The expedition-cruise segment has seen big growth over the last few years, as many luxury lines and new cruise lines have built ships specifically to compete in far-flung destinations. And as the marquee Antarctica season has just kicked off, we’re joined with one newer entrant, Scenic Cruises, and two expedition-cruise stalwarts, Lindblad Expeditions and Hurtigruten Expeditions, to discuss the difference between expedition and “regular” cruising, family travel, the new-ship experience and demand for Galapagos, the polar regions and more.

Featured on this episode are Sven Lindblad, the founder of Lindblad Expeditions, Asta Lassesen, the CEO of Hurtigruten Expeditions, and Ann Chamberlin, the vice president of sales, USA, for the Scenic and Emerald cruise brands. This conversation was recorded Thursday, Dec. 16, and has been edited for length and clarity.

Episode sponsor:

This episode of the Folo by Travel Weekly is sponsored by Princess Cruises.

Related reading:

Lindblad Expeditions is looking to expand its fleet

Lindblad and A&K confirm Argentina departures for Antarctica

Hurtigruten confident about growth in expedition cruising

Scenic Eclipse: A cruise ship helicopter has immense luxury value

Getting environmentally scientific on an Antarctica cruise

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