AE Expeditions expands Antartica sailings for 2025-26

Eight new itineraries have been added to AE Expeditions’ 2025-26 Antarctica season.

A total of 32 cruises feature during the southern hemisphere summer period across purpose-built small ships Greg Mortimer, Sylvia Earle and the new Douglas Mawson.

Two new departure ports expand travel options available to the Antarctic, with four voyages departing from Hobart, Australia or Dunedin, New Zealand.

The eight new itineraries cover regions including East Antarctica, the Ross Sea and the New Zealand sub-antarctic islands, as well as a circumnavigation of Tasmania.

There are 36 single berths on offer across the season on Douglas Mawson, a new feature of the company’s third vessel, catering to growing drained from solo travellers.

Discounts of up to 25% are being offered for early bookings on selected voyages.

Chief marketing officer Hayley Peacock-Gower said: “We’re particularly thrilled to be offering passengers the chance to travel to Antarctica from Australia and New Zealand for the first time in 13 years, reconnecting our company to its founding inspiration as well as opening up another lesser explored part of Antarctica to both local and international travellers.”

Global head of product Justin Erin added: “There is something for first time Antarctic visitors to seasoned explorers alike across this season, while adventure and exploration remains the core theme.

“We are offering a nine-day express itinerary, Antarctic expedition and Patagonia trek combinations, all the way up to an epic 34-day adventure departing Dunedin, sailing through the New Zealand subantarctic islands and the Ross Sea, travelling east to the Peninsula and ending with the Drake Passage to Ushuaia.

“Along with several new destinations and itinerary options, we are excited to be meeting our passengers’ frequent requests by offering two all-inclusive activity voyages to complement our existing individual activity programs, which are incredibly popular.”