Aurora Expeditions has launched dedicated solo cabins in several categories aboard Douglas Mawson – a first for the cruise operator which it says reflects the growing number of travellers seeking independence at sea.
Speaking to LATTE aboard the new vessel’s shakedown cruise from Sydney to Hobart at the weekend, Director of Sales APAC Steve McLaughlin explained the rationale behind the decision to introduce 10 single cabins to its onboard inventory.
“Single travel is a big part of our business,” he said. Traditionally focused on couples and groups, the company is now catering to solo travellers without the high premiums often seen in mainstream cruising.
While the cruise line has traditionally allocated a set number of its cabins to solo travellers in the past, this is the first time it has introduced permanent solo cabins aboard its ships.
The focus extends across the fleet, with Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle to match the offering using existing inventory with Aurora’s 2026 & 2027 Arctic and Beyond and 2026-27 Antarctica seasons to offer 10 solo cabins on every sailing, with no single supplement.
Solo travellers are responding positively, McLaughlin revealed, drawn by more affordable solo travel options.
This approach is part of broader attitude towards travel. According to McLaughlin, Aurora is targeting an “egalitarian” onboard experience, where no passengers receive preferential treatment and where hierarchy among its guests is absent. “We don’t do anything like that. Because everybody comes on board, whether you’re staff or passenger, and we’re going to do an expedition together,” he explained. “There’s no fancy pants rates, there’s no grill room or special restaurant.”
This communal ethos is further reflected in shared spaces and the absence of excessive in-room amenities, encouraging passengers to instead interact in lounges and other common areas. This fosters a sense of inclusivity across different ages and backgrounds, making Aurora’s cruises feel more like an expedition than a conventional holiday.
Meanwhile, multigenerational travel is on the rise, according to McLaughlin, who also referred to an increase in “skip-gen” trips where grandparents travel with their grandchildren. The honeymoon market is also seeing considerable growth, he added.
Meanwhile, Aurora is determined not to pack its ships in order to prevent an overcrowded feel. “It will never be 150 people,” McLaughlin stressed. “A far more realistic number is probably 120 maybe, or 100.” Smaller groups allow passengers greater flexibility and time off the vessel to explore onshore, he added.
