Aurora Expeditions’ flagship polar ship — 130 guests, PC6, and an Ulstein X-BOW hull that dramatically reduces Drake Passage rolling. Named for Aurora’s mountaineer co-founder.
- Guests
- 130
- Max capacity
- Cabins
- 71
- Multiple categories
- Ice class
- PC6
- Ice-strengthened hull
- Hull
- Ulstein X-BOW
- Smoother Drake crossings
- Starting price
- $14,000
- per person
Style Pure expedition · Premium
- Wildlife Encounters
- Experiential Learning Adventure
- High staff-to-guest ratio
Greg Mortimer is the flagship of Aurora Expeditions and the ship that introduced the Ulstein X-BOW hull design to polar expedition cruising. Launched in 2019 and named for Australian mountaineer and Aurora co-founder Greg Mortimer, the ship carries 130 guests in 71 cabins across multiple categories. The X-BOW — an inverted bow design that cuts through rather than over waves — dramatically reduces the pitch and roll that makes the Drake Passage crossing uncomfortable for many Antarctic travelers.
For anyone who has been nervous about the Drake, this matters more than it sounds. A smoother crossing means more people arrive at the Antarctic Peninsula in good shape rather than recovering from two rough days at sea. It also means the ship handles heavy weather differently than conventional expedition vessels — quieter, steadier, more confidence-inspiring in tough conditions. Aurora was one of the first expedition operators to adopt this technology, and it remains a genuine differentiator.
Aurora Expeditions’ expedition philosophy is citizen science-focused and sustainability-driven, with strong naturalist programming and a commitment to low-impact operations. Greg Mortimer sails Antarctica and the Arctic, and is particularly well-regarded for its smaller-scale, personal atmosphere. Cabin categories range from twin and double options through premium suites.
On board + on site
What makes Greg Mortimer the ship
Borealis Restaurant
All-inclusive dining with globally inspired menus
Greg Mortimer’s main restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in an open, light-filled setting. Menus are globally inspired with an emphasis on quality ingredients — real food for real expedition days, not afterthought catering.
Aurora Lounge
Main gathering space for briefings, lectures, and bar
The social and intellectual hub of the Greg Mortimer — part expedition briefing room, part bar, part observation lounge. Floor-to-ceiling windows keep the polar landscape in frame whether you’re listening to a glaciologist’s lecture or just watching the horizon.
Outdoor Jacuzzi
Open-deck hot tub with polar panoramas
A hot tub on the open deck with 360° polar views sounds exactly as good as it is. The contrast of soaking in warm water while icebergs drift past is one of those Greg Mortimer experiences that nobody forgets — or adequately explains to people back home.
Citizen Science Program
Contribute to real polar research while you explore
Aurora’s citizen science programming turns every expedition into a genuine contribution to polar research. Guests work alongside the onboard science team on wildlife counts, ice observations, and environmental data collection that feeds into active ongoing studies.
Zodiac Boarding
Direct water-level access for expedition landings
Greg Mortimer’s Zodiac boarding system handles simultaneous multi-bay launches — critical when you’ve got 132 guests, a narrow weather window, and a colony of penguins that won’t wait. Fast, safe, and well-drilled by an expedition team that does this every day.
Ulstein X-BOW Hull
Inverted bow design for smoother Drake Passage crossings
The inverted X-BOW hull cuts through waves rather than over them, dramatically reducing pitch and roll in open ocean conditions. On the Drake Passage — the roughest water most guests will ever experience — the difference between a conventional bow and an X-BOW is real, measurable, and felt in the stomach.
Cabins + suites
Where you'll sleep.
Captain's Suite
50 m² (538 sq ft) / Sleeps 2
The flagship cabin on Aurora’s flagship ship. The Captain’s Suite offers the most generous footprint and finest appointments onboard — a proper retreat for the expedition you’ll be talking about for years.
Junior Suite
30 m² (323 sq ft) / Sleeps 2
The first suite-class cabin on the Greg Mortimer, with a separate lounge area, expanded storage, and premium finishes throughout. A meaningful upgrade in space and comfort for guests who want a proper base after long days on expedition.
Balcony Stateroom – Superior
24 m² (258 sq ft) / Sleeps 2
A step up in size with a more generous cabin footprint and a larger balcony. The Superior category is ideal for guests who want extra breathing room on longer voyages without stepping into full suite territory.
Balcony Stateroom – Category A
20 m² (215 sq ft) / Sleeps 2
Private balcony, strong ship positioning, and a cabin layout that works well for two. Category A staterooms sit in a prime location on the Greg Mortimer — when the Antarctic Peninsula comes into view, you’ll have it to yourself.
Balcony Stateroom – Category B
20 m² (215 sq ft) / Sleeps 2
A solid mid-ship balcony stateroom with the same floorplan as Category A at a slightly friendlier price point. Good location, private outdoor space, and a view you won’t want to waste on sleeping.
Balcony Stateroom – Category C
20 m² (215 sq ft) / Sleeps 2
The entry-level balcony category on the Greg Mortimer — still private outdoor space, still the same Antarctic views, just at the best-value price point in the balcony tier. On a ship this size, there are no bad rooms.
Aurora Stateroom Double Share
13 m² (140 sq ft) / Sleeps 2
Interior cabins for two guests sharing — efficient, comfortable, and priced for travelers who prioritize expedition access over cabin square footage. You’ll spend most of your time on deck anyway.
Aurora Stateroom Triple Share
13 m² (140 sq ft) / Sleeps 3
The interior-facing triple-share option, purpose-built for solo travelers who want to join an expedition without paying a single supplement. Three berths in a compact, functional layout — the real square footage is everything happening outside the hull.
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