Our Marketing Coordinator, Anjelica, had the once in a lifetime opportunity to sail with Aurora Expeditions to Antarctica. This wasn’t just an ordinary expedition, she skipped the Drake Passage and flew between Punta Arenas and King George Island, located at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Thanks to Aurora Expeditions’ wonderful itineraries, they have a ‘Fly the Drake’ option which allows passengers to skip the treacherous sea that keeps a lot of people from visiting the beautiful continent of Antarctica.
Aurora Expeditions has three purpose-built expedition ships, each with state-of-the-art facilities, generous inclusions and typically accommodates around 130-154 passengers. For Antarctic voyages, they typically carry less than 100. This is due to regulations that restrict landings to a maximum of 100 passengers at any single site at one time to minimise environmental impact. This is a highlight of Aurora Expeditions, as it means no waiting for Zodiacs to transfer you between ship and shore, and no wait times during meal services.
Discover more about Aurora Expeditions and Anjelica’s experience by reading the review below.
Aurora Expeditions Welcome, Aeroplane and Arrival
My partner and I began our journey flying from Adelaide – Santiago – Punta Arenas, where the Aurora Expeditions flight was leaving from. We actually boarded the plane a day early, due to the weather conditions for the following days, which was looking pretty bad. This is something that may be expected for Fly voyages, no matter which cruise line you’re with. If I could recommend anything, it would be to get to Punta Arenas about 24-48 hours before your Fly voyage begins. Remember, Antarctica is a place where the weather dictates your entire itinerary, so it’s really important you get to where you need to be early!
The team at Aurora Expeditions were really organised with all of this. Once we landed in Punta Arenas, the On Ground Team picked us up and told us that we would be leaving that day, instead of the next as originally planned. All our luggage was taken care of and the team were really helpful in answering all our questions.
The aircraft used is with DAP Airlines / Antarctic Airways. It’s a 2-3 configuration, seating only 90 passengers. In our case, we had two different groups go on two different planes. This meant there were plenty of seats to choose from and lots of space to enjoy. I would recommend being one of the first to board and choose a seat at the front or back, where the wings/engine isn’t blocking your view. It’s a short flight, about 1 hour 45 minutes, and we were even provided with a little food box with a wrap, some cheese and dessert.
Landing in Antarctica is a beautiful experience in itself, soaring over glaciers and rock faces is such a unique experience. You can hardly call the space at King George Island an ‘airport’; merely a gravel landing strip less than a mile long! Alas, the flight and landing was really smooth. From there, the transfers were seamless. We hopped on a 5 minute shuttle to the shore, where the Expedition Team were waiting for us with appropriate gear for our Zodiac ride to the Sylvia Earle. We changed into muck boots that they provided and after a few minutes in the Zodiac we had arrived at the ship. Our big luggage was transported separately and arrived at our rooms within 10 minutes of being onboard. We were shown to our rooms by our dedicated Cabin Manager and welcomed on board with dinner and drinks.
What’s The Accommodation Like Onboard Aurora Expeditions?
We stayed in a Balcony Stateroom Category A located on the starboard side of the ship on level four. The room was reasonably spacious, with modern furniture and sleek decor reflecting the polar regions. There was plenty of storage space for all the coats, jackets, pants and layers that we brought (and I’m a chronic overpacker) so it was really great to see. Another bit of brilliance was the bed! It was two beds put together, and I often find they normally end up having an uncomfortable gap in the middle. But this was totally different! It was soft and spacious, with a really warm comforter and blankets. It was also nice to have a separate seating area with a couch, alongside a coffee table and vanity/desk area.
The private ensuite was a little small, but that’s quite standard for cruises anyway. The heated floor was such a great bonus and you could even choose on the dial how warm you wanted it to be. The shower itself was a good size with railing and a sturdy floor mat to keep secure, especially during those rockier sea days. I think that the shower head was placed at a good height for me, however people who are taller (I’m 165cm) may struggle a bit more and find it quite tight. As far as amenities go, you can expect body wash, shampoo, conditioner and body lotion, as well as a hairdryer.
A highlight of the Sylvia Earle is that most cabins have private balconies. It’s fantastic, there’s nothing better than standing outside with binoculars watching wildlife and scenery right in front of you. However, the Balcony Staterooms do not have furniture on them, which we both found strange. Only on levels five and above are there chairs and tables outside.
Plus, during the entire trip, the dividing balcony doors between each room did not get closed, so technically, anyone could just walk along the outside past your balcony door, which actually happened to us!
Our Cabin Manager, Loren, did a fantastic job with housekeeping. He would come up twice a day even, but you could ask for as little or as much as you needed. The cabin was always flawless and tidy after Loren attended.
Dining Onboard Aurora Expeditions Sylvia Earle
Between breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, neither my partner nor myself ever went hungry! For the majority of the trip, we ate at the Gentoo Restaurant (the Sylvia Earle’s main dining area). Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style, with many different options available. The majority of food items stay the same each day, with a few specialty foods swapped in and out. Still, every day there were different options available and a lot of variety.
For breakfast, expect the normal options like muesli, porridge, eggs, bacon, sausages, bread, cereal, fruit and yoghurt, for example. But there are also things like cheese platters, breakfast tacos, fried rice, potatoes prepared in a number of ways and even a live omelette cooking station! Pastries varied each day as well, which was great, as it was always yummy finishing a meal off with a muffin or croissant. Breakfast is served from 8:00am on sea days and 7:00am on days that we have activities planned.
Lunch is also served buffet style, with a range of cuisines and a rotating menu. From Korean-style beef, make your own nachos station, curries, fish, a pizza station…you’ll definitely find something to enjoy.
I couldn’t expect more, considering we were in such a desolate place. Plus, Aurora Expeditions caters to those with dietary needs, there is a good range of vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free options.
Dinner was served à la carte style, focusing on more elevated and fine dining. There were two menus, one changed daily, and the other stayed the same. This had lots of local influence to it, with Chilean and Argentinian dishes a standout. My top pick- the Chicken Masala. With interesting entrees and more simple side dishes, it was the perfect balance between comfort food and fine dining.
Aurora Expeditions’ specialty dining restaurant, Rockhopper, was also available for all meals of the day. Again, it is à la carte, and had some standout dishes on the menu, like Grass Fed Beef Fillet Mignon, Double Cut Lamb Chops, and would feature a Fish of the Day and Vegetarian Meal of the Day. Alongside was a range of appetisers, soups, salads, side dishes, sauces and desserts. Honestly, it was lovely and quiet in Rockhopper, but the quality of food didn’t change much. If you’re after a more classy and sophisticated dining spot, then Rockhopper is perfect. But you’ll still get equally delicious food in the main dining area. It’s important to note that the Rockhopper menu does not change each day, so expect the same few dishes. It means you only have to visit once or twice.
Staff and Service with Aurora Expeditions
Aurora Expeditions’ staff and service is top-notch, I couldn’t ask for more. There are more than 15 people in the Expedition Team; from kayak/snorkelling guides, historians, geologists, glaciologists, naturalists, a photographer, to Zodiac experts, all are extremely knowledgeable.
You can also feel at ease with a First Responder and Doctor onboard, with 24/hour care available. The Expedition Team made the adventure, not just for myself, but chatting to other travellers onboard. It was really noticeable how well they gelled and their passion and expertise for the place was excellent.
The Reception, Housekeeping and Food and Beverage staff are also wonderful. They even knew our names pretty early on in the voyage. They will most definitely cater to all your needs!
Sylvia Earle Onboard Facilities and Activities
On the Sylvia Earle, there are a variety of onboard facilities that make the sea days worthwhile. Different from the Greg Mortimer, Aurora’s other ship, the Sylvia Earle actually has a Swimming Pool. It’s positioned at the stern of the ship, almost like an infinity style off the edge. A couple of the times I went to check it out, it wasn’t filled up, even though on our daily plan it said the pool was open. The other time I dipped my toe in and it was a little chilly, but I think I just caught it on a bad day before it was heated.
The Jacuzzis on the other hand are such a standout! There are two onboard next to the pool and are heated to 28 degrees. They’re quite spacious and I found that it doesn’t get very busy there at all. Watching the glaciers and wildlife outside in the cosy Jacuzzi was such a highlight and definitely a must-do.
The Sauna is equally as fantastic, with the most incredible, floor to ceiling views. It’s quite spacious and found to be relatively quiet, even after the Polar Plunge. If you want to watch the world go by, the Sauna is the place to be.
Working out won’t feel the same when you get home, as the Sylvia Earle’s Gym has the best views going. Of course, it has a variety of high-quality Life Fitness machines that I find at my own gym back at home. There are also plenty of yoga mats and balls to use for stretching.
One of my favourite areas onboard was the Science Centre, Library and Glass Atrium Lounge. All located at the very front of the ship, with dramatic views, a rounded feature sofa and an extravagant chandelier to top it off. It was a nice, quiet space to cosy up with a book or get some work done. Aurora Expeditions runs many Citizen Science programs onboard that you can partake in. From whales, snow algae, birdlife to phytoplankton in the ocean…definitely put your hand up and attend one of the sessions.
The Lecture Theatre was where we were briefed about our plans for the next day and also where members of the Expedition Team ran lectures during sea days. It could fit everyone onboard and was a great space to socialise with others.
One of the highlights of the entire trip was the Polar Plunge. This is where we jumped into the freezing water of Antarctica in our bathers! Beforehand we had a safety briefing about the procedures and were only told a couple hours before jumping in. The team are really cautious, plus have over 5 staff members in the water and close-by who are there if anything goes wrong. With the doctor and First Responder also there, I felt safe the entire time. You can choose to jump either with a rope, as a pair or just solo! Honestly, this was the most incredible experience and totally worth it. It was great to see people of all ages jump into the waters of Antarctica.
Bars, Lounges and Entertainment on the Sylvia Earle
There are a couple areas to enjoy a drink and chat to other guests. The Tektite Bar was just outside the Lecture Theatre, so many people would grab a drink before our nightly recap/briefing. Canapés were served almost each night, so it became quite a lively space in the evenings. For entertainment, there were two musicians onboard who would play piano and viola. They were a fantastic duo and elevated these types of evenings. Beer and wine was only included for lunch and dinner, but they have good-value packages ranging from beer, wine and cocktails.
Arguably the place with the best views onboard is the Observation Lounge. It’s located on the very top floor on level eight and also has an accompanying wraparound deck with panoramic views. We spent so many nights up here with the Expedition Team and fellow travellers. There were many rare and spectacular sightings on our voyage, which we were very lucky to have. From the Observation Deck, we had packs of Orcas, Humpbacks and even Fin whales come right up to the boat. From penguins dancing on icebergs, to seals lazying about…the Observation Lounge was the place to be! Plus, the Blue Hope Bar is also there, serving up whatever cocktail or drink you fancy.
Landings and Zodiac Excursions
Probably one of the most important elements to this expedition was the Landings and Zodiac Excursions themselves. For Antarctic voyages, Aurora Expeditions aims to get travellers outside twice a day. It will often be a Zodiac Cruise as well as what they call a Landing.
The Zodiacs are military-grade and have eight air compartments built for rigid exploration. It can take multiple punctures but still keep afloat. They can go over chunks of ice easily, so you will always feel safe, especially in the hands on the Expedition Team. The guides will help you in and out of the Zodiac so you’ll be comfortable and confident. During these cruises, we spent up to 2 hours getting up close and personal with Antarctica. From up-close whale encounters, spotting seals sunning themselves on ice, watching penguins swim in the water, to seabirds gliding past us…there was never a dull moment. On top of this, the beauty of tall glaciers, fjords, rock formations and spectacular pieces of ice left us speechless everyday. Nowhere in the world compares to the tranquillity, perfection and roaring beauty of Antarctica, with the Zodiacs taking you right up close to it.
Landings meant we were able to step onto the continent and surrounding islands themselves. Sometimes it would be rocky beaches, complete ice and snow, or a mix of both. These were my favourite parts of the trip, where we could stretch our legs and really get into adventure. The landing spots were chosen by the Expedition Team where weather was the main driving factor. We had really sunny days for the most part, but some areas we were headed had bad storms, so the crew would always try and find a place to find sun and good weather. And it worked! Plans did change often, but you knew you were always going to be in for a great experience onshore.
Aurora Expeditions Final Impressions
If I had to sum it up simply- this trip completely blew me away. Travelling to Antarctica with Aurora Expeditions on board the Sylvia Earle felt seamless from start to finish, and the ‘Fly the Drake’ option made getting there so much easier than I ever imagined.
What really stood out was how intimate and immersive the whole experience felt. With fewer than 100 guests onboard, there was no rushing, no long waits. Enjoy pure moments standing quietly among penguins, cruising past glaciers in a Zodiac, or watching whales surface beside the ship. The Expedition Team’s passion was infectious, and you could tell they genuinely love what they do.
Onboard, it was the perfect balance of adventure and comfort. After a big day exploring, you’d come back to incredible food, warm hospitality and cosy spaces to take it all in.
Antarctica itself is hard to put into words – wild, peaceful and unlike anywhere else on earth. But experiencing it this way made it even more special. If it’s on your bucket list, I can honestly say… this is the way to do it.
Contact one of our Tour + Cruise Specialists to learn more about a voyage like this. Or, see our Aurora Expeditions deals here.
