Travel Gossip Managing Editor Lisa James joined 60 members of the UK travel trade for an overnight visit to AE Expeditions’ Greg Mortimer to find out about expedition cruising the AE way.
From the outside, the most noticeable thing about Greg Mortimer is its striking shape. Built in 2019, it was the first expedition ship to feature the Ulstein X-BOW design, which reduces drag, ensures smoother sailing in rough seas and leads to improved fuel efficiency. It also just looks very cool.
The 130-passenger ship has eight decks, with most of the 76 guest rooms on Decks 4 and 6. I stayed on Deck 4 in a roomy and comfortable balcony stateroom, with a lovely king-size bed, ample storage space, a sofa, and very decent sized bathroom with shower. All accommodation is in outside cabins, and 85% have either a step-out or French balcony. The others have porthole windows. There are three suite categories: Captain’s, Junior and Balcony.
One deck up is the bright and airy lounge/lecture theatre – a well-frequented part of the ship, where guests on sailings go to hear specialist talks on wildlife, local culture, history, science and so on. Our presentations were all about the AE Expeditions experience and EMEA Sales Director Andrew Turner told us this includes no dressing up for meals.
“It’s laid back,” he said. “If you want to come down to breakfast in your pyjamas you are very welcome.
“We’re very different to a traditional cruise. We are not about razzamatazz. Entertainment really is about immersing you and your customers in experiences. It’s all about the lectures. The hope is that your customers will come on board and will come off a bit more mindful about the planet.”
Ahead of the cruise, passengers are sent a packing list, which includes thermals, a fleece layer, cargo trousers and waterproof trousers. Clothing such as wet suits and boots are provided – passengers must provide their sizes, in US measurements, in advance. Some clothes and equipment are sold in the ship’s shop on Deck 5 and anyone with special requirements, such as unusually big sized boots, for example, should check ahead well in advance and may have to provide their own.
Public spaces
This ship is all about awesome views and there’s an Observation Deck and two viewing platforms, as well as hydraulic platforms on either side that are designed for wildlife viewing. On the top deck, guests can relax in one of the Jacuzzis, sit – or even sleep overnight – in one of two enclosed igloo-style pods.
There’s also a library, sauna and gym, free Starlink wi-fi and a photography room. Professional photos of guests on excursions are provided at no extra cost. The ship operates an open-bridge policy.
Expeditions
There are morning and afternoon landings, with 13 zodiacs carrying up to 10 people each. Passengers spend between five and six hours off the ship each day on explorations and activities.
There’s no need to take wet clothes back to cabins on returning to the ship, as everything stays in the Mud Room on Deck 3, where each guest has their own locker.
Next to the Mud Room is the Kayak Room. Guests prebook the kayak programme, which is at an additional cost. This, and other ‘active’ extras are commissionable to agents. There are 20 kayaks on board and a ratio of one guide per 10 kayakers. Guests can also paddle on inflatable kayaks.
Guests don’t have to be ‘expert’ kayakers. Expedition Leader Danny Stavert advises complete beginners spend half a day kayaking before their cruise. The oldest passenger he’s taken kayaking was 94, and the youngest 14. Children aged over eight are welcome on the ship, but they must be 14 to take part in the activities.
The beauty of an AE Expeditions cruise, Expedition Leader Isabelle Howells said, is that the programme is not set. “We often don’t know the schedule until the night before. We love being able to get people on and off the ship very quickly and we’re used to helping people who need extra assistance.
“Often passengers can be daunted by the idea of being in a zodiac or getting in and out, but they are easily put at ease once they realise how it all works.”
Dining
Meals, served in the restaurant on Deck 5, consist of buffet breakfasts and lunches and a three-course dinner with wine and beer. Guests can also dine in the smaller Italian restaurant, the Tuscan Grill, as many times as they like throughout their cruise, at no extra cost, but they must book.
Our lunch menu included starters of cream of pumpkin soup; hummus with pitta and vegetables, or ‘botanical greens’ (a salad). For my main, I tucked into a very tasty oven baked red snapper with warm corn bisque, broccoli and fennel shaving, followed by a cheese selection.
Dinner main choices included another delicious fish dish – pan seared branzino with Japanese mushrooms emulsion, fennel and bok choy; a vegan option of grilled portobello mushroom satay with papaya salad and jasmine rice; rigatoni with squash and sage brown butter and herb crusted beef tenderloin with pressed potato, leeks, red wine and beef broth. Starters included caramelised orange salad and desserts included crème brule.
For breakfast there’s a big continental selection including cold cuts, cheeses and smoked and cured fish, as well as a hot buffet and an omelette and egg station.
Who sails with AE Expeditions?
Head of Global Sales David Tengay said more bookings are coming from people in their early 40s, while the average age of passengers is 55. In response to demand, there are 10 cabins allocated on every cruise for solo travellers with no single supplement.
Clients usually book between 12 months and 24 months in advance and, once they’ve sailed, repeat custom is as high as 40%. David said the ‘gateway to expedition cruising is usually Antarctica’ and after that, passengers book other destinations. AE is expanding its non-Polar expeditions. The cruise line has just put its ‘Arctic and Beyond’ 2027 season on sale.
There are a few themed sailings in the programme, such as a women-only Antarctica expedition on sister ship Sylvia Earle in February 2027, featuring an all-female expedition team and all-female expert guests; a ‘New Scientist Discovery’ tour is also planned for 2027 and there are also photography themed sailings.
AE launched all-inclusive ‘Active Antarctica’ cruises 18 months ago, which David said are very popular. These include activities such as snowshoeing, snorkelling, kayaking and camping in the price, to give customers a taster of activities. There are two departures this year and two in 2026.
