Expedition cruises

The cost of an expedition cruise can vary considerably depending on the destination, itinerary and operator. When you factor in flights from the UK, Antarctica cruises often cost around £10,000 per person, while longer voyages that include South Georgia and the Falkland Islands cost more. You’ll find Arctic cruises, particularly Svalbard-intensive sailings, available for less, anywhere from around £4,000 to £7,000 per person, while the Galapagos can range more dramatically, with the likes of G Adventures offering more affordable options.

An intensive Antarctica expedition cruise exploring the Antarctic Peninsula usually lasts around 10 to 12 days. This is the most popular choice for the White Continent, while longer voyages to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands can last anywhere from two to three weeks. Cruises to the Galapagos, Arctic and Alaska can be shorter, with options available from seven nights. Kimberley expeditions are generally around ten nights, while South Pacific sailings can last for up to two weeks, before you even consider the travel time involved.

Outside the Galapagos, a year-round destination, most expedition cruise regions are highly seasonal. Antarctica’s main season runs from November to March, while Arctic cruises generally run from May to September. One notable exception is Ponant, whose icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot can operate selected Arctic itineraries outside the northern summer. Alaska’s main cruise season is similar, while the Kimberley expedition season generally runs from around March to September, with conditions changing considerably throughout that period.

Because expedition cruising takes place in some seriously remote environments, safety is central to planning and operating voyages. Ships sailing in polar waters must meet specific international requirements covering everything from construction and navigation to emergency preparedness, while activities and landings depend on conditions, so plans can change quickly. The expedition team will also brief you throughout the voyage, particularly before activities such as Zodiac landings and hikes ashore.

Inclusions vary by expedition cruise line, but Zodiac excursions, shore landings, expedition-team guidance, lectures, and briefings usually form part of your fare, along with accommodation and dining. Luxury operators will often include selected beverages, gratuities and Wi-Fi too. Long-haul expeditions to destinations like Antarctica, the Kimberley, the South Pacific and occasionally Svalbard may also include a pre-cruise hotel stay and any necessary charter flights to reach the embarkation point. It’s always worth considering the cost of the complete package, not just the cruise fare.

You’ll need a certain level of mobility to get the most out of the experience. A good rule of thumb is whether you can manoeuvre comfortably between the ship and a Zodiac. Of course, there are usually less strenuous activities available, but experiences such as hikes, often across rough or wet terrain, and kayaking will require a base level of fitness should you wish to participate. If you have any mobility concerns, speak to us before booking, and we can help you find the right ship and itinerary.

Layers! We can’t stress this enough: thermal base layers, a warm mid-layer, waterproof trousers, gloves, a hat and good-quality sunglasses. It’s called snow blindness for a reason. Many operators will provide outerwear such as an expedition parka and waterproof boots, and you’ll receive a detailed packing list before travelling so you don’t arrive under-equipped. The Cruise Line’s Voyage Consultants have experienced dozens of expedition cruises, so if you need some extra guidance, just ask when making your booking.

Not necessarily, but again, it depends on the destination and itinerary. You’ve probably heard stories about the Drake Passage between South America and the Antarctic Peninsula, but even that can change from the ‘Drake Shake’ to the ‘Drake Lake’ depending on the day-to-day conditions. We always tell our clients that crossing the Drake is a rite of passage (pun intended), but if you’re still concerned, you’ll find itineraries that begin with a charter flight to King George Island and therefore avoid the crossing entirely.

As for other destinations, conditions can be changeable, but are generally no more extreme than those you might encounter on a traditional cruise holiday.

Exploring fragile environments inevitably has an impact, so we work only with operators who take their responsibilities seriously. In Antarctica, IAATO members coordinate visits, and vessels carrying more than 500 passengers are prohibited from making landings, while no more than 100 passengers from a vessel may be ashore at one site at a time. In the Galapagos, expedition cruising is also tightly controlled, with itineraries and visitor sites managed to reduce pressure on individual locations. Biosecurity procedures, such as cleaning footwear and equipment before landings, are another important part of protecting these environments.

On an expedition cruise, the destination comes first. More often than not, you’ll know where you want to go and what you want to see; the next step is choosing the right operator and ship. Expedition ships use Zodiacs and other specialist equipment to explore coastlines, islands, and remote landing sites in ways conventional cruising generally cannot. A good comparison is to look at a typical cruise ship’s Alaska itinerary alongside one offered by National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions or UnCruise Adventures. They are very different propositions.

No single expedition cruise line is the ‘best’ for everyone. Instead, focus on the type of experience you want. For ultra-luxury, Seabourn and Silversea are two of the leading names, with ships like Seabourn Pursuit and Silver Endeavour taking their signature onboard experiences into remote regions. Lines like Quark Expeditions, Lindblad Expeditions and AE Expeditions have long specialised in expedition-first travel, while Ponant, Scenic, HX and others straddle both worlds.

At The Cruise Line, we love talking through expedition cruising options, and our advice comes from our team’s real-life experience. It’s always worth speaking to an expert who’s been there and done it.

If the experience appeals to you, then yes, absolutely. It’s different from a conventional cruise holiday, and many of our loyal expedition clients have never even tried a ‘traditional’ cruise, so you certainly don’t need to be an experienced cruiser. It’s more about wanting to explore places best experienced aboard small, purpose-built ships, with expert teams guiding the journey. These are some of the most remote and remarkable destinations on Earth, and experiencing them in this way can be incredibly rewarding.