| Aurora-ingly successful visit

SOME of the movers and shakers from Aurora Expeditions came to Cruise Weekly’s global headquarters yesterday to brief the team on the company’s recently released Australian program (CW 04 Mar).

Director of Sales Asia Pacific Steve McLaughlin, Chief Executive Officer Monique Ponfoort and Trade Marketing Executive Ayla Rowe (pictured) all made their way to Macquarie Park – a first-time adventure for McLaughlin – to discuss Aurora’s Antarctic Ross Sea & Commonwealth Bay voyages, as well as its Kimberley season.

Aurora’s activity program for the season, running from Jun to Mar, includes sea kayaking, clearbottom kayaking, scuba and shark diving, climbing, helicopter rides, and snorkelling with sea lions in Hopkins Island, & dolphins in Kangaroo Island.

The season begins in northern Australia, with a Kimberley in Depth itinerary, which will sail Darwin to Broome between 08 Jul and the end of Aug.

However the trio also noted the possibility of some Darwin round trip departures which might be able to operate sooner depending on current discussions with Federal, State and Territory authorities about what will be required to enable an expedition cruise restart.

Aurora has implemented extensive COVID-19 safety protocols, including the installation of on-board PCR testing equipment, and like the rest of the sector is hoping that expedition voyages could pave the way for a wider restart.

More details on the trips at auroraexpeditions.com.au.