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Ross Sea Odyssey, 14 December 2026


Cruise overview
Welcome to Aurora Expeditions’ Ross Sea Odyssey expedition.
Experience one of the most remote, historic sectors of the deep South in comfort on this exploratory expedition aboard the luxurious Greg Mortimer. Your journey begins in the subantarctic, where yellow-eyed penguins waddle through wizened rātā forests and royal albatross nest amid megaherb moors. Cross the Antarctic Circle and cruise the pack, keeping watch for emperor and Adélie penguins porpoising along the ice edge, orcas patrolling for prey, and snow petrels soaring against a backdrop of the vast Antarctic Ice Sheet.
Embrace the spirit of adventure as you continue along the Victoria Land Coast and into the Ross Sea, where the Antarctic Ice Sheet flows into the world’s largest floating ice shelf. These are historic waters, where the explorers of the Heroic Age staged their bold assaults on the South Geographic Pole. Hear the stories of their expeditions and attempt to land at some of their remarkably well-preserved huts.
Itinerary
Hobart, Tasmania
Arrive in Hobart, where you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred with your fellow expeditioners to your assigned pre-voyage hotel. If you are already in Hobart, we ask you to make your way to your hotel. This afternoon, visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality desk in the lobby to collect your luggage tags. Please clearly label the tags with your name and ship cabin number. Our team will confirm details regarding your embarkation day, answer any questions and provide you with information on where to dine or purchase last minute items.
Enjoy your evening in Australia’s southernmost capital city. You may like to indulge in a sumptuous meal at one of Hobart’s celebrated restaurants, or perhaps enjoy a leisurely stroll along the historic waterfront.
Assigned accommodation: To be advised
Straddling the Derwent River at the foot of Mt. Wellington’s forested slopes, Hobart was founded as a penal settlement in 1803. It’s the second-oldest city in the country after Sydney, and it certainly rivals its mainland counterpart as Australia’s most beautiful state capital. Close-set colonial brick-and-sandstone shops and homes line the narrow, quiet streets, creating a genteel setting for this historic city of 215,000. Life revolves around the broad Derwent River port, one of the deepest harbors in the world. Here warehouses that once stored Hobart’s major exports of fruit, wool, and corn and products from the city’s former whaling fleet still stand alongside the wharf today.Hobart sparkles between Christmas and New Year’s—summer Down Under—during the annual Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race. The event dominates conversations among Hobart’s citizens, who descend on Constitution Dock to welcome the yachts and join in the boisterous festivities of the crews. The New Year also coincides with the Tastes of Tasmania Festival, when the dockside area comes alive with the best of Tasmanian food and wine on offer in numerous cafés, bars, and waterfront stalls. Otherwise, Hobart is a placid city whose nightlife is largely confined to excellent restaurants, jazz clubs, and the action at the Wrest Point Casino in Sandy Bay.The Hobart Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre hours are weekdays 8:30–5:30 and Saturday 9–5.
Read More
Hobart, Tasmania
At sea
At sea
At sea
Macquarie Island, Tasmania
Macquarie Island, Tasmania
At sea
At sea
At sea
Victoria Land Coast
Victoria Land Coast
Victoria Land Coast
Cruising the Ross Sea
Cruising the Ross Sea
Cruising the Ross Sea
Cruising the Ross Sea
At sea
At sea
At sea
At sea
New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands
New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands
New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands
At sea
Dunedin
Aurora Stateroom Twin
The Greg Mortimer features eight Aurora Stateroom Twin cabins featuring portholes, all with private en-suites. Located on Deck 3, they’re close to the mudroom and loading platforms, perfect for adventurers who are looking for a comfortable base that’s close to the action.
Amenities
- Double or Twin Configuration
- Toiletries Provided
- TV
- Safe
- Hair Dryer
- Telephone
- Desk
- Free Wi-Fi
Captain's Suite
The most spacious accommodation onboard, with separate living and dining areas.
- Double
- Lounge Area
- Shower
- Toiletries Provided
- Room Service Available
- Free Mini Bar
- TV
- Safe
- Hair Dryer
- Desk
- Suite Benefits
- Free Wi-Fi
- Mini Bar (Additional Cost)
Junior Suite
Elegant suite with extra living space and larger balcony.
- Double or Twin Configuration
- Lounge Area
- Shower
- Toiletries Provided
- Suite Benefits
- Mini Bar (Additional Cost)
- TV
- Safe
- Hair Dryer
- Desk
- Free Wi-Fi
Balcony Stateroom Superior
Private balcony offering panoramic views of the polar landscape.
- Double or Twin Configuration
- Lounge Area
- Shower
- Toiletries Provided
- Suite Benefits
- TV
- Media/Entertainment Station
- Safe
- Hair Dryer
- Desk
- Free Wi-Fi
Balcony Stateroom Category A
Private balcony offering panoramic views of the polar landscape.
- Double or Twin Configuration
- Lounge Area
- Shower
- Toiletries Provided
- TV
- Safe
- Hair Dryer
- Desk
- Free Wi-Fi
Balcony Stateroom Category B
Private balcony offering panoramic views of the polar landscape.
- Double or Twin Configuration
- Lounge Area
- Shower
- Toiletries Provided
- TV
- Safe
- Hair Dryer
- Telephone
- Desk
- Air Conditioning
Balcony Stateroom Category C
Private balcony offering panoramic views of the polar landscape.
- Double or Twin Configuration
- Lounge Area
- Shower
- Toiletries Provided
- TV
- Safe
- Hair Dryer
- Telephone
- Desk
- Air Conditioning
Balcony Stateroom Category A - Solo
Private balcony offering panoramic views of the polar landscape.
- Double or Twin Configuration
- Lounge Area
- Shower
- Toiletries Provided
- TV
- Safe
- Hair Dryer
- Telephone
- Desk
- Air Conditioning
Balcony Stateroom Category B - Solo
Private balcony offering panoramic views of the polar landscape.
- Double or Twin Configuration
- Lounge Area
- Shower
- Toiletries Provided
- TV
- Safe
- Hair Dryer
- Telephone
- Desk
- Air Conditioning
Balcony Stateroom Category C - Solo
Private balcony offering panoramic views of the polar landscape.
- Double or Twin Configuration
- Lounge Area
- Shower
- Toiletries Provided
- TV
- Safe
- Hair Dryer
- Telephone
- Desk
- Air Conditioning
Aurora Stateroom Triple
There are six Aurora Stateroom Triple cabins featuring portholes, all with private en-suites. Located on Deck 3, they’re close to the mudroom and loading platforms. *Please note the Aurora Stateroom Triple cabins are only available on certain departures.
- One Single Bed
- Double or Twin Configuration
- Toiletries Provided
- TV
- Safe
- Hair Dryer
- Telephone
- Desk
- Free Wi-Fi
Aurora Stateroom Twin
The Greg Mortimer features eight Aurora Stateroom Twin cabins featuring portholes, all with private en-suites. Located on Deck 3, they’re close to the mudroom and loading platforms, perfect for adventurers who are looking for a comfortable base that’s close to the action.
- Double or Twin Configuration
- Toiletries Provided
- TV
- Safe
- Hair Dryer
- Telephone
- Desk
- Free Wi-Fi
Deck 8
- Observation decks
- Observation Lounge
- Top Deck
- Bars
- Jacuzzis
- Elevator
Deck 7
- Elevator
- Bridge
- Observation decks
- Library
- Gym
- Wellness Centre / Sauna
- Sun Deck
- GeoDomes
- Junior Suites
Deck 6
- Elevator
- Balcony Stateroom (A, B, C)
- Balcony Stateroom Superior
Deck 5
- Elevator
- Lecture room & lounge
- Assembly Station
- Reception
- Ship Shop
- Bars
- Dining Room
- Optional Private Dining Room
- Viewing Platforms
- Hydraulic viewing platforms
Deck 4
- Elevator
- Main entrance
- Expedition desk
- Captain’s Suite
- Balcony Staterooms (A, B, C)
- Balcony Stateroom Superior
Deck 3
- Change Room/Mudroom
- Zodiac access points
- Activity Launching Platforms
- Medical Centre
- Elevator
- Aurora Stateroom Triple
- Aurora Stateroom Twin
Ship features
Greg Mortimer combines pioneering expedition technology with the comfort of a modern boutique vessel.
- Ulstein X-Bow design for stability and sustainability
- 15 Zodiacs for immersive off-ship exploration
- Four dedicated boarding platforms for efficient embarkation
- Hydraulic observation platforms for close wildlife encounters
- Expert-led lectures and briefings from AE Expeditions specialists
- Spacious staterooms with ensuite facilities and flexible layouts
- Main dining venue serving global and regional cuisine
- Expedition-ready gear storage and mudroom
- Wellness area and comfortable social lounges
- Dedicated science and research spaces
Accommodation
Accommodation
Greg Mortimer offers 80 comfortable staterooms ranging from cosy porthole cabins to balcony rooms with ocean views. Each includes an ensuite, seating area, and convertible beds. Connecting cabins suit families or groups. Bright and functional in design, every space balances comfort with the intimacy and practicality of true expedition cruising.
Dining
Dining
The main dining room hosts all guests in one open seating, encouraging a relaxed, social atmosphere. Menus change daily, blending global and regional dishes made with fresh ingredients. Wine, beer, and soft drinks are served with dinner, while snacks and hot drinks are available throughout the day.
Amenities
Amenities
Public areas are designed for exploration and comfort, including a panoramic observation lounge, lecture theatre, and wellness area with gym and sauna. A mudroom simplifies expedition prep, while lounges and a well-stocked library offer inviting spaces to unwind between adventures.
Wellness
Wellness
Greg Mortimer’s wellness area offers a sauna, gym, and treatment room for relaxation after active days. Guests can enjoy massages, stretching sessions, or yoga on select voyages, creating calm moments amid the energy of exploration.
Entertainment
Entertainment
Entertainment focuses on enrichment, not spectacle. Evenings feature lectures by AE Expeditions’ experts on wildlife, glaciology, and polar history. Social gatherings in the lounge allow guests to share stories and celebrate the day’s discoveries in a warm, communal setting.
Families
Families
While designed for adults, Greg Mortimer welcomes families on select voyages. Interconnecting cabins and flexible activities—like Zodiac rides and wildlife watching—make it ideal for adventurous, multigenerational travellers seeking shared polar experiences.



