For incentive qualifiers who’ve seen and done it all, there’s an unmistakable allure to expedition cruising. These smaller ships transport attendees to the far corners of the globe, and the cruise is as much a learning experience as it is a reward.
Bucket-list experiences range from viewing the aurora borealis in Norway to penguin-spotting while sailing through the ice fjords of Patagonia. Antarctica cruises are not for the faint of heart, but come with their own unparalleled set of bragging rights.
These exciting entrants to the expedition cruise market open up new opportunities for incentive groups, and many ships are available for charter. You’ll find more new or newly renovated cruise ships featured in our just-released What’s New in Meetings and Incentive Travel 2025 report.
andBeyond
andBeyond is set to launch the Amazon Explorer, a 12-suite river expedition yacht, in the Peruvian Amazon on September 29, 2026. Currently under construction, the vessel will operate from Iquitos through Nauta into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, offering three-, four-, and seven-night itineraries. Onboard amenities include spa and gym areas, dining spaces, an interactive cooking station, and an Explorer Centre for educational talks. Excursions will focus on exploring the river and surrounding conservation areas, led by expert guides.
Antarctica21
Antarctica21 will launch the Magellan Discoverer for the 2026–27 Antarctic season, expanding its small-ship expedition fleet. The new polar vessel will accommodate 76 guests for air-cruises and 96 for sea voyages, operating alongside sister ship Magellan Explorer and Ocean Nova. The Magellan Discoverer features hybrid-electric propulsion, a PC6 ice class rating, private balcony cabins, and a wet science lab to support onboard research in Antarctica.
Aurora Expeditions
Aurora Expeditions has introduced the Douglas Mawson, a purpose-built expedition ship designed for polar voyages. The vessel is equipped with modern amenities and advanced safety features to navigate challenging polar environments. Itineraries include destinations such as the Antarctic Peninsula, the Falkland Islands, and South Georgia. The debut in the South Pacific is scheduled for late 2025, followed by itineraries to the Mediterranean, the UK, and Western Europe when it arrives in Europe in late April. The Douglas Mawson offers facilities suitable for group bookings, including a lecture theatre for presentations.
Explora Journeys
Explora Journeys’s EXPLORA III launches in Summer 2026 featuring 463 suites and 201 square feet of public space per guest. Flexible meeting rooms on Deck 11 can be divided into three spaces for business events. Guests can enjoy diverse dining options across multiple restaurants, from fine dining to casual venues. Sailing Northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland, and North America before heading to the Caribbean, the ship also features wellness facilities and is the first vessel of the fleet to be powered by liquefied natural gas. Its sister ship, EXPLORA IV, is under construction and will enter service in 2027 respectively, with two more ships set to join the fleet in 2027 and 2028.
Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic
Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic is enhancing its Galápagos offerings with the introduction of two revitalized vessels: National Geographic Delfina, a 16-guest luxury catamaran, and National Geographic Gemini (at top), accommodating 48 guests with options including suites and solo cabins. Both ships will operate year-round itineraries in the Galápagos Islands starting in February and March 2025, respectively. In Antarctica, the company has launched the ‘Antarctica Direct’ program, offering travelers the option to fly across the Drake Passage, reducing travel time and providing more opportunities to explore the continent.
Selar
French startup Selar is developing Captain Arctic, a 70-meter-long, 13-meter-wide expedition vessel designed for Arctic cruises with minimal environmental impact. Scheduled for delivery in late summer 2026, the ship will accommodate 36 passengers and 24 crew members. It will feature five rigid aluminum sails equipped with approximately 2,000 square meters of solar panels, enabling it to harness both wind and solar energy for propulsion. The vessel will also be equipped with a steel hull designed to withstand icy conditions and will operate with close to zero-carbon emissions.
Swan Hellenic
Swan Hellenic curates expert guest lecturers to deliver engaging talks and destination briefings focused on history, culture, and wildlife throughout each voyage. The company is offering two cruises in Africa for 2026, which will first explore the western seaboard and later the continent’s southern regions. Swan Hellenic’s 2026-2027 Antarctic season will offer nine- to 13-night round trips from Ushuaia, Argentina as well as a 20-night semi-circumnavigation voyage from Cape Town, South Africa, visiting destinations such as Saint Helena, Ascension Island, Tristan da Cunha, the South Sandwich Islands, and South Georgia Island.
Download the full What’s New in Meetings and Incentive Travel 2025 report here.
