Where to Find the Best Expedition Cruises Outside the Poles

When contemplating an expedition cruise, some travelers may compare themselves to famed Irish explorer Ernest Shackleton — navigating some of the most rugged parts of icy Antarctica, bundled up and enduring the elements.

But the reality is that expedition sailings extend well beyond the polar regions. 

I recently descended below the Antarctic Circle onboard Viking’s new Viking Polaris, on my first-ever cruise to the region — but my earliest expedition experiences were not nearly as far-flung. When Silversea Cruises still had the Silver Discoverer in its fleet, I sailed from Japan to Alaska via the Aleutian Islands on one trip, and to Micronesia on another.

There’s nothing else quite like sailing to some of the world’s most remote destinations on an intimate vessel carrying only hundreds of people, rather than thousands. There’s a greater sense of community among fellow like-minded passengers who are eager not just to tender at a frequented Caribbean port of call, but rather to genuinely explore their destination.

Expedition Cruising Takes Travelers Futher Afield

Mega ships can’t access the tightest inlets or visit some of the smallest isles around the world. But on Discoverer, I explored farther into Papau New Guinea and the Solomon Islands to places that rarely see visitors.

In other instances, I found myself in Zodiacs ducking my head to pass below low-hanging mangrove branches on a true “jungle cruise” experience, or stumbling upon the wreckage of Air Micronesia Flight 614, a Boeing 727 that crash landed without casualties in 1980.

Equally exciting was skirting the so-called “Ring of Fire’s” northern edge of the Pacific tectonic plate to visit uninhabited or abandoned volcanic islands, many still littered with the rusty remnants of military equipment, full-size tanks and World War II-era submarines.

All of this is to say: Clients do not have to travel all the way to — or even very near — the North or South poles to hop on an expedition cruise. And the hardware has been much improved over the past few years.

With veteran lines and newcomers launching brand-new, purpose-built expedition ships at a rapid pace, the days of rugged adventure travel have mostly been replaced with the comforts of home (and often luxurious amenities), in addition to toys such as Zodiacs, kayaks, state-of-the-art submarines and even helicopters.

However, one area in which the contrast is blurring is between expedition cruising and yachting. Generally, the difference is clearly stated in the name of the line itself. For example, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection obviously offers an entirely different product from lines such as Aurora Expeditions.

But what about Seabourn Cruise Line? Its new Seabourn Venture and upcoming Seabourn Pursuit appear very yacht-like and offer many of the same accommodations that the rest of the luxury fleet does. 

However, these expedition vessels are smaller and carry fewer people. They’re also outfitted with more adventure-focused venues and equipment onboard. Knowing the difference is key to a travel advisor’s success in choosing the right product for his or her discerning clientele. And knowing the destinations offered will elevate the level of service even more.

Here are some non-polar destinations that clients can explore via an expedition cruise.

The Galapagos Islands

Probably the most recognizable non-polar expedition destination is the Galapagos Islands. The Ecuadorian chain of islets is known as the historic subject of scientist Charles Darwin and a favorite of tourists for some time. However, the landscape is changing. (The red-footed and blue-footed boobies are still present, but the ships taking travelers there are in flux.)

Silversea has its fresh Silver Origin in the region, and Celebrity Cruises has one of its newest vessels — Celebrity Flora — there, too. Lindblad Expeditions - National Geographic also recently reinvigorated its Galapagos offerings with the newly acquired National Geographic Islander ll (formerly Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Esprit). And Hurtigruten Expeditions began sailing the region in 2022.

Clients can also travel to the islands in a very unique fashion onboard Quasar Expeditions’ elegant 16-guest Grace, none other than the fully-refurbished yacht used by Princess Grace Kelly during her honeymoon in the 1950s.

Alaska and Canada

Not quite as far as the Northwest and Northeast Passages are easy-to-access parts of Alaska and Canada for small-ship journeys. UnCruise Adventures has long operated in the 49th U.S. state, and Maple Leaf Adventures is a fine option for exploring the Canadian portion of the Inside Passage.

RELATED: Cruise Review: Sailing Southeastern Alaska With UnCruise Adventures

During a sailing with UnCruise, clients can partake in a polar plunge or kayak excursion in Glacier Bay, leaving directly from the ship, which is often much smaller than those that usually venture there. Or, clients with Maple Leaf can opt to route through the scenic and historic Haida Gwaii archipelago onboard Swell, a distinct 1912-built, wooden-hulled tugboat that has been converted for modern passenger service.

Greenland, Iceland and Norway

Similarly remote and still further south than the North Pole are the likes of Greenland, Iceland and Norway. Quark Expeditions just launched its new 11-day Greenland Explorer: Sail and Soar the Alpine Arctic circuit there.

Josh Weidman, director of product for Quark, said in a press release that “being able to develop this itinerary in full collaboration with local partners in Greenland ensures our guests can enjoy truly authentic experiences no one else can provide.”

Itineraries include Tundra to Table: Inuit Culinary Experience; and Greenland Camping along the Tasermiut Fjord. Weidman also points out how the line’s pair of helicopters onboard Ultramarine can take guests to areas in South Greenland that are otherwise inaccessible for scenic sightseeing, as well as heli-hiking. During certain times of the year, the aurora borealis can also be seen from these parts.

Ponant is also currently showcasing its Iceland Voyage: Land of Fire and Ice itinerary on Le Bellot, in collaboration with Smithsonian Journeys, one of 21 such trips in 2023 to be led by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. Along for the ride are geologist and oceanographer Katryn Wiese, along with Elisabeth Ward, a Scandinavian languages and literature expert. Both will be on hand while exploring the country’s breathtaking glaciers, geysers, fjords and volcanoes.

Not to be forgotten in Norway is Hurtigruten, a line that has been a fixture in the region for more than a century. Its Hurtigruten Norway division recently revealed more than 60 new excursions, including Kayaking in Lofoten, Dog Sledding in Alta and Snowmobiling to the North Cape.

Tropical Ports of Call and More

Chances are, if a small expedition ship can reach a destination, customers will have the option to travel there, from the Sea of Cortez to the Seychelles and everything in between (even expedition cruises to the Caribbean and Hawaii are often more adventurous than on mainstream sailings).

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours will be sending its upcoming Scenic Eclipse II to Easter Island in 2024. The explorations yacht will head to the Yasawa Islands of Fiji, as well as down to the Kimberley Coastline of Australia next year.

Swan Hellenic is planning to cover all seven continents in 2023 with its fleet of three mint ships. In the Pacific will be SH Minerva; on the Atlantic and in West Africa will be SH Vega; and into the Mediterranean, Red Sea and East Africa will be SH Diana.

RELATED: Swan Hellenic's Latest News: Expeditions Ships, 2023 Cruises and More

Beginning next month in the Mediterranean, Atlas Ocean Voyages is expanding beyond the Arctic and Antarctica with its fresh Epicurean Expeditions for an adventurous taste of the region. The line also notes that “visiting vintners” and “gastronomic guests” will accompany passengers.

Atlas specializes in expeditions “that provide insights, indulge the senses and inspire discussion among like-minded travelers,” according to James Rodriguez, the line’s president and CEO, who adds that the new Epicurean Expeditions will allow passengers to immerse themselves in European culinary culture while also cruising onboard a luxury yacht.

Most recently, Lindblad Expeditions has also announced that it will charter Sea Cloud Cruises’ three-masted Sea Cloud II in Croatia, Italy and Slovenia in 2024. The 88-guest sailing ship will offer a greater variety of cultural expeditions under sail. Guests can expect to explore the forested islands of Kornati National Park off the Dalmatian Coast or the volcanic Aeolian Islands near Sicily.

“Sea Cloud II is the ideal vessel for world travelers looking for a break from everyday life,” said Trey Byus, chief expedition officer at Lindblad, in a press release, noting that clients can watch the sails be raised by hand, relax on deck and enjoy regional meals while they “explore the stunning, heritage-rich Mediterranean coasts.”

Aurora Expeditions is another to currently showcase its non-polar expeditions, focusing on natural beauty, biodiversity, geology and alluring archeological sites. The line is specifically highlighting its Cape Verde, Canary Islands & Azores Voyage, Jewels of Coastal U.K. Voyage, and Patagonia and Chilean Fjords itineraries for even more variety beyond just the Arctic and Antarctica.

The U.S. Great Lakes and World Cruises

And if that weren’t enough, clients can even take an expedition cruise on the U.S. Great Lakes, thanks to itineraries offered by Viking. When not in Antarctica, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris explore much closer to home, featuring opportunities to see Niagara Falls; kayak over the shipwrecks of Ontario, Canada’s Thunder Bay; hike boreal forests; or leisurely bike Mackinac Island in Michigan.

What’s more, Viking links the Great Lakes and Antarctica seasonally with its Longitudinal World Cruises, stretching from the U.S. and Canada down to the Drake Passage. The wide variety of expedition destinations that are visited along the 65- to 71-day sailings include Cozumel, Mexico, and Colon, Panama, before transiting the Panama Canal toward Manta, Ecuador; Lima (Callao), Peru; Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile; the Chilean fjords; and more.

With a seemingly endless array of expedition cruises that await between the poles, agents have a wealth of options to choose from and sell to their clients.