Experiencing an expedition cruise means immersing yourself in an adventure that combines exploration, unspoiled nature, and personal enrichment. Unlike traditional cruises with fixed schedules and well-planned ports of call, an expedition cruise is built day by day, depending on the weather conditions, ice conditions, wildlife, and exploration opportunities. Here’s an overview of the typical course of an expedition cruise.
Expedition Cruise Preparation
Before setting off on an expedition cruise, specific preparation is essential to fully enjoy the experience and cope with the sometimes extreme conditions of the regions visited. Unlike traditional cruises, this type of trip requires special attention to personal equipment. It is recommended to bring technical clothing appropriate to the climate: thermal layers, waterproof jackets, windproof and waterproof pants, gloves and waterproof overgloves, a toque, and sunglasses. Waterproof boots are often provided on board or can be rented, most companies provide an expedition parka for the polar regions, but it’s important to check the inclusions beforehand.
You should also consider bringing binoculars, a weather-resistant camera, waterproof phone cases, and, if desired, notebooks or sketchbooks to document your observations.
A certain level of fitness is recommended, as landings may involve walking on uneven or slippery terrain. Administratively, some itineraries in remote areas such as Antarctica require a medical assessment or questionnaire certifying that you are fit for the voyage.
Embarkation and Introduction to the Expedition Team
The cruise usually begins in an accessible city (such as Ushuaia, Longyearbyen, or Reykjavik), where passengers join the expedition ship. Alternatively, a charter flight is sometimes offered to take you to a more remote port where the cruise will begin.
After boarding, sometime by zodiac, a welcome meeting is held to meet the crew and the expedition team, composed of naturalist guides, scientists, and specialized lecturers. Safety instructions, the planned itinerary, and environmental protocols to be observed in the regions visited are presented. You will sometimes be assigned to a group, which allows for better management of disembarkation and varies the order of disembarkation to ensure fairness among travellers.
Some regulations, such as in the Arctic and Antarctic, require that all passengers’ outer layers be checked to ensure no environmental contamination occurs through the introduction of dirty clothing containing soil, plant seeds, or other contaminants.
If you wish to participate in certain activities, such as kayaking, an information session is generally mandatory to learn about safety procedures. You can then add yourself to a list of people wishing to participate in these activities.
Daily Rhythm of an Expedition Cruise
Each day on board begins early, often with a gentle call over the microphone announcing sunrise… or the sighting of a whale off the port side! A morning or late-day briefing provides an update on conditions and planned activities: Zodiac landings, hiking, wildlife observation, kayaking, or a visit to a cultural site.
Between one and three excursions are offered each day, depending on the weather and location. Passengers are divided into small groups to facilitate disembarkation and minimize the environmental impact. The pre-assigned groups will be called as soon as the expedition team and zodiacs are ready for the planned activity. The schedule is flexible: the itinerary can change from hour to hour if, for example, a polar bear is spotted in the distance or if ice blocks a planned bay.
For some activities such as kayaking, longer walks, and submarine excursions, you will need to add yourself to a list or make a reservation in advance. Everything will be explained during daily meetings. Some of these activities may require additional fees.
Zodiac Landings
The heart of the experience, Zodiac outings, allows visitors to get up close to areas that would otherwise be inaccessible: black sand beaches, ice floes, cliffs populated by seabirds, or isolated villages. Well-equipped (waterproof pants, boots, fleece jackets), passengers board in turns, under the careful supervision of the expedition team.
Landings are often accompanied by a guided walk, a wildlife observation session, or an explanation of the geological formations or local flora. In polar regions, team members first inspect the landing site and then remain on the outskirts of the landing site with safety equipment to ensure protection against wild animals. If an animal is spotted (a polar bear, for example), the team will take no risks and evacuate the passengers back to the ship.
Life on Board an Expedition Cruise
When you’re not on land, the ship becomes a floating discovery centre. Lectures are offered daily on topics as varied as penguin behaviour, climate change, and the history of great explorations. These moments provide an opportunity to deepen your understanding of what you see on land.
Meals are served in a friendly atmosphere, often featuring local products or those adapted to the region you’re travelling through. Between activities, you can relax in the panoramic lounge, consult nautical charts, or chat with experts and other passengers. Some ships also feature a spa, sauna, or even an outdoor Nordic bath.
Ethics and Awareness
An essential aspect of expedition cruising is environmental awareness. Strict protocols are applied to limit the ecological footprint: cleaning boots before and after each disembarkation, maintaining safe distances from animals, and limiting the number of simultaneous visitors to sensitive sites. The size of the ship is therefore a factor that will dictate which sites are accessible or not, according to the standards in force in the region visited.
Companies also emphasize raising passenger awareness of conservation and responsible ecotourism issues. Some collaborate with research programs or collect scientific data during their voyages.
Final Meeting and Retrospective
At the end of the voyage, a final meeting allows for a review of the expedition’s highlights. A slideshow is often presented, combining photos taken by the team and passengers. It’s a moving moment that truly captures the richness of the experience.
Upon leaving the ship, passengers leave not only with spectacular images, but also with a deeper connection to our planet and a better understanding of its most fragile areas.
