THE christening of Douglas Mawson at Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal this morning (CW breaking news) was an historic homecoming for the 35-year-old cruise line. CEO Michael Heath welcomed guests, saying the moment was particularly poignant given that the company was actually named after Aurora, the ship operated by pioneering Antarctic...
THE christening of Douglas Mawson at Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal this morning (CW breaking news) was an historic homecoming for the 35-year-old cruise line.
CEO Michael Heath welcomed guests, saying the moment was particularly poignant given that the company was actually named after Aurora, the ship operated by pioneering Antarctic explorer Douglas Mawson.
The ship arrived in Sydney Harbour earlier this week, relocating overnight from White Bay to Circular Quay for today’s formal naming ceremony.
She was christened using an appropriately sustainable block of ice by godmother Emma McEwin (pictured), who is Mawson’s great-granddaughter and a prolific researcher and author in her own right.
The final vessel in the current Sunstone Ships “X-bow” series, Douglas Mawson has a range of distinct features which build on Aurora’s experience with sister ships Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle, including a ninth deck observation area, a swimming pool and extensive tastefully decorated public areas.
Ten cabins are available for solo use, and the ship has a maximum capacity of just 153 passengers, or 130 in polar regions.
Today’s ceremony is understood to be the first time that a newbuild cruise ship has been named in Australian waters.
After today’s festivities, the ship departs for a shakedown cruise to Hobart with a number of industry guests and VIPs on board, followed by a Tasmanian circumnavigation and then the start of Douglas Mawson’s inaugural Antarctic season.
The ship will be deployed in the Mediterranean over the northern summer, with a deeply experiential program focusing on exploring unique smaller ports. BP
