58 Laura Hyde asks seven expedition cruise line executives which criteria shape their itineraries and which destinations they believe best capture the spirit of exploration FEATURE Alluring expedition itineraries 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
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