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Expedition cruising: a primer
The back story
About Expedition cruising: a primer
An expedition cruise is a different kind of journey: the destination leads, the weather decides, and the days are spent ashore and on the water rather than on board. Here is what to expect, and how the rules protect the places you visit.
The ships
Expedition ships are small and built for remote waters, often with ice-strengthened hulls, and carry zodiacs (rigid inflatable boats) for landings where there is no pier. Many lines, from Ponant and Lindblad to Quark, HX and Swan Hellenic, also carry kayaks, and Scenic’s Eclipse ships carry helicopters and a submersible, as the line describes them.
The rules
In Antarctica, expedition operators follow the guidance of IAATO, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, and in the Arctic that of AECO; Quark, for one, asks every guest to read both before travelling. In the Galápagos, the national park sets the visitor sites and requires a licensed naturalist guide with every group.
The destination leads, the weather decides and the wildlife sets the pace.
The days
Plans change with ice, wind and wildlife, and the expedition leader decides each day’s landings. You will spend hours in zodiacs and on shore, and evenings at briefings and talks. Good waterproofs and boots matter more than evening wear: Quark gives every guest a parka to keep, and Lindblad includes a parka or jacket on select polar voyages.
Our advice: choose the destination first, then the ship. For Antarctica, ask your line how its voyage crosses the Drake Passage and how many landings it plans; for the Galápagos, choose the size of yacht that suits you, from 16 guests upwards.
Why it's on our list
- Small ships and zodiac landings
- Naturalist guides on board
- Rules that protect wildlife
- Flexible days, set by the weather
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Expedition cruising: a primer before you go.