The majority of the Expedition Cruise Network's (ECN) members have reported growth in sales in 2025.
According to The Expedition Cruise Network 2025-2026 Insights Report, all 30 expedition cruise operator members reported growth while 72% of 2,400 travel agent members said bookings had gone up over the same period.
This is "a significant acceleration" on the last report from 2023, in which 33% of 900 agent members and 71% of 18 operator members reported growing sales.
However, operators identified overcapacity and market saturation as their main threat, followed by economic slowdown and increasing regulation affecting access to destinations.
For agents, finding the right customer with the mindset and budget for an expedition cruise was the main challenge, followed by a lack of first-hand experience, product knowledge and understanding of differences between cruise brands.
Expedition cruise operators surveyed in the report found 35% of bookings were direct, 43% through tour operators and 24% through retail travel agents.
A total of 97% of agent respondents said demand for expedition cruise was "strong", and year to date for 2025 sales had grown or stayed the same.
Two out of 10 agents surveyed said their knowledge of the sector was "at beginner levels", 41% had sold expedition cruises for less than three years, and half said they only had one member of their team selling the product, while 41% said they had "advanced industry knowledge".
Operator members also reported 90% of bookings excluding flights were priced at £6,000 and 30% of overall bookings were valued at £10,000 per person.
Meanwhile, agent members found 79% of bookings were worth more than £6,000 and 42% were more than £10,000 per person.
The polar regions remain at "the heart of expedition cruising", with Antarctica the most-visited, fastest-growing and highest-demand destination, followed by the Arctic.
There is "strong activity" across the Galapagos, South America, Patagonia, the Amazon, Alaska, west coast of North America, the Kimberley Islands, Australia and South Pacific.
Africa was "beginning to emerge" as "an increasingly attractive expedition destination".
Members currently operate more than 72 ships globally, and fleet growth has "now steadied", with load factors for 2025 ranging from 85 to 93% among operators surveyed.
The US remained "by far" the largest source market for expeditions, followed by German, British, European and Australian markets, while China and India were "emerging as significant growth markets".
Chief executive Akvile Marozaite said: "I'm delighted to find that the expedition cruise sector is growing and importantly, growing through the trade in 'The ECN's Insights Report 2025-2026'.
"With economic uncertainty, increased scrutiny in sustainability, diversity of product and destinations, travel trade professionals need clarity in product differentiation, in-depth training and more support than ever before if they are to provide inspiration and reassurance to a broader range of curious travellers.
"With a significant proportion of new customers in the sector, the opportunity for growth is clear but it will only be realised if the industry works together."