Explorer Cruises: How Expedition Cruising Works
Zodiacs, naturalists and wild places — and how to choose among the expedition cruise lines.
Get Expedition Cruise QuotesExplorer cruises go where big ships cannot: a beach with no pier, a fjord with no town, an ice edge with no name on the map. This guide to expedition cruise lines and the ships they sail explains how expedition cruising actually works, who it suits, and how to choose a voyage that matches your curiosity, your budget and your knees.
The word “expedition” is used loosely in travel marketing, so it helps to be precise. On a true expedition cruise the ship is the base camp. Each day the expedition leader studies the weather, the sea state, the ice and the wildlife reports, then decides where to land, where to cruise in small boats, and when to stay aboard and watch from the deck. The published itinerary is a statement of intent, not a promise. That flexibility is the whole point.
A Day on an Expedition Cruise
- Morning briefing. The expedition team explains the plan, the landing site, what you may see and the rules for being ashore.
- Zodiac boarding. Guests go ashore in groups in rigid inflatable boats, usually called Zodiacs, driven by the expedition staff.
- The landing. A wet or dry landing, then a guided walk, a hike or time to sit quietly near wildlife at a respectful distance.
- Afternoon option. A Zodiac cruise along cliffs or ice, kayaking on some ships, or a second landing if conditions allow.
- Recap. In the evening the naturalists share photos and explain the day’s sightings before tomorrow’s plan.
Lectures fill the sea days: marine biology, geology, history, photography. On many ships you can join citizen-science projects, from logging bird sightings to photographing whale tails for identification catalogs. The expedition team eats with guests, answers questions on deck and is often the reason people come back.
What Sets an Expedition Cruise Ship Apart
An expedition cruise ship is built around getting people off the ship safely. That means a small guest count, a fleet of Zodiacs and a sheltered launching area, a “mudroom” for boots and life jackets, and on polar ships a hull strengthened for ice. Some newer ships add kayaks, submersibles or helicopters. Size also matters for rules: in Antarctica, for example, ships carrying more than 500 passengers do not land guests at all under the guidelines of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators.
Small and nimble
Most expedition ships carry roughly a few dozen to a few hundred guests. Fewer guests means more time ashore for each of them.
The expedition team
Naturalists, geologists, historians and boat drivers. Their ratio to guests is one of the best measures of a line.
Flexible routing
Captain and expedition leader change the plan daily. Being patient and flexible is part of the experience.
More included
Many lines include guided landings, Zodiac cruises, lectures and polar gear. Check each line’s inclusions carefully.
Where Explorer Cruises Go
Antarctica
The classic expedition. Landing rules, the Drake Passage and the Ushuaia gateway are covered in depth at Cruising Antarctica.
All regions →
The Arctic
Svalbard, Greenland and the Northwest Passage in the midnight-sun season. Our sister site Polar Cruise Adventures goes deeper.
All regions →
Alaska by small ship
Inside Passage coves, glaciers and bears on the shore, from ships that slip into places the big ships pass by.
Expedition cruises in Alaska →Choosing Among the Expedition Cruise Lines
There are more expedition cruise lines than ever, from pioneers such as Lindblad Expeditions, which sails in partnership with National Geographic, to newer polar ships from Viking, Seabourn and others. Our expedition cruise lines list describes each one factually, and our page on the best expedition cruise lines helps you match a line to your style rather than to someone else’s ranking.
Before you compare fares, decide three things: how much time you want ashore versus on board, how much comfort matters to you, and which region excites you most. Those answers narrow the field quickly. Expedition voyages are a significant investment, so read the cruise and travel insurance basics too; remote regions make evacuation coverage especially important.
Expedition offers appear during Wave Season and through the year. The Mister Cruise cruise-offers newsletter sends the ones worth knowing about, and our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise can compare lines for your dates and quote them side by side.
Explorer Cruising is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
Tell us where you dream of exploring, and our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare the expedition ships that go there — and book everything for you, not a call center. Meet Mister Cruise →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an expedition cruise and a regular cruise?
A regular cruise moves between ports on a fixed timetable and lets you explore on your own or on a tour. An expedition cruise goes where there is often no port at all, uses small boats to put you ashore, and carries a team of naturalists and guides whose job is to explain what you are seeing. The plan changes with weather, ice and wildlife.
Do I need to be very fit for explorer cruises?
You need to be steady on your feet, able to climb in and out of a small boat with help, and comfortable walking on uneven ground. Most landings offer a short option and a longer one. Read our fitness and packing page before you book.
Are expedition cruises only for the polar regions?
No. Antarctica and the Arctic are the best known, but expedition ships also sail Alaska’s Inside Passage, the Galápagos, Australia’s Kimberley coast, the Amazon, Patagonia and the islands of the South Pacific.
How far ahead should I book an expedition cruise?
Expedition ships are small, so the best cabins and the peak weeks go early. Many travelers plan a year or more ahead for the polar regions. Ask our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise what is open for your dates.
More Cruise Sites From Our Network
Plan Your Expedition Cruise
Tell our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise where you want to explore and when. We compare expedition lines and ships for you — free.
Get Expedition Cruise Quotes