Expedition cruises are going beyond the polar regions in 2027

There was something about the daily monotony of a cruise that always put me off. A floating resort with everything you need in one place? No thanks. Four hours to explore a new city before rushing back to the ship in case it leaves with all your belongings? Absolutely not. That was until I went on a bucket-list expedition cruise around the Galapagos. Each day, a lifelong memory was made, from swimming with baby seals off black sand beaches to hiking where Darwin studied tortoise shells for his theory of evolution. Culture, history and adventure combined in a four-night trip that couldn’t be further from the image most of us have of cruise ship holidays (no water slide, bingo night or fighting over the last buffet scraps). A more purposeful, intimate approach to cruising, expeditions are surging globally, with a 150 per cent increase in ship capacity scheduled by 2029. The expedition cruise market was valued at $8.2 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $18.7 billion by 2034.Six Star has voyaged to polar regions since 2009 Six Star While polar regions like Antarctica and the Arctic have long attracted travellers seeking adventure-driven voyages, cruise lines are increasingly responding to demand for expeditions in warmer climes, from the Mediterranean to North Africa and Asia. “Expedition cruises beyond the typical polar regions are becoming more popular as travellers seek more immersive experiences on land and at sea,” Marc Shoffman, The Independent’s Cruise Editor, tells me. “It provides a new way to explore unique aspects of well-known destinations.” Six Star is one such company embracing the burgeoning approach to travel. Its Atlas Ocean Voyages are mapped around culture, cuisine and history – the golden trio of any good holiday. With new ports in Germany, Greece, the Netherlands and England in 2027, its European expeditions take you from the wine regions of Bordeaux to the canals of Amsterdam, or exploring Scotland’s Outer Hebrides by way of Norway. Designed for every sort of traveller, from the adventurous to the more laidback, Six Star’s expeditions trade resort-style cruising for smaller vessels far beyond the usual ports of call. Think swapping silent discos for descending into 8,000-year-old lava caves in Iceland, pool parties for a safari experience in Tanzania’s Saadani National Park, and whistlestop city tours with paddleboarding among sea turtles in French Polynesia. These are journeys that take you beyond the well-trodden itinerary – and into places the big ships simply can’t reach.Six Star Expeditions officially launched this year, but the company has offered polar itineraries since its founding in 2009. “It is always good to choose a cruise line with a track record of expedition experience,” Shoffman advises. “This will ensure your trip will be well organised, and a luxury line can also ensure you get tailored and specialist service.”Six StarArguably the ultimate expedition cruise, exploring the polar regions with Six Star involves spotting polar bears, penguins, and humpback whales, while cruising through rugged fjords, breathtaking sea ice and spectacular glaciers. The cruising line has been touring Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Antarctica and the Arctic for nearly two decades, with expert guides unlocking the polar regions’ spectacular wildlife, history and scenery. Combining zodiac tours, kayaking, polar plunges – if you’re brave enough – and submersible dives with world-class board dining, facilities and service, it’s luxury cruising with a dash of adventure. Six Star Beyond the polar regions, small expedition ships are an increasingly popular alternative to floating resort cruises. Six Star Expeditions sets sail to some of Europe, Asia and North Africa’s most captivating warm-weather destinations. Explore the sun-drenched Mediterranean, discover sakura blooming in Japan in the spring, the vibrant culture of Cape Town, or the diverse landscapes of Indonesia. Read MoreFrom the Greek Islands and Southern Spain to Morocco, Egypt and beyond, these experience-driven voyages don’t compromise on luxury, but offer the chance to snorkel in crystal-clear waters, hike dramatic coastlines, explore ancient ruins and discover bustling local markets and historic cities. Six Star Over nine nights, Six Star’s London to Lisbon cruise takes you from Greenwich in London, past Saint Malo – a storied walled city in France – to Bilbao and its incredible food scene, onwards past Europe’s western shores to Lisbon.