Difficulty Ratings

Easy
These trips are for just about anyone. They involve short walks, sometimes over uneven terrain, and getting in and out of zodiacs. On shore you may get your feet and ankles wet so rubber boots are the norm. Sightseeing using the ship, zodiacs, or sometimes helicopters is common.

Moderate
These trips usually offer several options on each shore landing. Longer walks of an 1-2 hours are usually offered each day. Shore excursions may involve tricky landings, but with plenty of helping hands, most people should be able to get ashore. Terrain can vary from easy and flat to variable terrain with steeper inclines.

Challenging
These trips involve several hours of physical activity each day. Different options may be available, but the focus is on exploration. Longer hikes of several hours are usually offered, and could involve deeper snow, very wet or muddy conditions, or steep inclines. The physical requirements of these tend to attract slightly younger and more adventurous clients

Most Challenging
These trips visit remote destinations that can present a variety of exploration opportunities. These tend to focus on being outdoors and pushing to explore uncharted areas. Longer hikes of several hours are the norm, and could involve deeper snow, very wet or muddy conditions, or steep inclines. The physical requirements of these tend to attract slightly younger and more adventurous clients.

Ship Descriptions

Expedition Ships
These ships are purpose built ships designed to take clients into remote regions for dedicated exploration. They range in comfort from simple to very comfortable, but they are not opulent or luxurious. These ships carry fleets of inflatable Zodiacs that are used for cruising and shore excursions. These ships have a dedicated staff that provide onboard educational programs that focus on natural and cultural history.

Luxury Expedition Ships
These ships offer a combination of exploration and a focus on luxurious comfort. Most are ice-strengthened ships designed for exploring, use inflatable Zodiac landing craft, and offer 5-Star amenities like onboard spas, and fine dining. These ships tend to offer ‘softer’ programs that include a stronger focus on local natural and cultural history.

Research Vessels
These ships were designed for scientific research and have been converted to take passengers. They are generally small, and feature simple but comfortable accommodations. They tend to have a slightly more relaxed atmosphere on board, which compliments the friendly service. These ships also carry fleets of Zodiacs for cruising and shore excursions, and they have a dedicated staff that presents programs on natural and cultural history. Often the prices on these ships are slightly lower than Expedition ships and Luxury expedition ships, which makes them more appealing to slightly younger travelers. These ships are generally ice strengthened which means that they can push through ice rather than break it. These ships often have Russian crew members which can be a welcome addition to the cultural mix.

Icebreakers
Icebreakers are specifically designed to break ice. They are working ships that have been converted to accommodate passengers in simple but comfortable cabins. They carry fleets of zodiacs and often helicopters, which are used for sightseeing and shore landings. These ships are used in the more extreme polar regions since they are able to gain access to areas where other ships cannot venture. These are rugged ships and the expeditions tend to follow suit  The staff on board work hard to make life comfortable and the food is often excellent.

Motor Yachts
These are smaller ships that range in comfort level from basic to luxurious. They generally carry less than 30 passengers and often use zodiacs for shore excursions. Some of these ships carry kayaks which can be a great way to explore the small bays and coves these ships are able to access. The crew and staff on these ships are generally smaller and the focus is often more on exploration than education. One exception to this would be in the Galapagos where these ship are staffed by Galapagos guides which often provide a strong educational program. These ships are the best choice for private charters.

Sailing Vessels
These seem pretty self explanatory, though sailing vessels offer a wide range of size and comfort.  These are often smaller ships which can create an intimate atmosphere for the group. When sailing, these ships are generally not as fast as motor yachts, so they tend to use their motors quite a bit. This enables them to range a bit farther in their itineraries. On some of these ships, the cabins can be fairly small when compared to motor yachts. These are also a good choice for private charters.

Dive Boats
These ships normally carry a maximum of 20 passengers and are dedicated to Scuba Diving. They are usually equipped with compressors and other diving equipment. They often use zodiacs or other small craft to transfer groups of divers to dive spots. These ships generally stay in one region or area, which gives them an intimate knowledge of the local conditions. This leads to great diving and generally a wonderful experience. These tend to be very casual ships, and usually offer good hearty food to hungry divers.