8 Destinations You Can Reach Only on a Cruise

Venture on a trip to the world’s most captivating and remote destinations, so isolated that you can reach them only by ship. These are not private billionaire-owned islands or cruise line-designed party hubs. From the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand to the dramatic fjords of Norway, these remote destinations are authentic, awe-inspiring and accessible only by an expedition cruise—a journey aboard a small ship built for adventure, comfort, and navigating hard-to-reach locations.

Antarctica

Cruising to the seventh continent offers great rewards. Surrounded by towering glaciers, stunning natural beauty, and abundant wildlife—such as humpback whales, elephant seals, albatross, and the world’s largest colony of king penguins in South Georgia—you may feel awestruck by the vastness of one of the world’s last frontiers.

While many cruise lines offer trips to the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, and Patagonia, Lindblad Expeditions is renowned for carrying the first cruisers to Antarctica more than 50 years ago. To help you make the most of your experience and your time on your Antarctica cruise, Lindblad even offers an option to sail the Drake Passage, a notoriously rough stretch of water, one way and then bypass the passage on the way back on a two-hour flight from Antarctica.

Subantarctic Islands, New Zealand

You may have never heard of these islands, but they deserve a spot on your bucket list. Known as “the Galápagos of the Southern Ocean,” this string of islands lies southeast of New Zealand and are protected by UNESCO World Heritage status. Very few travelers get the chance to experience its astounding biodiversity, which includes getting up close to seals, whales, penguins, albatross, and rare bird species.

With nearly two decades of experience explore “extreme regions,” PONANT offers luxury expedition voyages to New Zealand’s Fiordlands and Subantarctic Islands. Accessible only by expedition cruise, the region was named one of Condé Nast Traveler’s 25 Best Places to Go in 2025.

Svalbard and the North Pole

Grab a glass of champagne and wave to the seals, whales, and polar bears as your expedition cruise navigates the icy waters deep into the Arctic Circle—and deeper into the land of the Midnight Sun. Hurtigruten operates a voyage that showcases the best of Arctic wildlife, alpine villages, and volcanic mountain landscapes by taking you to several destinations within the remote archipelago of Svalbard, which lies midway between northern Norway and the North Pole. If you want to explore even further, PONANT features the icebreaking cruise ship, Le Commandant Charcot, which can take you all the way to the North Pole.

Galápagos Islands

Home to nearly 9,000 species of flora and fauna, many of which aren’t found anywhere else in the world, the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador offer a glimpse into the natural wonders that captivated Charles Darwin—and will surely captivate you, too. Spend your days exploring the marine life, scuba diving and snorkeling, relaxing on remote beaches, and hiking alongside sea lions and blue-footed boobies. These islands are among the most remote cruise destinations in the world, offering a truly unique expedition experience.

While many cruise lines offer expedition voyages to the Galápagos Islands, if you want to delve into the culture and cuisine of Ecuador, Silversea may be the perfect fit for your cruising style.

British Columbia’s Islands

Lindblad Expeditions can take you to the remote archipelago off British Columbia’s north coast—a stunning setting where you can visit the ancestral home of the Haida Nation, an Indigenous group that has lived here for more than 12,000 years, and see ancient totem poles and longhouses still standing in abandoned villages. Its expedition cruises include special access to Haida Gwaii, a UNESCO World Heritage site, learning about the culture from Haida interpreters, along with an invitation into the home of a local carver in the Haida ancestral town of Old Massett, where guests can enjoy a feast of traditional foods and dance.

Deepen your connection to the vibrant Haida culture at Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve. The park encompasses 138 islands, accessible only by boat or floatplane, and features diverse landscapes, ranging from mountain fjords to lush forests and rocky shorelines. You’ll also have plenty of wildlife-viewing opportunities to spot bears, whales, and sea otters on any number of British Columbia cruises.

Africa’s West Coast

To immerse yourself in vibrant African culture and breathtaking natural wonders that few travelers experience, embark on Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ 23-night Western Africa and Islands of Wonder cruise along the west coast of Africa—one of the continent’s most remote and difficult-to-access regions due to limited infrastructure. You’ll visit several West African countries on one trip without having to unpack your bags. The unique itinerary offers excursions to the colossal dunes at Walvis Bay in Namibia, the picturesque beaches near Luanda, Angola’s capital, and the endemic rainforests of São Tomé, and more.

The South Pacific Islands

Situated in the South Pacific Ocean, roughly halfway between California and Australia, the Society Islands are difficult to access and explore unless you book a cruise. Seabourn’s South Pacific expeditions take you to some of the South Pacific's least-traveled islands and atolls aboard the purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. New for 2025 are Kimberely and South Pacific expedition cruises that include visits to unspoiled beaches and coral reefs, deep dives into numerous Polynesian cultures, and journeys through the history of the Pacific Theater.

Norwegian Fjords

Sail the North Sea, following in the wake of the Vikings, to explore the best of Scandinavia—including Norway’s hard-to-access fjords. The Viking Homelands cruise, operated by Viking Ocean Cruises, takes you to some of Norway’s most scenic cruise destinations, including Oslo, Stavanger, Eidfjord and Bergen, where you can immerse yourself in the local culture and marvel at the UNESCO-protected fjords from your ship’s glass-to-ceiling lounge.