Whether plying the Southern Ocean, traversing the Arctic in search of the polar bear, or exploring the idyllic Greek Isles, A&K Luxury Expedition Cruises reveal the far-flung corners of our planet as no one else can. Join us on unparalleled and luxurious voyages to the Antarctica, the Arctic, the North Pole, the European Coast, the British Isles, Scandinavia & the Baltic Sea, the Adriatic Sea, Italy, Greece, Greece, Turkey & Saudi Arabia, Tanzania & Seychelles, Japan, Papua New Guinea & Solomon Islands.
Backed by an award-winning, expedition cruising legacy of over 30 years, we stake our reputation on every voyage — insisting on only the finest Expedition Team, vessels, excursions, planning and service. We limit our exclusively chartered vessels to no more than 199 guests, affording a private balcony with every stateroom and a peerless personnel-to-guest ratio of 1 to 1.2. And every voyage is truly all-inclusive, encompassing all excursions, meals, house drinks and onboard gratuities.
A&K’s game-changing Expedition Team are the stars of every voyage we lead. Skilled at delivering a dynamic experience at sea, these charismatic explorers — many of whom have been sailing with us since our first voyage in 1991 — represent the best in their fields and include pioneering scientists, recipients of the Polar Medal, professors of art history and cultural experts. The magic continues during land excursions, with our brilliant local guides, who continue bringing your expedition to life in a most authentic way. Learn more >
Step aboard our exclusive charters to see our expeditions in action, taking in the unique excursions, dining and service that set our voyages apart.
Share the highlights of some of our recent voyages, with A&K daily Trip Logs, penned by our onboard staff and brimming with each day’s highlights.
Cruising the Seychelles & Coastal Tanzania, 1–14 March, 2024
Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands Expedition, 4–21 January 2024
Antarctic Cruise Adventure, 10–22 December 2023
Cruising the Greek Isles, September 27–October 6 2023
Adriatic Voyage - Croatia, Montenegro & Greece, September 20–27, 2023
Italy Cruise, Hidden Treasures from Florence to Venice 9–20 September 2023
Arctic Cruise Adventure, July 17–31, 2023
Cruising Scandinavia & the Baltic Sea, July 15–24, 2023
Wonders of Japan Cruise - Cherry Blossom Season, March 29–April 11, 2023
More than a cruise, every exclusively chartered voyage we lead is a luxurious and adventurous expedition, backed by unparalleled experience at sea and on land.
Expertise in the Extraordinary
In 1991, we launched our first luxury expedition cruise to Antarctica. We set our sights on delivering the highest level of service on a cutting-edge vessel and invited only the top experts to join our Expedition Team. More than 300 voyages later, A&K continues to set the standard in modern-day luxury expedition cruising, expanding to offer some of the most innovative adventures in iconic cultural destinations.
Exclusively Chartered to Bring You the Very Best
Every Luxury Expedition Cruise we lead is exclusively chartered by design, allowing A&K experts to select the finest of everything — from the best ship and staff to well timed itineraries aligned with the best experiences — for the ultimate adventure. We choose the newest and most luxurious small ships for unparalleled exploration, and then limit the number of guests to an intimate number well below the capacity allowed for each vessel. For the Antarctic and Arctic regions, ‘Le Boreal’ and ‘Le Lyrial’ guest numbers are limited to just 199, well below the 264 that each vessel can accommodate. On the voyage to the North Pole, guests limited to just 199 will cruise aboard the innovative new icebreaker, ‘Le Commandant Charcot', one of the world’s most advanced and eco-friendly polar expedition vessels.
On ‘Le Bougainville’ and ‘Le Laperouse’ there are no more than 150 guests, and just 199 on beautiful ‘Le Soleal’. This allows us to deliver a true small-ship cruising experience with comfortable access to beautiful public spaces, as well as a private balcony in every stateroom and suite. It also affords us one of the best personnel-to-guest ratios at 1 to 1.2, promising an optimised and intimate experience with a fantastic Expedition Team, all of it designed and expertly orchestrated entirely by A&K.
Truly Luxurious, All-Inclusive Cruising
Our Luxury Expedition Cruises are all-inclusive, the A&K way. That means we take care of everything so that you can fully enjoy every breathtaking moment of your adventure. Whether plying the Arctic Sea, the Southern Ocean, the Mediterranean or the Sea of Japan, look forward to an engaging program of expert lectures, special events and curated shore excursions, always with our award winning Expedition Team. Enjoy an elegant culinary program, and everything from included gratuities to complimentary Wi-Fi and laundry. Depending on your voyage, and before it even begins, you may also enjoy visits in fascinating cities like Athens and Buenos Aires, complete with stays in beautiful luxury hotels and signature guided A&K tours. All of it’s included and just a sampling of what A&K provides.
Active Exploration in Unique Destinations
Unlike typical cruising, A&K Luxury Expedition Cruises are an invitation to explore with the finest experts in the field and from aboard the most luxurious and advanced small-ship cruising vessels at sea today. Our own unique brand of cruising reflects highly curated itineraries, often to rarely visited, iconic and off-the-beaten-path gems. No matter the voyage, adventure and discovery run deep when you cruise with A&K, revealing the full breadth of the world’s most extraordinary destinations in ways you won’t be able to anticipate.
Trust A&K’s award-winning team of experts and explorers to lead the way with inspiring insight, contagious energy and truly immersive opportunities for enrichment.
Our Experience Sets Us Apart
Well before you step aboard your ship, every aspect of your voyage has been designed and arranged from top to bottom by A&K’s dedicated in-house expedition cruising team, which collectively boasts more than 50 years of cruising experience and leadership. You’ll also feel A&K’s unmatched local presence alongside our passionate local guides, who share their insights with you on pre-cruise city tours and excursions.
The Best Team at Sea, Bar None
We trust the execution of our voyages only to the members of our experienced Expedition Team, each of whom work together behind the scenes to deliver an exceptionally seamless experience at sea for you. In a category all their own, this veritable cast of accomplished, real-life explorers — ranging from award-winning scientists, habitat conservationists and wildlife photographers to historians and recipients of the prestigious Polar Medal — bring your voyage to life in a most extraordinary way. This remarkable team joins an already robust and skilled ship staff and crew on every exclusively chartered voyage A&K leads, allowing us to deliver an unprecedented level of service at sea.
An Exciting Enrichment Program
On every A&K Luxury Expedition Cruise, enjoy the benefits of an engaging enrichment program led by the best experts in the industry. Count on insight and guidance from an average of 18 A&K Expedition Team members, reflecting a staff-to-guest ratio of 1 to 12. Embark on Zodiacs piloted by our own seasoned field naturalists, who provide the kind of commentary and conversation only an experienced insider could. From sea to shore, these friendly pros join you at every step, enriching your voyage with endless interactions that span fascinating lectures, incredible meetings with wildlife and rarely visited communities, and stories best shared over cocktails and dinner.
Dedicated Photo Coaching for Amateurs and Experts
Landscape and wildlife photographers are hard-pressed to find more spectacularly dramatic destinations to photograph than those offered on our expedition cruises. This is why every cruise we lead offers the chance to hone your skills under the wing of A&K’s own professional photography coaching team. Look forward to lectures geared toward both experts and budding enthusiasts, hands-on workshops in the field, and tips and tricks for shooting on everything from mobile devices to professional SLRs.
Special Programming for Our Youngest Explorers
Families sailing on Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands family voyages join our highly qualified Young Explorers Guides for a program of exciting activities for different ages, including hands-on workshops, special excursions and festive events.
Deserving of its own spotlight, a remarkable dining and beverage program is also part of your all-inclusive cruise with A&K.
French-Inspired Culinary Excellence
Inclusive cruising with A&K includes every meal and unlimited house drinks aboard your luxury expedition cruise ships. Not your typical cruise fare, guests experience French art de la table, savouring a beautifully fresh menu inspired by French culinary heritage and encompassing everything from lavish plated and buffet entrées to carefully selected cheeses and delicate, freshly baked French pastries, every day. Guests are also invited to join in included gala experiences throughout the voyage, such as a festive Captain’s Dinner.
An Open Bar and More
An A&K exclusive, enjoy an open bar throughout your voyage with regular opportunities to cap off incredible days with cocktails in two lounges, the Panoramic Lounge for spectacular views over the sea and the Club Lounge featuring live music nightly. Early-riser coffee and afternoon tea with pastries, plus a stocked in-room mini-fridge are also included.
Dining As You Wish
Guests on all vessels can choose from two beautiful and unique dining venues: the Grill for casual and abundant buffet service and The Restaurant for elegant plated courses — as well as an al fresco terrace by the pool, the ideal place for themed events. There are no formal evenings, so “dressing for dinner” doesn’t mean a tuxedo or gown. Light fare and vegetarian dishes are always available, and most special diets can be accommodated with advance notice. Guests can also take advantage of complimentary 24-hour room service, including the option to enjoy breakfast in bed.
All-inclusive cruising with A&K is about anticipating your every need with all the right amenities.
Complimentary Connectivity and Laundry
We’re pleased to offer complimentary Wi-Fi at your hotels and aboard your ship, so that you may stay connected as little or as much as you like (subject to availability). You may also take advantage of our Traveller’s Valet® service, an exclusive A&K amenity that provides laundry service for up to eight items during your cruise.
En Suite Butlers and Five-Star Shipboard Service
Guests who reserve any category of suite also enjoy another A&K exclusive: complimentary butler service throughout their voyage. Regardless of your accommodations, expect no less than top-notch service throughout your voyage from an experienced, English-speaking staff, each of whom see to your every need with grace and style.
Included Transfers, Port Charges and Gratuities
Arrival and departure transfers are always included with your A&K journey, regardless of when you choose to arrive or depart. Port charges, as well as all crew and staff gratuities are also included.
From Daily Blog Posts to a Commemorative Journal
During your A&K voyage, invite friends and loved ones to follow your adventures online, where we publish day-by-day blog posts written by our Expedition Team. Once home, look forward to an exclusive, A&K-designed highlight reel, featuring the best moments and photos from each day of your luxury expedition.
Experience the world’s most fragile ecosystems, and join us to protect them.
Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy
Established in 1982, A&K Philanthropy (AKP) is dedicated to giving back to the vibrant environments and communities we are so privileged to explore. With 41 projects in 19 countries on all seven continents, we support grassroots efforts focused on education, conservation, health care and community enterprise.
Vital Projects in Antarctica and the Arctic
• Committed to serving as stewards of the world’s wildest places, AKP, in partnership with our guests, is proud to support important projects in the polar regions, including:
• The Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP), which develops seabird by-catch mitigation measures
• Inuit Youth Arts Workshops, which donate musical instruments, art supplies and instruction to Canada’s indigenous, at-risk youth
• The Antarctica Climate Change Project, and
• The South Georgia Heritage Trust’s Habitat Restoration Project, reversing two centuries of human-induced damage by eradicating an invasive rat population from the island. A&K is proud to share that this project was recently declared a success and South Georgia is now rodent-free.
For more information on AKP projects around the world, and how you can support or visit them, see www.abercrombiekent.com.au/philanthropy
