Which expedition cruise ships have a doctor on board?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 9 November 2026
These 17 expedition cruise lines say a doctor or medical team sails or describe their medical centre 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 ships have a doctor on board?
17 expedition cruise lines in the Uncompromised Travel table say on their own websites that they say a doctor or medical team sails or describe their medical centre; Quark Expeditions, Quasar Expeditions and Aurora Expeditions 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, says a doctor or medical team sails or describes its medical centre: 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.
Adventure Canada
- Best for
- Canadian Arctic and Greenland small-ship expeditions
- Medical care
- Says select vessels have an onboard doctor, with a consultation and treatment fee if you need one; it says its vessel is not equipped to handle serious medical conditions.
- Why choose them
- Began in 1987, when brothers Matthew and Bill Swan and friend David Freeze started taking travellers to "off the map" destinations. Google: 4.9 out of 5 from 29 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a dedicated solo cabin, a shared cabin or roommate matching on select expeditions.
- Not the fit if
- you cannot climb the external gangway stairs to transfer between the ship and the Zodiacs.
- Published price
- From $8,995 USD per person based on double occupancy, Heart of the Arctic, 2 to 14 August 2027. Read 9 November 2026.
- Money protection
- Customer deposits held in Client Trust Accounts, audited annually by a CPA and inspected by TICO auditors (TICO registration 4001400/5002 1860).
- Website
- adventurecanada.com
Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: how-to-register-and-important-booking-informatio, about-us, home page.
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Antarctica21
- Best for
- Flying over the Drake to Antarctica
- Medical care
- Says its ship has a small, well-equipped infirmary under the care of a licensed medical doctor; serious emergencies need evacuation to South America.
- 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: travel-tips-antarctica, landing/antarctic-flights-agents, home page.
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Atlas Ocean Voyages
- Best for
- All-inclusive ice-class yachts, sailing year-round
- Medical care
- Says its yachts have a Medical Center staffed with a licensed doctor for non-emergency and emergency services, at additional cost.
- 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
- Medical care
- Includes access to the onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic for an initial consultation.
- 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).
Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: about-us/general-inclusions, about-us, terms-and-conditions.
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G Adventures
- Best for
- Small-group travellers on one 128-passenger ship
- Medical care
- Has a medical centre with a licensed doctor on the Expedition, which it describes as a small, limited medical facility.
- Why choose them
- Its ship, the Expedition, carries a maximum of 128 passengers with 14 expedition guides, keeping a 10:1 guest to expert ratio. Google: 4.4 out of 5 from 8 reviews; Trustpilot (whole company): 4.9 out of 5 from 17,485 reviews, newest 9 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a shared cabin with a same-sex roommate, so you travel alone without paying a single supplement.
- Not the fit if
- you cannot manage stairs: the Expedition has no elevator and Zodiac landings need good mobility.
- Enquiry
- gadventures.com/contact-us
Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: expedition-protocols, travel-styles/cruising/scotland-cruises.
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Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
- Best for
- Bilingual PC6 expedition ships, pole to pole
- Medical care
- Every ship has a ship's hospital with modern medical facilities, under the direction of an experienced ship's doctor; Antarctic guests return a medical questionnaire.
- Why choose them
- Its three HANSEATIC expedition ships, commissioned in May and October 2019 and May 2021, have PC6, which it says is the highest ice class for passenger ships.
- Ask for
- Ask for the cruises on its offers list where there is no or only a small surcharge for single occupancy of the cabin or suite.
- Not the fit if
- you use a wheelchair: guests who depend on one cannot travel in the Zodiacs.
- Published price
- From €13,640 per person, South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula, 14 days from Ushuaia on HANSEATIC inspiration, 07 Jan 2028 (early booking discount until 28 Feb 2027). Read 9 November 2026.
- Money protection
- Insolvency cover with Deutscher Reisesicherungsfonds GmbH for European customers; ABTOT ATOL Franchise, ATOL number 12926, for UK customers.
- Website
- hl-cruises.com
Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: service/faq/life-on-board, press/photo-archiv/hanseatic-nature, service/faq/planning-your-cruise.
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HX Expeditions
- Best for
- Polar voyages on a five-ship expedition fleet
- Medical care
- Says an English-speaking physician and nurse are always on board with essential medical equipment; consultations and medications are charged.
- Why choose them
- Says it has been sailing polar waters since 1896. Trustpilot (whole company): 2.9 out of 5 from 46 reviews, newest 22 October 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for departures with no solo supplement, which it offers on selected expedition sailings.
- Not the fit if
- you may need your deposit back: the 25% deposit is non-refundable and final payment is due 90 days before departure.
- Website
- travelhx.com
Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: en-gb/support/faq, en-us.
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Lindblad Expeditions
- Best for
- Expedition cruises with National Geographic experts
- Medical care
- Lists the services of a ship physician on most voyages, with onboard physician consultations included where available.
- Why choose them
- Says its staff-to-guest ratio is no more than 1-to-16. Google: 4.6 out of 5 from 84 reviews; Trustpilot: 3.2 out of 5 from 6 reviews, newest 4 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the Share Guarantee, which matches solo guests willing to share with another solo guest of the same gender at the double-occupancy rate.
- Not the fit if
- your plans may change: cancelling 119 to 90 days before departure costs 50% of the trip cost and 89 days or less costs 100%.
- Money protection
- US Federal Maritime Commission passenger vessel financial responsibility rule (46 C.F.R. Part 540); California Seller of Travel #2151120; Washington Seller of Travel #601134845 001 0001.
- Website
- expeditions.com
Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: plan/faqs, cancellation-policy, reservation-terms-conditions.
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Metropolitan Touring
- Best for
- Galapagos cruises on three small ships
- Medical care
- Has a Medical Officer (M.D.) on board Yacht La Pinta, Yacht Isabela II and Santa Cruz II throughout every cruise, with an infirmary open 24/7; it says its three vessels are among the few in the Galapagos Islands with medical officers on board.
- Why choose them
- Each Yacht La Pinta cruise sails with one Expedition Leader and an average of one Naturalist Guide for every 12 guests. Google (whole company): 4.5 out of 5 from 550 reviews; Trustpilot (whole company): 4.9 out of 5 from 254 reviews, newest 8 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the Standard Cabin on Yacht Isabela II, its solo traveller's cabin with no single supplement.
- Not the fit if
- you have serious mobility issues: Galapagos visitor sites have rugged terrain and no access ramps.
Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: galapagos/faq, galapagos-cruises/yacht-la-pinta.
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Polar Latitudes
- Best for
- Small polar ships with citizen science
- Medical care
- Carries a currently practising, English-speaking doctor experienced in emergency medicine on every voyage, with a Medical Clinic on every ship.
- 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
- Medical care
- Says its expedition team always includes a doctor responsible for the health of passengers and team; Sea Spirit has a clinic area equipped for foreseeable emergencies.
- 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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Quark Expeditions
- Best for
- Polar-only voyages with helicopter options
- Medical care
- Says there are two doctors on board every ship.
- Why choose them
- Ultramarine carries two twin-engine helicopters and 20 quick-launching Zodiacs. Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 604 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.9 out of 5 from 578 reviews, newest 8 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the Antarctic Express fly-cruise options if you would rather fly the Drake Passage than sail it both ways.
- Not the fit if
- you want to pay late: the full balance is due 150 days before Day 1 and bookings made inside that window are paid in full.
- Published price
- from $13,551 USD per person, Greenland to Newfoundland, 14 days on Ultramarine from Reykjavík, departures September 2027 to September 2028. Read 9 November 2026.
- Money protection
- USTOA Consumer Protection Plan ($1 million posted with the USTOA).
- Website
- quarkexpeditions.com
Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: expedition-ships, about-us/small-ships, booking-terms-and-conditions.
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Quasar Expeditions
- Best for
- Galápagos yacht cruises and Patagonia safaris
- Medical care
- Lists an onboard doctor among its Galapagos yacht inclusions; guides and most crew know first aid and the yacht carries a limited selection of medical supplies.
- Why choose them
- Says it keeps a 10:1 guest to guide ratio on its Galápagos yachts. Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 117 reviews; Trustpilot: 5.0 out of 5 from 779 reviews, newest 12 June 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a private charter of the Evolution or Grace yacht in the Galápagos.
- Not the fit if
- your plans may change: on Galápagos cruises all payments received are non-refundable.
- Website
- quasarex.com
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Seabourn
- Best for
- Expedition ships with all-veranda suites
- Medical care
- Says each ship has a dedicated medical team running an onboard Medical Center for guests and crew.
- Why choose them
- Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit are built to PC6 Polar Class standards and each carries 24 Zodiacs. Trustpilot (whole company): 1.8 out of 5 from 32 reviews, newest 2 October 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the SBNSOLO offer, which cuts the single supplement to as low as 125% on select sailings.
- Not the fit if
- you cannot sit unassisted on a Zodiac pontoon: Zodiacs have no wheelchair tie-downs and such guests cannot use them.
Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: en/us/legal-privacy/risk-acknowledgement-faq, en/us/cruise-destinations/expedition-ships, en/us/faq/mobility-accessibility-information.
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Silversea
- Best for
- Expedition ships with butler service
- Medical care
- Its medical team sails on expedition voyages and oversees the polar plunge alongside the Expedition Experts.
- Why choose them
- Runs a fleet of 12 ships, eight Classic and four Expedition; it was founded in 1994. Trustpilot (whole company): 2.4 out of 5 from 58 reviews, newest 9 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a private Zodiac tour with an Expedition Expert as your personal guide.
- Not the fit if
- you need step-free shore access: nearly all discovery ashore is by Zodiac launch to and from the ship.
Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: our-cruises/luxury-expeditions-cruises/expeditio, about-silversea/the-company.html, welcome-expedition.html.
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Swan Hellenic
- Best for
- Cultural expedition cruises on three ships
- Medical care
- Has a ship's emergency room on board under an experienced ship's doctor and an assisting nurse, through its VIKAND partnership.
- Why choose them
- SH Minerva and SH Vega carry 152 guests each and SH Diana 192. Trustpilot: 4.6 out of 5 from 179 reviews, newest 28 October 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask which departures waive the single supplement for solo travellers.
- Not the fit if
- you might cancel within 60 days of departure: 100% of the cruise package price is charged.
- Money protection
- Insolvency bonding with ACTA (Cyprus) for cruise-only and flight-inclusive bookings.
- Website
- swanhellenic.com
Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: faq, latest-news/how-many-people-are-on-a-cruise-ship, terms.
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Terra Nova Expeditions
- Best for
- Antarctica on a 98-guest ship, activities included
- Medical care
- Has a qualified doctor and a fully equipped medical clinic on board for every voyage.
- 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?
9 of the 17 cards show a price for a voyage, with its currency and a date or season. Lindblad Expeditions, Metropolitan Touring, Quasar Expeditions, Seabourn and Silversea 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.
- Adventure Canada
- Antarctica21
- Atlas Ocean Voyages
- Aurora Expeditions
- Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
- Polar Latitudes
- Poseidon Expeditions
- Quark Expeditions
- Terra Nova Expeditions
Which of these lines name a scheme that protects your money?
6 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.
- Adventure Canada: Customer deposits held in Client Trust Accounts, audited annually by a CPA and inspected by TICO auditors (TICO registration 4001400/5002 1860)
- Aurora Expeditions: Deposit Protection Program: all voyage deposits go into a separate trust account (Aurora Passenger Trust)
- Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: Insolvency cover with Deutscher Reisesicherungsfonds GmbH for European customers; ABTOT ATOL Franchise, ATOL number 12926, for UK customers
- Lindblad Expeditions: US Federal Maritime Commission passenger vessel financial responsibility rule (46 C.F.R. Part 540); California Seller of Travel #2151120; Washington Seller of Travel #601134845 001 0001
- Quark Expeditions: USTOA Consumer Protection Plan ($1 million posted with the USTOA)
- Swan Hellenic: Insolvency bonding with ACTA (Cyprus) for cruise-only and flight-inclusive bookings
Who to contact first
Start with the 6 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.
- Adventure Canada
- Atlas Ocean Voyages
- Aurora Expeditions
- Polar Latitudes
- Quark Expeditions
- 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.
Doctors on expedition ships: 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?
16 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?
Quark Expeditions, Quasar Expeditions and Aurora Expeditions, 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?
12 of the 17: Antarctica21, G Adventures, HX Expeditions, Lindblad Expeditions, Metropolitan Touring, Polar Latitudes, Poseidon Expeditions, Quark Expeditions, Quasar Expeditions, Seabourn, Silversea and Swan Hellenic. Each card gives the TrustScore, the review count and the newest review date, read 9 November 2026.
Which of these publish their cancellation terms?
11 of the 17: Adventure Canada, Atlas Ocean Voyages, Aurora Expeditions, G Adventures, Lindblad Expeditions, Polar Latitudes, Quark Expeditions, Quasar Expeditions, Seabourn, Swan Hellenic 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 says a doctor or medical team sails or describes its medical centre. 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.