Expedition Cruising
Small ships. Big adventures. And luxury that isn’t afraid to get muddy boots.
At a recent Cruise Showcase, I discovered that adventure cruising has come a long way from rugged ships and basic bunks. Today’s expedition lines take you to Antarctica, the Arctic, Papua New Guinea, and beyond, with expert guides, comfortable vessels, and a surprising amount of indulgence along the way.
This article is for the traveller who dreams of remote places, rare wildlife, deep cultural connection—and coming home each night to hot showers, good food, and good company.
If you’ve ever wanted to walk among penguins, photograph polar bears, or visit tribal villages that don’t appear on maps, these are the cruise lines worth knowing.
🚢 Aurora Expeditions
Australian-owned, small ship, big adventure
Positioning & Message
Aurora has been pioneering polar exploration for over 30 years. With just 120 guests onboard, they offer twice-daily shore landings, flexible itineraries, and a deep respect for nature. Their style is authentic, unpretentious, and geared towards the “thinking person’s holiday.”
Target Traveller
Adventurers, nature lovers, solo travellers, and lifelong learners aged 45–75 who want life-changing experiences in a small group setting.
Standout Features
- 120-guest ships = maximum immersion
- 2 shore landings per day, weather permitting
- Strong solo traveller support
- Polar regions, Patagonia, Papua New Guinea & more
- Expert expedition team with educational focus
📝 Read more: Aurora Expeditions Newest Purpose-Built Expedition Ship
Memorable Insight
Aurora doesn’t do cruises. They do transformations. Expect to come back changed.
🚢 Albatros Expeditions
Scandinavian expedition with surprising accessibility
Positioning & Message
Family-owned and Danish in origin, Albatros brings 4-star expedition experiences to curious travellers—many of whom are new to cruise. They specialise in Arctic and Antarctic sailings with a focus on learning, adventure, and comfort without fuss.
Recent Developments
Albatros Expeditions has recently joined the Nordic Expedition Cruise & Travel (NECT) family—now operating alongside its sister brand, Polar Latitudes, through a strategic acquisition. This partnership also brings Albatros into the wider Chimu Adventures network, enhancing their presence in the Australian and New Zealand market and expanding their reach across the global expedition cruising landscape.
Target Traveller
New-to-cruise guests, semi-retired/retired explorers aged 50+, and solo travellers. Especially suited to land-travel converts seeking off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Standout Features
- 73% of guests are new to cruise
- Twice-daily split landings with zodiacs & hiking
- Antarctica: Nov–Mar | Arctic: May–Sep
- 80% balcony cabins
- Themed voyages (photography, kayaking)
- Transparent tipping structure ($16 USD pp/pd)
Memorable Insight
Albatros proves you don’t need ultra-luxury to feel deeply connected to a place. You just need time, access, and a sense of wonder.
🚢 Coral Expeditions
Australian crew. Australian soul. Pure exploration.
Positioning & Message
Owned by NRMA and crewed by Australians and New Zealanders, Coral Expeditions is all about accessible adventure for like-minded travellers who value nature, heritage, and cultural insight over fanfare.
Target Traveller
Australians aged 55–75 who are curious about our backyard—Kimberley, PNG, Great Barrier Reef, Tasmania—and want relaxed expedition cruising with strong guiding.
Standout Features
- Ships for 72–120 guests
- 71% repeat rate
- Strong cultural and ecological programming
- Destinations: Kimberley, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan & beyond
- All Australian crew for an authentically local feel
Memorable Insight
Coral isn’t trying to be trendy. They’re quietly delivering one of the most meaningful ways to rediscover Australasia and the Pacific.
🚢 Quark Expeditions
Think Polar. Think Quark.
Positioning & Message
Leaders in polar cruising since 1991, Quark brings an academic edge and serious adventure chops. With penguinologists and glaciologists onboard, they’re designed for people who want to learn as much as they want to see.
Target Traveller
Wildlife lovers, science nerds, active explorers and safari-style travellers. Ages range from 25 to 75, with a strong solo and multi-national guest base.
Standout Features
- 1:6 guest-to-guide ratio
- All expedition staff certified by Polar Academy annually
- Target audiences: Checklist cruisers, Learners, Escapists, Adventurers
- Helicopter options, polar plunges, and immersive landings
- Destinations: Antarctica, Greenland, Svalbard, Arctic Canada
Memorable Insight
For guests who’ve done African safaris, Alaska, or Northern Lights tours—Quark is the next great frontier.
🚢 Heritage Expeditions
Family-owned, conservation-led exploration of Earth’s last wild places
Positioning & Message
Heritage Expeditions offers a 5-star small ship experience with heart. Family-owned and fiercely connected to the Southern Hemisphere, they’ve sailed to the Ross Sea for over 35 years and hold rare permits that allow access to fragile environments and indigenous communities.
Target Traveller
Wildlife, wilderness, culture and conservation lovers—especially Australian and Kiwi travellers aged 50+. Perfect for those seeking deep, off-grid connection.
Standout Features
- 140-guest small ship experience
- Shore excursions included (excluding helicopters)
- Exclusive access to Ross Sea huts & tribal communities in Melanesia
- Safari-style itineraries in PNG, Subantarctic Islands, and Kimberley
- Cruises between Taipei, Cairns, Darwin, Japan & more
Memorable Insight
This is the Galápagos of the Southern Ocean. If you’ve done the big trips—do this one next.
Seabourn & PONANT – Expedition Experiences with a Luxury Core
While both brands are known for boutique luxury, their expedition offerings are some of the most refined in the world. Think icebergs, Zodiac landings, and polar bears—served with butler service and Bordeaux wine.
More information on both these luxury brands can be found here.
Is This Cruise Style Right for You?
You’ll love these expedition brands if:
- You want to explore the planet’s edges, not just the ports
- You’d rather kayak near a glacier than shop in a port town
- You enjoy learning and connecting deeply with place and people
- You want something rare, raw, and real—with no two days alike
- You value storytelling over structure, and meaning over material
Scroll down and take the quiz.
Ready to discover your perfect adventure cruise?
Let’s find the right expedition for your spirit of discovery.
Meet Your Cruise Specialist, Philip
As a CLIA Top 100 Master Cruise Consultant in Australia, my accreditation provides me with specialist knowledge in the luxury cruise space, allowing me to offer expert guidance on selecting the perfect voyage. Read More
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