundy and Provence, you can count on daily wine-tasting, too. The celebrity guest is Saturday Night Live comedian Rachel Dratch, who will deliver a 45-minute comedy set, followed by a Q&A the next day. Australian company Aurora Expeditions is planning an Antarctic voyage for women, designed by women and led by women, aboard Sylvia Earle, a ship named after a marine biologist, with six decks named after other female conservationists. The 10-day adventure celebrates the power of women in exploration, storytelling and environmental conservation. The guest speakers are former NASA astronaut Dr Sandra Magnus and photographer and author Lola Akinmade Akerstrom. Departing February 23, 2027, this cruise suits anyone worried about seasickness. Passengers will fly both ways across the Drake Passage, skipping the roughest seas and maximising the time on the continent. Lesbian and LGBTQ+ women can travel together with Olivia Cruises, which charters the whole ship for each trip. Among upcoming itineraries are the Mekong River, Tahiti, Alaska, Iceland, Greek Islands, Italy and Croatia. Some tour operators offer women-only group cruises. Insight Vacations has a 12-day Egypt package with a week on the Nile, and Melbourne-based Sisterhood Women's Travel escorts an Alaska/Canada rail-cruise combo. Certain theme cruises attract mostly women. In the past year, you could have joined the Taylor Swift-themed cruise, called In My Cruise Era or Golden Fans in the Caribbean, inspired by the 1980s TV show Golden Girls. People can easily fall off cruise ships It's not possible to accidentally fall overboard, unless you have deliberately climbed up on your cabin's balcony, which is strictly not allowed. Overboard incidents usually involve reckless behaviour, intoxication or intentional actions. Modern cruise ships have high railings - about chest height on the average person - on all balconies and open deck areas. Safety protocols, surveillance systems and lockable balcony doors also help to prevent such accidents. The idea that someone could simply trip and tumble into the ocean is misleading. Despite the tragic stories often portrayed in the media, cruising is one of the safest forms of travel. Inspired by the all-female space mission? Women can swap the rocket ship for a cruise ship, with better food and a journey lasting longer than 11 minutes. There are two special sailings for the sisterhood: a river cruise in France and a polar expedition. Personally, I like a few men on my cruises. Alas, in the spirit of Mother's Day, I shall celebrate this pioneering trend. It's a great idea for a mum-and-daughter trip. It gives a wife an excuse to travel without her husband, especially if he refuses to ever go on a cruise. And it reassures single women that they won't be chased around the ship by dozens of single men. (Trust me, that never happens on cruises, but I live in hope.) The world's first women-only cruise is Uniworld's sojourn along the Saone and Rhone rivers. Departing this year, on August 31, the week includes such traditional hobbies as lavender weaving, truffle hunting and burlesque. In Burgundy and Provence, you can count on daily wine-tasting, too. The celebrity guest is Saturday Night Live comedian Rachel Dratch, who will deliver a 45-minute comedy set, followed by a Q&A the next day. Australian company Aurora Expeditions is planning an Antarctic voyage for women, designed by women and led by women, aboard Sylvia Earle, a ship named after a marine biologist, with six decks named after other female conservationists. The 10-day adventure celebrates the power of women in exploration, storytelling and environmental conservation. The guest speakers are former NASA astronaut Dr Sandra Magnus and photographer and author Lola Akinmade Akerstrom. Departing February 23, 2027, this cruise suits anyone worried about seasickness. Passengers will fly both ways across the Drake Passage, skipping the roughest seas and maximising the time on the continent. Lesbian and LGBTQ+ women can travel together with Olivia Cruises, which charters the whole ship for each trip. Among upcoming itineraries are the Mekong River, Tahiti, Alaska, Iceland, Greek Islands, Italy and Croatia. Some tour operators offer women-only group cruises. Insight Vacations has a 12-day Egypt package with a week on the Nile, and Melbourne-based Sisterhood Women's Travel escorts an Alaska/Canada rail-cruise combo. Certain theme cruises attract mostly women. In the past year, you could have joined the Taylor Swift-themed cruise, called In My Cruise Era or Golden Fans in the Caribbean, inspired by the 1980s TV show Golden Girls. People can easily fall off cruise ships It's not possible to accidentally fall overboard, unless you have deliberately climbed up on your cabin's balcony, which is strictly not allowed. Overboard incidents usually involve reckless behaviour, intoxication or intentional actions. Modern cruise ships have high railings - about chest height on the average person - on all balconies and open deck areas. Safety protocols, surveillance systems and lockable balcony doors also help to prevent such accidents. The idea that someone could simply trip and tumble into the ocean is misleading. Despite the tragic stories often portrayed in the media, cruising is one of the safest forms of travel.
Sydney Morning Herald
29-04-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Port guide: Ushuaia, Argentina
Marketed as the city at the end of the world, Ushuaia has a frontier spirit that gets you in the mood for rugged adventure. Who goes there Regular cruise ships from the likes of Holland America or Viking pass through on South America itineraries, usually between Buenos Aires and Valparaiso (Santiago). Nearly all expedition ships on Antarctic cruises use Ushuaia as their base. Aurora Expeditions, HX, Ponant, Scenic and Silversea are among the choices. Sail on in Only the jaded wouldn't be on deck to sail the Beagle Channel into Ushuaia. Hang on to your hat because the wind whistles. You'll pass some low, scraped-bare islands on which you'll see lots of lazy sealions. Ushuaia, scattered along the shoreline and partly up the hillsides into dark green forest, looks splendid from a distance. The main church, bright yellow with a red roof, is easy to spot. Behind are mountains that might be dusted with summer snow. Berth rites Ships tie up at a long concrete pier and, if you're at the end of it, you'll have a long walk past forklift trucks and delivery vans, which gives you a good impression of the organisation necessary to provision ships for the Antarctic. The cruise terminal is a tin shed with salmon-pink corrugated-iron walls and a pale blue roof. The inside has no glamour and one creaking security-screening machine. Beyond that, you're out onto a wharf with souvenir shops and tour-booking services. For useful things like shops, cafes and ATMs, the centre of town is only a couple of blocks uphill. Before and after Many cruise lines offer pre- or post-cruise accommodation as part of a package. The best hotels are inconveniently a little out of town and include Las Hayas Ushuaia Resort and Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa up the hillside, plus Los Cauquenes Resort along the bay. Hotels are expensive, so two nights should do.
