An expedition cruise may be more associated with exploring the Arctic but AE Expeditions has unveiled plans for a new range of routes that look beyond the polar regions and can be taken closer to home.

AE Expeditions will introduce new cultural itineraries from April 2028 that focus on the British Isles, Ireland, the Mediterranean, Europe’s Atlantic coastline and Scandinavia.

Rather than visiting a series of ports and selecting excursions along the way, each journey has been curated by historians, archaeologists, naturalists and local experts.

The sailings will take place on its small expedition ships Greg Mortimer, Sylvia Earle and Douglas Mawson.

Itineraries include an 11-day “The Isles of the British Isles” sailing aboard Sylvia Earle.

Departing on 19 April 2028, the voyage travels from London to Dublin, exploring how geography has shaped communities, cultures and histories around the Britain’s coastline.

Stops include remote islands such as Sark, the Isles of Scilly, Lundy, Anglesey, the Isle of Man, Mull, Skye and Rathlin Island.

Another option is a “Curious Coasts of the Mediterranean” sailing aboard Douglas Mawson.

Departing on 31 May 2028, guests can sail beyond the Mediterranean’s familiar routes to explore ancient temples, historic ports and Moorish fortresses. Highlights include Sicily’s Valley of the Temples, Palermo’s markets, Sardinia’s rugged coastline, Tangier’s medina and Portugal’s Algarve.

Justin Ewin, global head of product for AE Expeditions, said: “Cultural expeditions broaden the possibilities of expedition travel while remaining true to everything we stand for: small ships, expert interpretation, genuine discovery and meaningful connections with the places we visit.”

Read more: The best expedition cruises for 2026