The Flat Beds family
STOP SAYING SOMEDAY OFFER! Save up to 25%* on select Antarctica Expeditions aboard the NEW Douglas Mawson ship with Aurora Expeditions.
PLUS, receive an exclusive USD$400 onboard credit per couple* when you book with Flat Beds Tour + Cruise.
Welcome to Aurora Expeditions’ Antarctic Explorer Fly/Sail expedition, where you can experience the best of both flying and sailing the Drake Passage.
Early Antarctic explorers returned from their voyages to the deep south with tales of a magnificent, ice-covered land teeming with life. Experience the awe-inspiring immensity of Antarctica, reducing your time on the high seas by flying across the Drake Passage in one direction. Immerse yourself in the unimaginable beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula, where vast glaciers tumble into the sea, penguins are dwarfed by soaring peaks and humpback and minke whales feast on abundant krill.
The Douglas Mawson will also be venturing to the Arctic and small ship cruising in Europe.
Arrive in Punta Arenas, where you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred to the hotel. They ask that you arrive no later than 2:00pm on this day. In addition to ensuring your arrival in time for the important pre-flight briefings, if weather conditions deem it necessary, you may depart for King George Island on Day 1 as opposed to Day 2.
Please visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality desk in the lobby between 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm to collect your luggage cabin tags. The team will confirm details regarding your embarkation day, answer any questions and provide you with information about where to dine or purchase last minute items.
Overlooking the Straits of Magellan, the city sits astride one of the world’s most historic trade routes. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great blend of cultural backgrounds, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors. It remains an utterly fascinating testament to Chile’s rich history. Modern day Punta Arenas is home to many popular restaurants, and bars, offering a mix of local and international fare (meals at your own expense today).
At 7.00 pm this evening, meet your fellow expeditioners at a voyage briefing where they will reconfirm your transfer times for tomorrow, explain the procedures for your flight to King George Island and outline important IAATO regulations for visitors to Antarctica.
This morning you will be transferred to Punta Arenas airport for your charter flight to King George Island, Antarctica (weather permitting). The flight will take approximately one hour and forty-five minutes. On arrival into King George Island your expedition team is on hand to greet you and to prepare you for your Zodiac transfer to the vessel. You will have time to settle into your cabin before your important safety briefings.
Note: King George Island is located at the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula in the South Shetland Islands and is one of the most remote places on Earth. A clear sky with perfect visibility is required for safe take-off and landing. A contingency plan will be applied to your itinerary should your flights not proceed today. Your safety is our utmost priority. We apologise in advance for any delays caused due to this unpredictable situation. Please refer to terms and conditions for a more detailed explanation.
It’s almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica. Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever.
Once you arrive, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are yours to explore, and we have a host of choices available. Because you are so far south, you will experience approximately 18-24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish.
Your experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities.
You generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. You will want to rug up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of their favourite spots along the peninsula.
While ashore they aim to stretch your legs, wandering along pebbly beaches or perhaps up snow-covered ridgelines to vantage points with mountains towering overhead and ice-speckled oceans below. If you have chosen an optional activity, you will have the option to do that whenever conditions allow, and of course keen polar plungers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters – conditions permitting!
In addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, you may ship cruise some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from the mainland, or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding.
This is a great time to enjoy the observation lounge or make your way to the bridge for uninterrupted views of Antarctica in all its splendour. Keep an ear out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as they carve their way from summit to sea. Take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of this incredible white continent.
Enjoy a final morning landing in the South Shetland Islands before you re-enter the Drake Passage for the return journey to South America.
With lectures and film presentations to complete the Antarctic experience, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home. There is time for reflection and discussion about what you have seen and experienced.
As you approach the tip of South America, the Captain may sail close to legendary Cape Horn, weather and time permitting.
During the early morning, you will cruise up the Beagle Channel, before quietly slipping into dock in Ushuaia, where you will be free to disembark around 8.00 am. Farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers as they all continue their onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature.
Upon disembarkation, for those continuing their travels in the region, transportation to the hotel will be arranged exclusively for guests who have booked their accommodations through Aurora or for those staying in downtown areas near the port. Expeditioners departing on flights prior to 12:30 pm will be directly transferred to Ushuaia Airport, those with flights after 12:30 pm will have the opportunity to explore Ushuaia before an afternoon airport transfer, and the transfer procedures and details will be communicated onboard before disembarkation.
Note: At the conclusion of the voyage, we do not recommend booking flights departing Ushuaia prior to 12.00 pm on the day of disembarkation in case there are delays.
Adventure has a new name. Setting sail in 2025, this new state-of-the-art ship, the Douglas Mawson, is the last in a line of purpose-built vessels that have redefined small ship expedition cruising.
Named after the legendary Australian geologist and explorer, the new small ship embodies Mawson’s pioneering spirit and is designed for global discovery. Featuring the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW® and purpose-built with enhanced sustainability features, it takes a maximum of 130 adventurers on board our Expeditions, and just 154 on our Small Ship Cruises. All in smooth, quiet comfort. It boasts our most extensive range of staterooms yet, including a range of single staterooms.
While enjoying the luxurious amenities onboard, you can rest assured that the aim is to get you off the ship to explore the natural environment as much as possible through the unique activities program remains unchanged. Plus, onboard our Small Ship Cruises in the Mediterranean, British Isles and beyond, you’ll enjoy the handcrafted ‘Your Choice’ excursions to immerse you in your destination.
The Douglas Mawson features the newest streamlined Ulstein X-BOW®, designed for global discovery. The revolutionary design cuts through the swell, offering unrivalled stability on ocean crossings and helping to reduce fuel consumption.
In between landings, enjoy access to the onboard gym or unwindin the sauna. Or head to the back deck to swim in the heated outdoor pool, enjoy a drink at the pool bar, or soak in one of two Jacuzzis, watching the world go by.
The Douglas Mawson is at the cutting edge of nautical technology, fitted with industry-leading technology including world-class return-to-port equipment. The ship also features a medical clinic designed for use in remote areas.
The Douglas Mawson features Zodiac access points and an activities platform, making boarding the Zodiacs as quick, efficient and safe as possible, getting you closer to the action for longer. In our mudroom you will have access to lockers to store gear & boots and rapid drying areas for clothing.
The Douglas Mawson features 10 different types of staterooms & suites, including a range of spacious single berth staterooms – all adorned with elegant Nordic interior design features.
As you explore the ship you will find indoor lounge areas with floor-to ceiling windows, and multiple open decks with expansive views. There is no shortage of spaces to take in the majesty of the incredible world outside!
On all expeditions you will meet naturalists and local specialists, who offer presentations on their area of expertise to enhance your appreciation of the destination you are exploring.
Join the team in the lecture theatre for presentations covering a broad range of topics to suit every interest, from history and culture to biology and climate change. Regardless of the topic, they all have one thing in common: they all aim to engage, educate, entertain and turn you into an ambassador for the planet.
Learn more about the world and the unique destinations Aurora visits by visiting the onboard naturalist and Expedition Team in the world-class Citizen Science Center. You will be rewarded for your thirst for knowledge with one of the best views on the ship.
With floor-to-ceiling windows, the library is a peaceful sanctuary where you can find non-fiction books to read up on the day’s destinations, use a public laptop to organise your photos or play board games with newfound friends. Choose from our range of informative non-fiction titles, wildlife guidebooks, travel journals, novels and a selection of children’s books and board games.
Wildlife guides, books and binoculars can also be found on the observation lounge on deck 8, the perfect place to relax and watch the incredible landscapes pass by, or spot unique polar wildlife.
If you’re in the market for something new- peruse our ship shop, where you’ll find expedition essentials, a range of books and maps, souvenirs, stylish expedition apparel and of course Aurora Expeditions merchandise.
During your voyage, stay active with complimentary access to the gym, equipped with everything you need for a workout at sea.
After an adventurous day, unwind in the sauna—especially after taking the exhilarating Polar Plunge! It’s the perfect way to warm up and relax while soaking in the breathtaking polar views.
One of the most important parts of any expedition is the food! Start each adventure with hearty meals and delicious morning and afternoon teas prepared by our onboard chefs.
Meals are a great time to connect with fellow travellers in our open-seating dining area, sharing stories and insights from the day. Tea, coffee, and snacks are available 24/7, and our chefs offer a variety of menu options for each meal. Enjoy house wines, beers, and soft drinks with dinner after a day of exploration.
Wrap up your journey with informal Captain’s Farewell drinks, featuring complimentary beverages, cocktail appetisers, and a special three-course meal.
Communal meeting areas have always played a major role in fostering the warm camaraderie on board our ships. They are the heart of the expedition, where people meet to share tales from the day, swap photos, keep an eye out for wildlife and watch the sun go down.
The bars and lounges on board are refined yet inviting places to gather, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning views, and of course friendly bartenders to shoot the breeze with.
• Private Ensuite
• Private Balcony
• Full Size Window
• Separate Lounge Area
• Desk area
• Closet Space
• Room-controlled Thermostat
• Room Safe
• 42″ Flat-Screen TV
• Mini Bar (replenished)
• Private Ensuite
• Private Balcony
• Full Size Window
• Separate Lounge Area
• Desk area
• Closet Space
• Room-controlled Thermostat
• Room Safe
• 42″ Flat-Screen TV
• Mini Bar (stocked daily)
• Private Ensuite
• Private Balcony
• Full Size Window
• Desk area
• Closet Space
• Room-controlled Thermostat
• Room Safe
• 42″ Flat-Screen TV
• Mini Bar (charged)
• Private Ensuite
• French Balcony
• Desk area
• Closet Space
• Room-controlled Thermostat
• Room Safe
• 42″ Flat-Screen TV
• Mini Bar (charged)
Solo cabins available – Please enquire with our Flat Beds Tour & Cruise team for further information.
$26001
$26001
Save $18,600 per couple*
Discover the most remarkable polar destinations during this ultimate Expedition Voyage on Scenic Ikon that takes place in Antarctica and the Falkland Islands.
Package With Airfares For Exclusive Savings
Experience ultra-luxury with Seabourn with an all-inclusive Antarctica cruise that will take you to this awe-inspiring continent.
$11,000 Credit* For Flights + Hotels
Embark on a 16-day all-inclusive expedition Antarctica Cruise with round-trip flights from Buenos Aires on HX Expeditions.
Package With Airfares For Exclusive Savings
Bundle & save
With a team of airfare specialists, Flat Beds is experienced in packaging your tour or cruise with return airfares, so you can unlock the best deal and save!
