Findings revealed at the Expedition Cruise Network's inaugural conference this week show that 100% of members' business with the travel trade has either grown or maintained 2023's levels this year
Revealing the sector's outlook for 2024/25, the network reported member business growth between 5% and 40%, with one operator delivering 'exponential' growth against 2023.
Business aside, expedition cruisers appear to be most excited to explore Antarctica and Svalbard, Alaska and Greenland in the Arctic next year, with members tipping these destinations to see the most growth.
The Galápagos Islands, reported almost across the board as the top-performing destination, is set for renewed interest after a State of Emergency was declared earlier this year, temporarily halting interest and travel.
Warm waters welcoming a wave of expedition ships in 2025 are the Seychelles and the Pacific.
The Expedition Cruise Network's CEO, Akvile Marozaite, said the outlook "prove[s] how diverse the expedition cruise industry is."
Despite the vast choice of destinations, ships and operators, a seven-night expedition cruise can be expected to cost around £7,300 per person. Pricing ranges, however, from £500 for a two-night cruise in India to a £48,000, 28-day voyage to the Ross region of Antarctica.
The inaugural ECN conference, the network's first since launching in April 2023, took place on October 1st, 2024 in London.
