Expedition cruising is one of the fastest-growing sectors within the cruise industry. According to the Expedition Cruise Network’s 2025 Industry Insights Report, 100 per cent of ECN member cruise lines recorded growth in 2025, while Cruise Lines International Association’s 2026 State of the Industry Report found 84 per cent of travel advisors recorded steady to significant growth in bookings in the same year.
Expedition cruises are often chosen for the promise of discovery they offer: sailing beyond well-known routes to experience some of the world’s most remarkable landscapes, ecosystems and communities. Expedition cruise itinerary planners are constantly refining their offerings, giving guests the chance to explore the ice-filled waters of the Arctic or Antarctica, or the biodiversity of warmer regions, such as French Polynesia and Seychelles. But what criteria do they consider when developing itineraries, and what impact do environmental regulations have on the destinations they choose? Executives from 60 South, Aqua Expeditions, Aranui Cruises, HX Expeditions, Oceanwide Expeditions, Polar Latitudes Expeditions and Royal Galapagos share their insights and highlight their favourite expedition destinations.
What core criteria do you follow when designing new expedition itineraries, and how do you ensure your voyages offer something unique?
Remi Bouysset, CEO, Oceanwide Expeditions: We avoid industry trends to create immersive, authentic expedition experiences rather than simply replicating well-trodden routes. We focus on areas that newer operators and bigger vessels can’t reach.
Steffan Danino, Director, Product Development, Polar Latitudes Expeditions: At Polar Latitudes Expeditions, we consider what our guests want, what we know from experience and what our expedition teams are seeing in the field. Our fleet gives us flexibility, with larger ships operating popular routes and smaller vessels such as Ocean Nova and Discoverer enabling longer, more distinctive voyages with creative freedom.
Manuel Patiño, Research and Development Manager, Royal Galapagos: The Galápagos National Park Directorate sets the visitor framework, which we must abide by, but I view it as a blueprint for how responsible, sustainable tourism can work in any protected area. Every authorised vessel runs under a permit that spells out exactly which visitor sites it can go to, in what order and at what time. Additionally, since 2012 no ship has been allowed to return to the same site within Galápagos in a 14-night, 15-day circuit. While the geology and the wildlife provide an unrivalled uniqueness, we shape the quality of the experience with Royal Galápagos through our guides, who bring their own expertise and personality to the journey.
Laura K.O Smith, Co-Founder and Special Projects, Expedition Leader, 60 South: We design itineraries around opportunity rather than certainty. Our small vessels (which accommodate eight to 12 guests) allow us to adapt to wildlife, weather and sea conditions, reaching anchorages and landing opportunities that are often impractical for larger expedition ships. Every voyage is shaped by the environment, making each expedition genuinely unique.
Karin Strand, Vice President, Expeditions Development, HX Expeditions: HX Expeditions focus on creating a variety of nature and cultural experiences, while allowing enough flexibility for the expedition leader and master to take opportunities as they arise, rather than programming the voyage as a ‘timed routing’. We consider manageable distances to reduce our environmental footprint and seek out activities and places that not everyone visits.
Romina Wong, Director of Operations, Cruises and Marketing and Communications, Aranui Cruises: Our new itineraries to the Austral Islands in French Polynesia have been carefully designed to prioritise cultural authenticity and deepen Aranui’s connections with island communities. The ship will also carry essential cargo to the islands for the first time, enabling meaningful engagement between passengers and residents. This creates a truly distinctive expedition experience that blends exploration with genuine purpose and community support.
Francesco Galli Zugaro, Owner and Founder, Aqua Expeditions: Beautiful landscapes alone are no longer enough. The places that leave a lasting impression are those where extraordinary nature is matched by rich culture, knowledgeable local guides and experiences that can’t be replicated elsewhere. Expedition cruising has reached a point where there is a temptation to follow proven routes, but that isn’t our philosophy; we have never been interested in creating another version of an itinerary that already exists. Our role is to offer a different perspective on a destination, not simply another way of visiting it.
Aqua Expeditions works with local communities, including the Asmat tribe, which inhabits a remote region in Southwest Papua, Indonesia (Photo: AE Expeditions)
How do you balance guest demand, operational feasibility and environmental stewardship when selecting new expedition destinations?
RB: We balance guest demand with operational practicality and environmental responsibility by working within strict regulatory frameworks, as well as assessing the sensitivity of ecosystems, all while delivering exceptional expedition experiences.
SD: Safety, feasibility and regulation come first. We work within national requirements and the frameworks of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) and the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO), then create the best guest experience within those boundaries.
MP: Some areas of Galápagos are kept under tight control by The Galápagos National Park Directorate to enable them to recover, or to reintroduce species. In early 2024 a project to reintroduce 12 locally extinct species began on Floreana Island, including a species of the giant tortoise; it is expected to run for at least seven years. I love that all of this is happening while tourism carries on and our guides act as stewards, passing this story on to visitors.
LS: Environmental stewardship underpins every decision we make. IAATO guidelines, operational experience and our scientific partnerships help us balance exceptional guest experiences with responsible exploration, while ensuring our expeditions contribute meaningful data to ongoing research.
KS: Sometimes very tough priorities must be made, but with the wealth of knowledge we have in HX Expeditions, we are able to choose or find new opportunities when we are not satisfied with an itinerary. Guest feedback is vital too.
RW: Operating a vessel like Aranui requires a careful and continuous balancing act. On the one hand, it delivers an unforgettable guest experience while also serving as a vital lifeline to remote island communities. This dual purpose brings operational complexity, from coordinating schedules and ensuring safety to managing cargo alongside passenger comfort. However, it also creates extraordinary value, enabling guests to gain access to authentic island life and visit destinations few travellers can reach. It is this rare combination of adventure, culture and purpose that makes Aranui truly one of a kind.
FGZ: I don’t really see these as competing priorities. If a destination can’t be explored responsibly, then it shouldn’t become an expedition destination in the first place. Protecting these places isn’t simply good practice; it is fundamental to our business. It’s encouraging to see many of today’s travellers increasingly share this mindset.
Oceanwide Expeditions shore experiences include the chance to step onto the ice in Antarctica (Photo: Oceanwide Expeditions)
Which cold- and warm-water expedition destinations stand out for you right now, and what makes them especially compelling from a guest experience perspective?
RB: We focus almost exclusively on cold-water destinations. For us, it’s the remote, seldom-visited corners of the Arctic and Antarctica that stand out. Our record-breaking ‘Remote Weddell Sea’ itinerary has taken guests as far south as possible in this magical part of Antarctica, and the deep south of the peninsula continues to offer new and exciting activities and possibilities onshore and at sea.
SD: East Greenland stands out for its dramatic landscapes, cultural depth and growing interest from travellers. In warmer waters, Peru’s Humboldt Current coast offers archaeology, marine wildlife and incredible food in a region many travellers still know little about.
MP: While Galápagos sits on the equator, it offers warm and humid weather from December to May, and a cool and dry period between June and November. In the cool season, the Humboldt Current pushes nutrient-rich water up from the south, and all that plankton lights up the whole food chain, which, for guests, means fantastic snorkelling among big shoals of fish, active sea lions and feeding penguins. The warm season provides calmer seas, warmer water and a lot of breeding and nesting, from sea turtles to seabirds, which tends to suit families and first-time visitors.
LS: Antarctica and South Georgia continue to stand apart. Their extraordinary wildlife, dramatic landscapes, rich history and opportunities for genuine exploration create experiences that remain unmatched for both guests and expedition teams.
KS: Galápagos in the warm season is a unique expedition destination. South Greenland, East Greenland and Svalbard stand out to me now as very exciting from a development point of view, with strong environmental stewardship at the forefront.
RW: The Austral Islands offer both operational focus and exceptional guest discovery. The five islands – Rimatara, Rurutu, Tubuai, Raivavae and Rapa – combine dramatic landscapes, rich traditions and significant archaeological heritage, framed by turquoise lagoons and white-sand beaches. Our roundtrip itinerary from Tahiti also includes Bora Bora, with new ports of call in Maupiti and Huahine to further enhance the experience.
FGZ: Although they couldn’t be more different geographically, I see remarkable similarities between the Seychelles’ Outer Islands and Svalbard. Both offer something that has become increasingly rare in modern travel: a genuine sense of remoteness. They are completely different environments, yet they evoke the same feeling of venturing into places where nature remains firmly in control, which is ultimately what expedition cruising should offer.
The Galápagos National Park Directorate began reintroducing the giant tortoise back to Floreana Island in 2024
As environmental regulations tighten and technology accelerates, what long-term shifts do you expect will reshape how expedition itineraries are planned over the next decade?
RB: Environmental regulations, increased data use and evolving sustainability standards and technologies will increasingly shape our expedition planning. The future belongs to operators that combine technological innovation with deep expertise, enabling access to the world’s most remarkable places responsibly and appropriately.
SD: Planning will be shaped by tighter environmental controls, greater involvement from local and indigenous communities and closer collaboration with regional businesses. New itineraries will help tourism contribute more directly to communities, conservation and long-term stewardship.
MP: The Galápagos National Park Directorate already rests and restricts sites when it needs to, so I’d expect more of the same with visits to certain sites capped for a set recovery window. Part of what makes Galápagos so magical is that the wildlife has no fear of people and doesn’t depend on us to get by, so protecting that really matters.
LS: We expect expedition planning to become increasingly informed by real-time environmental data, evolving regulations and stronger collaboration with the scientific community. Smaller, adaptable operations will be well-placed to continue delivering authentic experiences while supporting long-term conservation goals.
KS: More ships may be forced into smaller areas, creating environmental consequences from people repeatedly visiting the same places. Technology can have a positive impact by helping ships avoid stormy weather patterns, improving ice charts, enabling safer navigation and reducing disturbance to wildlife.
RW: We’re already adopting more efficient operations that reduce environmental impact while maintaining vital links to remote communities. Itineraries will become more carefully managed, with smarter route optimisation, improved fuel efficiency and lower-impact visitation.
FGZ: Technology will undoubtedly improve how we operate our ships, but I don’t believe it will define the future of expedition cruising. The bigger shift will come from travellers themselves. Guests are less interested in seeing as much as possible and more interested in understanding the places they visit, so we’ll see a rise in slower, more immersive itineraries that are focused on quality rather than quantity.
Discover more about expedition cruising and insights from experts at CLIA, Interferry and Expedition Cruise Network in the Autumn/Winter 2026 issue of Cruise & Ferry Review. To get content like this on a regular basis, subscribe to the print editions or free digital editions of our Cruise & Ferry publications.