Cruise customers are showing an increased interest in cruising warm-weather, non-polar regions, such as Indonesia, the Pacific, the Amazon and Africa, with the Galapagos retaining year-round popularity.
This is according to the Expedition Cruise Network’s (ECN) ‘H1 2025 Trends Data’ survey, which found 60% of its members are saying that they have noticed this trend.
Although Antarctica remains the number one best seller, closely followed by Svalbard, Greenland, Alaska and the Northwest Passage, interest in lesser-known areas is also on the rise, including Snow Hill, East Antarctica, and the Canadian Arctic.
Booking patterns show clients are either booking very far in advance or extremely close to the date of travel. In particular, the Antarctica planning window is lengthening.
A third (31%) of members are experiencing the strongest growth in the 46-55 age group with another third seeing the strongest growth among those aged 56–65.
Nearly a third of members (27%) say the first half of 2025 has seen the UK grow faster than other markets, with strong interest from solo travellers, luxury seekers and multi-generational family groups.
The vast majority (95%) of expedition cruise operator members said they are “positive” or very positive”” about the future of expedition cruising in the next two to three years, with members foreseeing further fleet expansion, polar hotels and the development of new onboard experiences.
The sector has its challenges, however, with market saturation, low awareness of expedition cruising and regulatory issues in regions such as Svalbard all presenting barriers.
Political and economic uncertainty, coupled with rising airfare and destination costs, are compounding these challenges.
However, bookings are strong, with 43% of ECN’s 1,850 travel trade members selling expedition cruise “regularly” or “very regularly”.
The members survey identified a skills gap, with a quarter (26%) considering themselves expert, 30% saying that they consider their knowledge to be average, and 38% basic.
Akvile Marozaite, CEO, Expedition Cruise Network, said: “We will see more curiosity and value-driven travel in the expedition sphere. Authentic travel and community experiences are very much on the radar for all of our cruise operators.”
Agents can book clients onto a Lindblad Expeditions cruise which visits warmer climes. The ‘Exploring the Galápagos’ itinerary starts at $5,557pp (approximately £4,089pp) .
Or for those keener on polar regions, Quark Expeditions offers an ‘Antarctica By Helicopter: Icebergs, Mountains and Remote Lands’ expedition, with four options throughout 2025 and 2026, starting at £10,793pp.
