Sylvia Earle Cruise Ship to Deliver "Perspective-Altering" Voyages
Added by Bailey Robertson, Copyright Benjamin Tan and Masano Kawana, Photo Courtesy of Aurora Expeditions.
Sylvia Earle, the second purpose-built small ship in Aurora Expeditions, will set sail on December 10, 2022. Her inaugural voyage will kick off in Ushuaia, Argentina and head to Antarctica, according to a press release.
"We are beyond thrilled to announce our newest ship, Sylvia Earle, is in the water and on her way to Antarctica," said Aurora's CEO, Michael Heath, in the release.
The Sylvia Earle is named after Dr. Sylvia Earle, a renowned marine biologist, oceanographer, explorer, and conservationist.
What's Different About the Sylvia Earle?
The Sylvia Earle is expected to be a "floating ambassador" for the conservation of the planet. The web page for the ship invites travelers to connect with like-minded people on "perspective-altering voyages to some of the most remote, unique, and spectacular places on the planet."
The ship is certified 100% Climate Neutral, which is great for sustainable travel aficionados. A fully-equipped Citizen Science Centre also allows guests to participate in science programs to expand your knowledge and connection to the places you travel.
The small ship will only hold a maximum of 132 expeditioners. The hope is to create a more meaningful experience and to tread lightly while making a positive impact on the environment.
What to Expect on the Ship
Besides the Ulstein X-BOWâ to help the ship travel faster and the science programs, guests can expect a lot more on this intimate experience.
The public spaces include multiple restaurants and bars with social and wellness areas. An outdoor heated swimming pool joins a gym, spa and sauna. There's also a library lounge, lecture theatre, and decks that offer panoramic views of the journey.
An Expedition Team also guides passengers in small excursions from hikes to scuba diving.
A Nod to Female Scientists
Dr. Earle has played a pivotal role in the science field. Time magazine even recognized her as their first "Hero of the Planet."
In February 2023, Dr. Earle will lead a world-first "Antarctic Climate Expedition" on the new ship in partnership with Ocean Geographic. The aim is to raise public and government awareness to the importance of Antarctica's environment.
They hope to inspire changes for global net-zero emission by 2035 from an ocean perspective.
Each of Sylvia Earle's decks are also named after other pioneering female conservationists. Besides a deck dedicated to Dr. Earle, there's one for 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," said Chief Marketing Officer Hayley Peacock-Gower. "We want to honor these seven extraordinary women who work tirelessly to make the world a better place."
