Luxury expedition cruising is one of the great success stories in cruising right now – a 150 per cent growth in capacity is forecast in this niche sector by 2029. Australian expedition lines are riding the wave with new ships, itineraries and onshore adventures.
Making headlines this week is Scenic Ikon, the new, ultra-glamorous luxury expedition ship that will set sail in the Scenic Discovery Yacht fleet as soon as April 2028.
Scenic Group is building on the phenomenal success of its Scenic Eclipse vessels; Glen Moroney, Founder and Chairman of Scenic Group says, “Every element of Scenic Ikon‘s design has been optimised to deliver unrivalled experiences across diverse destinations and environments, from its primary base in the Mediterranean to the wilds of Antarctica.”
Expedition surge
Expedition cruising is attracting extraordinary interest from Australian travellers, says Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Managing Director Australasia Joel Katz.
“From 2023 to 2024, the number of passengers sailing on expedition cruises increased by 22 per cent. In recent years, established expedition operators have expanded their fleets, while other cruise lines in the luxury sector have entered the market with their own purpose-built ships,” says Katz.
“The latest expedition ships allow guests to reach extraordinary destinations and remote locations in comfort, allowing them to explore parts of the world that would otherwise be inaccessible.”
Scenic
Scenic Ikon will be larger and even more impressive than her Scenic Eclipse sisters, hosting up to 270 guests in 135 all-balcony suites that range from 35 to 250 square metres. Signature Scenic features include 15 world-class dining options, a vast, lavishly appointed spa, two helicopters and a mini-submarine; read more here.
Only last year, Scenic celebrated five years since Scenic Eclipse I set sail – Scenic Eclipse II followed in 2023. They accommodate a maximum of 228 guests in a range of spacious balcony suites; features include 10 dining options, glamorous bars and state-of-the-art wellness facilities. Exploration tools include two helicopters and an eight-guest mini-submarine on each ship; on expedition voyages there are teams of up to 20 experts.
On 25 February 25 2027, Scenic Eclipse II departs on her Grand Voyage from Antarctica to the Mediterranean, a 68-day epic that explores Antarctica’s wilderness, the Chilean fjords and the coasts of South America, before crossing the Panama Canal and ending in Portugal, Spain and Morocco.
Shorter itineraries focusing on South America include a cruise and land adventure from Lima to Buenos Aires (26 days, departing 22 October 2026); a 10-day Wellness Retreat that offers the luxury of time to relax and rejuvenate, making the most of the onboard spa, gym and specially designed wellness programs (Panama City to Valparaiso, departing 16 October 2026); and Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro (27 days, departing 28 February 2027).
In the 2027-2028 season, Scenic Eclipse will sail Canada’s Hudson Bay for the first time – check out the 17-day voyage from Greenland to Hudson Bay and the Canadian Arctic (departing 27 August 2027).
Aurora Expeditions
It’s an equally exciting time for Aurora Expeditions, as the Australian company prepares to welcome its third purpose-built ship to our shores in November.
The Douglas Mawson, named in honour of Australia’s most famous polar explorer, Sir Douglas Mawson, will be christened in Sydney before setting sail for Tasmania for her maiden voyage on 1 December.
It will be the first time that a ship featuring the distinctive X-Bow sails in local waters. This curved, streamlined hull is inspired by the way dolphins and orcas slice smoothly through the sea and creates a smoother, quieter ride in big seas, at the same time increasing fuel efficiency. Douglas Mawson accommodates a maximum of 154 guests across 11 stateroom categories, including four solo staterooms.
The light and airy ship has two restaurants, two bars, a panoramic forward-facing lounge, a wellness area with gym and sauna, a heated outdoor pool and pool bar, library, lecture theatre, and Citizen Science Centre.
Douglas Mawson will head south from Hobart on December 11 on a 24-day voyage to East Antarctica and then sail in Antarctica until April 2026, when she embarks on her first season in Europe. As well as polar voyages, Aurora Expeditions sails small-ship exploration cruises in the Mediterranean, British Isles and Atlantic Coast, Costa Rica and Panama, the Galapagos archipelago, Indonesia and Borneo.
Coral Expeditions
Established in 1983, Coral Expeditions is another successful home-grown small-ship line.
It has expanded operations from one small ship sailing the Great Barrier Reef to a fleet of three purpose-built blue-water vessels that now cruise in the Kimberley, Tasmania, Cape York and Arnhem Land, New Zealand and further afield in the islands of Japan, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and the South Pacific.
Coral’s latest initiative is expanding its Western Australia itineraries, in response to growing demand for close-to-home adventures and increased interest in WA’s spectacular natural attractions.
There will be 54 WA departures in 2026 and 56 in 2027, taking in destinations such as the Houtman Abrolhos Islands, Ningaloo, Southwestern Cape and the Kimberley.
Another highlight of the 2026-2027 program is the introduction of six-night Coastal Adventures cruises, which sail in the Cape-to-Cape region from Fremantle to Albany and are timed to showcase the state’s wildflower bloom and whale migration season. These shorter adventure-style voyages are designed to appeal to a new generation of active explorers who enjoy flexible itineraries and top-notch regional produce.
Pearl Expeditions
In August this year, Australia’s famed pearling company Paspaley Pearl launched the boutique expedition yacht Paspaley Pearl for its new venture, Pearl Expeditions, led by two of the most respected figures in the luxury expedition sector: Sarina Bratton and Mick Fogg.
Purpose-built in 2021 for tropical waters, the elegantly appointed, 50-metre vessel is designed for small-group exploration in destinations that are often inaccessible to larger ships. She accommodates a maximum of 30 guests in 15 staterooms and suites that include seven with private balconies and one solo stateroom.
Wining, dining and socialising flow over three decks: a spacious dining room, lounge and bar on the Ocean Deck; the al fresco Horizon Deck where breakfast and lunch are served and daily recaps are held; and the (top) Sun Deck, which features a jacuzzi, bar, and yet more spots for kicking back and relaxing, watching another glorious sunset with cocktail in hand.
The vibe onboard is laidback; Bratton says, “It’s more like a luxury lodge than a traditional expedition ship – an open, friendly, casual style of operation.”
The cuisine is modern Australian with Asian influences, and the wine list includes a selection from Paspaley Pearls’ Bunnamagoo winery in Mudgee; Lallier French champagne is the house pour.
There are four highly experienced staff on every voyage, and the ship is equipped with Zodiacs, a high-speed fishing boat (mainly for the Kimberley) and two expedition tenders that were custom-built for Pearl Expeditions.
Having just completed her first successful Kimberley season, Paspaley Pearl will sail in Papua New Guinea, Borneo and Indonesia’s Spice Islands and Raja Ampat before returning to the Kimberley in April 2026.
For more information, visit Aurora Expeditions, Coral Expeditions, Pearl Expeditions, Scenic.
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