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In 2024, a State of the Cruise Industry Report by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) revealed a 71 percent increase in passengers taking expedition cruises from 2019 to 2023.
As an adventurous 59-year-old photographer and travel writer, this was no surprise. It’s my favorite way to cruise and one of the best ways to meet like-minded travelers. Expeditions offer what “conventional” cruises simply cannot deliver. I’ve photographed remote islands in Antarctica and the Bering Sea, thousands of trumpeting king penguins nesting on South Georgia Island, speckled whale sharks swimming in Baja California Sur, and elusive spirit bears hunting salmon in Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest. Not to mention Greenland’s sea of iceberg art and Alaska’s rugged, untamed peaks.
Olivia Schellenberg, head of sales & product development for South America at Extraordinary Journeys, a luxury tour operator, sums it up best. “Expedition cruises offer journeys of discovery rather than leisure,” she says, whereas “ ‘standard’ cruises … prioritize leisure and entertainment.” Itineraries focus on nature and wildlife in remote locations guided by “expert naturalists and scientists.”
But that’s only the tip of the iceberg; expedition ships foster a more intimate environment. They’re smaller, carry fewer passengers, and are purpose-built to reach destinations other vessels cannot. Operators such as Aurora Expeditions, Lindblad Expeditions and Quark Expeditions accommodate between 16 and 199 passengers, while HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) hosts up to 490. In comparison, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas (the largest cruise ship in the world to date) carries a whopping 5,610 passengers.
An expedition cruise around Alaska and the Aleutian Islands affords a spectacular view of Mount St. Elias.
Susan Portnoy
Although the average age for general cruising is 46, expeditions skew higher with a lot of “active travelers in their 60s and 70s who have the time and budget to make the most of their small-ship experience,” says Mary Curry, a senior trip planner at Adventure Life, a tailor-made travel company. She adds that people of all ages are fans, and she has sailed with her multigenerational family several times.
“People who are flexible and open-minded” are the most likely to enjoy an expedition, says Canadian travel writer Jennifer Bain. Type A personalities, however, may want to think twice, she says. Expedition itineraries are fluid. A serendipitous wildlife sighting or inclement weather can alter plans. Those who cannot “go with the flow” may find this style of travel challenging.
Whether you are a seasoned adventurer or embarking upon your first expedition, here are some tips to help you make the most of your journey.
Before your trip
Check first. Every boat handles accessibility differently, says Greg Cormier, chief marketing officer at Aurora Expeditions. He recommends asking cruise lines about their onboard capabilities before booking.
