| Aurora to sail Australia after 30 years

AURORA Expeditions is set to launch a new extensive season of domestic journeys in Australia from Jun (CW breaking news).

It is the first time in Aurora’s 30-year history the cruise line will offer a full season of voyages ex-Australia, with adventures to also visit Antarctica’s Commonwealth Bay (pictured) and Ross Sea.

Other destinations for the season will include the Bass Strait Islands; the Coral Coast, Western Australia; South Australia’s Kangaroo Island; the Kimberley; the Ningaloo Coast, the South West; Tasmania and more.

More information will be available on specific itineraries, activities, expedition dates, and earlybird discounts later in the week, when expressions of interest will also open to the public.

Aurora Expeditions Chief Executive Officer Monique Ponfoort told Cruise Weekly the Australian expeditions would be “activity-rich” offering a wide range of experiences.

With the cruise line working closely with state and territory governments, as well as the Department of Health, Ponfoort said Aurora’s number one priority for the company has been the health and safety of its guests and crews.

She said Aurora had taken many steps, such as engaging Respond Global Specialist Emergency Physician Ian Norton to help develop a health and safety program, which will include on-board PCR testing capabilities.

“He’s worked with us as a consultant in the formulation of our health and safety protocols to ensure we evolve and continue to keep them at a very high standard,” Ponfoort explained.

Other protocols include measures leading up to and during the voyage, air conditioning units that recycle fresh air, isolation cabins and more.

“It is still subject to regulatory approvals, we’re working on multiple permits, there are so many layers to it,” she said.

“To redeploy our ship down to Australia is a big step for us and a really important one, and one we’re really passionate about, and we think it’s the right step.”

Bookings will open on 11 Mar.