Top 4 Destinations You Can Only Reach by Expedition Cruise

Antarctica: the white continent

Antarctica is the ultimate expedition destination. There are no roads, no towns and no permanent residents. It is a place of extremes, home to the coldest temperatures on Earth, vast ice sheets and surreal landscapes that defy imagination. The only way to explore this frozen frontier is by ship, and expedition cruising offers the safest and most immersive way to do it.

On an Antarctic voyage, you will sail past towering glaciers, navigate through ice-choked channels and step ashore on islands teeming with wildlife. Expect to see colonies of Adélie and gentoo penguins waddling across the snow, seals lounging on ice floes and whales breaching in icy waters. Zodiac excursions and expert-led lectures bring the continent’s ecology and history to life.

Fun fact: Antarctica has no time zones. Since the sun does not set for months during summer, expedition ships often operate on the time zone of their departure port, usually Ushuaia in Argentina.

Galápagos Islands: evolution’s playground

Located 1,000 kilometres off the coast of Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands are a living laboratory of evolution. Each island has its own unique ecosystem, shaped by isolation and volcanic activity. The result is wildlife found nowhere else on Earth.

Expedition cruises are the only way to explore the Galápagos in depth. These small ships allow access to remote islands and protected areas, with naturalist guides leading daily excursions. You will snorkel with sea lions, hike past lava fields and observe giant tortoises in their natural habitat.

Fun fact: Marine iguanas in the Galápagos are the only lizards that swim in the ocean. They even sneeze salt to clear their noses after diving.

The Arctic: land of midnight sun

The Arctic is a realm of ice and light, where polar bears roam and the sun never sets in summer. It is a place of stark beauty and fragile ecosystems, best explored by expedition cruise. These voyages navigate icy waters to reveal dramatic landscapes, rare wildlife and Indigenous cultures.

Destinations like Svalbard, Greenland and the Canadian Arctic offer a glimpse into a world few have seen. You might kayak past glaciers, spot walruses on the shore or visit remote communities that have thrived for centuries in harsh conditions.

Fun fact: In summer, the Arctic experiences continuous daylight for weeks. You can spot whales at midnight under golden skies.

The Amazon River: jungle by water

The Amazon is not just a river, it is a world unto itself. Stretching across nine countries, it is the largest rainforest on Earth and one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. Expedition cruises offer a unique way to explore its hidden corners, gliding deep into tributaries and remote reserves.

Unlike jungle lodges, river ships provide comfort and mobility, allowing you to wake up each day in a new location. You will encounter pink dolphins, sloths and vibrant birdlife, visit Indigenous villages and learn about ancient traditions that still shape life along the river.

Fun fact: The Amazon discharges 20 percent of the world’s freshwater into the oceans. That is over 200,000 cubic metres per second.