Is an Expedition Cruise Right for You?

Most people come to expedition cruising with the wrong first question. They ask which line is best, or which ship, before they ask the question that actually decides the trip. Is an expedition cruise right for me. I ask it out loud with every traveler, because I would rather send you on the voyage that fits you than sell you the one everyone is talking about. I have sailed an expedition itinerary in the Galapagos, gone ashore with the licensed naturalists, and I can tell you this style of travel is wonderful for the people it suits and frustrating for the people it does not.

What an expedition cruise actually asks of you

An expedition cruise is a small ship voyage built around wildlife, landscape, and guided landings by Zodiac, rather than large ports and onboard shows. The ship is the way in, not the destination. Naturalists and scientists sail with you, the daily plan bends to the weather and the wildlife, and the best moments happen off the ship, on a beach or a trail or the water. That flexibility is the point, and it is also the thing some travelers find unsettling. If you need a fixed schedule and a guaranteed port every day, this is not that.

Signs an expedition cruise is right for you

In my experience, expedition cruising suits you if most of these ring true:

• You care more about wildlife, wild landscapes, and learning than nightlife or big ship amenities.
• You want a small ship and expert led landings, not a floating resort.
• You are comfortable when the plan changes because the weather or the animals changed it.
• You want to reach remote places that large cruise ships simply cannot.
• You can step in and out of a Zodiac inflatable boat in changing sea conditions.

If you read that list nodding, you are the traveler these voyages were built for.

When a different kind of trip may serve you better

Honesty is part of my job, so here is the other side. If you travel for large production shows, casinos, a children's program, and the certainty of a new port on a set timetable, a large ocean ship or a river cruise will likely make you happier than an expedition ship. And if getting in and out of a small inflatable boat is not something you want to do, know that on an expedition cruise the Zodiacs carry you to almost every landing, so choosing not to use them usually means staying aboard while others go ashore. None of that is a mark against you. It just points to a different voyage, and I plan those too.

The one fitness question that settles it

People expect the fitness bar to be high. It usually is not. The one practical question is whether you can step in and out of a Zodiac with a steadying hand from the crew. Most programs offer activities at several levels, so hikes, kayaking, and snorkeling are typically optional, and you can pick the pace that suits you. Polar voyages ask a little more, mainly tolerance for cold and wind and time spent standing on a moving deck, because Antarctica is more demanding than a warm weather wildlife trip. In Antarctica there is also a rule worth knowing. The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators limits how many travelers may be ashore at one site at a time, which is one reason smaller ships often mean more time off the vessel.

Where to go from here

If the answer is yes, the next question is where, and then which ship. For a full picture of how expedition and luxury cruising work together, start with my expedition and luxury cruise travel overview. If a specific destination is calling you, the Galapagos expedition cruise guide is the best place to picture the experience. And when you are ready to weigh the operators against each other, my comparison of the best expedition cruise lines lays out where each one leads. Tell me how you like to travel, and I will help you decide whether an expedition cruise is the one, or point you somewhere better suited.