On Saturday, Sylvia Earle left Ushuaia, Argentina and set sail for Antarctica.
“We are excited to be leaving Ushuaia behind us and sailing to Antarctica on Sylvia Earle as she explores the White Continent for the first time”, said Michael Heath, CEO of Aurora Expeditions. “She is looking amazing and performing well.”
The new ship derives its name from National Geographic explorer Dr Sylvia Earle, who was also the first person to be named “Hero of the Planet” by Time magazine in 1998.
“With our focus on education and conservation, our goal is to immerse our expeditioners in some of the world’s most secluded and wondrous places, such as the Antarctic Peninsula, in a relaxed, fun and informal onboard setting”, said Heath.
“Our highly experienced Expedition Team will be guiding and enriching our passengers as we experience myriad excursions by water and land, with enthralling activities ranging from Zodiac excursions to walks, hikes, scuba diving and camping – all while creating lifelong ambassadors for the planet.”
Each deck is also named after a famous female conservationist: Jo Ruxton (MBE), Dr Carden Wallace (AM), Sharon Kwok, Bernadette Demientieff, Dr Asha de Vos and Hanli Prinsloo.
“Female scientists are leading the way in global conservation initiatives, and we want to honour these seven extraordinary women who work tirelessly to make the world a better place”, explained Hayley Peacock-Gower, Chief Marketing Officer of Aurora Expeditions.
Sylvia Earle will operate nine voyages in Antarctica before heading to Costa Rica and Panama in April next year. A highlight for February 2023 includes an “Antarctica Climate Expedition” led by Dr Earle herself.
About Sylvia Earle
Sylvia Earle is a 132-guest ship, almost identical to Greg Mortimer. She has a Ulstein X-BOW designed for smoother and faster ocean travel, which helps to reduce fuel consumption. She offers some of the most spacious and luxurious accommodations at sea, most of which benefit from private balconies. Public spaces include a choice of bars and restaurants, a lecture theatre, a library, a wellness centre with a gym, sauna and spa and a heated outdoor swimming pool.
