Polar and Expedition
Expedition cruising is often the best and sometimes the only way to experience a destination such as Antarctica, the Arctic or the Galapagos Islands. These cruises are generally led by highly experienced and qualified guides and specialists such as biologists, naturalists, historians, photographers and other scientific specialists. The focus is on exploring a destination rather than onboard amenities such as casinos, pools and other entertainment. The ships are generally significantly smaller than traditional cruise ships and quite often, a lot more relaxed and casual. While there are some activities that do require a degree of fitness or sense of adventure, as long as you can comfortably walk a kilometre or two, you'll be able to take on most activities. Each expedition cruise company offers something different so here are a few of our favourites or contact us and we'll help choose the best expedition cruise for your perfect adventure.
Aurora Expeditions
A B-Corp certified company, Aurora Expeditions have been pioneering exploration and adventure for over 33 years. You'll enjoy a relaxed onboard atmosphere, beautifully appointed staterooms, wellness centre and hearty meals with a maximum of 130 adventurers onboard (154 on the Douglas Mawson).
Tip: solo travellers have the option of sharing accommodation with an adventurer of the same gender or taking a solo room.
A few of our favourites:
12-day Antarctic Peninsula: Fly the Drake - flying over the Drake Passage in both directions is the ideal way to reach the white continent. Your expedition team will then design your itinerary day by day, choosing the best options based on the weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities with Zodiac cruises and shore excursions.
15-day Antarctica Active (all inclusive activities) - on these activity packed sailings, you will experience the wonders of Antarctica on a deeper level. With Zodiac excursions and guided walks, paddling, camping, snowshoeing and snorkeling all included in the activity cost.
20-day In Shackleton's Footsteps - follow in the footsteps of 'the Boss' and set foot on the Antarctic Peninsula before making your way north to the Antarctic Sound. Set a course to Elephant Island and then head across the Scotia Sea to South Georgia all while learning about the fascinating history of Shackleton's Endurance expedition.
Save up to 20% on selected 2024-25 Antarctica voyages when booked by 31 Oct 24*
Save up to 20% on selected 2025 Arctic & Beyond voyages when booked by 31 Oct 24*
Save up to 25% on selected 2025-26 Antarctica, Australia & New Zealand voyages when booked by 31 Oct 24*
Save up to 25% on selected 2026 Arctic & Beyond voyages when booked by 31 Dec 24*
Exclusive Virtuoso benefits may apply to selected cruises*
Click Here for full Terms and Conditions
Quark Expeditions
Exploring the Polar Regions for over 30 years, Quark have a diverse fleet of small expedition ships with up to 199 travellers on board. With an abundant variety of itineraries from 7 to 23 days, the most experienced expedition team in the industry and plenty of off-ship activities, you'll find the perfect expedition for you.
Tip: Quark provide a waterproof jacket with a puffer jacket insert to use on your expedition and to take home with you. They will also supply waterproof boots on loan to you for the duration of your expedition, saving valuable luggage space.
A few of our favourites:
10 or 12-day Svalbard Explorer: Best of High Arctic Norway - Ocean Explorer or Ultramarine - you'll seek out abundant wildlife including walrus, reindeer and hopefully a polar bear while marveling at the surreal experience of continuous daylight.
14-day Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition - Ocean Explorer or Ultramarine - on this expedition you'll have the opportunity to see penguins, seals, whales and dramatic ice formations. However, the highlight will be crossing the iconic Antarctic Circle - a milestone few travellers have achieved.
23-day Epic Antarctica: Crossing the Circle via Falklands and South Georgia - Ultramarine - this is epic for a reason. Fly from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia to embark the Ultramarine. You'll head to the Falkland Islands and then onto South Georgia where 300,000 king penguins await before exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and crossing the Antarctic Circle.
Save up to 40% on select voyages to the Arctic and Antarctica*
Exclusive Virtuoso benefits apply to selected cruises*
Click Here for full Terms and Conditions
HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions)
Made for curious travellers, on an HX trip, you'll join experts from a range of fields who will lead you on discoveries both on shore and on board. Meals, drinks, gratuities and daily excursions are all included. With a maximum of 500 travellers on board their comfortable, purpose-build ships you can enjoy the adventure of a lifetime.
A few of our favourites:
8-day Elemental Iceland - MS Fridtjof Nansen - starting and ending in Reykjavik, you'll go whale watching in Husavik, sail into the Arctic Circle and enjoy Iceland's beautiful scenery with active volcanos, geysers, glaciers, mountains and waterfalls.
11-day Circumnavigating Spitsbergen - MS Spitsbergen or MS Fram - experience mighty glaciers, serene fjords, whales, reindeer and if you're lucky, polar bears. We'll also attempt to find a way through the sea ice to venture above the 80th parallel and explore the ice edge with a goal to successfully complete a circumnavigation of Spitsbegen.
13-day Grand Greenland: The Icy Giants of Disko Bay - MS Fridtjof Nansen - explore Greeland's wild western coast, look out for whales and enjoy lectures ranging from mythology through to glaciology. You'll see immense icebergs, icy mountains and awesome glaciers.
Save up to $6,100 on selected Arctic expeditions in 2025 and 2026 when you book by 11 Nov 2024*
Exclusive Virtuoso benefits apply to selected cruises*
Click Here for full Terms and Conditions
Abercrombie & Kent
Abercrombie & Kent's Luxury Expedition Cruises are accompanied by expert guides and naturalists. With over 30 years of experience and no more than 199 travellers on board, you'll enjoy a private balcony with your stateroom and an all-inclusive experience with all meals, house drinks, excursions and onboard gratuities included.
"As you navigate the Enchanted Isles of the Galápagos aboard Ecoventura’s vessels, you will benefit from the expertise of a guide for every 1 to 10 guests, ensuring a comprehensive and unparalleled insight into these extraordinary islands."
Ann-Marie Chapman, A&K VP Customer Sales & Operations APAC
A few of our favourites:
9-day Ultimate Galapagos Expedition Cruise
17-day Indonesia Voyage: Komodo, Papua & Great Barrier Reef
19-day Antarctica, South Georgia & Falkland Expedition
Exclusive Virtuoso benefits apply to selected cruises*
Click Here for full Terms and Conditions
Silversea
Since pioneering luxury expedition voyages, we’ve been perfecting the experience. Our cutting-edge itineraries provide endless opportunities to venture from pole to pole and discover places that very few ever have the opportunity to visit. With some of the most spacious suites in luxury cruising, you'll also enjoy the services of a butler and diverse cuisine and beverages throughout the ship and in-suite.
A few of our favourites:
10-day Puerto Williams to Puerto Williams - Silver Cloud - from traversing the mythic Drake Passage, to setting foot on the white continent itself to absorbing the abundance of wildlife that lives unaware and unafraid. Departs 29 Nov 2024, finishes 9 Dec 2024.
10-day Puerto Williams to Puerto Williams - Silver Wind - you’ll cross the Drake Passage and explore Antarctic Sound and the Antarctic Peninsula where you’ll have a unique and immersive experience, unlocking the secrets of a wild and remote world that few get to visit. Departs 26 Oct 25, finishes 5 Nov 25.
18-day Puerto Williams to Puerto Williams - Silver Wind - from South Georgia, to the gentoo penguins on Elephant Island, and from the snow-blanketed landscapes of the Antarctic Peninsula to the thrill of crossing Drake Passage, you’ll experience the best of the best of the Antarctic. Departs 23 Nov 25, finishes 11 Dec 25.
Save. Indulge. Explore with savings of $5,000 per suite and a 15% reduced deposit on selected cruises when you book by 31 Oct 2024.
Exclusive Virtuoso Voyages benefits may apply*
Click Here for full Terms and Conditions
Seabourn
A Seabourn Expedition is an ultra-luxury Safari at Sea. With all-ocean front suites with a private veranda, highly personalised service, exceptional dining with premium spirits and fine wine and a world-class Expedition Team. There are many included activities such as expert-led lectures, shore excursions, cultural tours, guided Zodiac® cruises, hikes, nature walks and snorkeling with optional experiences such as submarines and kayaks.
A few of our favourites:
10-day Kimberley Expedition: Waterfalls & Wandjinas - from Broome to Darwin or reverse, your expedition takes in Lacepede Island, Kuri Bay, the Hunter River, Ashmore Reef, Vansittart Bay and King George River.
9-day Heart of the Amazon - your captain and veteran expedition leader will choose from among the amazing sites of this stretch of the Amazon River to determine Zodiac and kayak explorations, treks and other points of interest. Expedition staff will also be on deck to point out wildlife and other highlights.
11-day The Great White Continent - depending on weather, ice conditions and reported wildlife during your voyage, your captain and expedition team will put together a fabulous itinerary of discovery and adventure for you in Antarctica.
Save up to 15% on selected 2024-2026 cruises and expeditions when you book by 29 Oct 2024*
Exclusive Virtuoso Voyages benefits may apply*
Click Here for full Terms and Conditions
The Kimberly Collection
There are many ways to experience the vast and spectacular Kimberley region, and luxury cruising is ideal to really discover this unique part of the world. Cruise vessels offer an excellent range of luxury styles when choosing your cruise. From more intimate catamarans and mono-hulled vessels hosting just a dozen guests, to larger vessels that can accommodate 184 guests, there are many choices. Onboard, you’ll discover a world of cruising luxury in the Kimberley. Vessels each have a wide range of special features and inclusions that help make your Kimberley cruise the journey of a lifetime. Whether you love to relax or enjoy a more active itinerary, there’s something for every guest cruising on one of our preferred vessels.
I would recommend travelling early in the season (April / May / June) when waterfalls and gorges have an abundance of water and the vegetation is green and lush!
Matthew Fleming, The Kimberley Collection
A few of our favourites:
7-night Kimberley Snapshot Broom to Wyndham - True North/True North II - the best of the best! For those pressed for time or perhaps considering the budget – here is the flagship Kimberley Ultimate itinerary condensed into a single week voyage. Includes the King George Falls, the Hunter River, the Prince Regent Falls, Montgomery Reef and the Horizontal Falls.
8-night Northern Dream - Ocean Dream - witness majestic waterfalls including the King George Falls, and discover an incredible array of gorges, river systems, captivating wildlife and ancient rock art. Includes a scenic helicopter flight over the Mitchell Falls and a light aircraft flight between Mitchell Plateau and Kununurra.
10-night The Kimberley Cruise - Coral Expeditions - Broome to Darwin or reverse - take in King George River and Falls, Vansittart Bay, the Mitchell Falls and Swift Bay, Prince Frederick Harbour, Prince Regent River, Montgomery Reef, Doubtful Bay, Horizontal Falls and The Lacepede Islands.
Ask us about package options.
Exclusive Virtuoso benefits apply to selected cruises*
Click Here for full Terms and Conditions