Expedition Cruises
Today’s expedition cruises offer unforgettable adventures to the world’s most remote destinations, without the hardships faced by early explorers. Whether you’re embarking on a polar expedition cruise or seeking warmer climes, discover the features, facilities and cuisine of the finest cruise lines on board a purpose-built expedition cruise ship.
We offer trips from the world’s leading expedition cruise lines that reach remarkable stopping points where you can enjoy life-changing encounters. In the Arctic, search for elusive polar bears. In Antarctica, walk among colonies of penguins. On tropical cruise expeditions, discover some of the planet’s most exotic landscapes and rare wildlife, all while returning to the comforts of your small ship expedition cruise.
Choose from a wide range of experiences, from scenic expedition cruise lines to premium eco expedition cruises. Today’s ships offer well-appointed cabins instead of dormitories, and modern special expedition vessels, many replacing former Russian research ships, deliver an adventure tailored to the modern explorer.
Whether you're seeking rugged authenticity or refined luxury, your next expedition cruise promises a journey like no other.
Ready to find your perfect Expedition Cruise? Explore our full collection of Expedition Cruises below or speak to a cruise specialist for tailored advice and availability.
Expedition Cruise Collection
Special OfferSave up to 40% on 2025 and 2026 cruises!
Punta Arenas, Fly to King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Drake Passage Seas, Ushuaia
Special OfferSave up to 37%!
Ushuaia (Argentina), Cruising Drake Passage, South Shetland Islands - Antarctic Peninsula, Cruising Drake Passage, Ushuaia
Special OfferSave up to 35%!
Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, The Drake Passage, Antarctica, The Drake Passage, The Falklands, Ushuaia - Buenos Aires
Special OfferSave up to 35%!
Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Cape Horn, Puerto Williams, Garibaldi Fiord, Chile, Puerto Natales, Patagonian fjords, Caleta Tortel, Castro, Niebla, Valparaiso
Special OfferSave up to 35%!
Longyearbyen, Ny-Ålesund, Raudfjorden, Spitsbergen, Ice edge, Hinlopen Strait, Freemansundet, Hornsund, Bellsund, Longyearbyen
Special OfferSave up to 35%!
Longyearbyen, Krossfjord, Ny-Ålesund, Magdalenefjord, Ice edge, Isflakbukta, Phippsøya, Hornsund, Longyearbyen
Special OfferSave up to 40% on 2025 and 2026 cruises!
Arrive San Jose, Embarkation Day, Curú National Wildlife Refuge, Rio Claro Wildlife Refuge, Manuel Antonio National Park, Golfo Dulce, Coiba National Park, Panama, Pea
Special OfferSave up to 35%!
Reykjavík, Grundarfjørdur, Isafjørdur, Akureyri, Husavik, Bakkagerði, Heimaey Island, Reykjavík
Special OfferSave up to 35%!
UK - Reykjavík, Iceland, Nuuk, Greenland - Embark Ship, Sailing towards Disko Bay, UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord, Uummannaq Fjord, Thule region, West Greenland, Nuuk
Special OfferSave up to 35%!
Reykjavík, Nuuk (Godthaab), Ilulissat (Jakobshavn), Uummannaq, Ukkusissat, Vaigat Sound, Disko Bay, Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg), Nuuk (Godthaab), Reykjavík
Special OfferFree suite upgrade!
UK - Buenos Aires (Argentina), Ushuaia, Drake Passage, Antarctica, Drake Passage, Ushuaia - Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires - UK
Special OfferSave up to 35%!
UK - Quito (Ecuador), Baltra Island, Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve - Punta Pitt, Santa Fe - South Plaza Island, Santa Cruz Island, Española - Gardner Bay, Eden Isle
About Expedition Cruises
Cruise expeditions are the perfect way to travel to some of the world’s most far-flung destinations without compromising on comfort. Expand your horizons, experience true adventure, and travel in style aboard expedition cruise ships all around the world.
Expedition Cruise Destinations
Antarctic Expedition Cruises
Expedition cruises to Antarctica allow guests to experience dramatic scenery dominated by snow and ice in the last unexplored place on Earth, where nature is at its most sublime and haunting. Kayak silently among the icebergs, stand in the middle of a thousand noisy penguins or listen to the melting ice and the distant echo of a calving glacier.
The spectacular landscape and teeming wildlife in Antarctica will leave you speechless, with memories to last a lifetime. Enjoy spending time ashore, hiking, and seeing penguins, seabirds and seals up close amidst the frozen landscapes.
Some Antarctic expedition cruises also include landings at the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, so you can tick even more destinations off your bucket list.
Antarctic cruises take place during the winter months, between October and March. When it comes to the best time for an expedition to this part of the world, you’ll want to consider both the weather and the wildlife.
Around November, the temperatures tend to be colder than later in the season, but by the end of November, you may spot nests of penguin eggs on your expedition cruise.
December to early February have the most sunlight and temperatures are usually at their warmest, along with penguin chicks beginning to hatch. February and March are the best times to spot whales, but by the end of March, most of the penguins' chicks have grown and started to fledge.
Arctic
Explore the wilderness of Svalbard and Greenland with Arctic expedition cruises. In the summer months, sail further north than you have likely ever ventured before and experience the otherworldly Midnight Sun as you stand on the deck of your seafaring vessel.
Spitsbergen is part of the Svalbard Archipelago and one of the highlights of an Arctic expedition cruise, located halfway between Norway and the North Pole. It’s home to more than 3,000 polar bears, along with colonies of walruses, the beautiful Arctic fox and herds of reindeer.
In Greenland, the landscapes of towering mountains create a backdrop to the icy seas, fjords and glaciers. Meet the local Inuit community and learn about the Norse heritage, and look out for whales, seals and seabirds as you float past truly stunning scenery.
Northwest Passage Expedition Cruises
The Northwest Passage is the ultimate cruise expedition for explorers. Look out for walrus and polar bears as you explore this remote region, surrounded by vast mountain ranges and dramatic glaciers.
Explore the passage’s wild terrain as the ship navigates the isolated sea passage between Kangerlussuaq in Greenland and Nome in Alaska. The extreme conditions of the Northwest Passage mean only a few expedition cruise lines have the expertise to offer this destination, making the experience all the more special.
Galapagos Expedition Cruises
Aside from the polar regions, the volcanic Galapagos Islands are another of the most popular destinations for expedition cruising. This incredibly biodiverse archipelago lies about 600 miles from Ecuador, and can either be explored as a Galapagos expedition cruise, or as an extension to a cruise along the coast of Chile and Peru.
December to May is known as the rainy season in the Galapagos Islands, but at this time of year, marine iguanas become brightly coloured as they begin their mating season, giant tortoise eggs start hatching, and frigate birds start nesting. January to March is also the best time for snorkelling on your cruise expedition, as there is peak visibility underwater during these months and the sea temperature is more favourable.
June is the beginning of the cold, dry season in the Galapagos Islands when seabirds become more active and blue-footed boobies can be seen nesting on the shores. In September, there is a high chance of spotting baby sea lions, whilst October is a good time to see the chicks of blue-footed boobies.
Highlights of our Expedition Cruises
Small Ship Adventure to the World’s Wildest Places
Step aboard our small ship expedition cruises, where purpose-built vessels take you far beyond the usual cruise routes. Smaller boats such as Zodiacs enable you to land where few others have gone, giving you the freedom to explore glaciers, fjords, rainforests and coral-fringed islands up close.
These expedition cruise ships are specially designed to explore remote polar regions and tropical archipelagos, where only the most agile vessels can reach. With fewer guests on board, you’ll enjoy an intimate and immersive travel experience, led by expert guides who bring every destination to life.
Extraordinary Wildlife Encounters and Natural Wonders
Our expedition cruises give you front-row seats to the world’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles. All trips are guided by naturalists, photographers and scientists who share fascinating stories along the way, providing you with expert insight into the creatures and environments you’ll discover.
In the Arctic, search for polar bears on the sea ice or spot migrating whales from the deck of your ship, or in Antarctica, watch thousands of penguins waddle across the snow or encounter elephant seals basking on the beaches. Beyond the poles, special eco expedition cruises take you to the Galápagos Islands, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea and beyond, where vibrant marine life, rare bird species and untouched wilderness await.
Luxury and Comfort on Every Expedition
While the landscapes are rugged and remote, your expedition cruise ship offers comfort and style. Choose from luxury expedition cruises, premium eco expedition cruises, or more casual yet high-quality options.
Expect spacious cabins, excellent cuisine, wellness spaces, and sometimes personal butler service aboard luxury expedition cruises. After a day of thrilling exploration, unwind in a heated pool or spa, enjoy expert lectures, or relax with panoramic views from the observation lounge.
Whether you favour scenic expedition cruises or more active itineraries, today’s experiences balance unbeatable adventure with world-class hospitality.
Browse our full collection of Expedition Cruises and discover these unforgettable destinations.
Expedition Cruises FAQs
An expedition cruise is a small-ship adventure that focuses on exploring remote destinations with expert guides, emphasising wildlife encounters, educational experiences, and immersive exploration rather than traditional cruise entertainment.
Expedition cruises visit remote destinations like Antarctica, the Arctic, Galápagos Islands, Norwegian fjords, and other wilderness areas that larger cruise ships can't access due to their size or environmental restrictions.
You'll encounter unique wildlife depending on your expedition cruise destination, including penguins and seals in Antarctica, polar bears in the Arctic, marine iguanas in the Galápagos, whales and dolphins in various regions, and countless seabirds and endemic species.
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