Expedition Cruises to Wild Places
Expedition cruises are built around remote places and wildlife, with naturalist guides, small boats for landings and days that follow the weather and the ice.
Expedition ships are usually small and sturdy, carrying anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred guests, with a team of guides and inflatable boats, often called Zodiacs, for landings where there is no dock. Plans change with the conditions, and that is part of the experience.
I plan and book expedition cruises for travellers across Canada, from checked information rather than a personal sailing report. I help you compare regions, ships and seasons, and plan the flights and nights around the voyage.
What an expedition cruise is like
Landings by small boat
Zodiacs take you ashore on beaches and rocky landings, or cruise along ice edges and cliffs to watch wildlife.
Expert guides
Naturalists, historians and other specialists lead landings and give talks on board, so you learn as you go.
Flexible plans
Weather, ice and wildlife decide the day. The expedition team adjusts the route and landings as conditions change.
Comfort varies
Ships range from simple and practical to very comfortable. The cabin, the ship size and what is included all shape the price.
Where expedition cruises go
Antarctica
Most voyages sail from Ushuaia, Argentina, crossing the Drake Passage, usually around two days each way, and some trips fly over it instead. Ships carrying more than 500 passengers cannot land anyone, and no more than 100 visitors can be ashore at one site at a time, so ship size affects how much time you spend on land.
The Arctic and Svalbard
Summer voyages around Svalbard look for polar bears, walruses and seabirds under the midnight sun.
Greenland
Icebergs, fjords and small communities, mostly on voyages later in the Arctic summer.
Iceland
Some summer voyages circle Iceland, combining coastal towns, fjords and seabird cliffs. Iceland planning
The Galápagos
Small ships visit the islands year-round, and visits to the landing sites are made with licensed naturalist guides.
When to go
Antarctica
Roughly November to March, during the southern summer.
The Arctic and Svalbard
Roughly late May to September, with July and August the warmest and busiest months.
Greenland
Mostly the later Arctic summer, around July to September.
The Galápagos
Year-round, with different wildlife highlights and sea conditions through the year.
A good fit if you
- Wildlife and wild landscapes matter more than nightlife
- You are happy to get in and out of small boats
- You can be flexible when the weather changes the plan
- You do not mind cold, wet or windy days
Maybe look elsewhere if
- You need a fixed, predictable schedule
- Climbing in and out of Zodiacs would be difficult
- Rough seas, such as the Drake Passage, would spoil the trip
Good to know
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is essential for remote voyages, and many operators require it.
- Expect a medical questionnaire before polar voyages.
- Pack waterproof layers. Some operators lend boots or give you a parka; check what is included.
- Popular polar voyages book up far ahead, especially the best cabins and small ships.
Expedition cruises questions
How rough is the Drake Passage?
It varies from calm to very rough, and the crossing from South America to the Antarctic Peninsula usually takes around two days each way. If you are worried about seasickness, some trips fly over it instead.
Does ship size matter in Antarctica?
Yes. Ships carrying more than 500 passengers cannot land anyone, and no more than 100 visitors can be ashore at one site at a time. On smaller ships, everyone can usually go ashore more often.
When is the best time for an expedition cruise?
Antarctica runs roughly from November to March, the Arctic and Svalbard from late May to September, and Greenland mostly later in the Arctic summer. The Galápagos can be visited year-round.
Do I need to be very fit?
You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be able to climb in and out of small boats with help, walk on uneven ground, and manage in cold or wet weather.