Aurora Expeditions has opened bookings for its 2028 Northern Hemisphere season, introducing a new Cultural Expeditions category as part of a 29-departure program spanning 20 countries and territories.
Sailing aboard Douglas Mawson and Sylvia Earle, the season includes 16 Polar Expeditions, six Discovery Expeditions and seven new Cultural Expeditions, with calls at 161 unique ports across the Arctic, Europe and Central America.
New Cultural Expeditions broaden the program
The Cultural Expeditions mark a significant expansion beyond Aurora’s traditional polar focus, using small-ship cruising to combine major cultural sites with lesser-known destinations and local experiences.
Historians, archaeologists, naturalists and local experts will join selected voyages, while included Your Choice experiences will allow guests to tailor activities to their individual interests.
“Cultural Expeditions broaden the possibilities of expedition travel while remaining true to everything Aurora stands for: small ships, expert interpretation, genuine discovery and meaningful connections with the places we visit,” said Justin Ewin, Aurora Expeditions’ Global Head of Product.
The inaugural Cultural Expeditions program includes itineraries across the British Isles, Ireland, Mediterranean, Europe’s Atlantic coast and Scandinavia.
Highlights include the 11-day Isles of the British Isles aboard Sylvia Earle, departing London on 19 April 2028, the 15-day Mediterranean: Beyond the Icons aboard Douglas Mawson from Valletta to Lisbon, and the 14-day A Northern Saga from Amsterdam to Bergen.
Polar program introduces new Arctic itineraries
Aurora’s 2028 Polar program features 16 voyages, including two new itineraries exploring Norway, Svalbard and Greenland.
The 11-day Norwegian Fjords & Svalbard Explorer aboard Sylvia Earle combines northern Norway’s fjords with Svalbard’s glaciers and wildlife, while the nine-day Wild Greenland: An Active Arctic Expedition focuses on hiking, the Greenland Ice Sheet, Disko Island and the Ilulissat Icefjord.
Returning favourites include Jewels of the Arctic: Svalbard & East Greenland and the Northwest Passage.
Discovery voyages add Northern Lights itinerary
Six Discovery Expeditions will operate in 2028 across Scotland, Iceland, Greenland, Norway and Central America.
A new 14-day Northern Lights & Wild Isles voyage aboard Douglas Mawson will sail from Reykjavík to Aberdeen, combining Iceland’s Westfjords, East Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Scotland, with opportunities to see whales, seabirds and the aurora borealis.
Wild Scotland also returns, offering an 11-day journey through the Hebrides, St Kilda, Orkney and Shetland islands.
Your Choice experiences expand
Cultural and Discovery itineraries will feature included Your Choice experiences designed around different interests and activity levels.
The Cultural program includes 37 enrichment experiences across themes such as Local Flavours, Art & Artisans and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites.
Discovery voyages will offer 46 experiences covering themes including active exploration, glaciers and waterfalls, wildlife and coastal heritage.
The 2028 Northern Hemisphere season is on sale now, with savings of up to 25 per cent available on selected voyages booked and deposited by 31 October 2026. Terms and conditions apply.
