Aurora Expeditions unveils new ships interiors and deposit protection

Aurora Expeditions has unveiled the sleek design of its second purpose-built expedition ship, the Sylvia Earle – and new protection for its passenger deposits.

Along with a sneak peak of the new ship, CEO Monique Ponfoort was also able to reassure passengers that the new booking policies were flexible and designed to give them peace of mind. “To provide additional confidence when making new bookings for our expeditioners and loyal past passengers, we have recently introduced our Deposit Protection Scheme in the form of an escrow account to ensure our trade partners and passengers have confidence when booking future voyages with us during these uncertain times,” she said. Full refunds or future cruise credits will be offered if Australia or another home country recommends against international travel or cruising 30 days before departure. The cutting-edge design of the Sylvia Earle features the Ulstein X-Bow, whose inverted bow blueprint offers unrivalled stability and comfort on ocean going  crossings. Predominantly in glass,  the  Ulstein X-Bow also offers extraordinary views to the front of  the ship. This means when cruising in the polar regions, passengers will be able to appreciate the majesty of an iceberg immediately as it appears on the horizon. The ship will also have an outdoor, heated swimming pool and its interiors reflect a casual, elegant style to make guests feel at home. There will also be a Sylvia Earle Science Centre to host onboard science programs. “Exploring the natural world is at the heart of what we do and therefore we have brought elements of nature into the interior design of the Sylvia Earle. Ensuring passengers completely immerse themselves in the destination is of paramount importance to Aurora Expeditions,” says Ms Ponfoort. “The goal for us has always been to create lifelong ambassadors for the protection of the wilderness areas they travel to and education and conservation are integral to our DNA and this design is reflective of that,” she added. The line said the 132 passenger ship will visit many new destinations including Alaska, Baja California, the Russian Far East, Raja Ampat and West Papua. The Sylvia Earle is currently under construction in China and is scheduled to debut on her maiden voyage in October next year. For more information, visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au