These are the expedition cruises you absolutely can't miss this year

Enjoy adventures in cruising on a small ship bound for remote destination such as Antarctica and Greenland. 

Costa Rica with UnCruise Adventures

Spot monkeys in Costa Rica with UnCruise Adventures.

UnCruise Adventures has announced it is returning to Costa Rica next year. The adventure cruising company will operate a seven-night round trip from Liberia onboard Safari Voyager. Guests can expect to kayak through tropical fjords, hike through rainforests, snorkel around coral at white-sand beaches, and spot exotic birds, capuchin monkeys and maybe crocs at Curu Wildlife Refuge. The itinerary will operate from October 2026 to January 2027. 

Antarctica with Aurora Expeditions

See king penguins in South Georgia. (Image: Peter Eastway)

Small-ship cruise line Aurora Expeditions has released its 2026 and 2027 Antarctic program, which includes 27 voyages ranging from nine to 34 days. Choose from several special-edition cruises, including the Photography Expedition (with hands-on guidance for capturing the wildlife and landscape) and the Antarctic Women’s Expedition: Fly the Drake (led by an all-female team). There are also two trips partnered with New Scientist Discovery Tours (designed with a scientific lens). New for the season is the 10-day Taste of Antarctica – a shorter voyage for time-poor travellers. 

The South Pacific and beyond with Seabourn 

Venture to the South Pacific with Seabourn.

It may be known for its flop-and-drop holiday islands, but a line-up of new Seabourn expedition sailings for 2026 onboard Seabourn Pursuit showcase the South Pacific through a seriously adventurous lens.

Accessing little-visited places via Zodiacs. (Image: MUnterharnscheidt)

Think exploring moai statues on Easter Island, witnessing a cultural masked festival in Vanuatu’s Ambrym Island and taking a Zodiac to the cliffs of Chile’s Juan Fernandez Archipelago in search of fur seals. Other itineraries encompass the Arctic and Antarctic, and you can even weave them together on a unique combination voyage from Oceania to Antarctica over 82 days, departing 2 September 2026. 

Greenland with HX Expeditions

Visit the village of Nuuk. (Image: Arnau Ferrer)

You’ll carve north from Nuuk through the icy blue waters of West Greenland as part of the Grand Greenland Cruise: The Icy Giants of Disko Bay expedition.

Catch sight of whales in Greenland with HX Expeditions. (Image: Stian Klo)

The HX Expeditions adventure explores the wild stretch of coast known as Disko Bay, famous for the awe-inspiring Ilulissat Icefjord. Highlights include opportunities to spot whales and see the Midnight Sun. There are three departures between June 2025 and 2026.