Expedition Cruises
Antarctica. Galápagos. Patagonia.
By Laura Korty, private luxury travel advisor and river & expedition cruise specialist
Small purpose-built ships with real naturalists and expedition leaders. The kind of trip where the itinerary is a suggestion and the weather has the last word — planned with contingency, not luck.
Straight answers, before you ask.
What should I look for in an expedition ship?
Start with capacity: ships carrying around two hundred guests or fewer land more often and move more freely. Then look at the expedition team, the Zodiac fleet, and how many guests share each landing. Credentials matter less than how much time you actually spend ashore.
When is the right season for Antarctica vs. the Arctic?
Antarctica runs November to March, with penguin chicks and whales building toward the end of the season. The Arctic runs June through September, best for polar bears, walrus, and midnight sun. They are different journeys, so choose by what you most want to see.
How physically demanding are expedition cruises?
Less than most people expect: landings use Zodiacs and short, uneven walks, no one is required to go ashore, and guides set an easy pace. Steady balance on a moving ship matters most. Tell me about any limits and I will choose the ship and itinerary accordingly.
