Which expedition cruise lines give the most time ashore?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 9 November 2026
These 17 expedition cruise lines give the number of landings, the time ashore or how many guests go ashore at once on their own websites, read 9 November 2026. Each card gives what the line says about it, with the ship, voyage, length, price or number where it names one, then why to choose it, what to ask for and the limits it publishes.
Which expedition cruise lines give the most time ashore?
17 expedition cruise lines in the Uncompromised Travel table say on their own websites that they give the number of landings, the time ashore or how many guests go ashore at once; Natural World Safaris, Aurora Expeditions and Atlas Ocean Voyages have the most Google reviews under the line's own name.
Who is on this page and why. The Uncompromised Travel expedition cruise lines table holds 54 companies: the expedition cruise lines ChatGPT names most often when asked about expedition cruises, plus lines found from the IAATO and AECO member lists. Their own websites were read on 9 November 2026, with their Google and Trustpilot listings matched by name. This page carries every line in the table that, on its own website, gives the number of landings, the time ashore or how many guests go ashore at once: 17 lines. Cards are in alphabetical order. Each line on a card gives what the company's own website says, with a link to the page it came from; a second reader checked 324 of the table's rows against the pages. No company paid to be on this page.
Antarctica21
- Best for
- Flying over the Drake to Antarctica
- Landings
- Says its ships carry a maximum of 88 guests per air-cruise voyage, so all passengers can go ashore at once under the rule that only 100 tourists may land at a time; there are typically two excursions a day.
- Why choose them
- Says it pioneered the Antarctica fly-cruise programme in 2003, flying with DAP Airlines. Google: 4.6 out of 5 from 75 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.0 out of 5 from 17 reviews, newest 5 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise, its most popular itinerary, which flies from Punta Arenas to King George Island.
- Not the fit if
- travelling with children under 8: air-cruises take children aged 8 and above, sea voyages 12 and above.
- Published price
- From $15,995 USD per person in a double cabin on Magellan Explorer, Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise, 8 days, late November to early March. Read 9 November 2026.
- Enquiry
- antarctica21.com/book-a-call
Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: landing/antarctic-flights-agents, home page, our-expeditions/classic-antarctica-air-cruise.
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Antarpply Expeditions
- Best for
- Antarctic Peninsula voyages from Ushuaia
- Landings
- Says guests will often make two landings a day by Zodiac on its Classic Antarctica voyage aboard the Ushuaia.
- Why choose them
- Often makes two landings a day by Zodiac in the South Shetland Islands and on the Antarctic Peninsula. Google: 4.2 out of 5 from 47 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the Classic Antarctica departures A211126, A191226, A291226, A080127 or A180127, which add an extra day around the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands.
- Not the fit if
- you want an all-in fare: a fuel surcharge of US$47 per person, per night is charged in addition.
- Website
- antarpplyexpeditions.com
Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: expeditions/classic-antarctica, expeditions/polar-circle-quest, expeditions/rates-timetable.
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Aqua Expeditions
- Best for
- Small ships in Indonesia and the Galapagos
- Landings
- Runs excursions twice a day in groups of no more than 12 guests.
- Why choose them
- Runs a fleet of six vessels sailing 12 destinations, founded in 2007 by Francesco Galli Zugaro. Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 11 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a private charter, which gives exclusive use of a whole vessel, its crew and all onboard spaces on any of its six ships.
- Not the fit if
- your plans may change late: cabin deposits become non-refundable from 120 days before departure and from 90 days the full payment is kept.
- Website
- aquaexpeditions.com
Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: aqua-experience/health-and-safety, aqua-experience/our-story, booking-policies.
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Atlas Ocean Voyages
- Best for
- All-inclusive ice-class yachts, sailing year-round
- Landings
- Takes guests ashore by Zodiac up to twice daily under suitable conditions on its polar expeditions.
- Why choose them
- Its three yachts, World Navigator, World Traveller and World Voyager, are Polar Category C and Ice Class 1B. Google: 4.0 out of 5 from 86 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a Drake Express voyage, which includes a roundtrip private charter jet between Punta Arenas and King George Island.
- Not the fit if
- you use an electric wheelchair or scooter: only collapsible wheelchairs are accepted on board.
- Published price
- From US$12,150 per guest, double occupancy, 11-night Antarctica voyage on World Navigator roundtrip from Ushuaia, 8 March 2027. Read 9 November 2026.
- Website
- atlasoceanvoyages.com
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Aurora Expeditions
- Best for
- Small-ship polar voyages with solo cabins
- Landings
- Aims for two to three landings a day on Antarctic trips, with no more than 100 people ashore at any one time under IAATO and AECO rules.
- Why choose them
- Publishes an Expedition Team-to-expeditioner ratio of 1:7. Google: 4.4 out of 5 from 107 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for one of the 10 dedicated solo cabins with no single supplement on the Greg Mortimer or Sylvia Earle.
- Not the fit if
- you may need to cancel late: from 120 days before departure the cancellation fee is 100% of the full ticket price.
- Published price
- Spirit of Antarctica, 11 days, from USD $15,436 per person twin share (was $19,295), December 2026 and 2027 seasons. Read 9 November 2026.
- Money protection
- Deposit Protection Program: all voyage deposits go into a separate trust account (Aurora Passenger Trust).
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Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris
- Best for
- Wildlife photography trips to South Georgia
- Landings
- Says its small group in the Polar Regions lets everyone go ashore at once without timed shifts.
- Why choose them
- Says it provides on average one leader per six clients. Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 36 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula itinerary for November 10 to 30, 2027, which sets out its cancellation terms.
- Not the fit if
- you do not want to buy evacuation cover: it requires about $250,000 of emergency evacuation insurance for its Antarctic and Arctic expeditions.
- Money protection
- California Seller of Travel #2063050-40; participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation (TCRC), with payments held in a trust account under California law.
- Enquiry
- cheesemans.com/contact
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Enchanted Expeditions
- Best for
- Galapagos yachts for 16 guests or fewer
- Landings
- Plans 2 daily island hikes and 1-2 daily snorkels or kayaks on its Beluga cruise with guest host Lucy Cooke, 9 to 16 December 2026.
- Why choose them
- Says it has over 40 years running small boat cruises in the Galapagos Islands and mainland Ecuador. Google: 4.6 out of 5 from 22 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a charter of one of its own yachts for a small group or family, with or without extensions.
- Not the fit if
- you might cancel late: within 60 days of departure the full price of the cruise is charged.
- Published price
- US$6,640 per person based on double occupancy, Beluga cruise with guest host Lucy Cooke, 9 to 16 December 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: galapagos-islands-wildlife-adventure-cruise-with, home page, booking-conditions.
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GO Galapagos
- Best for
- Galapagos cruises paired with Ecuador land tours
- Landings
- Includes two guided excursions a day, usually a morning island visit and an afternoon visit or activity.
- Why choose them
- Owns and operates three expedition ships in the Galapagos: the Galapagos Legend for 100 guests, Coral I for 36 and Coral II for 20. Google: 4.7 out of 5 from 19 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a GO 3 Galapagos Cruise & Ecuador's Volcano Avenue package, 13 or 16 days combining land days in Ecuador with a Galapagos cruise.
- Not the fit if
- you need an easy walking pace: it recommends reasonably good physical condition as some trails may be difficult; guests board from a small dinghy.
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Grands Espaces
- Best for
- Small-ship Spitsbergen and Greenland expeditions
- Landings
- Plans two to three outings of about 2h30 a day, between landings and Zodiac cruises, with 12 to 14 people per Zodiac; in Antarctica landings are limited to 100 people per site.
- Why choose them
- Keeps one guide for every 10 passengers on Zodiac outings. Google: 4.6 out of 5 from 35 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a private charter of one of its ships with an adapted itinerary.
- Not the fit if
- you have reduced mobility: there is no lift on its ships.
- Published price
- From €10,900 per person, 8-day Spitsbergen voyage on Captain Arctic, 6 to 13 August 2027. Read 9 November 2026.
Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: faq, en/croisieres/new-expedition-cruises-to-spitsber.
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Maple Leaf Adventures
- Best for
- Small-ship voyages in BC and Alaska
- Landings
- Says it typically goes ashore between 1 and 3 times a day for between 1 and 3 hours at a time, with 2 shore trips a typical number.
- Why choose them
- Has operated small ships in BC and Alaska since 1986 and owns and maintains its ships locally. Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 79 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a full-ship charter, where the fare is the same regardless of how many people are on the trip, up to each ship's maximum.
- Not the fit if
- you have failing health or a physical disability: it says its trips are not suitable, with almost no docks where it lands.
- Published price
- $3,950 per person in Canadian dollars, double occupancy, Gulf Islands in Spring on Maple Leaf, 16 to 20 April 2027. Read 9 November 2026.
- Website
- mapleleafadventures.com
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Natural World Safaris
- Best for
- Specialist-led wildlife voyages on partner ships
- Landings
- Its Classic Antarctica Adventure from Ushuaia attempts two shore landings per day.
- Why choose them
- Has been planning wildlife travel since 2005 and has expertise across 40+ countries. Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 139 reviews; Trustpilot (whole company): 4.8 out of 5 from 88 reviews, newest 7 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the Svalbard Wildlife Safari, an intimate ship charter focused on polar bears, with its dates and price in writing.
- Not the fit if
- you might cancel within 89 days of departure: 100% of the entire cost is then payable.
- Published price
- From $12,000 per person (US$), Classic Antarctica Adventure on Sea Spirit, 28 Nov to 09 Dec 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
- Money protection
- ATOL or Trust My Travel, included for UK and EU clients.
- Website
- naturalworldsafaris.com
Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: polar-regions/antarctica/safaris/classic-antarct, resources/about-us, resources/terms.
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Polar Latitudes
- Best for
- Small polar ships with citizen science
- Landings
- Says it gets guests off the ship twice daily, weather permitting, for an average of six hours each day.
- Why choose them
- Publishes a passenger-to-staff ratio of 7:1 to 8:1 on every voyage. Google: 4.1 out of 5 from 7 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.7 out of 5 from 189 reviews, newest 8 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a Solo Vista Stateroom on MV Discoverer, designed for solo travellers with no single supplement.
- Not the fit if
- you want to sail without travel insurance: it is mandatory at booking, with at least $150,000 USD cover for medical expenses and evacuation.
- Published price
- From $8,817 per person in U.S. dollars, Antarctic Peninsula: The Pure Expedition, 10 days/9 nights on Ocean Victory, Feb 4-13 2027. Read 9 November 2026.
- Website
- polar-latitudes.com
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Poseidon Expeditions
- Best for
- One small ship in both polar regions
- Landings
- Says it normally runs an average of two activities a day, with around 2.5 hours off the ship per passenger, weather permitting; all guests go ashore together with no group rotations.
- Why choose them
- Founded in the UK in 1999, it now sails one ship, the 114-passenger Sea Spirit. Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 36 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.5 out of 5 from 595 reviews, newest 3 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the Request-Share programme if travelling solo: if no cabin-mate is found, the single supplement is waived.
- Not the fit if
- you require walking assistance: it advises such guests to strongly consider not joining.
- Published price
- From US$8,846 per person, Classic Antarctica, 12 days, 28 Nov to 9 Dec 2026, with 25% off and a free upgrade. Read 9 November 2026.
- Website
- poseidonexpeditions.com
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Royal Galapagos
- Best for
- Galapagos cruises on 16-guest family-owned yachts
- Landings
- Says most itineraries include one land and one water activity daily, with small groups at each site.
- Why choose them
- Its seven Galapagos vessels carry 16 guests each, except Infinity with 20. Google: 2.9 out of 5 from 19 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.7 out of 5 from 93 reviews, newest 30 October 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a private charter of a whole yacht for up to 20 guests, on itineraries of 4 to 15 days.
- Not the fit if
- you travel without insurance: it requires all visitors to have travel insurance.
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Sailing Expeditions
- Best for
- A 12-guest sailing ship in Svalbard
- Landings
- Runs excursions that usually last two to four hours, with the group kept together under an armed guide.
- Why choose them
- Its sailing ship, the Meander, has a solid hull for sailing in ice and room for 12 guests.
- Ask for
- Ask for one of the two Comfort cabins on the Meander, which have a private shower and toilet.
- Not the fit if
- you cannot walk for several hours on rocky, pathless ground: guests must reach the deck quickly unaided and board the tender boats, or may be excluded without refund.
- Published price
- €4,150 per person in a Standard cabin, Longyearbyen round trip, 9 days/8 nights, 26 May to 3 Jun 2027. Read 9 November 2026.
Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: a-sailing-expeditions-special-2027, en/home-en, en/dates-and-prices-2027.
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Secret Atlas
- Best for
- 12 to 36 guest polar micro cruises
- Landings
- Lands everyone at once: all twelve guests on its Arctic ships with two Zodiacs, or all thirty-six on Aureum with four Zodiacs in Antarctica.
- Why choose them
- Publishes a 1:6 guide ratio in the Arctic and in Antarctica and South Georgia. Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 82 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the Antarctic Circle by Air departure, which replaces the Drake Passage crossing with a two-hour charter flight from Puerto Natales to King George Island.
- Not the fit if
- you might cancel late: the initial 30% deposit is never refunded and nothing is refunded less than 3 months before departure.
- Published price
- £9,500 / US$12,500 per person, Signature Twin/Double, Svalbard Spring Micro Cruise on Vikingfjord, 19-26 May 2027. Read 9 November 2026.
- Website
- secretatlas.com
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Terra Nova Expeditions
- Best for
- Antarctica on a 98-guest ship, activities included
- Landings
- Says everyone lands together, as it carries fewer than 100 guests against the IAATO cap of 100 per site, with one or two shore excursions a day.
- Why choose them
- Keeps its Antarctic expeditions to fewer than 100 guests, with Terra Nova Adventurer taking a maximum of 98.
- Ask for
- Ask for an open-air camping place early: it is included but limited to 30 guests per departure.
- Not the fit if
- you want to fly over the Drake Passage: every voyage leaves Ushuaia and crosses it by sea.
- Published price
- From $6,490 per person in US dollars, Classic Antarctica, 10 days on Terra Nova Adventurer, next departure December 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
- Website
- terranova-expeditions.com
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Which of these show a dated price on this page?
12 of the 17 cards show a price for a voyage, with its currency and a date or season. GO Galapagos and Royal Galapagos publish fares on their own websites without a date or currency on the pages read, so no figure is shown for them. Ask every line for a written quote with the departure date and what it includes.
- Antarctica21
- Atlas Ocean Voyages
- Aurora Expeditions
- Enchanted Expeditions
- Grands Espaces
- Maple Leaf Adventures
- Natural World Safaris
- Polar Latitudes
- Poseidon Expeditions
- Sailing Expeditions
- Secret Atlas
- Terra Nova Expeditions
Which of these lines name a scheme that protects your money?
3 of the 17 lines name a scheme, bond, licence or account that protects payments for some or all bookings; check the number with the scheme before you pay.
- Aurora Expeditions: Deposit Protection Program: all voyage deposits go into a separate trust account (Aurora Passenger Trust)
- Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris: California Seller of Travel #2063050-40; participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation (TCRC), with payments held in a trust account under California law
- Natural World Safaris: ATOL or Trust My Travel, included for UK and EU clients
Who to contact first
Start with the 8 lines on this page that publish both a voyage price and their cancellation terms on their own websites, then add any other card that fits your dates and the voyage you want.
- Atlas Ocean Voyages
- Aurora Expeditions
- Enchanted Expeditions
- Maple Leaf Adventures
- Natural World Safaris
- Polar Latitudes
- Secret Atlas
- Terra Nova Expeditions
What to ask each one to set out in writing:
- What the fare includes, line by line: flights, hotel nights before and after, drinks, gratuities, excursions, kayaking or camping, parka and boots.
- The ship: passengers on board, ice class where it matters, the cabin and whether anything on board costs extra.
- The deposit, when the balance is due, what you lose if you cancel and what happens if ice or weather changes the route.
- Which scheme or licence protects your money, the travel insurance you need and the medical cover it must include.
Time ashore on expedition cruises: the questions people ask
What should I ask an expedition cruise line before booking?
What the fare includes, line by line; how many passengers the ship carries and how many go ashore at once; the deposit and what you lose if you cancel; the travel insurance and medical cover it requires; and which scheme protects your money.
Can I book with these lines directly?
Yes. Each card links the line's own website or enquiry page; ask for a written quote that lists what the fare includes and the cancellation scale.
Do these lines all sell the same kind of voyage?
No. Each card names the voyage, ship or offer the line's own website gives; ship sizes, lengths, routes and prices differ, so compare the cards before you ask for quotes.
Do I need travel insurance for an expedition cruise?
14 of the 17 lines set out on their own websites what insurance they ask for; many polar voyages require cover for medical evacuation. Ask each line for the cover it requires before you buy a policy.
Which of these have the most Google reviews?
Natural World Safaris, Aurora Expeditions and Atlas Ocean Voyages, in that order. A count says how many people reviewed a line, not whether it fits your voyage; each card gives the rating and count, read 9 November 2026.
Which of these have Trustpilot profiles?
5 of the 17: Antarctica21, Natural World Safaris, Polar Latitudes, Poseidon Expeditions and Royal Galapagos. Each card gives the TrustScore, the review count and the newest review date, read 9 November 2026.
Which of these publish their cancellation terms?
10 of the 17: Aqua Expeditions, Atlas Ocean Voyages, Aurora Expeditions, Enchanted Expeditions, GO Galapagos, Maple Leaf Adventures, Natural World Safaris, Polar Latitudes, Secret Atlas and Terra Nova Expeditions. Ask each for the full scale in writing before you pay a deposit.
Where can I check these facts myself?
Each card links the pages of the line's own website its lines were read from, with the date they were read.
How were these lines chosen?
Each one is in the Uncompromised Travel expedition cruise lines table, built from the expedition cruise lines ChatGPT names most often. On its own website it gives the number of landings, the time ashore or how many guests go ashore at once. A line is on the page because its published facts fit the question, never because it paid.
Is any company on this page paying to be here?
No. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel; none paid to be on it.
Read next
Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: what each line published on its own website, read on 9 November 2026, with links to the pages read, with its Google and Trustpilot figures where the listing carries the line's own name, from the Uncompromised Travel expedition cruise lines table. Cards are in alphabetical order. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel. How this site earns · How we work.