Which Polar Expedition Cruises Are Truly All-Inclusive? (And What’s Included Beyond Food and Drink)
When most people hear “all-inclusive,” they picture an open bar and never signing a dinner check. A recent USA Today roundup of all-inclusive cruise lines made the same point, and several of the lines on that list also run polar expedition ships.
On a polar expedition, though, the drinks are the least interesting part of the fare. The inclusions that really add up are the ones you won’t find on a regular cruise: a warm parka you take home, boots for wet landings, Zodiac outings, kayaks, expert lectures and sometimes the flights that get you to a remote port in the first place.
When I sailed to Svalbard with Quark Expeditions in May 2026, my hotel nights and charter flights were part of the package, and that made a real difference. So here’s a look at six expedition lines, what each one includes beyond food and drink, and what still costs extra.
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What “all-inclusive” should mean on a polar trip
Before you compare lines, it helps to know what to look for. On an Arctic or Antarctic expedition, these are the inclusions worth checking:
- Expedition gear: a parka you keep, loaner boots and, on some lines, waterproof pants, binoculars and trekking poles.
- Included activities: Zodiac cruises and landings, guided walks, lectures from the expedition team and, on some ships, kayaking or a polar plunge.
- Onboard extras: drinks, crew tips and Wi-Fi.
- Getting there: charter flights and pre- or post-voyage hotel nights.
| Line | Gear | Kayaking | Crew tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lindblad | Parka on select voyages; kayaks and loaner camera gear | Included | Included (polar ships) |
| Atlas | Parka, vest and dry bag; loaner boots | Extra | Included |
| Seabourn | Parka and backpack; loaner boots | Extra | Included |
| Silversea | Parka and backpack; boots and pants for Antarctica | Ask | Included |
| Quark | Parka; loaner boots and walking sticks | Extra | Not included |
| Viking | Jacket; loaner boots, pants and binoculars | Included | Not included |
This table is based on each line’s own published information as of October 2026. Included flights and hotels get their own section below. Inclusions change by ship, season and fare, so treat it as a starting point, not a guarantee.
Line by line: what’s included beyond food and drink
Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic
Lindblad’s standout is what you get to use. Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and snorkel gear are included where available, and most of the fleet has a photo gear locker where you can borrow camera equipment to try. Every ship has a certified photo instructor, and the larger polar ships also carry a National Geographic photographer.
On its polar ships, drinks (premium brands aside) and crew tips are included, and a basic Wi-Fi plan is free. A parka or jacket comes on select polar voyages. Boots aren’t on Lindblad’s list of inclusions, and its own Antarctica guide points travelers to a gear-rental partner, so ask how boots work on your ship.
Atlas Ocean Voyages
Atlas is one of the most generous lines on gear. On its polar expeditions to Antarctica and the Arctic, you keep a knee-length waterproof parka, an insulated vest and a waterproof dry bag, and you borrow knee-high waterproof boots. The keepsake parka is also offered on select other Atlas voyages. There are binoculars in every suite.
Zodiac outings, shore landings, lectures and a polar plunge are included, along with an open bar around the clock, a stocked minibar and crew tips. Each guest gets a set amount of free Wi-Fi, with more available for a fee. Kayaking and paddleboarding cost extra in Antarctica and aren’t offered on its Arctic trips. Atlas also includes a charter flight on its Antarctica and Svalbard voyages (more on that below).
Seabourn
On its two expedition ships, Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit, you keep a 2-in-1 Helly Hansen parka, a waterproof backpack and a flask. Boots, walking sticks and high-end binoculars are on loan.
Seabourn leans into signature moments, like a polar plunge and its Caviar on the Ice event on select sailings, conditions permitting, plus fireside chats with the expedition team. Wi-Fi is unlimited and free, premium drinks are included, and tipping isn’t expected. Guided kayaking and its Image Masters photography program are paid add-ons with limited spots.
Silversea Expeditions
Silversea includes signature expedition gear on its expedition cruises: a dual-layer waterproof parka, a branded backpack and a reusable water bottle, plus gear for the region. For Antarctica, that means waterproof boots and trousers.
The fare also covers butler service, Champagne and fine wines, crew tips, standard Wi-Fi, expert lectures and guided Zodiac and land outings. Kayaking is offered on some voyages, so ask whether it’s included on yours. Silversea sells more than one fare type, which is another reason to confirm exactly what your quote covers.
Quark Expeditions
This is the line I know firsthand. Quark gives every guest a 2-in-1 parka to keep and loans insulated boots for landings. On my Svalbard trip, walking sticks were also there for anyone who wanted one on hikes, and the sauna and gym were included too. All Zodiac cruising and landings are included, along with lectures and a photo journal of the voyage. On its Ultramarine voyages, one short helicopter flightseeing trip is included, weather permitting.
Select beer, wine and cocktails are included during bar hours and at dinner, and basic Wi-Fi is free on one device. Crew tips are not included; they’re your choice at the end of the voyage. Kayaking, camping and extra helicopter excursions are paid adventure options, and they tend to sell out early.
Viking Expeditions
If your idea of all-inclusive is “I want to try everything,” Viking deserves a close look. Kayaking is included at no extra charge, along with Zodiac outings and its small Special Operations Boats. Its expedition kit covers boots, binoculars and waterproof pants, with trekking poles, snowshoes or skis when an outing calls for them, and you get a keepsake jacket on polar voyages. Wi-Fi is free, and you can join hands-on science with the scientists on board. The thermal spa and the self-service launderettes are included too.
The trade-off: drinks are included with lunch and dinner only, crew tips are added to your bill, and submarine dives cost extra. Viking is all-inclusive on gear and activities, less so on drinks and tips.
What you still pack yourself
Even with a parka and boots provided, your own layers do most of the work. Base layers, a warm mid layer, gloves, a hat and wool socks are on you. Waterproof pants are the big difference. Silversea (for Antarctica) and Viking provide them, while Atlas and Quark guests bring their own.
If you’re buying your own waterproof pants, consider a color other than black. On my Svalbard trip I was the only one in white Gore-Tex over pants, so I could pick myself out instantly in the expedition photographer’s photos. The trade-off was the black rubber on the Zodiac pontoons rubbing off on the light fabric, so a mid-tone color might be the sweet spot.
Under those over pants on Zodiac cruising days, I wore these fleece-lined hiking pants. Ironically, I didn’t wear them on hiking days because they were too warm.
For socks, I love Smartwool ski socks. They’re warm without the bulk.
Included flights and hotels: why it depends on where you start
This is the inclusion I tell clients to look at most closely. My Svalbard trip with Quark started and ended in Helsinki, Finland. Hotel nights before and after the voyage and the charter flights to and from Longyearbyen were included, so I never had to piece together flights to the far north on my own.
Whether that kind of package matters to you depends on where your expedition starts and ends. If the ship sails from a port that’s easy to reach, a bundled charter is less important. When it starts somewhere remote, it can save you a lot of planning.
Most Antarctica voyages start in Ushuaia, Argentina, or Punta Arenas, Chile. Several lines get you there from Buenos Aires. Atlas and Viking both include a charter flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and a hotel night before the voyage, and Seabourn has announced the same pairing for its Antarctica voyages. Atlas also offers fly-the-Drake trips, with a charter from Punta Arenas to King George Island so you skip the Drake Passage crossing by ship. Silversea includes flights and hotel nights when the destination requires them, and Quark includes a charter and hotel package on many, but not all, of its Antarctic trips.
Silversea has gone a step further and built its own hotel at the bottom of South America: The Cormorant at 55 South in Puerto Williams, Chile. Silversea calls it the world’s southernmost hotel. It has 150 rooms, only Silversea guests stay there, and your expedition gear is waiting in your room, so you can swap sizes before you board. Ask how a stay there fits into your specific voyage.
What still costs extra (almost everywhere)
Even on the most inclusive ships, a few things usually aren’t covered:
- Specialty adventures: kayaking on several lines, camping, helicopter flights and submarine dives.
- Premium drinks and spa treatments: top-shelf bottles and massages are usually extra.
- Faster Wi-Fi and laundry: the free plan is often basic, and laundry is extra on several lines.
- Crew tips: included on Lindblad’s polar ships, Atlas, Seabourn and Silversea, but not on Quark or Viking.
- Flights from home: even when a charter is included, your flight to the gateway city usually isn’t.
- Travel insurance: plan on buying it separately.
My advisor tip: check your specific departure
“All-inclusive” means something a little different on every line, and often on every voyage. Gear can vary by region, and the same company may bundle a charter flight on one itinerary and sell it as an add-on on another. Quark does exactly that between some of its Antarctic and Greenland trips. Fare type can change the list too.
So before you compare prices, compare the “what’s included” list for the exact departure you’re considering. And if kayaking or camping is on your wish list, book it early, because spots are limited and sell out.
Let’s find the right fit
Whether it’s gear, kayaking, open bars or not having to book your own flight to the end of the world, tell me which inclusions matter most to you. I’ll compare the details for your dates and match you with the right ship. Let’s talk about your trip.
