It’s hard to think of a bigger year for luxury expedition yachts hitting the market than over the past 12 months, starting with Ponant’s PC2 luxury hybrid-electric icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot for 270 passengers, with 190 crew.

Expedition voyages put the credibility into cruising with hard-core activities on offer; a strong focus on wildlife spotting, conservation, and generally using travel to foster a desire to better protect the environment. Don’t expect black tie gala evenings and poolside gossip – rather pack your thermals, binoculars, and a guide to bird spotting.