What's New in Expedition Cruising: Latest News

Aqua Lares launches in the Seychelles, with a Michelin-starred chef on board

Aqua Expeditions recently launched a ship in the Seychelles in December 2025. That ship is now named, launched and sailing. Aqua Lares began its Seychelles voyages in February 2026, with itineraries of 5 to 14 nights through Aldabra, Cosmoledo, Astove, Farquhar Atoll, Kilwa Kisiwani, Pemba and the African Banks. The crew-to-guest ratio is 1:1, with small-group excursions led by expert guides.

The headline news on board is the culinary appointment. Aqua has named Karime López as consulting chef, designing the menus and overseeing the wider culinary concept. López was the first Mexican woman to be awarded a Michelin star, which she received in 2018 for her role as head chef at Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura in Florence. Her career has taken her through kitchens in Spain, Mexico, Peru, Japan and Italy. The Aqua Lares menu draws on Mediterranean influences combined with coastal Creole flavours, with Japanese techniques running through the cooking. Signature dishes include Zanzibar-spiced rib eye with reduced demi-glace, lobster tagliatelle with ocean jus and caviar, glazed short ribs with smoked carrot purée, and Creole shrimp curry with fried plantain.

All of this sits within the wider Ponant Explorations partnership, with Aqua now backed by Ponant and the Artémis Group.

Greg Mortimer heading to Alaska on a long-term Lindblad charter

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has announced a three-year charter of AE Expeditions' Greg Mortimer for its Alaska programme, beginning in 2027. The ship will sail for Lindblad six months a year in the northern hemisphere summer and continue with AE Expeditions for the rest of the year.

The charter follows the 2026 retirement of National Geographic Sea Bird and National Geographic Sea Lion, the two small ships that have anchored Lindblad's Alaska programme for nearly four decades. Sea Bird and Sea Lion each carry 62 guests. Greg Mortimer carries 154, about 30 more than the two smaller ships combined, so Lindblad's Alaska capacity increases with the transition. One thing on itinerary structure: Greg Mortimer is registered in the Bahamas rather than the US, which, under American shipping rules, means she cannot run an all-Alaska itinerary. Expect routes that pair Alaska with British Columbia or other neighbouring waters.

For AE Expeditions, the deal keeps Greg Mortimer earning year-round. For Lindblad, it brings a properly capable expedition ship (X-Bow design for steadier sailing in rough water, the ability to hold position over a specific spot without anchoring and quick zodiac launching) into a programme that has been running much smaller vessels. It's a big step up in capability.

Silversea's Cormorant at 55 South delayed to October 2026

Silversea's 150-room hotel in Puerto Williams, the Chilean port the line uses as its main jumping-off point for their Antarctica fly the Drake sailings, will not open this season. The new date is October 2026, in time for the 2026/27 Antarctic season. Silversea has put the delay down to making sure every detail meets the line's standards.

The hotel itself, called Cormorant at 55 South, sits on the Beagle Channel with views over the water and the surrounding Patagonian peaks. Facilities will include a large restaurant, a bar, a lounge, a fitness centre and a gift shop, with design drawing on local architecture, materials and art. The aim is a property that feels like it belongs in Puerto Williams rather than imposing on it. We will share more when it opens.

Scenic Ikon now on sale, full ship details revealed

Scenic has put its newest Discovery Yacht on sale, with a maiden season starting in April 2028. Scenic Ikon is the third ship in the line's Discovery Yacht fleet (after Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II) and the biggest by some margin. Up to 270 guests across 135 all-veranda suites, ranging from a generous 365 square feet at entry level to 2,691 square feet for the top suites. Butler service across every category.

The ship is built to do everything Scenic's earlier yachts can do, only with more space to do it in. Helicopter operations continue (two Airbus helicopters on board), a custom Triton submersible joins the fleet, and the polar credentials are serious (Polar Code 6, Ice Class 1A Super hull). Add a two-deck, 20,000 square foot spa, fifteen dining venues (one third more than her sisters, all fully inclusive) and a retractable marina for kayaks, paddleboards and zodiac launches.

Itinerary-wise, the ship will spend 7 to 8 months a year in the Mediterranean and the remainder in Antarctica. The maiden voyage is already sold out, and pre-release pricing is currently open.

Hapag-Lloyd is operating fully bilingual across the fleet

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises now operates fully bilingual in German and English across the entire fleet, including the three identical expedition ships (Hanseatic Inspiration, Hanseatic Nature and Hanseatic Spirit). The line has always been one of the most interesting options in expedition cruising, with smaller passenger numbers, well-designed ships and access to ports many competitors cannot reach. The bilingual operation removes one of the friction points that put English speakers off in the past.

Seabourn retires its submarine programme

Seabourn has ended the submarine programme on Seabourn Pursuit and Seabourn Venture. The decision came down to the cost and perceived benefit they brough to the expedition programme, alongside the specialist expertise needed to maintain and recertify the subs and growing regulatory limits on where they could operate.

A small piece of cruise history before they go. In 2024, one of Seabourn's submarine expeditions located the wreck of the German supply ship Titania, which had sunk 110 years earlier in the Chilean Juan Fernandez Archipelago, with help from a local fisherman. The kind of moment the programme was built for, and a good note to end on. Seabourn says it will focus on growing other parts of the expedition experience, including zodiac cruising, guided hikes and snorkelling.

HX celebrates 130 years with the 1896 Cabin on Fridtjof Nansen

HX Expeditions, formerly known as Hurtigruten Expeditions, has marked its 130th anniversary with a new feature on MS Fridtjof Nansen. The 1896 Cabin has been fitted out with historic props and décor to recreate the atmosphere of that year's polar expedition. Guests can book it as an overnight experience for around €100, with half the proceeds going to the HX Foundation and the line's 130th anniversary charity programme. It is one of those small touches that does more for the brand than a press release ever could. Ask us about it if you are sailing Nansen.

Where are we heading?

A lot is happening across the sector right now. Some lines are adding capacity, some are sharpening their propositions, and some are quietly walking away from what did not work. The expedition fleet is more interesting than it was twelve months ago, and probably more interesting again twelve months from now. We will keep this page updated as the next developments land.