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Choosing where to go on an expedition cruise can be one of the most exciting parts of planning your journey — but with so many extraordinary destinations to choose from, making the right decision isn't always easy.
Should you cruise through the icy landscapes of Antarctica or the Arctic? Explore the rugged wilderness of Greenland or Iceland? Experience the dramatic landscapes of the Kimberley or Alaska?
Our Destination Comparisons guide makes it easier to compare some of the world's most spectacular expedition cruise destinations. Discover the differences in scenery, wildlife, climate, activities, culture, landscapes and overall cruise experience to help you find the destination that best matches your travel interests.
Whether you're planning your first expedition cruise or looking for your next adventure, comparing destinations is a great way to narrow down your choices before selecting your itinerary.
At a Glance
| Destination Comparison | What You'll Compare | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Antarctica vs Arctic | Wildlife, landscapes, climate, activities and expedition experience | Penguins, polar bears, icebergs, glaciers and remote polar wilderness |
| Greenland vs Iceland | Scenery, wildlife, culture, climate and activities | Ice fjords, glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls and Nordic communities |
| Kimberley vs Alaska | Wildlife, landscapes, culture, climate and adventure | Ancient gorges, waterfalls, Aboriginal heritage, glaciers and mountains |
Every expedition destination offers something different. Some journeys focus on spectacular ice-covered landscapes and encounters with unique wildlife, while others combine remote wilderness with fascinating cultures, history and local communities.
Our destination comparison guides look at the factors that can make each region unique, including:
- Wildlife – Discover which animals you may encounter in each destination.
- Landscapes – Compare glaciers, icebergs, fjords, mountains, waterfalls, gorges and coastlines.
- Culture and history – Explore the Indigenous cultures, communities and history that give each destination its character.
- Climate and season – Understand how the time of year can influence your expedition experience.
- Activities and excursions – Compare opportunities for Zodiac excursions, shore landings, hiking, wildlife watching, photography and cultural experiences.
- Overall expedition experience – Consider which destination best matches the type of adventure you want.
Two of the world's most iconic polar destinations, Antarctica and the Arctic offer unforgettable experiences at opposite ends of the planet.
Antarctica is renowned for its vast ice-covered landscapes, towering icebergs, glaciers and penguin colonies. The Arctic offers a different perspective, with opportunities to search for polar bears, walruses and other Arctic wildlife among glaciers, tundra and dramatic northern landscapes.
Beyond wildlife, the two regions also differ in their landscapes, cultures, seasons and expedition experiences.
Compare Antarctica and the Arctic to discover which polar adventure is right for you.
👉 Explore Antarctica vs Arctic →
Although Greenland and Iceland are both located in the North Atlantic, they offer distinctly different travel experiences.
Greenland is a destination of immense scale, characterised by enormous icebergs, deep fjords, glaciers and remote communities. Iceland combines volcanic landscapes with waterfalls, black-sand beaches, geothermal activity and accessible cultural experiences.
Compare Greenland and Iceland to discover which destination better suits your interests.
👉 Explore Greenland vs Iceland →
For travellers seeking spectacular wilderness, the Kimberley and Alaska offer two very different expedition experiences.
Australia's Kimberley is known for ancient landscapes, dramatic gorges, cascading waterfalls, Aboriginal heritage and tropical wilderness. Alaska offers towering mountains, glaciers, fjords and abundant wildlife, including bears, whales and bald eagles.
Compare the Kimberley and Alaska to discover which wilderness destination is right for you.
👉 Explore Kimberley vs Alaska →
When comparing destinations, it is worth looking beyond the headline attractions. A destination may be famous for a particular animal or landscape, but the overall expedition experience is shaped by many different factors.
Wildlife
Wildlife encounters can be one of the highlights of an expedition cruise.
If seeing large penguin colonies is high on your wish list, Antarctica may be the destination for you. The Arctic, meanwhile, is renowned for polar bears and other Arctic wildlife. Alaska is particularly appealing for travellers hoping to encounter bears and whales, while the Kimberley provides opportunities to discover Australia's distinctive wildlife.
👉 Learn more about Wildlife Cruises →
Landscapes
Every destination has its own distinctive scenery.
From Antarctica's enormous icebergs and glaciers to Greenland's spectacular fjords, Iceland's volcanic landscapes, Alaska's mountain ranges and the Kimberley's ancient gorges, your choice may ultimately come down to the type of scenery you most want to experience.
👉 Learn more about PONANT Expedition Cruises →
Culture and History
Expedition cruising isn't only about wildlife and landscapes.
Greenland provides opportunities to learn about Greenlandic communities and Inuit culture, while the Kimberley offers opportunities to discover Australia's rich Aboriginal heritage. Iceland and Alaska also provide fascinating insights into the history, people and cultures of their respective regions.
👉 Learn more about Cultural Cruises →
Climate and Season
The time of year you travel can significantly influence your expedition experience.
Polar destinations have highly seasonal cruise programmes, while destinations such as the Kimberley have their own defined expedition season. Consider the climate, daylight hours, wildlife activity and conditions you are most comfortable experiencing before choosing your itinerary.
Activities and Excursions
Think about how you want to spend your days ashore.
Depending on the destination and itinerary, expedition activities may include Zodiac excursions, shore landings, wildlife watching, hiking, photography, scenic cruising and cultural visits.
Your preferred activities can be an important factor when deciding between two destinations.
👉 Learn more about Adventure Cruises →
There isn't one destination that is right for every traveller.
The best expedition cruise destination depends on your personal interests, the wildlife you want to see, the landscapes you want to explore and the type of adventure you want to experience.
Use our destination comparisons as a starting point, then explore the individual destinations and itineraries in more detail before making your decision.
| If You Want To... | Consider... |
|---|---|
| See penguins and enormous icebergs | Antarctica |
| Search for polar bears and Arctic wildlife | Arctic |
| Experience immense glaciers and ice fjords | Greenland |
| See volcanoes, waterfalls and geothermal landscapes | Iceland |
| Explore ancient gorges and Aboriginal heritage | Kimberley |
| Experience glaciers, mountains and abundant wildlife | Alaska |
One of the greatest advantages of an expedition cruise is that the destination isn't simply something you see from the ship.
Expedition cruising is designed to bring you closer to remote and remarkable environments. Zodiac excursions, shore landings, expert-led activities and scenic cruising can provide a more immersive way to experience places that may be difficult to reach independently.
With PONANT's small-ship expedition approach, the journey itself becomes part of the adventure, creating opportunities to explore remote coastlines, observe wildlife and discover destinations beyond the usual tourist routes.
💡 BlueSun Insight
Don't choose an expedition destination based on one attraction alone.
A destination may be famous for a particular animal or landscape, but the most rewarding expedition experiences often come from the combination of wildlife, scenery, culture and the journey itself.
Start by deciding what matters most to you. Is it wildlife, landscapes, culture, photography, adventure or simply the opportunity to explore somewhere remote? Once you've identified your priorities, comparing destinations becomes much easier.
Explore our individual destination comparison guides to find the expedition experience that best fits your travel style.
It depends on your interests. Antarctica offers penguins and icebergs, while the Arctic is known for polar bears. Greenland, Iceland, the Kimberley and Alaska each offer distinctive landscapes, wildlife and cultural experiences.
Compare wildlife, landscapes, culture, climate, activities and travel season. Our destination guides can help you decide.
An expedition cruise focuses on exploration, with activities such as Zodiac excursions, shore landings, wildlife watching and expert-led experiences.
Antarctica is known for penguins, seals and seabirds. The Arctic offers opportunities to see polar bears, walruses and Arctic foxes.
The best time depends on the destination, weather, wildlife activity and your preferred travel dates.
Yes. Expedition teams provide guidance, while PONANT offers the comfort and service of luxury small-ship cruising.
They can be, but some activities involve walking on uneven ground, Zodiac transfers and shore landings. Check the requirements of your chosen itinerary before booking.
Activities may include Zodiac excursions, shore landings, hiking, wildlife watching, photography, scenic cruising and cultural visits.
Antarctica and Greenland offer icebergs and glaciers, Iceland has volcanic landscapes, Alaska has mountains and fjords, and the Kimberley features gorges and waterfalls.
Booking early gives you a better choice of itineraries, departure dates and cabins, particularly for popular destinations.
Expedition Cruises
Discover what expedition cruising is and why it is one of the most rewarding ways to explore remote destinations.
Choosing a PONANT Ship
Learn how destination, expedition capability, ship size and onboard lifestyle can influence your choice of ship.
Choosing the Right PONANT Ship
Compare individual PONANT ships and find the vessel that best matches your expedition.
Antarctica
Explore PONANT's Antarctic expedition options and discover what makes the White Continent so extraordinary.
Kimberley
Discover one of Australia's great expedition destinations, from dramatic gorges and waterfalls to wildlife and remote coastal landscapes.
Once you know which destination appeals to you, you can start narrowing down the itinerary, ship and time of year that best suit your travel plans.
Whether you're drawn to Antarctica's penguins and icebergs, the Arctic's polar wildlife, Greenland's immense fjords, Iceland's volcanic landscapes, the Kimberley's ancient wilderness or Alaska's glaciers and mountains, the right expedition begins with choosing the experience you want most.
Explore our destination guides and comparison pages to understand what each region offers, then speak with our PONANT experts for help finding an itinerary that matches your interests.
Tell us what you would like to discover, and we will help you find the right expedition.
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