Antarctica
Penguin colonies, tabular ice, and humpbacks from November to March. The full polar experience, reached via the Drake Passage.
The World's Most Extraordinary Places Aren't Found on Ordinary Vacations.
Expedition travel for curious travelers who want to experience the planet at its wildest.
No planning fees · Call 920-659-2960
Oasis Travel Network · Signature Travel Network · IAATO · CLIA Elite Cruise Counselor · ASTA Verified Travel Advisor
What we do
Expedition cruises and immersive journeys to the world's most remote places.
Glacial Expeditions specializes in expedition cruises and immersive journeys to the world's most remote and extraordinary places. We help travelers choose the right ships, destinations and experiences through firsthand knowledge and expert guidance.
Choosing an expedition
Not every expedition is right for every traveler.
Two travelers going to the same place can want completely different trips. The ship, the season, the cruise line, and the activity level change the experience more than the destination does. Matching those variables to the traveler is the work.
Where to go
Where Will Your Curiosity Take You?
Most travelers start with Antarctica, the Arctic, the Galápagos, or Greenland. From there, expedition travel opens onto Alaska, Norway, Patagonia, and Australia's Kimberley coast, and further still to Raja Ampat, the Amazon, Baja California, French Polynesia, and New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands. Each region has its own season, wildlife, and level of physical demand.
Start here
The Arctic
Polar bears on sea ice, walrus haul-outs, and glacier fronts under the midnight sun, June through August. Includes Svalbard.
Galápagos
Marine iguanas, sea lions, and blue-footed boobies year-round, aboard ships of 16 to 100 guests.
Greenland
Disko Bay icebergs, Inuit settlements, and the largest fjord system on earth, July through September.
Go further
Alaska
Humpbacks, calving glaciers, and bear viewing, May to September.
Norway
Fjords in summer, northern lights and orca in winter.
Patagonia
Chilean fjords and Cape Horn, often paired with Antarctica.
The Kimberley
Gorges, waterfalls, and Aboriginal rock art, May to September.
Also planning: Raja Ampat · The Amazon · Baja / Sea of Cortez · French Polynesia · Iceland · Subantarctic Islands
What Is an Expedition Cruise?
An expedition cruise is a small-ship voyage to remote regions where the itinerary follows conditions rather than a fixed schedule. Passengers go ashore by Zodiac, travel with naturalists and expedition guides, and spend most of their time off the ship observing wildlife and landscapes.
Why Book an Expedition Cruise Through an Advisor Instead of Direct?
There is no additional cost. Advisors are paid by the cruise lines, so the fare is the same as booking direct. Through the combined buying power of Oasis Travel Network and Signature Travel Network, we can also access published promotions plus unpublished fares, onboard credits, amenities, and no-single-supplement departures that are not offered to the public.
No added cost
You never pay more than booking direct.
Unpublished fares
Rates and amenities not offered to the public.
Solo-friendly departures
Access to no-single-supplement sailings.
Ship matching
Recommendations from 18 ships we've been aboard.
What firsthand actually means.
When you plan with us, you are talking to someone who has personally:
- Felt the difference between a standard ocean cruise and a nimble, research-grade expedition vessel.
- Worn the gear, so we can tell you which boots you need and which ones will just take up space in your luggage.
- Navigated a rough Zodiac landing, and knows how much that should shape the itinerary you choose.
- Compared the nuances between operators — the food, the lecture programs, the guiding styles — so we can match you to the one that fits.
More on how this started.
Client stories
What travelers say afterward.
"Our adventure to Churchill was more than I ever dreamed. Glacial Expeditions set us up with a couple of unforgettable trips this year: Antarctica back in January and Churchill, Manitoba more recently. We told them what we were looking for and they made it happen."
Angela R. · Antarctica & Churchill "A 10-day Alaska glacier cruise and 5-day Canadian Rockies trip, perfectly coordinated. Cruise, transfers, hotels and excursions booked in advance. Great guidance narrowing the excursion options, from multiple visits to Alaska themselves."
Peter H. · Alaska & Canadian Rockies "Went on a Discover Churchill polar bear trip with Erika and Chris. Every detail was managed perfectly — a very relaxing and fun trip."
Sarah F. · Churchill
Who you'll work with
Expedition Expertise, From People Who Know the Difference.
Chris Commisso
Expedition Expert
Chris helps curious travelers understand and experience the world's most remote places — from choosing the right expedition ship to stepping into landscapes few people ever see.
The world gets more interesting the farther you go.
Erika Commisso
Travel Experience Architect
Erika handles the parts of a trip most travelers never see — the transfers, the pre-cruise nights, the excursions worth booking and the ones to skip. She also leads hosted group departures.
- CLIA Elite Cruise Counselor
- ASTA Verified Travel Advisor
I turn complicated travel into effortless experiences.
Ships we've personally experienced
National Geographic Resolution · Roald Amundsen · Silver Cloud · Greg Mortimer · Sylvia Earle · Le Lyrial
Destinations we've explored
Antarctica · Svalbard · Eastern Greenland · Galápagos · Alaska · Scottish Hebrides
Common Questions
What is the difference between an expedition cruise and a regular cruise?
An expedition cruise is a small-ship voyage built around landings and wildlife rather than ports and entertainment. The itinerary follows ice, weather, and animal movement instead of a fixed schedule. Guests go ashore by Zodiac with naturalists and expedition guides, and most of the day is spent outside, observing, not aboard.
How much does an expedition cruise cost?
Expedition cruise fares generally start around $1,000 per person per night. A seven-night Galápagos voyage typically runs about $7,000 per person, with cabin category and cruise line moving that figure considerably. Fares usually include meals, Zodiac landings, and the expedition team. Flights and pre-cruise hotels are normally extra.
How much does an Antarctica expedition cruise cost?
Antarctica expedition cruises run roughly $9,000 to $48,000 per person, depending on cruise line, cabin category, and itinerary. Crossing the Drake Passage by ship costs less than flying to King George Island, and voyages adding South Georgia or the Falklands sit at the higher end.
What is included in an expedition cruise fare?
Most expedition fares include the cabin, all meals aboard, Zodiac landings, the expedition team and its lectures, and often a parka and loaned boots. Flights, pre-cruise hotel nights, transfers, travel insurance, and optional activities such as kayaking or camping are usually extra. Inclusions differ by cruise line, so we confirm them per voyage.
Can I travel solo, and do I have to pay a single supplement?
Yes, solo travel is common on expedition ships, and you do not always pay a supplement. Some ships have dedicated solo cabins, and cruise lines regularly release no-single-supplement departures. We track those sailings and can tell you which dates and ships let a solo traveler avoid the extra cost entirely.
When is the best time to visit Antarctica?
The season runs from November to March, and each part of it looks different. November brings pristine ice and courtship, December and January bring the longest days and hatching chicks, and February and March bring the best whale watching and fledging penguins. The right month depends on what you most want to see.
Not Sure Which Expedition Is Right for You?
Thirty minutes on the phone, no obligation. We'll narrow the destinations, ships, and departures worth considering — and tell you if now isn't the right time to book.