Seals, scotch and soaking wet agents: the inside track on Aurora's new expedition cruising product

Back on land, and after a fine Scotch, I catch up with Craig Upshall, Aurora’s sales director for UK and Europe.

“We are here to promote our amazing activities on offer, as well as our brand-new ship, the Greg Mortimer,” Upshall says. “I love getting agents out to see what we do. The trade is our bread and butter – 90% of business in the UK comes from agents. We are also in the process of launching an online booking platform for early next year and have just recruited a new business development manager.”

The Greg Mortimer, which departed on its maiden voyage to the Antarctic Peninsula in October, is the cruise line’s first purpose-built expedition vessel. It is also the first polar expedition ship to feature the Ulstein X-Bow design, which promises smoother sailings and reduced emissions.

Standout features include two hydraulic platforms for unobstructed views of the surrounding landscapes, an indoor passenger lounge with panoramic windows and the ability to load its 15 Zodiac speedboats quicker, allowing for a maximum of three landings a day.

“Luxury is not how we describe the onboard experience but it’s important to note that the accommodation and food are of a high standard,” says Upshall. “The luxury element of cruising with Aurora is exploring the amazing destinations we visit. We are all about getting clients off the ship. That’s why we’ve capped the number of passengers to 120, so they can disembark much quicker and spend more time on land.”

Offering itineraries in nine destinations, including Iceland, Patagonia and Costa Rica, clients will be spoilt for choice, says Upshall.

“We are polar specialists and have extensive experience with the Arctic and Antarctica, but with Greg Mortimer we can visit Patagonia and the Chilean fjords, Costa Rica, Scotland and Eastern Canada too.”