The Best Expedition Cruises for True Explorers
Sailing to remote places is no longer reserved for explorers of the past. Expedition cruises bring travelers face-to-face with remarkable wildlife and distant cultures that few ever get to see. These trips combine comfort with adventure and offer the opportunity to witness everything from polar bears in the Arctic to colorful reefs in the Pacific.
Lindblad–National Geographic Expeditions
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Lindblad has a long legacy tied to the roots of expedition travel. The line runs voyages everywhere from Antarctica to the Galápagos. Ships are small enough to slip into remote bays yet equipped with tools like underwater cameras and onboard scientists. Guests can even join photography workshops guided by National Geographic pros.
Quark Expeditions
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Polar travel has been Quark’s specialty since 1991, and its fleet continues to deliver memorable journeys. Ultramarine, the line’s flagship, carries helicopters for aerial sightseeing, allowing a bird’s-eye view of glaciers and penguin colonies. Smaller vessels like Ocean Explorer handle narrow channels with ease.
Viking Expedition Cruises
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Viking’s Octantis and Polaris sail with Scandinavian design and an emphasis on science. Each ship carries a working lab, complete with resident scientists inviting guests into active research projects. An enclosed marina called The Hangar launches specialized boats directly from the hull.
HX Hurtigruten Expeditions
Credit: Facebook
Few companies can claim a more polar experience than HX, which has operated in Norway since 1896. Their modern hybrid-powered ships balance sustainability with range, reaching destinations as varied as Greenland, Alaska, and Antarctica. Winter itineraries chase the northern lights, and in summer, passengers may encounter polar bears on Spitsbergen.
Ponant
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Its icebreaker, Le Commandant Charcot, has already reached both the geographic North Pole and Antarctica. Onboard, passengers find a rare treat: the Blue Eye lounge, an underwater observation space unlike any other at sea. Itineraries stretch widely, covering the Arctic, Pacific islands, and the Indian Ocean.
Silversea Expeditions
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Silversea’s ships range from 100 to 274 passengers, including Silver Origin, which operates year-round in the Galápagos. Guests can expect Zodiac landings on the same day. In Australia’s Kimberley region, Silversea itineraries highlight striking gorges, remote waterfalls, and opportunities to learn directly from Aboriginal communities.
AE Expeditions
Credit: Facebook
Their three ships feature the distinctive Ulstein X-Bow for smoother sailing across the Drake Passage. In addition to traditional polar routes, AE runs voyages retracing Shackleton’s journeys and even trips aligned with celestial events like solar eclipses. Each sailing focuses on environmental stewardship, with naturalists guiding passengers through delicate ecosystems.
Scenic Eclipse
Credit: Facebook
Scenic calls its ships “discovery yachts,” which is fitting when you realize they carry helicopters and submarines along with fine dining restaurants. In Antarctica, one itinerary even lets guests fly over to visit an emperor penguin colony on Snow Hill Island.
Atlas Ocean Voyages
Credit: Facebook
Not everyone has the patience for the famously rough Drake Passage, so Atlas built itineraries around flying over it. Some cruises sail one way and fly the other; extended ones spend an entire week in Antarctica. Ships are intimate, with fewer passengers, meaning more Zodiac landings and hikes on shore.
Swan Hellenic
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Swan Hellenic often pairs its Svalbard sailings with a night in Copenhagen before the ship turns north into the Arctic. Life on board leans heavily into scholarship: specialists deliver lectures that put the landscapes and wildlife into sharper context.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Credit: Facebook
For those less keen on polar extremes, Hapag-Lloyd offers expedition itineraries in tropical waters. Destinations include Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Palau. The line also sails the Amazon, either upstream or downstream, providing rare access to rainforest ecosystems.
Celebrity Flora
Credit: Facebook
Celebrity Flora sails the Galápagos with room for only 100 guests, each in a suite. The ship runs year-round, built for close-up encounters with the islands’ signature wildlife: giant tortoises, sea lions, and the bright-footed boobies. For travelers who want more than a week at sea, extended journeys pair the cruise with inland stops at places like Quito, Cusco, or Machu Picchu.
Aqua Expeditions
Credit: Facebook
Aqua’s fleet of river and ocean vessels delivers small-ship luxury in biodiverse regions. The Aqua Nera explores the Peruvian Amazon, while Aqua Blu ventures into Indonesia’s Raja Ampat and West Papua. Meals highlight regional cuisine, and excursions include wildlife spotting and guided cultural encounters.
Coral Expeditions
Credit: Facebook
This Australian company specializes in small-ship journeys closer to home waters. Guests might snorkel over the Great Barrier Reef or explore the rugged Kimberley coast. Coral Expeditions emphasizes hands-on exploration, with guides leading Zodiac outings and educational talks.
Secret Atlas
Credit: Facebook
Secret Atlas offers micro-expeditions for travelers who want the smallest group sizes possible. Arctic voyages host just 12 guests, while Antarctic sailings max out at 48. This scale allows for flexible landings and more time spent ashore. Itineraries focus on untouched environments and authentic exploration without large crowds.