1. Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions. allied with National Geographic, offers soft-adventure cruises on a fleet of six capable vessels (as well as several charters) that carry from 28 to 148 passengers. Forget big-ship accouterments like casinos and multiple bars and restaurants -- though all ships offer LEXspa treatment rooms for onboard spa services. (The Endeavour even has a floating platform equipped with a massage table for unique open-air treatments.) The ships are comfortable, and there are some great touches like the local, organic foods used in meals. The line has become especially well regarded for its staff of topflight naturalists, historians, undersea specialists and expedition leaders who accompany each of its trips; many also have National Geographic photographers, or at least a Lindblad-National Geographic-certified photo instructor.
But Lindblad's ships serve more as base camps for exploring the world's waters, with cruises to all seven continents, including the Galapagos, South Pacific, Indian Ocean, Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic Circle. Besides kayaks (for paddling excursions) and the obligatory Zodiacs, which are used to make landings, ships are equipped with scientific tools like hydrophones (to snoop on marine mammals), underwater cameras and video microscopes.
2. Hurtigruten
The Norwegian-based cruise line Hurtigruten plies the poles with 13 ships of varying sizes, including its pathfinder, 276-passenger Fram. Onboard, this ice-hardened polar expedition vessel offers some stylish twists like a minimalist Arctic-chic design (iceberg sculptures, austere destination photography) and flat-screen TVs in cabins. Don't let the trappings fool you -- these cruises are all about nature. Like other expedition vessels, Fram has its own small landing craft that take passengers to incredible seaside locations. Passengers are an international mix, and the ship, which operates in English and Norwegian, adds other languages, such as German or French, if needed. The line now offers shortened, six-night land/cruise expeditions to Spitsbergen, and occasionally runs special themed cruises highlighting photography, astronomy, Viking history and more.
3. Quark Expeditions
Whether you want penguins or polar bears, Quark Expeditions. which specializes in Arctic and Antarctic journeys, has something for you. Several of the line's seven ships have onboard helicopters, as well as kayaking, cross-country skiing and mountaineering equipment (not to mention the ever-present Zodiacs). The line's 128-passenger expedition vessel, 50 Years of Victory, has nuclear-powered capabilities to go through 10 feet of ice and makes the voyage to the North Pole. And Quark's Antarctica trips often go longer and farther south, with more varied itineraries, than other lines. Days at sea are full of lectures and presentations from scientific experts and, on some vessels, photographers. Ship features for the premium brand vary -- try Sea Explorer for its all-suite cabins (some with balconies), eco-friendly Ocean Diamond (it's completely carbon-neutral) or the brand-new Scandinavian-style Ocean Nova.