The Five Best Destinations for Expedition Cruises, According to the Experts

Expedition cruising is on the rise and, according to Travel Market Report’s predictions for 2021, could be one of the segments of cruising that gains the most market share during the travel industry’s inevitable rebound – with small, luxury ships giving travelers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see and experience things they’ve never have before.  

Late last year, pre-pandemic, TMR queried a total of 764 agency owners and advisors from across North America as to what they are seeing in the region, including why exactly their clients are increasingly opting to sail on expedition ships and what regions are driving the most interest.

The research, part of TMR’s Expedition Outlook for 2020, sponsored by Seabourn, proved that the niche is growing and now is the time for advisors who haven’t yet considered selling it to do so.

To prepare those advisors who haven’t yet dove head first into the segment, and to keep the ones who have informed, here are the top five destinations, according to travel advisors:

Blue-footed boobies in the Galápagos. Photo: Don Mammoser/Shutterstock.com. 

1. Galápagos Islands (72%)
The Galápagos Islands have long been the destination for cruise passengers wanting to sail to bucket list destinations, which is the top reason clients say they opt for expedition cruising (80% said so according to the Outlook).

The islands, which are volcanic land that sit about 1,000 kilometers off of the Ecuadorian coast, have limited air travel with only two airports servicing all of the islands, making it the ideal destination for cruise travel. The islands are home to a wildlife population unlike any other area on earth including Marine iguanas, Blue-footed boobies, and the Galapagos tortoise.

Cruise lines that service the islands include Silversea, Seabourn, Celebrity, Hurtigruten, and more.

Humpback Whales in Antarctica. Photo: MZPhoto:Shutterstock.com.

2. Antarctica (66%)
Almost two-thirds of advisors said that Antarctica is their most popular destination for expedition cruise sales, making the southernmost continent the second most popular destination among travel advisors.

The popularity of Antarctica sailings have increased throughout the last decade as both first-time and loyal cruise clients have opted to spend their money sailing to a distant world more accessible by sea than by land.

Silversea, in its marketing for Antarctica, calls the region “the closest thing on earth to another planet” and for good reason, too—Humpback and Minke whales, massive glaciers, and mountain peaks are all regularly scenery during the journey.

Aside from Silversea, sailings to the region include offering from Seabourn, Hurtigruten, Abercrombie Keny, Lindblad, Ponant, Quark, Scenice, and more.

Alaska. Photo: Mike Redwine/Shutterstock.com. 

3. Alaska (46%)
Alaska is not only a staple of the expedition cruise industry’s offerings, but also has become one of the most popular destinations for mainstream cruise lines, with mega-ship cruise lines offering vastly different experiences from their small-ship colleagues in the industry.

While Alaska’s interest might not be primarily driven by the desire to sail on a ship with a smaller number of guests, which was the second most popular reason for taking an expedition cruise line (62%) according to advisors, the chance to see a bucket list destination (80%), experience nature in its pristine form (60%), and experience something different (60%) has driven it to become the third most popular expedition cruise destination.

Almost every expedition cruise line offers some kind of Alaska itinerary, including Silversea, Seabourn, Celebrity, and more. Other, large ships lines, also offer Alaska including Viking Ocean, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania, Princess, Azamara, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and more.

The Alaska cruise season, which generally runs from late April through September, for 2021, however, is still very much up in the air as the industry stays on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stykkisholmur, Iceland. Photo: Mihai Andritoui/Shutterstock.com. 

4. Iceland/Greenland (43%)
Iceland and Greenland come in at number four on the list, with 43% of travel advisors listing it as the most popular destination among their expedition cruise clients.

The region boasts a unique combination of land and sea sites, with coastline beauty meeting inland towns full of colorful wooden houses and populations living lives unlike anywhere else on earth. The region’s location near the Arctic also gives cruisers the ability to enjoy the Land of the Midnight sun if they plan their sailing correctly.

Seabourn, Hurtigruten, Linblad, Silversea, and more lines all anchor the expedition cruise sailing options in the area, with other large ship offerings giving guest the chance to sail through some nearby regions, as well.

Polar bears in the Arctic. Photo: FloridaStock/Shutterstock.com. 

5. Arctic (34%)
The less popular of the Polar Regions, the Arctic, which is the northernmost part of Earth, includes all the area within the Arctic Circle along with parts of the British Isles, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, and the Canadian Arctic. The main season for Arctic cruising is from May to September, a time when, because of its location, guests and residents can enjoy up to 24 hours of sunlight.

The Arctic also features once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to kayak in between icebergs, see Viking ruins and ancient Inuit sites, and get an up-close encounter with natural wildlife like whales, walruses, and reindeer.

Seabourn, Silversea, Hurtigruten, Hapag-Lloyd, Linbald, Ponant, Crystal, Scenic, and more all offer unique sailings to the region.