Expedition cruising is a completely different product from mainstream ocean cruising. Vessels carry 100–250 passengers (versus 3,000+ on mass-market ships), prioritize zodiac landings and shore experiences over onboard entertainment, employ expert naturalist and historian guides, and run small-group programs that mainstream lines can't match operationally.

Four main destinations dominate: Antarctica (November–March from Ushuaia, Argentina — 10–14 nights via the Drake Passage), the Arctic and Svalbard (June–September from Longyearbyen, Norway), Galápagos (year-round from Baltra, Ecuador — 4–10 nights with strict national park rules limiting itineraries), and Greenland (June–September with calls at Ilulissat, Nuuk, and east-coast settlements). Some operators add Northwest Passage transits, Russian Arctic, and South Georgia & Falklands as adjacent products.

Costs are 3–5x mainstream cruise pricing per night — expedition vessels are expensive to operate in extreme environments, expedition staff are specialists, and economies of scale don't apply at 100-passenger capacity. Book 12–18 months ahead for popular Antarctic departures; cabin inventory is small and the prime January–February dates sell out first.

Countries & destinations in Expedition & Polar Cruising

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