Cruising these days is about far more than seeing breathtaking views and experiencing luxurious comforts. Today, an increasing number of expedition cruise lines are inviting guests to step into the role of explorer, student and citizen scientist. From tracking whales in Antarctica to studying rainforest ecosystems in the Amazon, these initiatives are designed to deepen guests’ understanding of the destinations they visit, while also contributing to broader scientific and conservation goals.
The impact goes beyond enrichment. Many initiatives are designed in collaboration with conservation groups, research institutions and local communities, enabling cruise operators and their guests to contribute to the global scientific knowledge base.
Learning from the land: conservation along rivers
Cruises through rainforest regions and along inland waterways offer a unique platform for ecological education and research. Operators like Aqua Expeditions and Antara Cruises are using these environments to help passengers engage with biodiversity and conservation in meaningful ways.
In the Peruvian Amazon, and along the Mekong River in Cambodia and Vietnam, Aqua Expeditions delivers an immersive programme that explores rainforest ecology, marine biodiversity and indigenous traditions. Expert naturalist guides with strong ties to the regions they operate in lead twice-daily excursions with activities such as wildlife spotting and forest hikes. Meanwhile onboard, expert talks focus on topics ranging from aquatic ecosystems to traditional knowledge.
On the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers in India, Antara Cruises has developed a hybrid education model that blends short onboard talks with immersive field experiences. Guests can join guided mangrove walks and boat safaris on voyages around the Bhitarkanika National Park, known as the ‘mini Amazon’ on the coast of the Bay of Bengal, to observe crocodiles, turtles and migratory birds. Naturalists from conservation groups like Migrations deliver lectures and lead birdwatching cruises. Antara Cruises also contributes to wildlife research, particularly around mangrove ecosystems, through its partnerships with scientists and non-governmental organisations.
For Antara Cruises, the goal is not just observation, but engagement. “Short-format content, such as onboard lectures, is paired with activities like wildlife spotting,” says Arjun Sinsinwar, the brand’s chief inspiration officer. “This learn-then-do sequencing keeps guests mentally stimulated, physically active and emotionally connected to the content.”
Science at sea
According to Cruise Lines International Association’s 2024 State of the Cruise Industry report, many cruise ships now carry marine scientists onboard and are equipped with underwater noise and vibration reduction systems to support marine life research. These ships often serve as platforms for ongoing oceanographic studies, especially in remote regions like Polynesia, the Arctic and Antarctic. Here, cruise operators collaborate with scientists, supporting field research and engaging guests in citizen science programmes that focus on marine biodiversity.
In French Polynesia, Aranui Cruises contributes directly to marine mammal research through its partnership with Mata Tohora, a local organisation dedicated to the protection of marine mammals including whales and dolphins. “Crew members are trained to observe and log sightings during voyages to the Marquesas and Austral Islands, and the data is shared with both Mata Tohora and the local environment department,” says Romina Wong, director of marketing, communication and operations for Aranui Cruises. “This consistent reporting helps researchers track migratory routes and monitor species’ health in an otherwise challenging-to-access region.”
Close encounters with unique species are part of Metropolitan Touring’s expeditions in the Galapagos Islands
Meanwhile, Metropolitan Touring contributes to marine conservation in the Galapagos Islands by working with the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel, the University of San Francisco of Quito and the Galapagos National Park Directorate to protect whale sharks in the area.
“This project takes an ambitious yet focused approach,” says Paulina Burbano de Lara, CEO of Metropolitan Touring. “Its goals include mapping the whale shark’s migratory routes, decoding their movement patterns, and exploring the connection between the archipelago and the South American continental coast. These initiatives generate critical data and open new doors for conservation. For example, through techniques such as photo identification and satellite tagging, researchers can track the individual journeys of these sharks. This allows them to analyse how the species interacts with various ecosystems, from the waters surrounding Darwin Island to more distant areas.”
The fragile ecosystems of the Arctic and Antarctic are a key focus for climate research, glaciology and wildlife conservation. For example, the European Commission reports that climate change is warming up the Arctic four times as fast as the rest of the world, which will affect the rest of the planet through rising sea levels, changing weather patterns and marine biodiversity loss as species struggle to adapt to shifting temperatures. Several cruise lines are actively contributing to this knowledge base through citizen science and research partnerships.
Ponant Explorations Group has taken a particularly ambitious approach with its Ponant Science Program, which integrates formal research into expedition cruising. Its polar-class vessel Le Commandant Charcot was designed from the outset to function as both a luxury ship and a mobile research laboratory, equipped to host scientists conducting fieldwork in remote and understudied regions.
“In 2024, we welcomed 20 scientists from seven different nationalities aboard Le Commandant Charcot for a first-ever west-to-east crossing of the Arctic Ocean,” says Megan Clampitt, head of science at Ponant Explorations Group. “Beyond scientific support, the Ponant Explorations Group seeks to engage and educate its passengers. Onboard, researchers share their work, present their tools and methods, and demonstrate how science is conducted in the field outside the traditional lab setting. These exchanges help to forge a direct connection between exploration, understanding and environmental protection.”
Ponant supports Arctic research alongside its expedition cruising
Ponant supports POLARIN, a platform that coordinates logistics for scientific teams conducting high Arctic research, and plans to expand its science programme to more vessels and regions, including the Kimberley in Australia, the Seychelles archipelago in the Indian Ocean, and Polynesia.
In addition, three of the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions ships will serve as the home base for 10 projects led by visiting scientists during 11 voyages to the Arctic in 2025. Scientists include researchers from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, the University of Porto’s Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, and the Moss Landing Marine Laboratory at San Jose State University. Projects will focus on monitoring coastal temperatures and biodiversity patterns, measuring changes in oceanographic properties on the west coast of Greenland, tracking the biodiversity of seaweed, and studying how glacial cliffs break, collapse and contribute to rising sea levels.
“The Arctic region is especially powerful, allowing guests to witness both beauty and change in real time alongside the scientists working to document and protect it – and one where we’ve proudly partnered with local communities and governments to explore for decades,” says Trey Byus, chief expedition officer at Lindblad Expeditions. “By facilitating this vital work through our onboard programmes, we reaffirm our commitment to science and education, and to conserving the extraordinary environments we explore daily.”
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions also hosts a youth engagement programme to provide hands-on activities designed to inspire curiosity and environmental stewardship. From learning to drive a Zodiac boat to collecting plankton and logging wildlife sightings in a personal field notebook, every activity is designed to help young travellers see and do more. It’s available on family-friendly itineraries in Alaska, Antarctica, Baja California, Iceland and the Galapagos Islands.
Ships like Bark Europa, a 56-metre-tall vessel that travels with no more than 60 people onboard at a time, is another prime example of what expedition cruise research looks like in practice. As part of the Polar Citizen Science Collective, guests participate in projects such as seabird surveys, plankton sampling for polar citizen science project FjordPhyto, whale identification for Happywhale, and weather data reporting to the Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute. Bark Europa’s slow, purposeful sailing style makes it particularly well-suited to supporting this hands-on science.
“During landings and Zodiac cruises, our guides connect what guests see with scientific and environmental knowledge,” says Nina Jolink, general manager of onboard science at Bark Europa. “It’s education that sticks, because it’s felt. Our goal is for every guest to not only leave with memories, but also to become an ambassador for the oceans we sail in.”
Scenic Cruises, which hosts polar expeditions with a dedicated discovery centre onboard its ships, also participates in whale identification efforts through the Happywhale programme.
“We offer these programmes to deepen guests’ understanding of the incredible environments they visit and to promote sustainable and responsible travel,” says Jason Flesher, director of expeditions at Scenic Cruises. “Guests can participate in data collection efforts, contributing to scientific research and monitoring efforts.”
Scenic Cruises’ itineraries also offer guests the opportunity to work with scientists from foundations such as the Australian Antarctic Science Foundation, which conducts bird surveys and maintains research equipment at key sites like Mawson’s Hut in Antarctica.
Likewise, Poseidon Expeditions ensures its educational offerings are grounded in scientific accuracy through its collaboration with Oceanites, an organisation focused on Antarctic research. The line’s citizen science activities, such as seabird and whale identification, are selected not only for their scientific value but also for their accessibility to a broad range of guest interests and learning styles.
“Learning about the specific behaviours of animals and birds during lectures enables guests to better understand the limitations associated with observing them,” says Angelica Vorea, CEO of Poseidon Expeditions. “Striking the right balance between learning and fun helps keep guests actively engaged and eager to learn more. Guests can join the guides on open decks and participate in a cloud observation, or take pictures of wildlife and upload them to different applications to identify them.”
The human element
While natural sciences often dominate discussions of expedition cruising, the study and preservation of cultural heritage also plays a vital role in understanding the world and our place within it. Anthropology, archaeology, linguistics and Indigenous knowledge systems all contribute to the broader scientific landscape, and cruise operators are increasingly weaving these disciplines into their educational programmes. Through expert-led experiences and respectful engagement with local communities, guests are offered opportunities not only to observe but also to truly comprehend the richness and resilience of human cultures past and present.
In India, Antara Cruises places cultural immersion at the heart of its itineraries. Voyages such as ‘Artisans of Bengal’, ‘Princely Murshidadbad’ and ‘Treading the Buddha’s Trail’ are curated to reveal the deep historical and spiritual layers of the Ganges and its surrounding regions. Guests are guided through temples, palaces and artisan villages by local experts, and can take part in interactive workshops including sari-draping, spice tasting and cooking demonstrations.
UnCruise Adventures, an American-owned small ship adventure cruise line, also takes a blended approach to culture and science, particularly in regions like Alaska and Central America where human and ecological histories are closely intertwined. Its programming includes guided hikes, shoreline explorations and marine excursions that combine ecological insight with local cultural context. Guides are trained to infuse “scientific knowledge with storytelling, humour and interactive elements”, according to Julie Quarry, the cruise line’s director of strategic partners, who says this makes complex topics accessible and memorable for all age groups.
In these remote regions, tourism, education and science converge with every guest becoming part of the effort to better understand and protect our planet.
Silversea has onboard libraries for guests to learn more about the areas they are sailing through
Further south, Heritage Expeditions brings passengers into contact with some of the most remote and culturally significant regions on the planet. Founded by a family of scientists and conservationists, the New Zealand-based company has long partnered with Indigenous communities, including Ngāi Tahu, to support and participate in locally led research efforts such as the Murihiku ki te Tonga Programme, the world’s first Indigenous-led Antarctic science initiative. This partnership not only benefits scientific inquiry but also highlights the vital role of Indigenous knowledge in understanding and protecting fragile environments.
Culture is part of the narrative on polar voyages too. Cruise lines like Bark Europa and Silversea incorporate the human history of exploration into their programming, through the tales of early Antarctic expeditions and by ensuring the ongoing presence of scientists, historians and geographers onboard their vessels.
By immersing guests in the traditions, histories and knowledge of the communities they visit, expedition cruise operators are contributing to the preservation and dissemination of human heritage. In this context, anthropology, archaeology and oral history are more than enrichment; they are forms of social science that help us understand how people interact with their environments, adapt over time and shape the world we share. Recognising culture as a vital component of scientific exploration ensures the human story is not left out of the narrative.
Discover more insights like this in the Autumn/Winter 2025 issue of Cruise & Ferry Review. Don’t miss out – subscribe for FREE and get the next issue delivered straight to your inbox.