The newest purpose-built expedition vessel from Aurora Expeditions, Douglas Mawson, has successfully completed sea trials, marking a crucial step towards starting its inaugural voyages later this year.

Strong relationships with the trade are viewed as the backbone for success of start-up cruise line, Virgin Voyages, says its Chief Commercial Officer Nirmal Saverimuttu.

Aurora Expeditions’ purpose-built, X-bow expedition ship, the Greg Mortimer, has successfully completed sea trials this week ahead of her inaugural voyage on 31 October, 2019 to Antarctica. The Greg Mortimer is classified as a small expedition ship and has been built to world-class polar standards. The ship underwent a comprehensive trial over five days and nights and surpassed engineers’ speed, vibration and noise estimations.