AE Expeditions has confirmed its third small expedition ship, Douglas Mawson, will join its fleet at the end of 2025

The vessel’s inaugural season will also mark AE Expeditions’ return to East Antarctica for the first time in 15 years, with new itineraries to include a Mawson’s Antarctica voyage to East Antarctica in honour of the ship’s namesake, departing from Hobart.

Douglas Mawson will carry an average of 154 passengers and will be the newest Infinity class vessel to enter the market, joining its sister ships, Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle.

The small ship will feature a specially designed bow to allow for smoother ocean crossings as well as Nordic interior design features with staterooms and suites across 11 different categories, most featuring private balconies.

And for the first time, AE Expeditions will offer several single berth cabins to cater for the growing solo traveller segment.

Public spaces include two restaurants, two bars, an outdoor heated swimming pool, pool bar and Jacuzzis, a gym and sauna, relaxation and wellness areas, a library lounge, a citizen science centre and lecture theatre, and observation decks.

New AE Expeditions vessel slated for December 2025 launch

“We’re thrilled to be launching the newest and final Infinity class vessel, which we have named in honour of pioneering Australian geologist and explorer, Sir Douglas Mawson,” said CEO Michael Heath.

“We are equally delighted to be offering passengers new itineraries departing from Australia as part of the ship’s inaugural season, including an exploration of Mawson’s Antarctica, which will visit Mawson’s Huts at Cape Denison, Commonwealth Bay, and New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands.”

Like its sister ships, Douglas Mawson will offer Zodiac access points, a changing room and mudroom preparing passengers for off-ship and on-shore activities.

AE Expeditions plans to commence voyages on Douglas Mawson in December 2025, with the inaugural voyage and full programme to be announced soon.

The announcement comes after AE Expeditions appointed former head of commercial and business development for HF Holidays Andrew Turner as its new sales director EMEA.