Expedition cruises are a unique way for adventure seekers, wildlife enthusiasts and culture lovers to explore some of the world’s most remote and fascinating destinations in an immersive way.
From Antarctica, the Arctic and Alaska, the all-time favorites, to Iceland and Greenland; or Galápagos, Peru, Machu Picchu and the Amazon rainforest as well as the natural wonders of the Panama Canal, these are some of the most popular destinations you will explore on an expedition cruise.
Today we bring you a simple guide to expedition cruises, including all you need to know if you are new to this cruising experience:
What is an Expedition Cruise?
An Expedition is a ship-based cruise that will bring you to corners of the world of difficult access on a fleet specifically designed for travelling in these regions. Be ready to get out of your ship and explore fascinating spots that most people never get to see!
Expedition cruise ships are always equipped for exploration and include kayaks, zodiacs and paddleboards for guests to reach areas of difficult access, guided by specialist expedition staff. In some cases, these ships also have their own helicopters or even submarines.
Some of the unique activities you will enjoy on an expedition cruise include exploring secret coves and glaciers, joining guided treks as well as admiring polar bears, getting to know locals and tasting traditional cuisine, seeing volcanic plateaus and getting to see up close the flora and fauna of amazing archipelagos.
What’s the difference between a traditional cruise and an expedition?
While a traditional cruise is more relaxing with dinners, entertainment, a wide choice of restaurants to pick from, and excursions and activities in port towns and their area; an expedition cruise would be a more intimate experience, with an emphasis on exploring outdoors, wildlife and nature, some of them in remote regions of the world. You will take part in exploring activities with a small group accompanied by an expedition team of lecturers and experts on the destination who will guide you while on board.
Plus, traditional cruise ships can host at least 3000 passengers while an expedition cruise ship will be smaller, hosting around a maximum of 500 people or in some cases as small as 100, depending on the regions visited.
Intimate ships
If you join an expedition cruise you will usually travel on a small-flexible ship. This means less number of people on board compared to an Ocean cruise. Sustainability is a very important emphasis of expedition cruise lines.
The smaller the ship is the more intimate your experience will be. As the number of passengers is small, you will have the opportunity to make meaningful connections with other people that share a sense of curiosity and adventure.
Although expedition cruise ships are usually small in size, some of them can be very luxurious, depending on the cruise line style and the destination you pick. Ponant largest ship named “Le Paul Gauguin”, has a a maximum capacity of 165 passengers as well as 217 crew members, their smaller ship “Le Ponant”, a sailing yacht, has room for only 16 staterooms and suites, and 1 crew member for each guest.
Silversea ultra luxury expedition ship Silver Cloud has a guest capacity of 254 passengers and 212 crew members while Silver Origin, bringing travellers on an expedition cruise to The Galapagos, holds space for 100 guests and 90 crew members.
What is expedition cruise ship PC rating?
If you are sailing to Polar areas, it is good to know how well-prepared your ship is. Always check the PC rating of your ship which should be included in the ship details.
PC Ratings tell you about how good a ship is at pushing ice out of the way with PC1 being highest rating and PC7 being the lowest, all of them being good ratings.
Expeditions Cruises are educational
From the moment you are on board your expedition cruise, be ready to learn all about the area you are exploring, from wildlife to natural phenomena like the Northern Lights.
Your expedition cruise will be led by a group of passionate experts such as naturalist guides, explorers, researchers, scientists, and even historians, so you will be able to relax but also immerse yourself in a cultural voyage of discovery and learning.
During your expedition cruise, you will get to learn about the history and natural environment of the destination you are travelling to. In most cases, depending on weather conditions, you will get outside on a zodiac boat, exploring and admiring wildlife and nature in remote locations.
For what type of traveller?
On your intimate ship, you will find a small amount of people, each of them with different or similar reasons like yours to travel. From people who are curious about science and nature, to families who want to share a special experience together, active explorers, and even solo travellers on a bucket-list trip of a lifetime.
Are expedition cruises active?
Expedition cruises will get you outdoors with many shore excursions, however it is not necessary that you join all the excursions, giving you time to relax and take part in some of their on board activities, lectures and workshops or enjoy the amenities that many luxury cruise lines include. You can adapt your itinerary to suit your level of energy and physical fitness.
Where to go on an Expedition Cruise
We have picked some of our favourite destinations so you get an idea of the kind of amazing destinations you can travel to on an expedition cruise:
ANTARCTICA, ARCTIC OR ALASKA
An expedition cruise to Polar regions such as Antarctica , Alaska and the Arctic, is probably one you should have in your bucket list.
You will see amazing fauna such as Arctic foxes, orcas, whales, penguins; meet the Inuit indigenous people of the Arctic, and admire impressive glaciers up close while on your Zodiac excursion. Hikes and kayaking with whales and huddles of penguins around are some the activities included during an expedition cruise to Polar regions.
Scenic has a fantastic expedition Cruise to Antartica for
TROPICAL DESTINATIONS
Not all expeditions are about polar bears and penguins, there are in fact some wonderful warm regions to explore on an expedition cruise.
Expeditions cruises to tropical destinations will bring you to remote jungles and isles, majestic rivers and rainforests, in places of extraordinary biodiversity such as the Galápagos Islands; or Peru and Machu Picchu, learning about this historic sanctuary and the ancient Inca civilization. Vietnam and Sri Lanka are also popular destinations for boutique expedition cruises.
We have an amazing Galápagos Island Expedition Cruise with Silversea, for you to explore further: Galapagos Islands Expedition Cruise
BRITISH & IRISH ISLES
You don’t have to travel to faraway lands to experience an expedition cruise. In fact there is much to explore in Ireland and the British Islands.
An expedition cruise to the British and Irish Isles: Scotland, England and Ireland, will help you discover the history and culture behind these regions. From medieval churches to the Highlands of Scotland, St Kilda archipelago as well as exploring impressive landmarks of the Celtic coast. You will get to see the incredible nature of the British and Irish Isles by Zodicac or hiking, with access to important sea caves, and visiting ancient times places such as Stone Age megaliths and even different type of seabirds as well as dolphins, seals and whales.
Silversea has a number of exciting Expedition Cruises from Ireland in 2025. Scenic has incredible Expedition Voyages on board Scenic Eclipse; and Hurtigruten Expeditions organizes Expedition Cruises to the most remote destinations. Find all our Expedition Cruises here: EXPEDITION CRUISES
We hope you enjoy this simple guide about expedition cruises. For more advice on expedition cruise destinations or to book your next voyage, contact our award-winning team today.
