Expedition: Bucket List
Aspirational travel at it's finest.

The Ultimate Expedition Cruise Guide and Quiz

Luxury Expedition Cruise Line
Key Differentiators & Personal Quiz

Find The Perfect Expedition Cruise Line For You

1. What's your ideal balance of comfort and adventure?
2. What matters most in your travel experience?
3. What region are you most drawn to?

Expedition Cruises Lines by Region

Click on checkmarks to see expedition cruises by region,
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Endangered Species You May Encounter on Expedition Cruises

Antarctica & Sub-Antarctic

Emperor Penguin – Near Threatened
Wandering Albatross – Vulnerable
Grey-headed Albatross – Endangered
Southern Elephant Seal – Decreasing

Arctic & Svalbard

Polar Bear – Vulnerable
Walrus – Vulnerable
Bowhead Whale – Protected
Ivory Gull – Near Threatened

Amazon & South America

Amazon River Dolphin – Endangered
Giant Otter – Endangered
Jaguar – Near Threatened
Andean Condor – Vulnerable

Galápagos Islands

Galápagos Penguin – Endangered
Marine Iguana – Vulnerable
Waved Albatross – Critically Endangered
Giant Tortoise – Varies

Africa & Indian Ocean

African Elephant – Critically Endangered
Lemurs (e.g. Indri) – Critically Endangered
Hawksbill Turtle – Critically Endangered
African Penguin – Endangered

South Pacific & Australia

Dugong – Vulnerable
Northern Cassowary – Vulnerable
Loggerhead Turtle – Vulnerable
Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat – Critically Endangered

Asia & Indo-Pacific

Orangutan (Sumatran & Bornean) – Critically Endangered
Irrawaddy Dolphin – Endangered
Malayan Tapir – Endangered
Philippine Eagle – Critically Endangered

Global Oceans

Blue Whale – Endangered
Fin Whale – Vulnerable
Vaquita – Critically Endangered
Southern Right Whale – Protected

Luxury Expedition Cruise Lines – Key Differentiators

MOST LUXURIOUS & PRIVATE

Silversea Expeditions – Refined indulgence at the edge of the Earth

Silversea sets the bar for expedition luxury with all-suite accommodations, butler service for every guest, and gourmet dining even in the polar regions. Whether tracing Darwin’s footsteps in the Galápagos or traversing Antarctica’s ice shelves, each journey offers a seamless blend of comfort and discovery.

STYLISH & FRENCH-FORWARD

Ponant – Parisian elegance, polar horizons

Fusing French design with eco-conscious innovation, Ponant’s hybrid-powered fleet offers intimate, culturally immersive voyages across Antarctica, the Arctic, and Oceania. Their partnership with National Geographic elevates the experience further, bringing scientific depth to their haute couture onboard style.

ULTRA-PREMIUM COMFORT WITH CLASSIC CHARM

Seabourn Expeditions – Oceanfront opulence meets polar adventure

With PC6-rated ships and suites styled like private clubs, Seabourn blends traditional cruise luxury with bold exploration. Submarines, fine dining by Thomas Keller, and a veteran expedition team await in Antarctica, the Amazon, the Northwest Passage, and beyond.

WILDLIFE-DRIVEN & INTELLECTUALLY RICH

Lindblad Expeditions + National Geographic – For the naturally curious

This powerhouse pairing offers unmatched access to remote ecosystems, backed by leading biologists, photographers, and naturalists. From Galápagos to Alaska to the Amazon, each itinerary is built around storytelling, science, and intimate wildlife encounters.

DEEPEST SCIENTIFIC & EDUCATIONAL FOCUS

HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) – Where science sails

HX leads in polar sustainability, with onboard science centers, citizen science programs, and a legacy rooted in Norwegian Arctic navigation. Ideal for travelers seeking meaningful engagement, climate insights, and rugged destinations like Svalbard and Greenland.

HYBRID ADVENTURE-LUXURY WITH GLOBAL RANGE

Atlas Ocean Voyages – Boutique boldness for a new generation

Designed for adventurous luxury travelers, Atlas offers compact, all-inclusive ships with polar capabilities and rich cultural programming. Antarctica, West Africa, and Brazil become refined frontiers for those who want expedition grit paired with yacht-like polish.

RIVER & COASTAL SPECIALIST WITH ECO-EDGE

Aqua Expeditions – Where rivers run wild

Aqua redefines warm-weather expeditions with ultra-luxury vessels navigating the Peruvian Amazon, the Mekong, and Indonesian archipelagos. Locally sourced cuisine, private guides, and wildlife-rich itineraries cater to those craving intimacy and conservation in tropical climes.

ACTIVITY-BASED EXPLORATION WITH WILD ACCESS

Aurora Expeditions – Australian spirit, global adventure

Adventure-led and environmentally focused, Aurora is known for kayaking, hiking, and mountaineering in places like the Kimberley, Antarctica, and the Arctic. A favorite for active travelers seeking less fluff and more frontier.

CULTURAL & ACADEMIC EXPLORATION

Swan Hellenic – Expedition meets enlightenment

With roots in classical travel, Swan Hellenic offers journeys enriched by archaeologists, authors, and academic experts. Think West Africa, the Middle East, and Antarctica—with sophisticated interiors and intellectually curious guests.

POLAR SPECIALISTS WITH ADVENTURE PEDIGREE

Quark Expeditions – Pushing further, always

Quark is the gold standard for true polar immersion. From icebreakers and heli-supported adventures to emperor penguin sightings, this line specializes in high-adrenaline experiences across Antarctica and the Arctic.

TECH-FORWARD COMFORT WITH NORDIC DESIGN

Viking Expeditions – Precision, education, and elegance

Viking brings its signature Scandinavian aesthetic and scientific credibility to expedition cruising with advanced labs, ROVs, and enrichment lectures. Antarctica and the Great Lakes are the new frontiers, experienced in sleek, serene style.