Expedition cruises

Expedition cruise lines

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.

In French Polynesia, the new Aranui 5 introduces you to the untouched Marquesas Islands as it transports freight around the archipelago.

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 ice-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, molting 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, perhaps with a seal catching a ride on the back of your boat. 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 10 pm 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 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.

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 – though there is, perhaps, less foraging of local foodstuffs. Imagine sailing through a sea of icebergs while enjoying foie gras and wild boar with a sparkling glass of Champagne on the side.

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.