Expedition cruise line Aurora Expeditions has announced its 2026 Arctic and Beyond season, featuring 42 departures, including new destinations and dedicated solo cabins. New destinations include Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Coast for the first time.
The 2016 season will also see the introduction of a new "Small Ship Cruises" program, which will operate alongside Aurora's core polar and remote-area expeditions. These voyages will explore the Mediterranean, Atlantic Coast, British Isles and Ireland, offering curated experiences with storytellers and included pre- and post-land programs.
"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,” said Michael Heath, CEO of Aurora Expeditions. “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."
Responding to increased demand from solo travelers, Aurora will also offer 10 dedicated solo cabins, per sailing, across various stateroom categories, with no single supplement. This offering will be available across the company's fleet of three small ships.
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.
New itineraries for 2026 include:
- "Jewels of the Arctic (Solar Eclipse 2026)": A 25-day voyage from Oslo to Reykjavik, featuring a total solar eclipse viewing opportunity in Scoresbysund, Greenland.
- "In the wake of Wallace: Indonesia & Borneo": A 32-day expedition from Bali to Singapore, exploring the Indonesian Archipelago.
- "Historic Trails & Wilderness: Scotland, Faroes & Iceland": A 13-day journey from Aberdeen to Reykjavik, focusing on archaeological sites and landscapes of the North Atlantic.
- "Natural Treasures of Costa Rica": A 7-day exploration of Costa Rica's biodiversity.
- "Moor than a myth: Marrakech to Barcelona": A 13-day voyage tracing the Moorish Empire's influence from Morocco to Spain.
- "Luck of the Irish: Dublin to Dublin": An 19-day circumnavigation of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
- "Myths of the Mediterranean: Athens to Naples": An 18-day journey through Greece, Turkey, Montenegro, Croatia, Italy, and Sicily.
The company will also offer a shorter weeklong Costa Rica itinerary and maintain its popular Scotland voyages in the 2026 program.
"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," Heath added.
Editor's Note: This article was generated by AI and based on a press release distributed by Aurora Expeditions. It was reviewed by a TravelAge West editor.
