'It was like a room full of magic!': agents report on exclusive expedition cruise ship visit in Portsmouth

Agents

Katherine Masters

9 June 2026

TTG's senior editor Katherine Masters joined 80 travel agents and tour operators for an exclusive showaround and lunch onboard AE Expeditions' Douglas Mawson in Portsmouth.

Gareth Harding / Francesca Stevenson — Travelosophers' Gareth Harding and Swords Travel's Francesca Stevenson onboard Douglas Mawson in Portsmouth

AE Expeditions invited more than 80 travel trade professionals for a tour of Douglas Mawson in Portsmouth on Thursday 5 June. This third ship in the AE Expeditions fleet sailed its maiden voyage in December 2025, and like its sister ships, Greg Mortimer and Syliva Earle, it has been designed specifically for polar exploration.

Greeting the attendees at the start of the visit, AE Expeditions’ director of sales EMEA, Andrew Turner, said the Australian-owned line hosted about 3,600 UK customers during the 2025-2026 Antarctica season.

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