What travel insurance do expedition cruise lines require?

By Richard Jasinski·Updated 9 November 2026

These 33 expedition cruise lines say what travel insurance they require 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.

What travel insurance do expedition cruise lines require?

33 expedition cruise lines in the Uncompromised Travel table say on their own websites that they say what travel insurance they require; Quark Expeditions, Natural World Safaris and UnCruise Adventures 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 what travel insurance it requires: 33 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.

Abercrombie & Kent

Best for: Expedition cruises on partner ships, excursions included
Insurance: Requires proof of emergency evacuation and repatriation insurance for all polar cruises and other select expedition cruises: a minimum of AU$200,000 per person under its Australian terms.
Why choose them: Expedition cruise fares include all shore excursions, house bar drinks and gratuities for the ship's crew and the A&K Expedition Team. Trustpilot (whole company): 4.4 out of 5 from 795 reviews, newest 3 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the expedition cruise inclusions on your ship, including the parka and backpack to keep and the loan boots, waterproof pants and trekking poles on polar cruises.
Not the fit if: you will not carry evacuation cover: polar cruises require proof of a minimum of $100,000 per person in emergency evacuation and repatriation insurance.
Website: abercrombiekent.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: booking-terms-and-conditions-for-journeys-au, booking-terms-and-conditions-for-journeys.

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Adventure Canada

Best for: Canadian Arctic and Greenland small-ship expeditions
Insurance: Requires every passenger to hold emergency medical and emergency medical evacuation insurance with a minimum of $500,000 USD coverage per person; cancellation and interruption cover is recommended.
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: travel-insurance, about-us, how-to-register-and-important-booking-informatio.

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Antarctica21

Best for: Flying over the Drake to Antarctica
Insurance: Requires guests to hold medical insurance that includes aero-medical evacuation from Antarctica; no minimum cover figure is given.
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
Insurance: Does not require insurance: it says its fare includes an Emergency Medical and Trip Delay Travel Protection plan and strongly recommends additional travel insurance with higher maximum reimbursement. No minimum evacuation figure is given.
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

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: faq, home page.

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Aurora Expeditions

Best for: Small-ship polar voyages with solo cabins
Insurance: Requires comprehensive travel insurance covering cancellation, medical, accident and emergency evacuation worth at least USD $250,000, with proof sent no later than 60 days before departure.
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).
Enquiry: aurora-expeditions.com/booking-form

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: terms-and-conditions, about-us, home page.

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Bark Europa

Best for: Sailing a tall ship to Antarctica
Insurance: Says comprehensive travel insurance covering medical and evacuation needs is essential for every voyage; it names no minimum sum.
Why choose them: Bark EUROPA was built in 1911 as a light ship on the German river Elbe and has been a sail training vessel since 1986.
Ask for: Ask for a place on the waiting list for the 20-day Antarctic Peninsula voyage, 3 to 22 December 2026.
Not the fit if: you want a cabin to yourself as a solo traveller: solo guests are placed in a 4/6-person male or female cabin.
Published price: from €11,700 per person, Antarctic Peninsula, 20 days, 3 to 22 December 2026 (waiting list). Read 9 November 2026.
Website: barkeuropa.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: en/voyage-preparation, en/our-story, en/our-voyages.

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Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris

Best for: Wildlife photography trips to South Georgia
Insurance: Requires emergency evacuation cover of about $250,000 for its Antarctic and Arctic expeditions and about $50,000 for most other remote tours.
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

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: travel-insurance, about, terms-and-conditions.

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Cookson Adventures

Best for: Private superyacht expeditions planned from scratch
Insurance: Makes full insurance a condition of the contract, with health and repatriation cover including search and rescue. It asks for proof of insurance for the whole party before departure.
Why choose them: Founded in 2009 by polar explorer Henry Cookson, it designs every trip as a private journey for one group. Google: 4.7 out of 5 from 13 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a Private Client Manager to design a private yacht expedition, with helicopters, submersible dives or a professional photographer built in.
Not the fit if: your budget is under £150,000: it typically works with a minimum spend of £150,000 per journey.
Money protection: ATOL licence 12608 on certain bookings, such as flight-inclusive packages booked in the UK.
Website: cooksonadventures.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: booking-conditions, press-hub/cookson-adventures-announces-the-appoi, faqs.

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Ecoventura

Best for: Galapagos yachts carrying 20 guests
Insurance: Recommends comprehensive travel insurance, including a Cancel for Any Reason policy; it does not name a minimum medical or evacuation cover.
Why choose them: Has two naturalist guides for every ten guests, which it says is the lowest guide to guest ratio in the Galapagos.
Ask for: Ask for a two-room Premium Suite or a whole-yacht charter for up to 20 guests.
Not the fit if: you may cancel late: from 89 days before departure the entire cruise rate is forfeited.
Website: ecoventura.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: faqs-for-travel-to-the-galapagos-with-ecoventura, celebrate-valentines-day-by-booking-a-private-mo, booking-terms-conditions.

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Enchanted Expeditions

Best for: Galapagos yachts for 16 guests or fewer
Insurance: Recommends, rather than requires, a travel protection plan covering trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical and emergency evacuation or repatriation; no minimum cover is named.
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.
Enquiry: enchantedexpeditions.com/contact

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: booking-conditions, home page, galapagos-islands-wildlife-adventure-cruise-with.

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G Adventures

Best for: Small-group travellers on one 128-passenger ship
Insurance: Says passengers must hold the medical insurance required on its trips. No minimum evacuation figure is given.
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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GO Galapagos

Best for: Galapagos cruises paired with Ecuador land tours
Insurance: Makes insurance obligatory for all passengers, to be bought before arriving in Ecuador; it is not included in the fare and no minimum medical or evacuation figure is given.
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.
Enquiry: gogalapagos.com/contact-our-team

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: terms-and-conditions, about-us, general-faqs.

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Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Best for: Bilingual PC6 expedition ships, pole to pole
Insurance: Recommends trip cancellation (including interruption), international health and luggage insurance for guests without cover; it names no minimum medical or evacuation figure.
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/planning-your-cruise, press/photo-archiv/hanseatic-nature, cruises/destinations/antarctica.

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Heritage Expeditions

Best for: Ross Sea and Subantarctic expeditions
Insurance: Makes comprehensive travel insurance a condition of travel, with medical, accident and repatriation or emergency evacuation cover of at least USD$150,000 per person on Subantarctic expeditions and USD$250,000 on Antarctic expeditions.
Why choose them: Aims to keep a guide-to-client ratio of 1:12 on its expeditions.
Ask for: Ask for the 17 December 2026 Galapagos of the Southern Ocean voyage, which has a wildlife photography workshop with Nikon Ambassador Rachel Bigsby.
Not the fit if: you need a refundable deposit: the 25% deposit is non-refundable and on Antarctica voyages the full fare is lost within 120 days of departure.
Published price: From US$10,900 per person (reduced from US$13,500), Antarctic Peninsula Expedition Cruise incl. South Shetland Islands on Heritage Discoverer, departures from 22 November 2027. Read 9 November 2026.
Money protection: Deposits held by Heritage Security Ltd on behalf of Heritage Expeditions (2018) Ltd under a customer deposit agreement.
Enquiry: heritage-expeditions.com/contact

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: terms-conditions, about/responsible-travel, destinations/antarctic-peninsula-cruises/antarct.

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HX Expeditions

Best for: Polar voyages on a five-ship expedition fleet
Insurance: Makes travel insurance with repatriation cover mandatory for Antarctica trips.
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
Insurance: Recommends rather than requires travel protection: it offers an optional Travel Protection Plan to US residents with emergency evacuation and repatriation cover and advises non-US residents to buy their own travel insurance.
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: travel-protection-plan, plan/faqs, cancellation-policy.

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Metropolitan Touring

Best for: Galapagos cruises on three small ships
Insurance: Does not state insurance as required; it strongly recommends medical cover plus trip cancellation, arranged before you depart.
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.
Enquiry: metropolitan-touring.com/contact-us

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: galapagos-cruises, galapagos-cruises/yacht-la-pinta, galapagos/faq.

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Natural World Safaris

Best for: Specialist-led wildlife voyages on partner ships
Insurance: Makes travel insurance a condition of the contract, with repatriation, emergency evacuation and search and rescue among the cover it recommends; some remote trips such as Great Migrations of the Northwest Passage require medical and non-medical evacuation cover. No minimum figure is given.
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: resources/terms, resources/about-us, polar-regions/antarctica/safaris/classic-antarct.

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Noble Caledonia

Best for: Small-ship voyages for mature travellers
Insurance: Makes adequate insurance a condition of booking, with cancellation cover to the full value of the booking and cover for your medical situation; no minimum evacuation figure is given.
Why choose them: Established in 1991, it owns MS Island Sky and MS Hebridean Sky, which carry 118 guests each. Trustpilot (whole company): 2.2 out of 5 from 24 reviews, newest 2 June 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for sole use of a twin cabin and the solo travellers' evening it hosts on board when numbers allow.
Not the fit if: you are travelling with children: it says travelling with children is not recommended and most of its ships have a minimum age of 15-18.
Published price: From £9,995 per person (special offer), Falklands in Focus, 14 nights on MS Island Sky, departing 5 January 2027. Read 9 November 2026.
Money protection: ATOL for UK residents with air travel included; a bond with ABTA for UK bookings without air travel.
Enquiry: noble-caledonia.co.uk/about-noble-caledonia/contact-us

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: about-noble-caledonia/faqs, about-noble-caledonia/our-history, voyages-and-tours/polar-cruises.

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Pelagic Expeditions

Best for: Private sailing-vessel charters to Antarctica
Insurance: Requires travel insurance for every member of the charter party covering medical expense, including evacuation by aircraft and repatriation.
Why choose them: Says it has sailed south every year since 1988, when it made a sailing and climbing expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia.
Ask for: Ask Skip Novak for a charter of the Pelagic 77 Vinson of Antarctica, with its dates and day rate in writing.
Not the fit if: you want to fly to Antarctica: voyages sail from Puerto Williams in Chile across the Drake Passage, usually three to four days.
Enquiry: pelagic.co.uk/contact.asp

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: over_terms.asp, over_clients.asp, destinations_ant.asp.

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Polar Latitudes

Best for: Small polar ships with citizen science
Insurance: Makes travel insurance mandatory, bought at the time of booking, with at least $150,000 USD cover for medical expenses, evacuation (including vessel-to-shore transfer), emergency repatriation and pre-existing conditions; cancellation cover is recommended.
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

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: terms-and-conditions, about, rates-and-dates.

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PolarQuest

Best for: Svalbard on 12- and 50-passenger ships
Insurance: Says all travellers need full travel and medical insurance covering evacuation, medical care on the spot and repatriation. It helps book it through Gouda Reseförsäkring. No minimum cover is named.
Why choose them: Says it is one of the eight companies that founded AECO in 2003 to regulate tourism on Svalbard.
Ask for: Ask for a shared cabin on M/S Quest, split into women's and men's cabins, which must be booked by contacting the office.
Not the fit if: your mobility is limited: it requires good general health and good mobility; guests aged 80 or over must return a medical form.
Published price: From 79,900 SEK per person in a triple cabin, Svalbard towards the pack ice on M/S Quest, 12 days, 10 July 2027. Read 9 November 2026.
Website: polarquest.se

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: infor-resan-svalbard/forberedande-information, infor-resan-svalbard/resa-med-omtanke, resor/svalbard/expedition-svalbard-mot-packisen-.

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Poseidon Expeditions

Best for: One small ship in both polar regions
Insurance: Requires comprehensive travel insurance that covers cruise travel in the polar regions, with evacuation and repatriation cover of no less than 200,000 USD per person on Arctic and Antarctica cruises.
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

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: info-for-travelers/insurance, about, info-for-travelers/faq.

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Quark Expeditions

Best for: Polar-only voyages with helicopter options
Insurance: Makes comprehensive medical insurance a condition of joining its expeditions and strongly recommends trip cancellation cover; it offers a Travel Protection Plan to US residents.
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: booking-terms-and-conditions, about-us/small-ships, expeditions/greenland-to-newfoundland-mountains-.

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Quasar Expeditions

Best for: Galápagos yacht cruises and Patagonia safaris
Insurance: Requires a medical evacuation and health policy covering aero-medical evacuation from the Galapagos of at least $50,000 USD, including pre-existing conditions.
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

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: galapagos/trip-insurance, galapagos, terms-conditions.

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Royal Galapagos

Best for: Galapagos cruises on 16-guest family-owned yachts
Insurance: Requires all visitors to have travel insurance against problems such as flight delays or missed connections and strongly recommends Cancel For Any Reason cover; it names no minimum medical sum.
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.
Enquiry: royalgalapagos.com/contact-us

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: galapagos/tips, cruise-compare.

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Scenic

Best for: All-inclusive polar yachts with helicopters
Insurance: Recommends, rather than requires, travel insurance to cover medical or repatriation needs; no minimum cover is named.
Why choose them: Scenic Eclipse takes a maximum of 228 adult-only guests, 200 in Antarctica and the High Arctic, with an almost 1:1 crew to guest ratio.
Ask for: Ask for the fare on select voyages that includes a 30-minute helicopter flightseeing experience in Antarctica.
Not the fit if: you travel with children: Scenic Eclipse sails with adult-only guests.
Published price: From £16,573 per person, two sharing the lowest priced cabin, Antarctica in Depth, 13 days from Buenos Aires, 2028/2029 season. Read 9 November 2026.
Money protection: ATOL 9294 on flight-inclusive holidays where indicated at booking; ABTA member.
Enquiry: scenic.cruises/UK/en-GB/contact-us

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: UK/en-GB/health-safety, UK/en-GB/about-us/the-scenic-difference, UK/en-GB/offers/expedition-voyages-and-land-jour.

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Seabourn

Best for: Expedition ships with all-veranda suites
Insurance: Strongly recommends travel insurance covering cancellation, medical expenses and emergency evacuation and offers its SeabournShield Travel Protection Plan; it names no minimum cover.
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.
Enquiry: seabourn.com/en/us/about/contact

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: en/us/cancellation-policy/cancellation-policy-us, en/us/cruise-destinations/expedition-ships, en/us/faq/mobility-accessibility-information.

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Secret Atlas

Best for: 12 to 36 guest polar micro cruises
Insurance: Makes appropriate travel insurance a condition of joining, shown at or before final payment, covering repatriation, emergency evacuation and search and rescue, cancellation or curtailment, medical expenses and luggage; no minimum sum is given.
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

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: booking-terms-and-conditions, home page, dates-and-rates.

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Swan Hellenic

Best for: Cultural expedition cruises on three ships
Insurance: Makes travel insurance mandatory for all passengers and strongly recommends cover for trip cancellation, medical expenses, emergency evacuation and baggage loss that specifically covers expedition cruise activities and remote destinations; no minimum figure is named.
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
Insurance: Requires comprehensive travel insurance for all guests, covering medical evacuation for up to $250,000 USD minimum.
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

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: en/insurance-information-and-requirements, home page, en/faqs.

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UnCruise Adventures

Best for: Small-ship adventure cruises in Alaska
Insurance: Highly recommends travel insurance, offered through Travelex. It names no minimum cover.
Why choose them: Sails nine ships carrying 22 to 88 guests. Google: 4.7 out of 5 from 136 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a Families in Nature sailing, where kids 2 and under sail free.
Not the fit if: you want a doctor on board: it does not undertake to provide a physician or other health care on the vessel.
Published price: In Steinbeck's Wake, Safari Voyager, from US$8,400 per person in a Compass Cabin, double occupancy, April and May 2027 departures. Read 9 November 2026.
Enquiry: uncruise.com/pages/ready-to-book-form

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: pages/terms-conditions, home page, products/in-steinbecks-wake-an-epic-voyage-throu.

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Waterproof Expeditions

Best for: Small-group Svalbard voyages and polar snorkelling
Insurance: Makes travel insurance with worldwide medical evacuation and repatriation cover mandatory for all its expeditions.
Why choose them: Founded in 2007 by Marlynda Elstgeest and Göran Ehlmé of Waterproof Diving International. Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 59 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a Signature Expedition such as Svalbard Awakening on Explorer, led by its own guides.
Not the fit if: you cannot manage the gangway: to join landings you must get up and down from the ship to the water to board the Zodiacs.
Published price: Svalbard Awakening, Explorer, 10 days, 19 to 28 June 2027, from EUR 14,700 per person in a Superior Suite. Read 9 November 2026.
Website: waterproof-expeditions.com

Read on its own website, 9 November 2026: faq, about-us, team/szymon-niezabitowski.

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Which of these show a dated price on this page?

19 of the 33 cards show a price for a voyage, with its currency and a date or season. Cookson Adventures, Ecoventura, GO Galapagos, Lindblad Expeditions, Metropolitan Touring, Quasar Expeditions, Royal Galapagos and Seabourn 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
Bark Europa
Enchanted Expeditions
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Heritage Expeditions
Natural World Safaris
Noble Caledonia
Polar Latitudes
PolarQuest
Poseidon Expeditions
Quark Expeditions
Scenic
Secret Atlas
Terra Nova Expeditions
UnCruise Adventures
Waterproof Expeditions

Which of these lines name a scheme that protects your money?

12 of the 33 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)
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
Cookson Adventures: ATOL licence 12608 on certain bookings, such as flight-inclusive packages booked in the UK
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: Insolvency cover with Deutscher Reisesicherungsfonds GmbH for European customers; ABTOT ATOL Franchise, ATOL number 12926, for UK customers
Heritage Expeditions: Deposits held by Heritage Security Ltd on behalf of Heritage Expeditions (2018) Ltd under a customer deposit agreement
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
Natural World Safaris: ATOL or Trust My Travel, included for UK and EU clients
Noble Caledonia: ATOL for UK residents with air travel included; a bond with ABTA for UK bookings without air travel
Quark Expeditions: USTOA Consumer Protection Plan ($1 million posted with the USTOA)
Scenic: ATOL 9294 on flight-inclusive holidays where indicated at booking; ABTA member
Swan Hellenic: Insolvency bonding with ACTA (Cyprus) for cruise-only and flight-inclusive bookings

Who to contact first

Start with the 12 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
Enchanted Expeditions
Heritage Expeditions
Natural World Safaris
Polar Latitudes
Quark Expeditions
Secret Atlas
Terra Nova Expeditions
UnCruise Adventures
Waterproof 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.

Expedition cruise insurance: 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?

31 of the 33 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, Natural World Safaris and UnCruise Adventures, 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?

15 of the 33. Each card gives the TrustScore, the review count and the newest review date, read 9 November 2026.

Which of these publish their cancellation terms?

22 of the 33 publish a cancellation scale on their own websites. 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 what travel insurance it requires. 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.