Last updated on December 9th, 2024
Featured image: Discover Antarctica on a women-only voyage with Aurora Expeditions | Photo by Tyson Mayr for Aurora Expeditions
JourneyWoman collaborating to help design new women-only trip
by Carolyn Ray
Aurora Expeditions today launched its new 2026-27 season, which includes its first-ever women-only expedition in February 2027 to Antarctica aboard the Sylvia Earle, named after the accomplished marine biologist, oceanographer, conservationist and explorer. The first woman-only trip, “Antarctica: Fly the Drake”, will begin in Punta Arenas, Chile on February 23, 2027, fly over the Drake Passage in both directions and return on March 4, 2027.
Aurora has a strong commitment to solo travellers, as evidenced in its 2026 Arctic and Beyond & 2026-27 Antarctica seasons, with no single supplement pricing and dedicated solo cabins on each of its three state-of-the-art, purpose-built expedition vessels, which carry a maximum of 130 passengers. Founded in Australia by Greg and Margaret Mortimer in 1996, Aurora Expeditions is the only expedition ship company that is B Corp certified (B Corp is short for ‘Benefit for all’ Corporation), showing that it meets the highest standards of social and environmental performance.
As it develops its women-only product, Aurora Expeditions has invited JourneyWoman to recommend programs and services specifically geared to women, including wellness activities, culinary options, lecturers and speakers. To that end, JourneyWoman CEO Carolyn Ray will be joining Aurora Expeditions for the ‘Antarctic Explorer’ on the Sylvia Earle in February 2025 to evaluate the onboard experience. Insights will also come from JourneyWoman’s recent research on the Women 50+ Solo Traveller, which will provide data to help Aurora meet the needs of older women, including mobility, accessibility and activity levels.
As a key strategic partner, Aurora Expeditions is offering JourneyWoman readers exclusive pricing on this first women-only trip. There is no single supplement for the first 10 bookings, and an 15% single supplement for the next 14 bookings. Women must use code “Journey24” to get this pricing for this trip and any Aurora voyage. For a limited time, there is also an opportunity for women to join the February 20 – March 3, 2025 trip and receive an additional 15% discount off the current public pricing using code Journey24 (direct bookings only).
Women-only trip will feature the first all-female expedition team
“With these women-only trips, we want to highlight and celebrate the contributions of women in exploration and adventure,” says Kris Endreson, Vice President, North America, Aurora Expeditions. “With over 33 years’ experience in the Antarctic, we are excited to feature an all-female expedition team, amplifying the voices and expertise of women in these fields, inspiring other women to follow similar paths.”
According to Endreson, Aurora’s decision to create a women-only expedition is rooted in the company’s commitment to fostering inclusivity, empowerment, and unique travel experiences. Aurora’s small ships host no more than 130 expeditioners, creating a relaxed, friendly atmosphere that makes it easy to forge friendships and create lasting bonds.
Kris Endreson, Vice President, North America, Aurora Expeditions / Credit Kris Endreson
“One of our vessels is named after the famed ocean conservationist, Dr. Sylvia Earle, and each deck on the ship is named after other female conservationists,” she says. “Our commitment to honoring women in is an important part of who we are. Adventure travel has traditionally been a male-dominated space, particularly in extreme environments like polar regions and a women-only expedition provides a platform for women to explore these destinations in a supportive, empowering environment, breaking down barriers and building confidence among fellow travellers.”
Book your spot for Antarctica in 2027 now
No single supplement offer: February 23 – March 4, 2027
For those who want to join this first women-only trip, Aurora is offering a no single supplement offer on the first 10 rooms. Travel must be booked directly with Aurora using code Journey24. These rooms will sell out quickly! Book soon to secure your single room. Final payment is not due for 2 years. Click here to view the full offer terms.
This trip is perfect for women who prefer to focus their energy on adventures in Antarctica, with flights over the Drake Passage in both directions. This trip is all-inclusive, with flights, food and beverages, excursions and transfers included. Women also receive muck boots and a waterproof polar expedition jacket. See inclusions here.
Trip details: Antarctica: Fly the Drake
Departs 23 February 2027 – March 4, 2027
10 Days | Start and end at Punta Arenas, Chile
Use code Journey24 and receive a $100 onboard credit
Solo Cabins First 10 bookings: NO single supplement (available publicly to everyone, so book soon)
Next 14 bookings: 15% Additional supplement only (versus 50% standard single supplement) – exclusive only to JourneyWoman using code Journey24
For Twin Cabins (double occupancy), the Early Booking Discount offer will start at: 15% for Balcony Stateroom B and up. 10% for Aurora Stateroom Superior and Balcony Stateroom C
Photo: Aurora’s unique inverted Ulstein X-BOW® splits waves with more stability, allowing the Sylvia Earle to achieve better energy efficiency, lower speed loss and acceleration levels, ultimately improving fuel efficiency and reducing atmospheric emissions. Learn more here.
Aurora Expeditions is one of only two B Corps that travels to the Arctic
Aurora Expeditions became a certified B Corp in 2024, after three years of investigation and evaluation. This certification makes Aurora one of two B Corp tour operators (the other being Intrepid) that takes expeditioners to Antarctica and the Arctic.
B Corp, short for ‘Benefit for all’ Corporation, is a type of for-profit business that meets rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. B Corps are certified by a non-profit organization called B Lab, based on their commitment to balancing purpose and profit. Unlike traditional businesses that prioritize shareholder value, B Corps are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on all stakeholders, including employees, customers, communities and the environment. Learn more here.
In addition to having some of the most technologically advanced ships in the world, Aurora also invites guests to participate in clean-up initiatives to clear the coastline of marine debris with Clean Up Svalbard and Clean Up Iceland, two AECO (Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators) initiatives.
“Our clean-up efforts promote environmental awareness, while giving guests a first-hand opportunity to help keep our oceans and lands clean,” says Sasha Buch, Aurora’s Sustainability Manager. “Having a B Corp certification is just the starting point, and gives us a way to be part of a collective that prioritizes innovation and shared learning.”
To become a certified B Corp, a company must undergo a comprehensive assessment process that evaluates a business’s performance across five key impact areas: Governance, Workers, Community, Customers and Environment. The B Impact Assessment is broken down into specific criteria, and companies must score a minimum of 80 to qualify for certification. The median score for a typical business who completes the assessment is 50.9 points. Spoiler alert – Aurora scored 87.5.
Sasha Buch, Aurora’s Sustainability Manager, in Antarctica / Photo provided by Sash Buch
“Ninety-seven per cent of Earth’s water is ocean,” says Dr Sylvia Earle. “It is our life support system and we need to learn everything we can about it. I see great synergy in working closely with a company that shares my vision for the future and which is, from the top down, passionate about the marine environment. Through travelling with Aurora Expeditions on the Sylvia Earle, I feel it is an incredible opportunity for people to learn about these marine habitats in situ, and as a result, become ambassadors for protecting them.” — Dr. Sylvia Earle, the first woman to become chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and named by Time Magazine as its first Hero for the Planet in 1998.
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Carolyn Ray
In 2023, Carolyn was named one of the most influential women in travel by TravelPulse for her work advocating for women over 50 in travel. She has been featured in the New York Times, Toronto Star and Conde Naste as a solo travel expert, and speaks at women's travel conferences around the world. She leads JourneyWoman's team of writers and chairs the JourneyWoman Women's Advisory Council, JourneyWoman Awards for Women 50+ and the Women's Speaker's Bureau. She is the chair of the Canadian chapter of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), board member for the Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance (CHEA) in support of Black and Brown businesses, a member of Women's Travel Leaders and a Herald for the Transformational Travel Council (TTC). Sometimes she sleeps. A bit.
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