Cruise Lines >AE Expeditions > Douglas Mawson

Douglas Mawson

Adventure has a new name. Setting sail in 2025, our 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, our 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 on average 154 adventurers to the world’s wildest places in smooth, quiet comfort. It boasts our most extensive range of cabins yet, including a range of single cabins.

The Douglas Mawson features a host of amenities to help you connect with like-minded travellers and elevate your time onboard our floating base camp for adventure. After a long day of exploring, head to the back deck to swim in the heated outdoor swimming pool, find a sun bed to read on, or soak in one of two Jacuzzis. Work up a sweat in the gym before unwinding in the sauna, resolve to learn something new in the Citizen Science Centre, then enjoy a delicious meal with new and old friends in one of two restaurants. Or, with multiple observation areas throughout the ship, simply relax in comfort while you keep watch for wildlife or incredible landscapes unfold before you.

While enjoying the luxurious amenities onboard, you can rest assured that our aim to get you off the ship to explore the natural environment as much as possible through our unique activities program remains unchanged.

The Douglas Mawson’s inaugural season will mark AE Expeditions’ return to East Antarctica for the first time in 15 years, with new itineraries to include a Mawson’s Antarctica voyage to East Antarctica in honour of the ship’s namesake, departing from Hobart, a semi-circumnavigation of Antarctica, and immersive explorations of the Subantarctic Islands.

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Douglas Mawson Ship Facts

Douglas Mawson was launched in 2025

The gross tonnage is 8500

The width of Douglas Mawson is 18 meters

The maximum speed of the ship is 12 knots per hour

The length of Douglas Mawson is 104 meters

The currency taken on Douglas Mawson is USD

Douglas Mawson has 24 cabin crew members

The ship has 8 decks

Douglas Mawson has 86 cabins on board

It also has 2 wheelchair cabins on board

Explore Douglas Mawson

Dining room
Top Deck Restaurant

Dining room

One of the most important parts of any expedition is the food! Whatever adventures the day holds, you will be fuelled-up with hearty meals and delicious morning/afternoon teas cooked by our onboard chefs.

Meals are a great time to soak up the expedition camaraderie in our open seating dining area. Share stories with your fellow travellers and ask our expedition team questions that may have come up during the day.

Tea, coffee and snacks are available 24 hours a day, and our chefs offer different menu options and courses for each meal. Enjoy the range of house wine, beers and soft drinks included with dinner after a long day in the wild.

We also invite you to join your captain and expedition team for informal Captain’s Farewell drinks, with complimentary beverages and cocktail appetisers, followed by a 3 course meal.

Activities
Activities Platform
Mudroom
Lecture Theatre

Activities

Whether it’s adventure at sea or on land that makes you tick, we have a huge range of optional activities to help you make the most of your time in some of the most beautiful places on earth.

We encourage you to make the most of every opportunity to nurture your inner adventurer. You can choose from a range of add-on adventures to make the most of your time in these beautiful places. We have pioneered more adventure activities than any polar expedition cruising company to help you explore in your own way.

We’ll get you out for your optional activities as often as possible, and this will be your main mode of exploration through your trip. Your guides* will assess the conditions at each landing, and you’ll have the option to join whenever conditions allow.

Optional activities are popular and group sizes are limited, so if you’re interested, get in touch with our team as soon as possible. Optional activities are listed on each itinerary page and additional fees apply.

Bars & Lounges
Citizen Science Centre and Lounge
Library
The Glass Atrium Lounge
Atrium
Sun Deck & Pool

Bars & Lounges

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.

Jacuzzis
Gym & Sauna

Jacuzzis

There are two Jacuzzis on the top outside deck which offer amazing views of the world outside.

Deck 8

AE Expeditions Douglas Mawson Deck Plans Deck 8.png

  • Seating area
  • Observation lounge
  • Top-deck restaurant
  • Bar
  • Observation decks
  • Elevator

Deck 7

AE Expeditions Douglas Mawson Deck Plans Deck 7.png

  • Gym
  • Sauna
  • Seating area
  • Observation decks
  • Swimming pool and sun deck
  • Jacuzzis
  • Bridge
  • Elevator
  • Junior Suite
  • Aurora Stateroom Superior
  • Aurora Stateroom Superior Single

Deck 6

AE Expeditions Douglas Mawson Deck Plans Deck 6.png

  • Library
  • Upper glass atrium lounge
  • Elevator
  • Balcony Stateroom Superior
  • Balcony Stateroom (A, B, C)
  • Junior Suite

Deck 5

AE Expeditions Douglas Mawson Deck Plans Deck 5.png

  • Lecture room & lounge
  • Assembly station
  • Reception
  • Ship shop
  • Dining room
  • Bar
  • Lower glass atrium lounge
  • Elevator
  • Citizen Science centre

Deck 4

AE Expeditions Douglas Mawson Deck Plans Deck 4.png

  • Elevator
  • Main entrance
  • Expedition desk
  • Captain's Suite
  • Balcony Stateroom Superior
  • Balcony Stateroom (A, B, C)

Deck 3

AE Expeditions Douglas Mawson Deck Plans Deck 3.png

  • Change room/mudroom
  • Zodiac access points
  • Activity launching platform
  • Medical clinic
  • Elevator
  • Aurora Stateroom Triple
  • Aurora Stateroom Twin
  • Aurora Stateroom Superior Single
  • Aurora Stateroom Single

Douglas Mawson Cabins & Suites

Aurora Stateroom Twin
Aurora Stateroom Triple
Aurora Stateroom Superior Single
Aurora Stateroom Single

Aurora Stateroom Twin

The Douglas Mawson features two Aurora Stateroom Twin cabins featuring windows, 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.

  • King or twin bed
  • Private en-suite
  • Porthole window
  • Closet space
  • Room safe
  • Mini bar*
  • Desk area
  • Room-controlled thermostat
  • 42" flat-screen TV
  • 1 x 3-in-1 polar jacket per person (polar voyages only)

*Please note mini bar items are chargeable in all cabins except Junior Suite and Captain’s Suite

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Balcony Stateroom Superior
Balcony Stateroom Category A
Balcony Stateroom Category B
Balcony Stateroom Category C
Aurora Stateroom Superior
Balcony Stateroom Category A – Solo

Balcony Stateroom Superior

With a bit more room to stretch the legs, the Balcony Stateroom Superiors are perfect for polar adventurers who travel with plenty of gear. Located on Deck 4 and 6, the Staterooms feature floor to ceiling windows, en-suite bathrooms and a comfortable desk area.

  • Deck 4 & 6 
  • King or twin beds
  • Private en-suite (wheelchair accessible available)
  • Full size window
  • Closet space
  • Room safe
  • Mini bar*
  • Private balcony
  • Desk area
  • Room-controlled thermostat
  • 42" flat-screen TV
  • 1 x 3-in-1 polar jacket per person (polar voyages only)
  • Some of these rooms are equipped with wheelchair accessible bathrooms.
*Please note mini bar items are chargeable in all cabins except Junior Suite and Captain’s Suite

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Captain's Suite
Junior Suite

Captain's Suite

The largest of all our rooms, the singular Captain's Suite will take you to the polar regions in ultimate style and comfort. Complete with large lounge area, balcony, walk-in wardrobe and en-suite, you'll need to get in early to secure this suite.

  • Deck 4
  • King or Twin beds
  • Private en-suite
  • Full size window
  • Desk area
  • Room-controlled thermostat
  • 42" flat-screen TV
  • Private balcony
  • Separate lounge area
  • Closet space
  • Room safe
  • 1 x 3-in-1 polar jacket per person (polar voyages only)
  • 1 x free pair of binoculars per suite
  • Free stocked mini bar
  • 1 x free bottle of champagne per suite
^Captain’s Suite mini bar is replenished as needed.
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