An expedition cruise is an adventurous way to travel on a small ship, usually with no more than a few hundred passengers. It’s a fast-growing trend, especially among luxury cruise lines (think Atlas, Crystal, Ponant, and Silversea), with everyone from multigenerational families to solo travelers and seniors hopping aboard.
It’s not an inexpensive way to cruise, costing up to $1,000 per day. While the price may sound like a splurge, keep in mind that almost everything is included, which offers bona fide value.
There are numerous expedition cruise lines to choose from. Some, such as Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic and Aurora Expeditions, specialize exclusively in expedition cruises. Viking, well-respected for its river cruises, and Seabourn, known for ultra-luxury cruises, have recently expanded into the expedition space. Periodic discounts appear on their websites.
I’ve experienced several expedition cruises. Life on board is completely different than on a traditional ship. There’s no zipline, no tango lessons, and no kids’ club. While there are plenty of creature comforts, authentically experiencing extraordinary places is the main draw. If your idea of luxury is immersion in nature, with abundant wildlife and expert naturalists thrown in for good measure, you’ve hit the jackpot.
Keep reading for 10 reasons why an expedition cruise should be top of your bucket list:
All-Inclusive Means All-Inclusive
On many cruise ships, additional charges for things like alcohol, shore excursions, and Wi-Fi can quickly inflate the bill. Though expedition cruises can easily cost $1,000 per day, once you’ve paid upfront it’s entirely possible that you’ll never open your wallet again.
On a recent Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic cruise, meals, beverages, excursions, Wi-Fi, port fees, and airport transfers were part of the package. Complimentary laundry service and a daily exercise class sweetened the deal. Thanks to all-inclusive pricing, I was able to relax and not worry about settling my bill when I disembarked, because there was no bill to settle. I did tip the deserving staff but that’s optional.
On Viking’s expedition voyages, everything is included except for hard liquor. Expect luxurious stateroom perks such as 24-hour room service and heated bathroom floors.
You’ll Be Immersed in Nature
Purpose-built for superior stability and safety, expedition cruise ships venture to all seven continents. They offer a deep dive into remote destinations such as Antarctica, the Galapagos, and Greenland, which would be difficult, if not impossible, to fully explore on larger cruise ships.
A fleet of Zodiac landing crafts, sturdy, inflatable boats that whisk passengers to nooks and crannies that only tiny vessels can access, take spectacular scenery to new heights.
It’s not only about visiting far-flung places. Itineraries to popular tourist destinations present an in-depth way to see the splendor of Alaska’s glaciers or Mexico’s whale migration.
Excursions are Adventurous and Exciting
Exhilarating excursions are at the heart of expedition cruising. On my Lindblad cruise to Baja California, daily aquatic escapades didn’t cost an additional cent. I swam with playful sea lions, kayaked so close to grey whales that my paddle nearly touched one, and snorkeled in a school of colorful fish. I balanced on a SUP in the turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortez and hiked a dry riverbed awash with spring wildflowers on a nearly deserted island. As someone who craves flora and fauna, it was paradise. An expert team of guides was with me every step of the way, taking each memorable experience to the next level.
Anything Can Happen
Passengers should consider themselves explorers. While each expedition cruise has a defined itinerary, the ship and its surroundings are a dynamic environment where once-in-a-lifetime sightings can occur at any moment, so it’s more of a loose blueprint. Your expedition leader will decide each day’s program according to the delicate dance of weather, winds, tides, and the movement of wildlife. If a school of dolphins or penguin colony is spotted, your expedition leader may scrap the original plan to facilitate an impromptu encounter.
Naturalists Take It Up a Notch
Seasoned naturalists help you interpret what you see, from watching the Northern Lights to spying colorful shorebirds from the perch of a kayak. On my recent Lindblad Expedition, a team of marine biologists, scientists, historians, and ornithologists enriched the journey. This sort of expert input is standard for expedition cruise lines.
Viking’s expedition ships provide multiple opportunities for scientific discovery. They’re the world’s first civilian ships to be equipped with National Weather Service weather balloon stations, and allow guests to help staff track the scientific data that these balloons gather.
Equipment Is Included
Quality loaner gear — from wetsuits and snorkel masks to high-tech jackets to keep you warm in sub-freezing temperatures — is included, allowing you to pack light.
Aboard Lindblad’s ship The Venture, I had the opportunity to borrow top-of-the-line cameras and powerful lenses courtesy of the ship’s OM System Photo Gear Locker. The onboard photography instructor advised on basic elements of framing, composition, and lighting that helped me take excellent shots from the deck and on expeditions.
It’s Laidback Luxury
Don’t expect dinner at the Captain’s Table or formal dress nights. Instead, make sure to pack for immersive activities: Sturdy shoes and athletic clothing made of quick-dry materials are a good bet. Be prepared for wet landings, when the Zodiacs deposit you in knee-deep water and require you to wade ashore.
Camaraderie Develops Organically
It’s easy to develop a sense of camaraderie on an intimate-sized ship. Passengers come from all walks of life, with a love of the natural world and curiosity unifying factors. I am still in touch with several people I met years ago on expedition cruises.
Many expedition cruise ships have an open bridge policy, allowing you to stop by the bridge and chat with officers and the captain any time the door is open.
Learning Experiences Abound
If you want to party and play the slot machines, you may be disappointed with evening entertainment options: There are no glitzy shows or hustle lessons. Nightly happenings lean towards lectures and presentations on subjects pertaining to the natural world. Stargazing is another big draw.
The bucket list experiences you’ll have on an expedition cruise are both satisfying and satiating; most passengers relish a bit of downtime at day’s end to process it all.
Meals are Fresh and Delicious
If you’re not a fan of the football-field-length buffet tables overflowing with food found on many cruise ships, meals on an expedition ship may suit you. Respect for the environment is a common talking point on expedition cruises and chefs adhere to this ethos by serving sustainably sourced food, purchased locally whenever possible. Waste is discouraged, so don’t expect the gigantic portions you see on traditional ships; however, if you want seconds, the dining room staff is happy to oblige.