Aurora Expeditions’ Douglas Mawson made its inaugural call at Port of Bastia in Corsica, France, on July 8. 

This is the maiden season for the ship that was launched late last year. 

Captain Andrey Gilevskiy and his crew were welcomed at the port by the harbor master and the President of the Maritime Pilots. 

This was followed by a traditional plaque exchange, MedCruise said in a social media post. 

“This inaugural call perfectly illustrates a broader trend that is reshaping Mediterranean cruising: smaller, higher-value vessels, longer stays, environmentally conscious operations and travelers seeking immersive cultural experiences,” the post reads. 

Last month, the Douglas Mawson made her maiden call at another destination in France, Port of Caen-Ouistreham, coinciding with the 82nd anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. 

The ship is scheduled to reposition to the Eastern Mediterranean this month for itineraries to the Adriatic, the Greek Islands and Turkey.