Is Greg Mortimer worth it?
The Greg Mortimer is a 130-guest expedition ship operated by Aurora Expeditions, launched in 2019 and rated Polar Class 6. She was the first expedition vessel built with Ulstein's X-Bow, a wave-piercing hull that noticeably reduces motion and noise crossing the Drake Passage. She suits active travelers who want kayaking, diving, and citizen science.
Ship at a glance
Specifications
- Operator
- Aurora Expeditions
- Guests
- 130 on expedition voyages
- Ice class
- Polar Class 6 (PC6)
- Launched
- 2019
- Tonnage
- Approx. 8,000 GT
- Hull
- X-Bow wave-piercing design
- Region
- Antarctica
What is she like to board?
Boarding the Greg Mortimer in Ushuaia, Argentina, we immediately noticed how sleek and capable she looked, especially with her signature X-Bow design, built to cut through Drake Passage swells with significantly less motion and noise. Stepping aboard, the atmosphere felt intimate, purposeful, and professional.
As soon as we stepped aboard, the atmosphere felt intimate, purposeful, and professional. The staff greeted us like family, and the entire ship was buzzing with the energy of serious adventure.
What are the cabins like?
Bright, modern, and cleverly designed. Many include private balconies, large windows, and ample storage space for expedition gear. The top-deck observation lounge is a glass-wrapped sanctuary, the mudroom and gear staging areas are spacious, and the sauna, hot tub, gym, and wellness center take the edge off a cold day.
- Cabins and suites: bright, modern, and cleverly designed. Many include private balconies, large windows, and ample storage space for expedition gear. We especially loved the thoughtful layout and minimalist Scandinavian-inspired style.
- Public spaces: the top-deck observation lounge offered a warm, glass-wrapped sanctuary for whale watching, journaling, or connecting with fellow travelers. The mudroom and gear staging areas were spacious and well-managed, perfect for Zodiac transitions.
- Wellness: after a full day in the cold, the sauna with a view and onboard hot tub were welcome luxuries. The ship also featured a small gym and wellness center.
What's the food like?
Dining aboard the Greg Mortimer was casual but high quality, with daily themes and global influences. The main dining room was open seating, encouraging community, and the specialty restaurant was a fun change during the cruise. Afternoon tea was a highlight, and meals were both hearty and elegant.
- The main dining room was open seating, encouraging community.
- The specialty restaurant was a fun change during the cruise.
- The chefs were attentive to dietary restrictions and emphasized sustainable, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.
- Afternoon tea was a highlight, and meals were both hearty and elegant — fuel for an active expedition lifestyle.
What are the excursions like?
Two to three landings or activities per day, including penguin colonies, historic research bases, iceberg Zodiac cruises, and glacier hikes. Aurora offers one of the most robust adventure menus in Antarctica: kayaking, snowshoeing, mountaineering, scuba diving for certified guests, and polar plunges.
- Zodiac landings: two to three landings or activities per day, including penguin colonies, historic research bases, iceberg Zodiac cruises, and glacier hikes.
- Adventure options: kayaking, snowshoeing, mountaineering, scuba diving (for certified guests), and even polar plunges. Aurora offers one of the most robust adventure menus in Antarctica.
- Science and learning: every staff member — glaciologists, marine biologists, ornithologists — was deeply passionate and generous with their knowledge. The ship's Citizen Science Program allowed guests to actively contribute to real-world environmental data collection.
What's daily life aboard like?
Aurora provides a complimentary gear package of parka and boots, and there is no formal dress code — expedition casual is perfect. Prepare for early mornings and active days, but with ample time to rest and reset. If you're prone to seasickness, the X-Bow makes a major difference in Drake Passage comfort.
- Aurora provides a complimentary gear package (parka and boots).
- No formal dress code — expedition casual is perfect.
- Prepare for early mornings and active days — but ample time to rest and reset.
- If you're prone to seasickness, the X-Bow makes a major difference in Drake Passage comfort.
How sustainable is she?
The Greg Mortimer sets a high bar for responsible expedition cruising: the first expedition vessel to feature the X-Bow, improving fuel efficiency and reducing spray and deck icing, plus Tier 3 engine compliance, strict waste management, reusable water bottles, and no single-use plastics.
- First expedition vessel to feature the X-Bow, improving fuel efficiency and reducing spray/deck icing.
- Tier 3 engine compliance (lower emissions).
- Strict waste management, reusable water bottles, no single-use plastics.
- Aurora Expeditions partners with scientific institutions and conservation efforts.
Who should book her?
Adventure-seekers who want to kayak, snowshoe, or even dive in Antarctica; first-timers and repeat guests looking for a true small-ship experience; solo travelers, couples, and multigenerational families who value education and immersive exploration; and travelers who care about sustainability, science, and like-minded explorers.
- Adventure-seekers who want to kayak, snowshoe, or even dive in Antarctica.
- First-timers and repeat guests looking for a true small-ship experience.
- Solo travelers, couples, and multigenerational families who value education and immersive exploration.
- Travelers who care about sustainability, science, and connecting with like-minded explorers.
The verdict
Sailing to Antarctica aboard the Greg Mortimer was more than a cruise — it was a life-affirming journey. The ship's size fosters intimacy, but her capabilities offer grand-scale experiences. Whether gliding silently past glaciers or listening to our expedition leader narrate the tale of Shackleton, I was in awe every single day.
Related reading
Written by your expedition advisor
Chris Commisso · Expedition Expert
Signature Travel Expert
Chris and Erika have sailed ten expedition voyages and toured seven more expedition ships. Favorite explorations so far: Antarctica, Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Alaska, the Galápagos, the Scottish Hebrides, Churchill and French Polynesia.
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