Hello, travelers! National Geographic Expeditions, a leader in guided group travel, has announced expedition cruise dates for 2025. On an expedition cruise ship, you’ll get up close to some of the most amazing sights and sounds of the natural world.
Take a look at all the incredible places you can visit! There is something for every traveler among the 90 plus expedition cruise itineraries. You can venture to every continent, from the North Pole to the South Pole, and to desert regions teeming with wildlife in their natural habitat. You can also sail along sunny coastal regions or tour far-flung and exotic locations and more — all designed with the extraordinary legacy founded by the National Geographic Society more than 135 years ago. Plus, every trip booked helps support the global nonprofit National Geographic Society in its work to protect and illuminate our world through exploration, research, and education.
Each trip is full of insider access, deep knowledge from National Geographic Experts, naturalists and local subject matter guides who share their knowledge and passion for the destination. You will also get hands-on photography instruction and enjoy excellent accommodations with the convenience of unpacking once during the trip.
Photo credit: Alex Brittenham
Take Curiosity to Reality
Wondering which trip to choose? Visit the Meet Our Experts page to find an expert aligned with your interest, such as wildlife, photography, conservation, marine biology and more. Or are there destinations on your bucket list that you’ve been curious to discover? Check out our Destinations page to see where you can take your curiosity to reality!
Here are just a few of our favorite expedition cruise itineraries.
Galapagos Voyage — Nature and wildlife greet travelers on this exciting tour! Imagine swimming and snorkeling among beautiful and colorful marine life, and on land taking walks to view turtles, penguins, giant tortoises, flamingos and marine iguanas. Hop in a glass-bottom boat or a Zodiac to discover even more about this archipelago of volcanic islands. These are your “classrooms” during this expedition.
Journey to Antarctica — Prepare to be awed by Antarctica’s stunning beauty. As the captain guides the ship through the icy blue waters of the South Pole, marvelous landscapes, whales, sea lions, birds and other wildlife – and the stillness and tranquility – is something to behold. Zodiac boats take guests from the ship to the shore for hiking, or for just admiring penguins up close. Naturalists lead the off-ship activities as well as present lectures throughout the journey to share their vast knowledge of this polar region. Bonus: No two days are alike in Antarctica.
Land of the Polar Bears — Now, let’s get a glimpse of the North Pole. This journey begins in Oslo, Norway with a stop at the Fram Museum and then sailing past the southern fjords en route to Longyearbyen and Svalbard. When in the archipelago, nature leads the way and polar bears rule the region. A National Geographic Photographer and a team of naturalists guide this tour, so whether using a camera or a camera phone, be prepared to capture this fascinating geologic region.
Alaska’s Inside Passage — Just viewing the map displaying this itinerary’s route is breathtaking. The sights and sounds on this trip speak for themselves … and so do the whales that you’ll hear with the ship’s hydrophone! Activities also include sailing past icebergs, calving glaciers and hidden coves, searching for humpback whales, seals, porpoises and more, touring with naturalists along a quiet forest trail, and cruising among the Inian Islands and hiking nearby islands. There is also a visit to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve to see its mountain goats, brown bears, sea lions and puffins. Travelers are accompanied by a diverse team of experts who share their knowledge and insights into the wildlife, landscape and local culture.
Baja California: Among the Great Whales — California gray whales cruise this coastline a couple of short months of the year, and with National Geographic Expeditions, guests experience a front-row seat to these majestic, long-distance travelers and their calves. The gray whales migrate to the warmer waters from Alaska in one of the longest known migrations of mammals – and one of nature’s greatest spectacles. Naturalists and local guides lead off-ship activities along Isla Magdalena, plus there are opportunities to snorkel and swim among curious sea lions and to explore uninhabited islands.
Pearls of the Pacific: A Voyage to the Society and Tuamotu Islands — Learn about Polynesian culture, visit Bora Bora and snorkel the reefs of Fakarava Atoll. This itinerary is packed with adventure and activities in the French Polynesia region! Crystalline lagoons, white beaches, coconut groves, a pineapple plantation, exploring the lagoon or a small village … living the island life on this 12-day expedition is a tropical dream.
See the World with National Geographic Expeditions
The itineraries featured above are just a glimpse into how you can discover the wonders of the world. National Geographic Expeditions offers more than 140 itineraries to 80 destinations around the world via Signature Land, Expedition Cruise, River Cruise and more. To book your trip, visit NatGeoExpeditions.com, call 888-732-2379 or 312-940-7403, or contact your travel agent.