I had the pleasure of hopping aboard Aurora Expeditions’ new Douglas Mawson this week while she was sitting proudly in Sydney. The first thing that caught my eye was the UX-Bow. I’ve heard plenty about it, but seeing it up close… it really is something else. Designed to slice through rough seas more smoothly, it means a quieter, more comfortable ride on those big expedition days. You can feel this ship is built for true adventure. Small, intimate, and purpose-made for the polar regions. The kind of vessel that makes you think… maybe it’s time to tick that bucket list voyage off sooner rather than later. Tell me… is Antarctica on your bucket list?

There’s been a lot of interest in Anthem of the Seas lately, especially with so many sailings from Sydney now available. So I’ve finally released my full review of the ship. This wasn’t filmed during a quick ship visit. I spent proper time onboard, which means I was able to look at the things that actually matter once you’re sailing, not just what looks good on day one. In this review, I cover: What the ship actually feels like once you’re onboardWho this ship is really suited to, and who might want to look elsewhereHow busy it feels compared to other shipsDining, entertainment and the overall onboard vibeWhether it represents good value for Australian cruisers There were definitely a few surprises along the way, both good ones and a couple of things people should know before booking. Also, fair warning… I may be on a mission to create the cringiest thumbnail possible, so don’t judge me too harshly when you see it. You can watch the full review below. If you’ve sailed on Anthem before, what stood out to you most once you got onboard?