Aurora Expeditions has opened its Northern Hemisphere 2028 season for bookings, featuring 29 expedition departures across 20 countries and territories and the introduction of seven all-new Cultural Expeditions.
Sailing aboard the purpose-built small ships Douglas Mawson and Sylvia Earle, the season encompasses 16 Polar Expeditions, six Discovery Expeditions and seven Cultural Expeditions, visiting 161 ports across the Arctic, Europe and Central America.
The Cultural Expeditions mark a new chapter for Aurora Expeditions, taking the company’s 35-year heritage of exploration beyond the polar regions and into some of Europe’s fascinating cultural and historic coastlines.
Designed for travelers who want to look beyond the landmarks, the voyages use the freedom of small-ship travel to combine cultural sites with lesser-known destinations and authentic local experiences. Onboard historians, archaeologists, naturalists and local experts will bring each destination to life, while included Your Choice experiences will allow travelers to shape their days around their interests.
“Cultural Expeditions broaden the possibilities of expedition travel while remaining true to everything Aurora stands for: small ships, expert interpretation, genuine discovery and meaningful connections with the places we visit,” said Justin Ewin, Aurora Expeditions’ Global Head of Product. “They bring Aurora’s pioneering spirit to destinations rich in history, tradition and local character, inviting travelers to look beyond the landmarks and uncover the people and stories that have shaped each place. Whether exploring an archaeological site, tasting regional cuisine or meeting local artisans, these voyages are designed to create richer and more memorable connections.”
Seven New Cultural Expeditions
The inaugural program features seven new itineraries spanning the British Isles, Ireland, the Mediterranean, Europe’s Atlantic coastline and Scandinavia.
Highlights include:
- The Isles of the British Isles
Sylvia Earle | Departs April 19, 2028 | 11 days | London to Dublin | Was US$16,695 Now From US$12,521 per person*
Explore a side of Britain few travelers experience, journeying through islands including Sark, the Isles of Scilly, Lundy, Anglesey, the Isle of Man, Mull, Skye and Rathlin Island. Coastal walks and visits to island communities are complemented by royal, clan and maritime history, with opportunities to encounter puffins, grey seals and thriving seabird colonies.
- Valletta to Lisbon: The Mediterranean: Beyond the Icons
Douglas Mawson | Departs May 31, 2028 | 15 days | Valletta to Lisbon | Was US$21,795 Now From US$16,346 per person*
Sail beyond the Mediterranean’s familiar routes to explore ancient temples, historic ports and Moorish fortresses. Highlights include Sicily’s Valley of the Temples, Palermo’s markets, Sardinia’s rugged coastline, Tangier’s medina and Portugal’s Algarve.
Douglas Mawson | Departs June 26, 2028 | 14 days | Amsterdam to Bergen | Was US$21,295 Now From US$15,971 per person*
Journey through Northern Europe and Scandinavia, uncovering Viking heritage, Hanseatic trading cities and capitals shaped by maritime exploration. Travel through the Kiel Canal to Berlin, Copenhagen and Oslo before exploring breathtaking fjord scenery.
- Additional voyages include: Forever Irish, The Cross and the Crescent Moon, Storied Shores of the Mediterranean and Coasting the Atlantic.
Polar Expeditions
Aurora Expeditions’ 2028 program features 16 Polar Voyages, including two new itineraries exploring Norway, Svalbard and Greenland.
New for 2028
- Norwegian Fjords & Svalbard Explorer
Sylvia Earle | Departs June 8, 2028 | 11 days | Tromsø to Oslo via Longyearbyen | Was US$19,895 Now From US$14,921 per person*
Experience two sides of the Arctic, combining northern Norway’s fjords and fishing communities with Svalbard’s glaciers, tundra and wildlife-rich wilderness. Zodiac excursions and guided walks offer opportunities to encounter walrus, Arctic foxes, whales, seabirds and, with luck, polar bears.
Polar bear in Svalbard
(Riccardo Scanziani)
- Wild Greenland: An Active Arctic Expedition
Sylvia Earle | Departs August 23, 2028 | 9 days | Reykjavík return via Kangerlussuaq | Was US$16,995 Now From US$12,746 per person
Designed for active travelers, this expedition combines West Greenland’s immense ice, communities and hiking. Walk on the Greenland Ice Sheet, explore Disko Island and hike to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ilulissat Icefjord.
Returning Polar Favorites
- Jewels of the Arctic: Svalbard & East Greenland
Sylvia Earle | Departs July 26, 2028 | 15 days | Oslo to Reykjavík | Was US$25,595 Now From US$20,476 per person*
Journey from Svalbard’s wildlife-rich tundra and glaciers to East Greenland’s icebergs and remote fjords, with opportunities to search for polar bears, walrus, whales, musk oxen and Arctic hare.
Sylvia Earle | Departs September 12, 2028 | 15 days | Calgary to Reykjavík | Was US$27,795 Now From US$20,846 per person*
Follow legendary maritime routes through the Canadian Arctic and Greenland, exploring Inuit communities, historic expedition sites and coastlines shaped by glaciers, sea ice and centuries of Arctic exploration.
Discovery Expeditions
The expanded 2028 Discovery program features six voyages combining active exploration, wildlife, landscapes and coastal culture across Scotland, Iceland, Greenland, Norway and Central America.
New for 2028
- Northern Lights & Wild Isles: Iceland, Greenland to Scotland
Douglas Mawson | Departs September 23, 2028 | 14 days | Reykjavík to Aberdeen | Was US$21,295 Now From US$15,971 per person*
Cross the North Atlantic from Iceland’s volcanic Westfjords to East Greenland’s iceberg-filled fjords, the Faroe Islands and Scotland. Highlights include Dynjandi waterfall, fjords of East Greenland, remote island communities and opportunities to encounter whales, seabirds and the aurora borealis.
Returning Discovery Favorite
Sylvia Earle | Departs May 17, 2028 | 11 days | Aberdeen to Glasgow | Was US$16,695 Now From US$13,356 per person*
Explore Scotland’s archipelagos, from the Hebrides and UNESCO World Heritage-listed St Kilda to the Orkney and Shetland islands. Discover prehistoric and Viking heritage, cruise beneath sea cliffs and look for puffins, seals, dolphins, otters and basking sharks.
Your Choice Inclusive Experiences
Cultural and Discovery voyages will feature Your Choice Inclusive Experiences, allowing travelers to select from included small-group experiences aligned with their interests and preferred activity level.
Across 37 Cultural Enrichment Experiences, expeditioners can explore themes including Local Flavors, Art & Artisans and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Experiences range from discovering Granada’s Alhambra and walking the Giant’s Causeway coastline to hiking Norway’s Pulpit Rock.
The 46 Discovery Wild & Immersive Experiences span themes such as Active Explorers, Ice, Glaciers & Waterfalls, Wildlife & Natural Wonders and Coastal Culture & Heritage.
Examples include guided walks through Vegaøyan’s UNESCO-listed cultural landscape, exploring Vatnajökull National Park and Iceland’s glacier lagoons, and uncovering Orkney’s prehistoric heartland at Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar.
“The 2028 season gives travelers three distinct ways to explore, from the remote wilderness and extraordinary wildlife of our Polar Expeditions to active Discovery journeys and the deeper cultural immersion of our newest voyage style,” Ewin said.
The Northern Hemisphere 2028 season is on sale now, with travelers able to save up to 25 percent on selected voyages when booked and deposited by 31 October 2026.*
For more information, visit aurora-expeditions.com/special-offers/arctic-global-2028 or talk to your local travel agent.
*Pricing based on twin share Superior Stateroom
*The offer of up to 25 percent off is valid on new bookings on selected 2028 Arctic and Global voyages booked and deposited by 31 October 2026. The promotion is capacity controlled, subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. It may only be combined with the back-to-back voyage discount or loyalty program offer and is not available with other offers or for group bookings. From prices are inclusive of the discount. Additional terms and conditions apply.
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