Expedition Cruise Network

The Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) is a commercial B2B membership organisation whose purpose is to connect expedition cruise operators with travel-trade professionals, to promote expedition cruising as an incredible choice for travellers from across the world. We are also a voice for the sector that seeks to represent it in authentic, trustworthy, and consistent manner.

Our mission is to create an engaged travel trade community that shares a passion for expedition cruising as a form of travel, to grow the sector, and to act as sector’s voice in the travel industry and beyond.

About Expedition Cruising

An expedition cruise is one of the most exciting ways to explore the world. It is all about getting you up-close to some of the world’s most remote and incredible destinations, in a sustainable and sensitive way. Here are some of the highlights you can expect:

The Ship

Expedition cruising ships are a fraction of the size of those used in the regular cruising world. They serve a different purpose too: an expedition ship is a platform to access remote destinations while all the exciting things happen outside. This is not to say they can’t be very comfortable or lack modern luxuries! All expedition ships used by ECN members are under 500 passengers and some of the smallest carry as few as just 12!

Exploring On Land

An expedition cruise is all about exploring the destinations the ships visit in-depth. They are not limited to the places with port facilities and can reach truly remote sites. To facilitate this, most expedition ships carry a fleet of Zodiacs™ or other type of motorised boats, and all shore activities are led by the expedition guides. Think walking in amongst a huge penguin colony in Antarctica, visiting a remote tribe in Papua New Guinea or traversing rugged cliffs in Australia’s Kimberley region- it is all possible on an expedition cruise!

Expedition Teams

Every expedition cruise is accompanied by a team of experts whose job is to share their knowledge and passion for destinations visited while onboard and during activities ashore or on water. They will offer unique insights on the destinations being explored and are an integral part of the expedition cruise experience.

Sustainability

Since its inception, expedition cruising has always had sustainability and the environment at the forefront of its actions. An expedition cruise is all about visiting incredible destinations, with minimal impact on the environment, to protect it for future generations.

Our Members: Expedition Cruise Operators

Our Expedition Cruise Members offer cruise-style holidays onboard a ship or boat with a demonstrable emphasis on exploration. Some of them travel to wildlife rich, remote destinations such as Antarctica or Galapagos, the others explore lesser-known aspects of other more-conventional destinations or catering for special, often scientific, interests of cruise passengers. All our expedition cruise operator members have expedition teams onboard their ships to accompany, educate, and engage with the clients keen to learn about the places they are visiting. Our expedition cruise operator members are: AE Expeditions, Albatros Expeditions, Atlas Ocean Voyages, Aranui Cruises, Antara Cruises, Australis Expeditions, Aqua Expeditions, Coral Expeditions, Hapag Lloyd Cruises, Heritage Expeditions, HX Hurtigruten Expeditions, Lindblad Expeditions, Maple Leaf Adventures, Metropolitan Touring, Oceanwide Expeditions, Polar Latitudes, PONANT, Poseidon Expeditions, Quark Expeditions, Scenic, Silversea, Swan Hellenic, UnCruise Adventures.

Our Members: Travel Trade

Our travel trade members are at the heart of all we do: they are travel trade professionals – travel agents, tour operators, travel designers and consultants, luxury specialists, adventure travel experts, marketing, product and sales managers -who all share one thing in common: a passion for expedition cruising as a unique form of travel. To join us, click here https://www.expeditioncruisenetwork.com/member-signup

Our membership is completely free of charge for the travel trade and by becoming our member, you will gain access to exclusive content, learning opportunities, ship visits, events and more.

Help us Celebrate the best in Expedition Cruising – vote for the ECN Awards

This year, we were delighted to announce the launch of the inaugural ECN Expedition Cruise Awards. These prestigious awards are dedicated to recognising the very best expedition cruise lines and expedition cruise sellers in our industry.

The winners will be announced at the ECN Expedition Cruise Conference on the evening of Tuesday 1st October 2024 in London. Vote now for your favourite expedition cruise company and nominate or self-nominate in the 5 categories dedicated to the travel businesses and individuals.

https://www.expeditioncruisenetwork.com/ecn-awards