Expedition by Name, Expedition by Nature

Expedition has completed her first Arctic season with G Adventures, finishing summer 2026 with a reported Net Promoter Score of 82. For travellers weighing up an Arctic voyage, that is an encouraging result from the people who have just returned. It also gives a more useful starting point for assessing the ship than a list of facilities alone.

Net Promoter Score measures how likely guests are to recommend an experience. On a scale running from minus 100 to plus 100, 82 indicates a strong balance of enthusiastic advocates over dissatisfied respondents. The figure supplied to ExplorEarth relates specifically to Expedition’s Arctic 2026 season. It strongly endorses the overall trip, although it doesn't say which aspects individual guests valued most.

The ship carries up to 128 guests, with comfortable shared spaces and an informal atmosphere. For someone who likes the idea of a small expedition vessel but wants more room and a wider social circle than a boutique yacht provides, she deserves a closer look. Steve Newman’s visit ahead of the Arctic relaunch helps explain the appeal.

Steve was struck by the ship’s spaciousness and traditional feel. He said: “What you have here is an adventure-ready, well-designed expedition ship with spacious public areas and generously sized cabins. It has a vintage feel that keeps things cosy, while never letting you forget you’re here to explore.”

The bar has leather seating and a dartboard, details that give it its own personality. As Steve puts it: “I use the word 'vintage' deliberately. The bar feels more like a private pub than a cruise ship lounge. It's exactly the sort of place where conversations about the day's wildlife sightings continue into the evening.”

That observation will resonate with anyone who has enjoyed the sociable side of an expedition. You return from a landing with questions, photographs and something you want to compare with the people who were in the next Zodiac. A comfortable place to sit together matters, especially on a voyage where fellow passengers quickly become familiar faces.

Expedition has undergone extensive refurbishment, including new engines, refreshed cabins, and improved common areas. Cabins have private bathrooms and portholes or windows, with twin and triple accommodation as well as suites. The ship retains the character Steve describes while providing the everyday comforts needed between excursions.

Now that the 2026 season is complete, this is a good time to look at the kind of Arctic travel G Adventures offers. Its published programme includes Svalbard and the wider Greenland region, where the route choice strongly affects the expedition. A voyage focused on one archipelago offers a different experience from a longer journey involving an ocean crossing.

The eight-day 'Realm of the Polar Bear' itinerary, for example, starts and finishes in Longyearbyen, with six intervening days exploring Svalbard. The itinerary allows the expedition team to respond to weather and ice, using the ship and Zodiacs to explore fjords, glacier fronts and seabird colonies, with opportunities for tundra walks and visits to historical sites. Polar bears are a reason many travellers choose this region, but finding them takes patience; Arctic foxes, Svalbard reindeer and general birdlife are part of the interest too.

G Adventures’ wider Arctic destination material also highlights Northeast Greenland National Park and Ittoqqortoormiit. These add a different geographical and cultural context to Svalbard's wildlife focus. Travellers considering a return to the Arctic should closely compare the coastline covered and the time allowed for exploration.

On these voyages, the expedition leader needs room to change the day’s plans. Ice may close off a bay, or wildlife may give everyone a reason to stay on deck. Understanding that before you travel helps: the published itinerary sets out the intended journey, while conditions determine where and when the team can take you ashore.

G Adventures advertises roughly one expedition team member for every ten guests. The team’s expertise includes subjects such as biology, ornithology, geology and polar history, bringing context to what passengers see from the deck and during excursions. A good explanation of a bird colony or a glacier can hold your attention long after the first photographs have been taken.

Steve also noticed practical details around the ship: “The hallways are wide, the information displays are genuinely useful, and everything feels designed to help you get the most from the expedition rather than distract from it.” Briefings and clear information help guests follow each day's plans and understand why those plans sometimes change.

There is also scope to take a more active interest in research. Through its partnership with the Polar Citizen Science Collective, G Adventures offers guests opportunities to help collect data concerning wildlife, oceans and climate. No scientific background is required. For curious travellers, participation adds something useful to the learning that already takes place on board.

A ship still needs to work well when the weather keeps everyone aboard. Expedition has a lounge, library and a small gym, giving guests places to read, exercise or spend time together. Steve’s verdict on the food was straightforward: “I have to say I found the food to be very good. After a full day exploring the Arctic, that's something you'll certainly appreciate.”

The appeal is easy to understand. You can come back from a cold Zodiac outing, change in your own cabin and settle in for a meal without the formality that some travellers associate with cruising. The older ship’s atmosphere is part of the attraction for those who enjoy traditional expedition vessels.

Arctic travel is a substantial purchase, and the most useful comparison is what the fare includes. On Realm of the Polar Bear, G Adventures includes Zodiac excursions, lectures and educational programmes, loan boots, and an expedition parka alongside ship accommodation and specified meals. Kayaking is an additional option on selected departures. Flights, drinks and tips need to be considered when working out the full cost.

For the ExplorEarth team, the appeal rests on a manageable passenger count, access to knowledgeable guides, and an onboard atmosphere that encourages people to talk to one another. The reported Arctic 2026 NPS of 82 adds a welcome measure of guest approval after the ship’s first northern season with G Adventures. For travellers seeking an informal polar voyage with plenty to learn, there is a clear reason to put her on the shortlist.