Expedition cruising
Antarctica, the Arctic, and the Galápagos aboard small ships chosen for their naturalists and their routes
I'm sailing to Antarctica on Seabourn Pursuit this season, and I'll be back with a full report.
Plenty of my clients tell me they're not cruise people. Then they step onto a ship with a couple hundred guests, a team of naturalists, and a fleet of Zodiacs, and it feels like a completely different kind of trip. You go ashore once or twice a day. The schedule follows the ice, the weather, and the wildlife. And the people leading you know exactly what they're looking at.
On an expedition, the ship decides almost everything: where you can go, how often you step ashore, and who's guiding you. That's why we choose ships for their naturalists and their routes first.
Expedition lines I book
A quick look at each line. Tap one to jump to my honest take on it below.
- SeabournSeabourn fans who want a polar adventure without giving up the Seabourn feel.
- SilverseaTravelers who want luxury first and adventure second.
- HX ExpeditionsCurious travelers who want to learn as they go.
- Abercrombie & KentTravelers who already love A&K's land trips.
- Aqua ExpeditionsFoodies and nature lovers who want a tiny, luxurious boat in the Amazon, the Mekong or Indonesia.
- Atlas Ocean VoyagesAdventurous travelers who want polar trips with an all-inclusive feel.
- Aurora ExpeditionsActive travelers who want to kayak, hike and get off the ship as much as possible.
- AustralisAnyone dreaming of Patagonia and Cape Horn.
- Coral ExpeditionsAustralia lovers who want the Kimberley or the Great Barrier Reef on a small ship.
- Lindblad Expeditions-National GeographicThe adventure person.
- Ponant ExplorationsTravelers who want French style in the far north and south.
- Quark ExpeditionsDedicated polar travelers.
Penguins or polar bears?
That's often the first question I ask. Penguins live ONLY in the Southern Hemisphere, and polar bears live only in the Arctic, so they never meet.
- Antarctica sails November to March, during the southern summer. Penguins by the tens of thousands, seals, whales, and ice everywhere you look.
- The Arctic sails roughly June to September. Polar bears, walrus, Arctic foxes, and villages with centuries of history. The flights from the US are shorter, too.
- The Galápagos works all year. Sea lions napping on the beach beside you and giant tortoises in the highlands.
Antarctica
Most voyages sail from Ushuaia, Argentina, across the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula. The crossing takes about 2 days each way. Some days it's the "Drake Lake," and some days it's the "Drake Shake." Modern ships with stabilizers handle it well.
Rather skip it? Fly-cruise voyages fly from Punta Arenas, Chile, straight to the South Shetland Islands. You save about 4 days at sea, though the flights depend on the weather.
The month changes what you'll see:
- November: fresh snow and penguins courting
- December and January: penguin chicks and nearly 24 hours of daylight (pack a sleep mask)
- February and March: the best months for whales
My tip: choose a ship small enough to land everyone at once. In Antarctica, only 100 people can be ashore at one site at a time, so on a smaller ship you spend more of every day on the ice and less of it waiting your turn.
The Arctic
If polar bears are your dream, I'd send you to Svalbard, Norway's high-Arctic islands, between June and August. Choose a voyage with real time to search the pack ice. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the right itinerary changes your odds.
Greenland and the Canadian High Arctic are at their best July to September. Think giant icebergs at Ilulissat, Inuit communities, and the Northwest Passage. And if you want the northern lights, you need darkness: late-season Greenland and Iceland voyages from late August, or Norway's coast from about October to March.
I've sailed Norway on Seabourn, and in summer I love pairing Norway's coast with a Svalbard voyage. You go from fjords and fishing villages to pack ice and polar bears in one trip.
The Galápagos
The animals here evolved without predators on land, so they barely notice you. Sea lions nap a few feet away, blue-footed boobies dance on North Seymour and Española, and you can snorkel with sea turtles and even penguins.
There's no wrong time to go. December to May brings warmer water and calmer seas. June to November brings cooler water full of marine life, with slightly rougher seas.
Every ship follows a set island route approved by the national park. So tell me which animals matter most to you, and we'll choose the ship and the route that visit them. The Galápagos is also one of the best expedition trips for families, and it pairs easily with Machu Picchu.
More places we sail
- Alaska. I've cruised Alaska twice. For the quiet parts of Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage, choose a small ship with kayaks.
- Patagonia. Glaciers, Cape Horn, and the Chilean fjords. Pair a short fjord voyage with a few nights in Torres del Paine.
- The Kimberley. Australia's wild northwest coast, best from April to September. Our own McKenzie can plan the rest of your Australia or New Zealand trip around it.
Choosing your ship
This is the decision I spend the most time on with clients, and size matters most. In Antarctica, ships carrying more than 500 passengers can't land guests at all. Ships with fewer than about 200 guests usually give you more time ashore and more flexibility when the weather shifts.
After size, I look at:
- The expedition team. Naturalists, historians, and photographers lead every landing. More experts per guest makes a real difference.
- Ice class and stabilizers. Ice-strengthened ships go farther, and good stabilizers make the open-ocean crossings far more comfortable.
- Activities. Kayaking, snowshoeing, camping on the ice, and on some ships helicopters or submarines. Some book up early.
- What's included. Parkas, boots, drinks, gratuities, and pre-voyage hotels or charter flights vary a lot from line to line.
We work closely with HX, Seabourn, and Silversea, and through Virtuoso our clients get added amenities on many expedition lines.
And your cabin matters more out here than almost anywhere. When the Drake gets rough, a cabin low and in the middle of the ship moves the least.
Before you sail
Book early. For Antarctica and the Arctic, 12 to 24 months ahead is ideal. Suites and small ships sell out first. The Galápagos and Alaska usually book 9 to 12 months out.
Arrive a day or 2 early. Remote flights get delayed, and ships can't wait. The vacation starts when you leave home, so we build in real buffer time and watch your flights the whole way.
Get the right travel insurance. Most polar lines require emergency medical evacuation coverage, because the nearest hospital can be days away. I take this seriously because of Barbara and Michael. Barbara BROKE HER BACK in Tahiti. We got Michael a hotel while she was in surgery, got them both home in lie-flat seats once she was cleared, and their travel insurance paid them back in full.
Worried about feeling out of touch? Many expedition ships now have satellite Wi-Fi. It slows down in the most remote spots, so plan on a little time offline (which might be the best part).
Fitness. You'll step in and out of Zodiacs with crew help and walk on uneven, sometimes icy ground. Most outings have a gentler option, and you can always stay on board.
Here's my honest take on each line, and who I'd put on it
Seabourn
Best for: Seabourn fans who want a polar adventure without giving up the Seabourn feel.
I've sailed Seabourn 6 times, and by day 2 the crew knows my name. Seabourn's expedition ships, Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit, bring that same service to Antarctica and other remote places.
Seabourn is all-inclusive: every restaurant, drinks, Wi-Fi and tips are in the fare.
Virtuoso perk when you book with me: $250 shipboard credit per person on select voyages.
Silversea
Best for: Travelers who want luxury first and adventure second.
Silversea has 4 expedition ships, and every suite comes with a butler. They sail Antarctica, the Arctic and the Galápagos, and Silversea is all-inclusive: dining, wine and spirits, Wi-Fi and tips.
For Antarctica, Silversea can fly you over the Drake Passage instead of sailing it, which is great news if you're worried about rough seas.
Virtuoso perk when you book with me: $300 shipboard credit per person (up to $600 per stateroom) on select voyages.
HX Expeditions
Best for: Curious travelers who want to learn as they go.
HX is the expedition line that grew out of Norway's Hurtigruten, and it's all about the polar regions, with a strong focus on science and learning on board.
Virtuoso perk when you book with me: €90 shipboard credit per person (up to €180 per stateroom). On Santa Cruz II in the Galápagos, it's $100 per person.
Abercrombie & Kent
Best for: Travelers who already love A&K's land trips.
A&K charters Ponant's luxury expedition ships and adds its own expedition team and touring. If you've traveled with A&K on land, it's the same polish at sea.
Virtuoso perk when you book with me: $200 shipboard credit per stateroom on A&K's luxury expedition cruises.
Aqua Expeditions
Best for: Foodies and nature lovers who want a tiny, luxurious boat in the Amazon, the Mekong or Indonesia.
I haven't sold Aqua yet, but it's one I'm watching. The boats are tiny, about 16 to 40 guests, and feel like a floating boutique hotel with huge windows.
Aqua sails the Peruvian Amazon, the Mekong through Cambodia and Vietnam, Indonesia (Raja Ampat and Komodo) and the Galápagos. The food is a big deal here, with menus from well-known chefs like Peru's Pedro Miguel Schiaffino.
Virtuoso perk when you book with me: $100 shipboard credit per person.
Atlas Ocean Voyages
Best for: Adventurous travelers who want polar trips with an all-inclusive feel.
Atlas sails small expedition yachts with fewer than 200 guests, small enough to reach places like Svalbard that bigger ships can't. They sail Antarctica, the Arctic and Europe, with an all-inclusive onboard experience. A bigger 400-guest sailing yacht, Atlas Adventurer, is due in late 2028.
Virtuoso perk when you book with me: $150 onboard credit per person or $300 savings per booking on select voyages.
Aurora Expeditions
Best for: Active travelers who want to kayak, hike and get off the ship as much as possible.
Aurora is an Australian-owned line with small, purpose-built polar ships and lots of active outings.
Virtuoso perk when you book with me: $250 shipboard credit per person (up to $500 per stateroom).
Australis
Best for: Anyone dreaming of Patagonia and Cape Horn.
Australis has specialized in Patagonia for 35 years, sailing the fjords between Punta Arenas and Ushuaia and around Cape Horn. It's a great way to see the far south of Chile and Argentina, and it pairs well with Torres del Paine or an Antarctica trip.
Virtuoso perk when you book with me: A bottle of sparkling wine in your stateroom, plus an upgrade at check-in if one is available.
Coral Expeditions
Best for: Australia lovers who want the Kimberley or the Great Barrier Reef on a small ship.
Coral is an Australian line on small ships, sailing the Kimberley and the Great Barrier Reef. My colleague McKenzie can plan the rest of your Australia trip around it.
Virtuoso perk when you book with me: A bottle of premium Australian wine in your stateroom.
Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic
Best for: The adventure person.
I've sold Lindblad a few times, and here's how I describe it to clients: this one is for the adventure person. You'll be out in Zodiacs and kayaks, hiking and snorkeling, and learning from naturalists and National Geographic photographers along the way.
The ships are small, many carrying about 100 guests or fewer, and they go to Antarctica, the Galápagos, Alaska, the Arctic and a lot more. Some trips have 2 landings a day and very few lazy sea days.
Virtuoso perk when you book with me: $200 shipboard credit per stateroom ($100 per person).
Ponant Explorations
Best for: Travelers who want French style in the far north and south.
Ponant sails French luxury expedition ships, including Le Commandant Charcot, an icebreaker that can reach the North Pole.
Virtuoso perk when you book with me: Ask me about current perks.
Quark Expeditions
Best for: Dedicated polar travelers.
Quark only does polar trips, Antarctica and the Arctic, and that's all they've focused on for years. Its ship Ultramarine carries 2 helicopters for flightseeing and landings.
Virtuoso perk when you book with me: Ask me about current perks.
I'm a Virtuoso advisor, so I can book every line on this page, and on many of them my clients get extra Virtuoso perks on top of the fare.
Book a call with SusanVirtuoso amenities are exclusive to bookings with a Virtuoso advisor, apply to new bookings on eligible sailings and categories, must be requested when we book, can change, and have no cash value. Details current as of October 2026.
Expedition cruise questions I get all the time
What's the most luxurious expedition cruise line?+
For full luxury, I look at Silversea, Seabourn's expedition ships and Scenic Eclipse. Every one includes drinks and tips, and Silversea gives every suite a butler.
Which expedition cruise is best for active travelers?+
Lindblad-National Geographic and Aurora Expeditions. Expect Zodiacs, kayaks and real hikes almost every day.
Can I fly over the Drake Passage to Antarctica?+
Yes. Some lines, including Silversea, offer fly-cruise trips that skip the Drake Passage by flying to the South Shetland Islands.
What's the best way to cruise Patagonia and Cape Horn?+
Australis specializes in Patagonia, sailing between Punta Arenas and Ushuaia and around Cape Horn.
Can I take an expedition cruise in Australia?+
Yes. Coral Expeditions sails the Kimberley and the Great Barrier Reef on small ships.
Let's find your voyage
Which ship, which month, which cabin. Those choices shape the whole voyage, and they're exactly what we work through with you.
For every region, sample itineraries, and answers to the 25 questions I hear most, get my Expedition Cruising Guide. Or reach us at 480-360-0309 or susan@susanstravelservices.com.
So, penguins or polar bears? Tell me which one wins.