Expedition Cruising
Expedition cruising is less about the ship itself and more about the extraordinary places it allows travelers to experience. From Antarctica’s icy wilderness to the wildlife-rich Galápagos and the remote Arctic, expedition voyages are designed for travelers seeking immersive destinations, smaller ships, expert guides, and unforgettable experiences beyond traditional cruising.
From Antarctica’s towering icebergs and the wildlife-rich Galápagos to the rugged Arctic and remote coastal wilderness of Alaska, expedition voyages focus less on onboard entertainment and more on the destinations themselves. Expert guides, naturalists, and expedition teams help bring these remarkable places to life through Zodiac excursions, wildlife encounters, cultural experiences, and active exploration.
Modern expedition ships range from rugged exploration vessels to exceptionally comfortable luxury yachts and all-inclusive ultra-luxury expedition ships. Some focus heavily on wildlife and adventure, while others combine exploration with fine dining, elegant accommodations, and highly personalized service.
Unlike traditional cruising, expedition itineraries are often shaped by weather, wildlife activity, and exploration opportunities, creating a more flexible and immersive style of travel.
Are you an adventurer at heart?
Is Expedition Cruising Right for You?
Expedition Cruising May Be Perfect If You:
- enjoy wildlife, nature, and remote destinations
- prefer smaller ships and fewer crowds
- value experiences over nightlife and casinos
- appreciate learning from destination experts and guides
- enjoy immersive, active, and meaningful travel experiences
- are looking for extraordinary “bucket list” journeys
Expedition Cruising May Not Be Ideal If You:
- prefer highly structured schedules
- want Broadway-style entertainment and casinos
- dislike changing weather conditions or flexible itineraries
- prefer very large ships with extensive onboard attractions
Expedition Destinations
The following is a very brief description of the major and most popular expedition destinations.
Antarctica
Antarctica offers one of the world’s most extraordinary travel with towering glaciers, enormous icebergs, penguin colonies, whales, and landscapes that feel almost otherworldly. For many travelers, an Antarctic expedition becomes one of the most memorable journeys of their lives.
Typical Voyage Length
10–20 days
Typical Total Cruise Fare
Approximately $12,000–60,000+ per couple
Cruise lines offering Antarctica expedition itineraries include:
- Quark Expeditions
- Oceanwide Expeditions
- HX Hurtigruten Expeditions
- Aurora Expeditions
- Lindblad Expeditions
- Viking Cruises
- Silversea Cruises
- Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
- Seabourn Cruise Line
- Ponant
- Atlas Ocean Voyages
Galapagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands offer one of the world’s most wildlife-rich expedition experiences with giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, penguins, and sea lions creating a remarkably intimate wildlife encounters in a destination unlike anywhere else on earth.
Typical Voyage Length
7–10 days
Typical Total Cruise Fare
Approximately $8,000–30,000+ per couple
Cruise lines offering Galápagos expedition itineraries include:
- Lindblad Expeditions
- HX Hurtigruten Expeditions
- Silversea Cruises
- Celebrity Cruises
- Aqua Expeditions
The Arctic & Greenland
The Arctic combines dramatic fjords, glaciers, polar bears, remote northern settlements, and landscapes shaped by centuries of exploration. Voyages through Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland, and the Canadian Arctic often feel adventurous, immersive, and deeply connected to nature.
Typical Voyage Length
8–18 days
Typical Total Cruise Fare
Approximately $10,000–50,000+ per couple
Cruise lines offering Arctic expedition itineraries include:
- Quark Expeditions
- Oceanwide Expeditions
- HX Hurtigruten Expeditions
- Aurora Expeditions
- Lindblad Expeditions
- Viking Cruises
- Silversea Cruises
- Ponant
- Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
- Atlas Ocean Voyages
Alaska Expeditions
Expedition-style Alaska cruising focuses on wilderness, wildlife, and immersive exploration rather than large-ship entertainment. Smaller vessels allow access to remote fjords, quiet inlets, glacier areas, and active experiences such as kayaking, hiking, and bear viewing.
Typical Voyage Length
7–14 days
Typical Total Cruise Fare
Approximately $6,000–25,000+ per couple
Cruise lines offering Alaska expedition itineraries include:
- Lindblad Expeditions
- HX Hurtigruten Expeditions
- UnCruise Adventures
- Alaskan Dream Cruises
- Ponant
- Seabourn Cruise Line
- Silversea Cruises
Patagonia & Chilean Fjords
Dramatic fjords, glaciers, or Cape Horn scenery
Patagonia and the Chilean fjords combine remote waterways, dramatic mountain scenery, glaciers, and a strong sense of exploration. These voyages often feel especially scenic and atmospheric, blending expedition-style travel with the history and culture of southern South America.
Typical Voyage Length
8–16 days
Typical Total Cruise Fare
Approximately $8,000–35,000+ per couple
Cruise lines offering Patagonia/Chilean expedition itineraries include:
- HX Hurtigruten Expeditions
- Quark Expeditions
- Aurora Expeditions
- Lindblad Expeditions
- Ponant
- Silversea Cruises
- Australis
- Antarctica21
Amazon Expeditions
An Amazon expedition cruise offers a very different kind of exploration experience — one focused on rainforest wildlife, remote villages, river ecosystems, and cultural immersion deep within the Amazon Basin. These journeys typically operate on small expedition vessels designed to navigate narrow tributaries and remote waterways that larger ships cannot reach.
Daily experiences may include guided skiff excursions, wildlife viewing, jungle walks, birdwatching, visits to local communities, and nighttime river safaris. The atmosphere is generally relaxed and immersive, with expert naturalists and guides helping travelers better understand the incredible biodiversity of the region.
Typical Voyage Length
3-7 days
Typical Total Cruise Fare
Approximately $8,000 - $24,000+ per couple
Cruise lines offering Amazon expedition itineraries include:
- Aqua Expeditions
- Abercrombie & Kent
- HX Hurtigruten Expeditions