Expedition cruising takes you where big ships can’t: Antarctica, the Arctic, the Galápagos, the Amazon and remote islands. Ships are small and ice-strengthened, Zodiacs take you ashore, and expert naturalists, scientists and historians travel with you. The experience is about wildlife and wilderness rather than shows and casinos.
Here are ten of the best expedition lines and what makes each one different.
You’ll find on this page
- A comparison table of every cruise line in this guide
- Ten expedition lines
- How to choose an expedition line
- Answers to the questions we’re asked most
- How to book or get expert advice at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the cruise lines
| Cruise line | Style | Fleet | Best for | Included highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions | Expedition | 23 Ships in the global fleet | Variety of destinations | All drinks (polar/sail/river fleet), Crew gratuities (polar/sail/river fleet), All activities + shore excursions |
| Quark Expeditions | Expedition | 4 Polar-only ships in the fleet | Polar adventure | Polar parka, Muck boots, All meals |
| HX Expeditions | Expedition | Hybrid Battery-electric propulsion on newer ships | Science and sustainability | Main dining, Science & lectures, Zodiac landings |
| Ponant Explorations | Expedition | 14 Ships in the fleet (incl. Paul Gauguin) | Luxury expedition | Open Bar all day, One excursion per port, All meals |
| AE Expeditions | Expedition | 3 Purpose-built small expedition ships | Eco-minded travellers | Polar jacket, Muck boots, House drinks at meals |
| Swan Hellenic | Expedition | 3 Sister ships | Culture and nature | All meals, Drinks with meals, Expedition gear (polar voyages) |
| Atlas Ocean Voyages | Expedition | 3 Boutique yachts | Boutique comfort | All meals, Drinks with meals, Daily shore excursions |
| Antarctica21 | Expedition | 3 Small expedition ships | Avoiding rough seas | Punta Arenas hotel, Charter flights, All meals |
| Adventure Canada | Expedition | 1 Expedition ship (Ocean Endeavour) | The Canadian Arctic | All meals + drinks with meals, Expedition gear, Zodiac landings |
| Aqua Expeditions | Expedition | 6 Luxury small ships | Luxury river expeditions | All meals + drinks, All shore excursions, Expert naturalist team |
Fleet sizes and inclusions are from each line’s own information and can change; inclusions often depend on the fare you book.
Quick verdicts
Ten expedition lines
1. National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions
- Expedition
- 23 Ships in the global fleet
The originator of expedition cruising, Antarctica in 1966 and the Galápagos in 1967, partnered with National Geographic since 2004, with a global fleet reaching all seven continents.
Best for: Variety of destinations
2. Quark Expeditions
- Expedition
- 4 Polar-only ships in the fleet
- 138-199 Guests per ship — small-ship polar scale
Polar-only since 1991, with ships of 138 to 199 guests, one of the best guide-to-guest ratios in the industry, and twin helicopters on its flagship.
Best for: Polar adventure
3. HX Expeditions
- Expedition
- Hybrid Battery-electric propulsion on newer ships
- 180-530 Guests — boutique to small-ship scale
Formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions: purpose-built expedition ships with hybrid-electric propulsion on the newer vessels and citizen-science teams on every voyage.
Best for: Science and sustainability
4. Ponant Explorations
- Expedition
- 14 Ships in the fleet (incl. Paul Gauguin)
- 32-264 Guests per ship — small-ship by design
French small-ship luxury, from 32 to 264 guests, including the LNG-powered polar icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot, with champagne in the open bar.
Best for: Luxury expedition
5. AE Expeditions
- Expedition
- 3 Purpose-built small expedition ships
- 130-160 Guests per ship — small expedition scale
Founded by a mountaineer and an environmentalist in 1991, now a Certified B Corporation, with small ships of 130 to 160 guests.
Best for: Eco-minded travellers
6. Swan Hellenic
- Expedition
- 3 Sister ships
- 152-192 Guests per ship
Cultural expedition cruising on three sister ships, with guest experts such as historians and archaeologists, from the polar regions to the Mediterranean and Asia.
Best for: Culture and nature
7. Atlas Ocean Voyages
- Expedition
- 3 Boutique yachts
- 196 Max guests
Three 196-guest boutique expedition yachts with included excursions on every voyage and polar-class hulls.
Best for: Boutique comfort
8. Antarctica21
- Expedition
- 3 Small expedition ships
- 69-100 Guests per ship — true small-ship
Fly from Punta Arenas to King George Island and skip the Drake Passage, then explore on small ships of 69 to 100 guests.
Best for: Avoiding rough seas
9. Adventure Canada
- Expedition
- 1 Expedition ship (Ocean Endeavour)
- 198 Max guests
Family-owned specialists in the Canadian Arctic, Greenland, Newfoundland and Labrador on the 198-guest Ocean Endeavour.
Best for: The Canadian Arctic
10. Aqua Expeditions
- Expedition
- 6 Luxury small ships
- 16-40 Guests per ship
Six luxury small ships of 16 to 40 guests on the Amazon, the Mekong, the Galápagos and beyond, with naturalist guides and excursions included.
Best for: Luxury river expeditions
How to choose an expedition line
Ship size matters: in Antarctica, industry guidelines allow no more than 100 people ashore at a site at a time, so smaller ships mean more time ashore. Comfort level: Ponant, Silversea and Scenic are luxurious; Quark, Polar Latitudes and Poseidon are more expedition-focused. Getting there: most Antarctic voyages cross the Drake Passage from Ushuaia; fly-cruises skip it. Activities: kayaking, camping, helicopter flights and snowshoeing are often extra.
How we chose these cruise lines
We compared the expedition lines we sell by ship size, comfort, destinations and what’s included. We sell more than 60 cruise lines, from big family ships to tiny expedition vessels, so these recommendations are based on what each line actually offers: ship size, what’s included in the fare, who it suits and who it doesn’t. Fares, inclusions and ships change, so always check the details for your sailing, or ask a Travel Designer to compare them for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best expedition cruise line?
National Geographic-Lindblad for variety, Quark for polar adventure and Ponant for luxury.
Do I need to be fit for an expedition cruise?
You need to manage Zodiac transfers and walks on uneven ground, but no special fitness is required.
What is included on an expedition cruise?
Usually all meals, Zodiac landings, lectures and polar gear; drinks and extra activities vary.
When is the Antarctic season?
November to March.
Find your cruise
Browse every cruise line we sell, or ask a Travel Designer to compare ships, cabins and itineraries for you.
Keep planning
Updated October 2026. Cruises can be booked through Travelisto, with flights and hotels added where you need them.
