View of Antarctica while onboard Viking Octantis
VIKING
Expedition Cruising Made Luxurious
You no longer have to forego travel luxuries to explore remote destinations. The newest expedition cruise offerings provide cruise conveniences and the authentic, up-close experiences you seek.
By Lesley Tkaczyk Miller
An expedition cruise isn’t your typical cruise. To start with, your ship will be a fraction of the size of most ocean cruise liners with an average capacity of only a few hundred guests. Also, you won’t spend as much time onboard as there’s a more poignant focus on delving deeper to explore remote places. This intimate access is possible thanks to the use of small Zodiac boats for most excursions. These agile, fast vessels are inflatable crafts with shallow drafts that let you explore harder-to-navigate passages.
As travelers have become more focused on authentic encounters with lesser-traveled destinations, these cruises have become increasingly popular. Here are four of the many extraordinary destinations you can explore on an expedition cruise.
Viewing penguins in their natural habitat of Antarctica
Antarctica
There’s no destination more remote than one at the literal end of the Earth. Antarctica is a frozen wilderness, but it’s also home to fascinating animals. Seeing whales, penguins and seals in their natural habitat is truly special. Aside from research teams, the entire continent is uninhabited by humans, so traveling here takes special knowledge and equipment. AAA preferred partners Alexander + Roberts and Silversea explore this southern continent with specialized ships and exciting experiences.
Kayaking past icebergs, whale watching, observing thousands of breeding pairs of penguins—memorable experiences pack Antarctica expedition cruises. To make sure all of your landings and small-boat cruises are educational and safe (for you and for the nature you’re venturing into), each operator’s cruises includes an expedition team. These experts in marine biology, ornithology, geology and even climatology—together with additional scientists, recreational leads and guest lecturers—provide first-hand knowledge, colorful anecdotes about the wildlife and sustainability guidance.
Passengers enjoying the sights of Antarctica.
viking
Throughout the expeditions, travelers can participate in escorted landings or, thanks to Alexander + Roberts’ “Open Bridge” policy, stand on the bridge with the ship’s officers to learn about navigation and to watch for whales. While it’s hard to guarantee where you will land in Antarctica due to the region’s weather conditions, cruises make every effort for you to actually step foot on the seventh continent. Half Moon Island is a favored choice, distinguished by its colony of chinstrap penguins and striking creviced cliffs. Silversea attempts daily Zodiac departures to get passengers up close to giant, frosty ice formations that sweep and curve in enigmatic ways. Onboard, Silversea stands out for its butler service offered in every class of service and almost one staff member for every guest. Alexander + Roberts’ point of difference lies in its intimately sized ships carrying roughly 90 passengers, which means more time ashore and with naturalists.
Baby sea lion, Galapagos Islands
GETTY IMAGES
Galapagos Islands
For a warmer, even more creature-packed experience, head to the fabled Galapagos Islands. Imagine splashing through the shallows as you land on the beach. You look out to the ocean and see a sea lion surfing the waves off the coast of Santa Fe Island. Once on land, be on the lookout for Galapagos hawks, Santa Fe land iguanas and the Galapagos snake. That’s all on only one island in this chain of extraordinary lands that are also home to famed blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises, frigate birds and other extraordinary fauna.
This bucket-list voyage is made even more remarkable by Celebrity Cruises with guests exploring the islands aboard the Celebrity Xpedition, a 48-passenger ship that uses every inch of space to create an indulgent atmosphere. Guests can unwind from a day of exploring in their complimentary plush robes and enjoy in-suite dining. Relax further with massage services, then enjoy nightly lectures from Galapagos National Park-certified naturalists, who remain onboard the entire voyage to share knowledge that enhances each fascinating encounter.
Excursions are led by these naturalists who add context and history to each destination, like in Post Office Bay, where sailors used to leave their mail to be picked up by other ships. In Elizabeth Bay, they point out the wildlife while navigating this sheltered inlet aboard a Zodiac. Snorkeling equipment and wet suits are provided, making it a breeze to see the dramatically colorful fish of Santiago Island, where you may also spot sea turtles.
Dynjandi waterfall, Iceland
ADOBE STOCK
Iceland
Encounter otherworldly beauty when circumnavigating Iceland on a Viking Cruises oceans small-ship journey. Viking Jupiter is slated to sail Icelandic waters through at least summer of 2026. Eight included shore excursions, plus others potentially booked at additional cost, provide an immersive experience to witness cascading waterfalls, pristine fjord landscapes, colonies of puffins and the gentle giants of the sea—whales.
Journey roundtrip from Reykajavik, the country’s capital and cultural epicenter, to delve into its fishing history and to catch your breath while admiring its gorgeous scenery—filled with spectacular waterfalls, deep fjords and steaming geobaths. Off the coast of Isafjordur on a shore excursion, bird enthusiasts can visit Vigur Island to observe Arctic terns, eider ducks, black guillemots and, of course, summering puffins.
In Akureyi, Iceland's “capital of the north,” take a magical tour to witness minke, fin and, if you're lucky, humpback whales—known for their enormous pectoral fins and amazing acrobatics. The country’s relationship with whales is a storied one, a chapter or so of which is found in Seydisfjordur, site of the world’s first whaling station. More tales of the country’s origins and its modern life unfold in the balance of the journey, the hallmark of which is the scenic splendor of the land itself.
View of the King George River from a Zodiac boat
The Kimberley
Many travelers—enamored with vibrant Sydney, the unusual wildlife, the magical indigenous culture, epic surfing and world-renowned wines—dream of visiting Australia. Those are the perceived highlights at the macro level of this magical country, but for an intimate, expedition-style visit, it’s valuable to delve deeper into the Land Down Under. What surfaces is Kimberley, a region sometimes called one of the world’s last wilderness frontiers.
This wilder world is situated on Australia’s northwest coast and boasts rugged landscapes of sandstone mountains, lengthy waterfalls, rich mangrove forests and seemingly barren deserts. Seabourn Cruise Line offers expedition cruises aboard Seabourn Pursuit, a 264-passenger vessel that is the second ultra-luxury expedition ship in the company’s fleet. It is equipped with Zodiac boats and kayaks, plus a team of expert expedition leaders, ensuring you the best opportunities to view creatures like saltwater crocodiles on itineraries that include the King George River or the Montgomery Reef.
That access and knowledge benefits other excursions as well, such as to ancient rock art sites, iconic Horizontal Falls, and the estuarine waters and mangrove-dotted banks of the Hunter River, where bull sharks and tawny nurse sharks sometimes can be spotted.
Ready for your next cruise adventure? Talk to a knowledgeable AAA Travel Agent, who will make planning and booking your expedition cruise worry-free and create a vacation experience you’ll always remember.