The 6 Best Expedition Cruise Lines If You Want REAL Adventures At Sea!

The fact you’ve even clicked on this article tells me that there’s a flicker inside you – something that’s stirred by the idea of genuine adventure.

It might just be a spark, but you’re at least curious – and I can’t blame you.

From icy polar regions to lush, wildlife-rich archipelagos, expedition cruises are about actual immersion, not just indulgence. You’re creating the kind of memories that will be stories you’ll tell your grandchildren in future – not just memories of cocktails by the side of a pool.

There’s a thrill to expedition cruising you don’t find anywhere else. And because you have that spark, I know you want to learn more about the best cruise options for your wanderlust adventures…

1. National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions

This is the gold standard of expedition cruising – the original pioneers.

National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions pairs the prestige of National Geographic with Lindblad’s decades of experience in immersive, small-ship adventures.

If you want life-changing moments guided by world-class experts – naturalists, marine biologists, photographers – this is the one.

Every trip is a masterclass in discovery. You won’t just cruise past landscapes, you’ll understand them – through expert talks, onboard science labs, and up-close Zodiac landings. There’s even a certified photo instructor on every voyage to help you capture those jaw-dropping moments like a pro.

You’ll also find one of the most sustainable and purpose-driven fleets around, with itineraries designed to benefit the environment and support local communities.

National Geographic-Lindblad Ships

The fleet includes state-of-the-art expedition vessels like the National Geographic Resolution and National Geographic Endurance, designed for extreme polar conditions, as well as ships tailored for tropical and coastal exploration like the National Geographic Islander II and Sea Lion.

These ships are small (most under 150 guests), with onboard specialists, open bridges, and casual luxury that prioritises comfort and connection with nature over opulence.

National Geographic-Lindblad Destinations

Where don’t they go? From the Arctic to Antarctica, the Galápagos to Alaska, and remote South Pacific islands to Africa’s wild coastlines – Lindblad covers the globe. Their Galápagos trips are legendary, but their polar expeditions are just as iconic.

If you’re seeking a cruise that inspires, educates and delivers unforgettable encounters with wildlife and nature – National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions is the best place to start.

2. Silversea

Silversea was one of the original trailblazers of luxury expedition cruising – and it’s still a standout. The cruise line combines rugged exploration with five-star indulgence, offering immersive, small-ship adventures without compromising on comfort.

Whether you’re gliding past glaciers in Antarctica or snorkelling in the Galápagos, you’ll do it in style. Think gourmet dining, all-suite accommodations, and personalised service – all included. Every voyage comes with expert-led excursions, complimentary Zodiac tours, and all the gear you’ll need for the wild.

Silversea Expedition Ships

There are four ships to choose an expedition cruise with Silversea: Silver Endeavour, Silver Origin, Silver Wind and Silver Cloud. Silver Cloud and Silver Wind are long-standing ships in the Silversea fleet, and there was a fifth ship – Silver Explorer – that left the fleet in November 2023.

Silver Endeavour is the latest ship, which joined in 2022 and is designed for polar exploration. The ship has space for 220 guests, with a 207 crew capacity.

Silver Wind and Silver Cloud are both classic ocean cruise ships converted into ice-class vessels, allowing them to sail in polar regions.

Silver Cloud can hold 254 guests with a 212 crew capacity, while Silver Wind can hold 274 guests with a crew capacity of 239. Silver Origin is the smallest ship in the fleet – she can host just 100 guests and 90 crew.

Silversea Destinations

Silversea has one of the widest ranges of expedition destinations. The most popular choice is the polar regions including the Arctic, Antarctica, Iceland and Greenland.

To sail here, the ships need to be refurbished or built to an ice-class specification which allows them to handle extreme conditions and weather. Ships that sail here include Silver Cloud, Silver Wind and Silver Endeavour.

Other destinations include exotic regions such as Africa and the South Pacific, as well as the tropical regions of the Caribbean and Australia. South America is another popular region due to the Galapagos Islands and Chilean Fjords which feature on many itineraries.

If you’re interested in luxury expedition cruises, Silversea is one of the best choices.

3. Scenic Ocean

Scenic Ocean is one of the more recent cruise lines to offer expedition cruises. The flagship, Scenic Eclipse, was dubbed the ‘world’s first discovery yacht’ by the cruise line when it launched in 2020. Bringing with it submarines, helicopters and butler service, it’s definitely a luxurious option for expedition travelers.

The cruise line prides itself on offering an all-inclusive experience while sailing with them, with world-class dining, incredibly comfortable suites and exclusive excursions to knit together the perfect expedition adventure to numerous destinations.

Scenic Ocean Ships

Currently, there are two expedition cruise ships in the Scenic Ocean fleet – Scenic Eclipse I and Scenic Eclipse II. Both ships are identical, offering a guest capacity of 228, reducing to 200 guests in the Polar regions.

The ships are built to a Polar Class 6 rating, allowing smooth sailing through all waters, alongside GPS dynamic positioning which allows the ships to drop anchor without damaging the sensitive sea beds.

Scenic Ocean Destinations

Scenic Ocean offers a breadth of destinations to sail to. These include the usual Polar regions and South America, as well as North and Central America, Europe, Siberia & Russian Arctic, and Japan.

Antarctica brings the Chilean Fjords and the historical Falkland Islands, while Japan boasts visits to South Korea, Busan and Tokyo.

4. Seabourn

Seabourn Expeditions is proud to be curated by ‘Mother Nature’, encouraging guests to become active participants in the natural world during their ultra-luxury expeditions.

With elements of these sailings including Zodiac tours under cliffs and along jungle rivers; kayaking through icebergs and tropical islands, as well as hiking through ancient Incan sites and Amazon villages – you can see that the natural world has a great influence on the itineraries Seabourn offers for expedition guests.

The cruise line offers an ultra-luxury level of service, accommodation, dining and more. Complimentary caviar, luxuriously appointed suites and all-inclusive amenities are just some of the things to look forward to during your sailing.

Seabourn Ships

There are two ships in the expedition fleet for Seabourn: Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit. Previously, Seabourn had other ships that offered expedition-type itineraries, but the cruise line has recently launched its own purpose-built expedition ships for the first time that solely concentrate on expedition experiences.

Seabourn Venture launched in April 2022 and was the first expedition ship for the line, holding up to 264 guests with all-veranda, ocean-front suites. Seabourn Pursuit is the second-in-line for expedition sailings, having launched in 2023, and she is a mirror of the expedition flagship.

Seabourn Destinations

Seabourn expeditions’ destinations are well varied, with over 160 expedition ports across five continents. The cruise line explores some of the most remote places in the world including Antarctica, the Amazon and the Arctic.

There are also trips to South America, voyages across the Northwest Passage – a sea corridor close to the Arctic – and the Far East and the Kuril Islands, featuring Japan, Alaska and parts of Russia.

5. Quark

Having spent three decades taking travellers to the most remote parts of the Polar Regions, Quark is one of the most experienced expedition cruise lines.

Since launching in 1991 with the first tourist transit of the Northeast Passage, the cruise line has developed as an industry leader in Arctic and Antarctic expedition sailings. They’re certainly one of the best options for polar expedition cruises.

Guests can expect helicopters, wraparound decks and Zodiac transport, all the while bringing them closer to some of the most remote parts of the world. The fleet is built up of purpose-built ships and icebreakers which are designed to withstand freezing temperatures and icebergs, ideal for the Polar Regions.

Quark Ships

Quark has the largest and most diverse fleet of ships in the Antarctic and was the first consumer led expedition company to visit the North Pole. The cruise line has four ships offering expedition cruises: Ultramarine, Ocean Adventurer, World Explorer and World Voyager.

Ultramarine is one of the newer additions, joining in November 2021, and can fit up to 140 guests and crew on-board. Ocean Adventurer joined the fleet in 2017 for up to 87 guests and staff, while World Explorer joined in the fleet in 2019 to fit up to 130 staff and guests.

The absolute newest is World Voyager, a ship that offers capacity for up to 168 passengers and that was designed specifically for science and discovery cruises.

Quark Destinations

The cruise line was founded by two adventurers and has since grown into an expert polar specialist. The innovations of the company have led Quark to achieve a number of firsts for the industry for polar explorations.

Quark charters an extensive portfolio of expeditions to Antarctica, Svalbard, Iceland, Greenland, Arctic Canada, Russia and the North Pole, accompanied by seasoned expedition experts and guides.

6. Ponant

Another upscale expedition line, Ponant is a luxury expedition specialist. Offering a fully five-star setting with a travel experience that is authentic and high-end, the cruise line is a great option for those seeking indulgent expedition cruises.

The fleet is small-scale, meaning there are opportunities to dock in private ports and hidden locations. Guest capacity is much smaller, so life on board is comparative to that of a private yacht, where everyone can enjoy special moments.

Ponant Ships

Ponant operates a fleet of 13 luxury small ships, many of which are purpose-built for expedition cruising in remote regions like the Arctic, Antarctica, and tropical archipelagos.

The most notable expedition ship is Le Commandant Charcot – the line’s first hybrid-electric polar exporation ship powered by liquefied natural gas. It’s an icebreaking cruise ship rated as a Polar Class 2, meaning it is capable of reaching remote destinations across the Polar Regions, including the North Pole.

Ponant’s Explorers Class includes six near-identical expedition yachts launched between 2018 and 2020. These sleek, modern ships are designed for warm and cold water expeditions and each accommodates up to 184 guests. They feature an innovative underwater lounge called the Blue Eye, offering a unique way to observe marine life.

Another group of expedition-ready vessels is Ponant’s Sistership Class, made up of four slightly larger ships. Launched between 2010 and 2015, these vessels frequently operate in polar regions, offering Zodiac landings and expert-led excursions while maintaining Ponant’s hallmark luxury.

Ponant Destinations

Ponant offers a wide range of expedition itineraries that take guests to some of the most remote and awe-inspiring regions on Earth. The most iconic destinations are the polar regions, where Ponant’s advanced expedition ships – especially Le Commandant Charcot – can access areas that few other vessels can reach.

In Antarctica, Ponant takes travellers to the Antarctic Peninsula, the Weddell Sea, and even the geographic South Pole. Voyages often include Zodiac landings on ice-covered shores, encounters with penguin colonies, and opportunities to spot seals, whales, and icebergs up close.

In the Arctic, Ponant offers equally adventurous expeditions. Guests can sail to Spitsbergen in Svalbard, cross the Arctic Circle to Greenland, or explore the fjords and ice of the Canadian Arctic.

Beyond the poles, Ponant offers tropical and subpolar expedition cruises to destinations such as the Kimberley in Western Australia, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, the Seychelles, and the Amazon River. These voyages focus on biodiversity, local cultures, and dramatic landscapes.

Whether it’s watching a calving glacier in Greenland, snorkelling in the coral reefs of Raja Ampat, or visiting tribal villages in Melanesia, Ponant expeditions are designed to offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences with expert naturalists and scientists on board.

Related Posts:

• The Best Singles Cruises For Over 40s
• The 7 Smallest Cruise Ships In The World
• Scenic vs Emerald Ocean Cruises
• Silversea Vs Seabourn: Which Is Best?