Compare & book Expedition cruising(634)
What is expedition cruising?
Expedition cruising involves sailing on smaller ships and exploring wild and remote destinations. These sailings usually put nature, wildlife and exploration front and centre.
The classic expedition voyages include Antarctica, Svalbard and the Galapagos. But, as this style of cruising has grown in popularity, more destinations – including Iceland, the British Isles, Australia’s Kimberley region, Greenland and many more – have become available.
Expedition cruising usually involves daily excursions and activities (Zodiac tours, kayaking trips, snorkelling, hiking…) and expert talks from scientists, photographers, historians and other destination experts.
How is expedition cruising different from regular cruises?
Going on an expedition cruise is very different from sailing with lines like P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line. First, the ships are significantly smaller.
Mainstream vessels can accommodate thousands of guests. On the other hand, expedition ships usually carry a maximum of 500 passengers and sometimes fewer than 50. There are several reasons for this:
- Small ships can access smaller, more remote destinations that larger vessels cannot get near. This is one of the main draws of expedition cruising
- Some destinations dictate the maximum size of ships to protect the local ecosystems. The Antarctic Treaty stipulates that vessels carrying more than 500 passengers cannot make landings on the White Continent. Galapagos ships are limited to 100 passengers.
- Smaller ships give every passenger a chance to explore. Even without the passenger limits imposed by some destinations, it would be logistically impossible to organise daily Zodiac and kayaking trips for thousands of people – smaller ships make in-depth exploration possible for all passengers.
Another difference between expedition vessels and larger cruise ships is facilities - the smaller sizes mean you won't find the same plethora of choice. Don’t expect water parks, climbing walls and surf simulators. Instead, you’ll find lecture theatres, libraries, spas, small pools, gyms and hot tubs. The focus is on discovery, both onshore with exciting excursions and onboard with expert lectures.
What are the best expedition cruise lines?
The expedition cruising landscape is varied. You have larger international specialist lines, serving a range of destinations. Some of the best in this category include AE Expeditions, Albatros Expeditions, Atlas Ocean Voyages, Heritage Expeditions, HX Expeditions, Lindblad Expeditions and Quark Expeditions.
Ultra-luxury cruise lines, which already specialise in small ships, have also entered the expedition markets. Award-winning companies such as Ponant, Scenic, Seabourn, Silversea and Viking usually have some vessels designed for this style of cruising in their fleets.
There are also destination-specialist expedition lines that focus on specific regions. These include Antarctica21 (Antarctica), Australis Cruises (Chilean fjords), Galaxy Cruise (Galapagos) and the Boat Company (Alaska).
What are the best expedition cruise destinations?
Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific
From snorkelling on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef to exploring New Zealand’s fiords and snow-capped mountains to discovering the clear blue waters, sandy beaches, palm-tree shaded islands, and happy islander people in Fiji, Tahiti and Melanesia, the South Pacific has it all for the expedition cruiser.
Unique experiences await in the South Pacific. In Papua New Guinea, encounter rich traditions and customs while exploring the largest area of intact rainforest outside the Amazon.
Alaska
Alaska is arguably one of the most popular choices for cruise travellers looking to try their hand at expedition sailings.
When it comes to the natural world – biology, ecology, geology, climatology – virtually any "ology" you can think of – Alaska has it all, and there's no better way to capture nature's magnificence than on a cruise to the region.
For one thing, the ships are small enough to navigate areas that normally only shore excursion craft could tackle. Also, they almost always anchor overnight in these remote coves so that, at dawn or dusk – when most animals wander down to the shore to hunt – you'll be right there to catch a glimpse from your vessel's deck or through your cabin window from a stone's throw away.
If the action doesn't take place right next to your ship, there undoubtedly will be daily Zodiac excursions.
Antarctica
Could there be a more inhospitable spot on earth than Antarctica? Unless you're a penguin, orca or seal, probably not.
But what could make a place more desirable to the traveller looking for the under-visited than that? There is no native population in Antarctica or within 500 miles of its coasts, yet the sea abounds with life.
Expect to see whales of both toothed and baleen varieties, seals of multiple species, birds on the wing, and waddling and diving penguins of varying species and sizes.
Which is not to say that human endeavours are overlooked – you can expect to see various research stations, whose personnel will be eager to discuss their work with you.
The Arctic
Arctic Norway sits higher north than Siberia or Alaska, providing some of the most spectacular scenery on the globe. Like Antarctica, the region requires ships with strengthened hulls and has a very short visitor season.
Most tours depart from the Norwegian cities of Tromsø or Longyearbyen and generally weave among the islands of the Svalbard archipelago, including the largest, Spitsbergen.
Expedition sailings include naturalist-led guided hikes across the spongy tundra to see arctic foxes in their brown coats, moulting caribou, lazing walruses and the remnants of this region's beluga whale-hunting history.
Be prepared for armed polar bear guards to follow you onto land. Some lines even take you up close for polar bear spotting in Svalbard. Zodiac rides take you close to icebergs – and to the smaller chunks of ice known as ‘bergy bits’ and ‘growlers’ – bobbing on the chilly water.
You'll also zoom by the steep, rocky cliffs of islands inhabited by thousands of sea birds, making a cacophony of noise that cannot be imagined.
Pacific Columbia
It's all about nature and First Nation culture in this part of the world, with beautiful landscapes, an abundance of wildlife, from whales and sea lions to sea otters and bald eagles, and fascinating Native American heritage sites.
Almost all itineraries visit the San Juan Islands, with some going north up British Columbia's Strait of Georgia, while others spend more time closer to Washington, exploring the Salish Sea and even going south to Olympic National Park.
On these expeditions, you can go kayaking or cruise along the shoreline to see bears and sea lions from a safe distance.
You can enjoy visiting with Tlingit Indians in their own villages, watching for whales from the deck, staying up late as twilight lasts past 10pm or catching your own salmon and having the fish flash-frozen and shipped to you at home.
Galápagos Islands
Famed evolutionary scientist Charles Darwin was a naturalist aboard the survey ship HMS Beagle, and was fascinated by the variation of similar species evolving in nearby, but physically isolated, Galápagos Islands.
Since then, visitors to the archipelago have been equally fascinated by the host of animals that call the islands home. There is so much interest in the Galápagos, in fact, that the government of Ecuador, which administers the islands, has designated 97 per cent of them a protected national park, with tourism strictly controlled.
Still, visitors come to the Galápagos in droves to hike this unique biosphere, learn about the geology and come face to face with the islands' unique species. Many also brave the unpredictable temperatures of the water to snorkel or dive with sea lions, whales and schools of hammerhead sharks.
These are some of the favourite destinations for expedition cruising. And the list is growing. Cruise companies now operate expedition sailings to most places where discovering natural beauty and wildlife is best done by ship. You can now find voyages around the British Isles, to the Chilean Fjords, Canada, Norway, the Falkland Islands, the Faroe Islands and many more.
What are the best expedition cruise experiences?
Into the wild
Expedition cruises take you places you just can't get to any other way. You'll discover places so far removed from the maddening crowds that you'll feel like you're the first human to set foot on a particular bit of land.
In Antarctica, you'll scramble off the Zodiac raft to walk among thousands of penguins. At the other end of the earth, in the Arctic, you might stumble upon the remains of an ancient settlement built of stones and whale bones.
There are no roads leading to such off-the-beaten-path spots. No planes land there. The only way you'll ever see these hidden gems is on an expedition cruise.
With compliments
Think all the rugged activities on an expedition trip make for a hefty pre-cruise shopping list? Not to worry. With as few as 10 or even 40 passengers, your expedition ship carries enough wetsuits, snorkel masks and fins for everyone to use, free of charge.
If you're frequently exploring ashore via Zodiac, your ship might loan you a pair of knee-high rubber boots for wet landings and rainforest hikes. Some ships supply rain pants and rain jackets. Cruises to Antarctica often include a puffy parka for each passenger to wear during the cruise, then take home as a souvenir.
All you need to do is let your cruise line know your size when you fill out your pre-trip forms.
Dine in style
Just because you're on an expedition cruise doesn't mean that you have to eat like Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton.
In fact, the world's best expedition cruise lines pride themselves on offering the same delicious food and expansive wine offerings as on any other premium cruise experience.
Stay active
Most expedition cruise off-the-ship adventures are quite active, and you'll do more than just admire the scenery from the vessel's deck.
Hiking to ruins, trekking across glaciers, climbing volcanoes, scuba diving and taking a polar plunge are all options - depending on the destination, of course - that allow you to engage rather than just admire. It's also important to point out that expedition ships may not often dock at a real pier.
Zodiacs, which are inflatable rubber boats that you can board from the marina on your ship, are a common fixture. They can require a bit of deft manoeuvring to step into and out of.
Totally disconnect
No cell phone service. No wi-fi signals. Depending on your point of view, being disconnected is either sheer bliss or your worst nightmare. Be prepared to be in the dark, so to speak, for days. Remember, expedition ships go to exceptionally remote places and could be the perfect reason to shut off your phone for a few days.
Expedition cruising: Frequently asked questions
What’s included on an expedition cruise?
Like with any other style of cruising, different lines include different things in their fares, so you should always check. However, voyages usually include cabin accommodation, some excursions, lectures by experts and the use of onboard facilities. The ultra-luxury lines, such as Seabourn and Silversea, are often all-inclusive and the fares cover drinks and many dining options.
Some cruise lines include all excursions in the fare, while others have a limited set with the option to purchase other experiences. Zodiac tours, kayaking trips and hikes tend to be included in the fare, while things like submarine excursions or in-situ photography masterclasses aren’t.
How expensive are expedition cruises?
Expedition cruises can be significantly more expensive than regular sailings on megaships. The price tags on these voyages are often more in line with cruises on ultra-luxury lines.
However, there are reasons for these prices. First, you sail on smaller ships with a higher crew-to-guest ratio. Expedition cruises take you to remote places that are nearly impossible to access via any other means. And you also often get more for your money with at least some excursions included in the base fare.
On average, excluding international flights, expect to pay around:
• From £4,000 per person for a Galapagos cruise
• From £5,000 per person for a Svalbard (Arctic) cruise
• From £6,000 per person for an Antarctica cruise
• From £7,000 per person for a Kimberley region cruise
Prices vary by operator and could be higher than listed above. It’s worth noting that most cruise companies run regular sales. Booking at the right time can save you a lot of money.
Who are expedition cruises for?
Everyone who enjoys beautiful scenery, destination immersion and wildlife sightings should add expedition cruises to their bucket list. However, there are a few things to be aware of.
First, expedition cruises will take you to wild and remote locations. Make sure that you’re comfortable in extreme weather conditions, from the frozen landscapes of Antarctica to the tropical heat of the Kimberley region. Of course, the ships will be air-conditioned and comfortable, but the excursions make these voyages unique. If you can’t handle the climate, you’ll miss out.
Some excursions, like hiking and kayaking, also require a certain level of physical fitness. Talk to a doctor before booking if you're in doubt.
Second, while families can go on expedition cruises, these trips are not designed with children in mind. If you expect to drop your little one at the kids’ club while you go spot penguins, think again. Some operators also have a minimum age for some destinations. For example, most cruise lines don't allow kids under eight to sail to Antarctica.
Finally, if you’re the type of cruiser who enjoys ships with tons of facilities, expedition cruises might not be right for you.
When’s the best time to go on an expedition cruise?
It depends on your destination. The Antarctica cruise season runs from November to March. But within that range, different months offer different experiences. You’ll spot the best icebergs early in the season, while the end of the season is ideal for whale spotting.
You should always discuss your options and the best times to travel with the cruise line or your travel agent before booking.
How long are expedition cruises?
Durations vary, but expect sailings to be a minimum of seven nights - and often longer. You might find the odd six-night sailing, but they are rare. In fact, with expedition cruises, longer sailings tend to be the norm, with many voyages clocking 10 or more nights at sea.
Are expedition cruises safe?
In short, yes.
But, due to the destinations visited and the activities included, expedition voyages are inherently riskier than regular cruises. Don’t let that put you off. The expedition lines’ success and entire business model rest on people having a great time and making it home safely. Accidents and incidents happen, but they are extremely rare.
Before booking an expedition cruise, however, it is prudent to talk to your doctor to make sure extreme weather conditions and physical activity won’t put you at risk. Before sailing, most cruise lines will ask you to fill out a medical form - or even get a medical certificate from a doctor for places like Antarctica.
Keep in mind that, due to the remote nature of some destinations, airlifting can be challenging - or even impossible in Antarctica. As a result, medical emergencies must often be treated on board. But the ships are well-equipped to deal with a wide range of situations.
