What is expedition cruising — and is it right for you?

There is no universal fitness requirement — what matters is the specific ship and itinerary. Most landings involve stepping in and out of a Zodiac, walking over uneven ground for an hour or two, and managing stairs aboard. Many travellers in their seventies and eighties expedition happily; some landing sites are genuinely demanding. If you have mobility concerns, raise them with Eric before booking — he'll walk through the requirements of the exact sailing you're considering.

Zodiacs are the rugged inflatable boats that ferry you from ship to shore, since expedition destinations rarely have docks. A landing means stepping from the ship's gangway into the Zodiac — crew on hand to assist — riding to the beach, then stepping into shallow water or onto rock. It sounds more dramatic than it becomes; most guests are old hands by day three.

It will, and that's by design. Expedition leaders reshuffle landings daily around wind, ice and wildlife — a cancelled landing is often replaced by a better one an hour later. Travellers who need a fixed timetable find this frustrating; travellers who embrace it often call the improvised days the best of the voyage.

The season runs November to March, and each month has a character: November brings pristine snow and courtship displays; December and January bring penguin chicks and the warmest days; February and March bring the best whale sightings and receding ice that opens farther routes. There is no wrong month — only the month whose character matches what you most want to see.

The expedition itself is broadly the same: Zodiac fleets, naturalist teams, daily landings. The difference is life aboard. Classic expedition ships are comfortable but simple — the expedition is the point. Luxury expedition ships add suites, fine dining and higher service ratios around the same landings. Neither changes what you see ashore; they change how you recover from it.