Remote wonders and rare wildlife: the new wave of expedition cruises

A decade later, dozens more cruise lines are offering adventures on bigger, newer superyachts and icebreakers with Starlink high-speed internet, balcony suites and butler service.

Whether choosing luxury or non-luxury, expedition passengers tend to be like-minded adventurers who love learning from the onboard historians, geologists, naturalists and marine biologists.

The list of destinations has also expanded dramatically, particularly in the South Pacific and Africa. A standout is Seabourn Pursuit's 82-day repositioning voyage from Western Australia to Argentina. Covering three continents, the ship departs Broome in September 2026 and spends nearly three months visiting remote ports in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Pitcairn Island and Easter Island.

Owned by a family in New Zealand, Heritage Expeditions has a great Asian Island Odyssey next year. The 140-guest Heritage Adventurer will be the first cruise ship to call at Polillo Island, a wildlife-rich tropical paradise in the Philippines. Departing June 2025, this 19-day sailing from Taipei to Darwin also explores Taiwan and Indonesia.

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In January 2026, Coral Expeditions returns to Melanesia and Micronesia, away from the routes of big ships. The 16-day Louisiades, Solomons and Vanuatu itinerary from Cairns heads to the untouched outer islands. Among the highlights are Ambrym, known for its black magic, and an opportunity to go snorkelling around the wreck of a World War II Japanese fighter plane.

Swan Hellenic's 21-day South Atlantic crossing from Antarctica to South Africa sets sail in March 2025. The hidden jewel is Tristan da Cunha, a rarely visited British outpost that is home to millions of seabirds such as the endangered Tristan albatross and northern rockhopper penguins, who breed on the beaches.

For the ultimate polar pilgrimage, Viking Expeditions' 87-day From the Arctic to Antarctica combines six itineraries from the Earth's far north to the extreme south, via Canada and the Chilean fjords. Two departures are available in September 2025 and 2026.

Myth: Cruises are boring.

Fact: Only boring people are bored on cruises. Each day brings a new destination, without spending hours in airports or stuck in traffic. Activities are scheduled from sunrise to midnight, including things you won't find on land. You can ride a hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide on NCL's new Norwegian Aqua (launching next April). Drive a dodgem car on Ovation of the Seas. Do a bar crawl afloat. Stargaze in the middle of the ocean. Spot whales and dolphins off the side of the ship. See the northern lights or southern lights. Taste wine in a palace on a European river cruise. Cruises offer all kinds of fun.