Celebrating 35 years of expedition cruising, Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) has just unveiled three new voyages for 2026. These new itineraries will take travelers to the rugged coasts of the British Isles, into the pristine Arctic wilderness of Norway’s Svalbard and to the sun-drenched archipelagos of French Polynesia.
In total, A&K’s 2026-2027 portfolio will offer 15 expedition cruises across the Arctic, Antarctica, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, the Pacific region and beyond. Each voyage will carry a full expedition team to lead eco-discovery activities on board and excursions ashore.
The new itineraries will “reach far beyond the usual cruise routes – to places like St Kilda, Britain’s most remote point in the North Atlantic, or the Marquesas in French Polynesia, which offers varied experiences from local communities, breathtaking snorkeling and scenic, challenging hikes,” says Stefan Kredel, A&K’s vice president of expedition cruising. “These are transformative adventures in places that few experience – all elevated by A&K’s signature style.”
Expedition and Luxury Too
“While expedition cruising was once thought of solely as an intrepid way to observe wildlife in remote destinations, over the past few decades it’s sizably evolved,” says Shelby Steudle, president, Pavlus Travel. “A&K has truly transformed expedition cruising into a luxury adventure.”
So, guests will encounter an exploratory vacation experience that delivers a superb level of comfort and pampering as well, Steudle adds. For these itineraries on fully chartered Ponant ships, A&K will also limit the onboard passenger count to no more than 148 to 199 guests, varying by the specific ship.
Here’s a bit more about the three new, enticing A&K itineraries planned for 2026.
(Photo shown above of French Polynesia provided courtesy of A&K.)
New A&K: “Exploring the Wild Coasts of the British Isles”
On the new 11-day “Exploring the Wild Coasts of the British Isles” expedition cruise, guests will set sail on Ponant’s Le Champlain. Departing May 26, 2026, from Portsmouth, U.K., guests will discover the World War II history of Guernsey, wander through the gardens of the Isles of Scilly, and look for puffins off the coast of Wales.
They’ll also have opportunities to hike the wild Scottish Hebrides and sample whiskey in the Orkney archipelago. Throughout the voyage, cruise guests will also explore smaller, less-visited sites via Zodiacs.
At press time, A&K’s pricing for this 11-day itinerary started at $20,495 per person, double occupancy. “This particular itinerary is expected to be highly popular, given that it will take travelers to the less-visited, often more remote spots within the British Isles,” says Steudle.
“So, contact your personal travel planner today to express your interest and learn more about this new vacation choice.”
New A&K: “An Arctic Wildlife Expedition in Svalbard”
During this 11-day Arctic adventure, travelers will venture north of the Arctic Circle to Svalbard. That’s a remote cluster of Norwegian islands characterized by glaciers and tundra. The pristine offshore waters also home to whales, seals and walruses.
Departing July 3, 2026, on the new A&K “Arctic Wildlife Expedition in Svalbard” itinerary, guests will cruise aboard Ponant Explorations’ Le Lyrial, which has been exclusively chartered by A&K for its guests.
And by limiting guest capacity on the ship, A&K can ensure a private balcony in every guest stateroom and suite. Second, the staff-to-guest ratio then becomes nearly one staff member for every guest. And third, the optimized onboard experience is orchestrated entirely by A&K.
Are you ready to embark on eco-adventure Zodiac outings with A&K’s naturalist guides? Travelers might spot walruses, reindeer, foxes and birds, for instance. They’ll also gaze at the Arctic’s unique geology and landscapes.
Added pluses with this voyage’s timing are opportunities to view “the midnight sun” and seasonal flowers in full bloom! At press time, A&K’s pricing for this Svalbard adventure started at $16,995 per person, double occupancy.
Contact your personal travel planner to learn more and secure a coveted spot on this Arctic adventure.
A&K’s New “Cruising French Polynesia: Tahiti and Beyond”
On September 18, 2026, A&K will offer its new 16-day “Cruising French Polynesia: Tahiti and Beyond” itinerary, Luxury travelers can take a deep dive into the diverse cultures and pristine islands of this intriguing island nation, while sailing aboard Ponant’s Le Jacques Cartier.
This itinerary offers opportunities for guests to meet local craftspeople, go ashore pn an uninhabited atoll in the Tuamoto Islands and trek to secluded waterfalls. Guests can also visit artist Paul Gauguin’s final resting place.
Travelers can also search for tiki, petroglyphs and other archaeological relics in the remote Marquesas. Or they can bask on an idyllic remote beach.
A&K’s fares at press time started at $21,995 per person, double occupancy.
A&K All-Inclusive Cruising
Important to know is that A&K’s expedition cruise fares are all-inclusive. Fares include everything from expert lectures, special events and curated shore excursions to à la carte dining and 24/7 room service. Plus, guests enjoy unlimited house drinks, including champagne.
Guests booking a suite are also treated to butler service throughout their cruise. Also included are airport meet-and-greets with transfers, Traveller’s Valet laundry service, complimentary Wi-Fi on board and in hotels, all gratuities, port charges and taxes, and complimentary polar gear for Arctic and Antarctic voyages.
Good to know? On almost all ships (except A&K’s Galapagos adventure yachts), the A&K chartered vessels will carry an onboard doctor and nurse throughout each voyage.
Currently, A&K is offering guests 10 percent savings on select expedition cruises and pre- or post- cruise/tour extensions if they’ve booked and paid in full nine months or more prior to departure.
Desire to go this year on an A&K luxury expedition? Check out The Meandering Traveler’s previously published blog about the lineup for A&K’s 2025 luxury expedition cruises. In addition, here’s a complete view of all of A&K’s expedition cruises.
To book your next adventure, though, contact your personal travel planner today.
Important Information from Pavlus Travel
- For information about the best deals, sign up for Pavlus’ email newsletter. It spotlights terrific pricing on a multitude of cruise and travel options. Readers can simply add their email to the sign-up box on the top right corner of the Pavlus Travel website.
- If anything tweaks your interest in this blog above, and you DO have questions about specific pricing, brochures, savings, accommodations, accessible options and so on, please contact us at 800-528-9300.
- Or visit us at Pavlus Travel’s official agency Web site. There, you can “live chat” with us online too!
- This blog site provides “basic, general information” about travel. It’s not staffed by travel advisors.
- Any price examples and included vacation features or amenities mentioned in The Meandering Traveler’s blogs are subject to change. They also don’t represent the full range of options; a travel advisor can assist with additional information.
- Please don’t use the Reply Section below if you are asking for pricing, travel dates, accommodations, brochures or other specific requests. Please use the 800 number or online link.
