| 100% | JOHNCABOT | 9 | Explorer who sailed from England, claiming eastern Canada for Henry VII in 1497: 2 wds. |
| 43% | JAMESCOOK | 9 | Explorer who sailed from England, mapping the Pacific islands, New Zealand, and Australia from 1768 to 1779: 2 wds. |
| 43% | FRANCISDRAKE | 12 | Explorer who sailed from England, circling the globe from 1577 to 1580 and capturing treasure from Spanish ships: 2 wds. |
| 30% | CABOT | 5 | Explorer who laid the groundwork for the British claim to Canada |
| 28% | HENRYHUDSON | 11 | English explorer who discovered a large Canadian bay in the early 1600s: 2 wds. |
| 27% | VASCODAGAMA | 11 | Portuguese explorer who found a sea route from Europe to India in the late 1400s: 3 wds. |
| 27% | ROALDAMUNDSEN | 13 | Norwegian explorer who led the first expedition to the South Pole in the early 1900s: 2 wds. |
| 27% | RICHARDBYRD | 11 | American explorer who in 1929 became the first person to fly over the South Pole: 2 wds. |
| 26% | GREWCOCK | 8 | Danny —, rugby union lock who played in 69 Tests for England from 1997-2007 |
| 26% | CABOT | 5 | Explorer for England who mistook Canada for Asia |
| 26% | HENRYHUDSON | 11 | Explorer who sailed into 46-Across in 1609 |
| 25% | LASALLE | 7 | Explorer who claimed Louisiana for France |
| 25% | CLIVECUSSLER | 12 | Adventure novelist and underwater explorer who named hero Dirk Pitt for his son (2 wd.) |
| 25% | ROALDAMUNDSEN | 13 | Norwegian explorer who in 1911 became the first person to reach the South Pole, one month ahead of 18-Across: 2 wds. |
| 25% | CABRAL | 6 | Explorer who claimed Brazil for the Portuguese |
| 25% | LASALLE | 7 | Explorer who claimed the Mississippi Basin for France |
| 24% | JOHNSMITH | 9 | Explorer who fell for Pocahontas in the 1995 film |
| 24% | TIMMCGRAW | 9 | Country singer who collapsed from dehydration while onstage in Dublin: 2 wds. |
| 24% | DANIELDAYLEWIS | 14 | "Lincoln" actor who retired from acting after appearing in 2017's "Phantom Thread": 2 wds., hyph. |
| 24% | GENEHACKMAN | 11 | "Hoosiers" actor who retired from acting after appearing in 2004's "Welcome to Mooseport": 2 wds. |
| 23% | JOHNMCCAIN | 10 | Republican senator who ran for president in 2008: 2 wds. |
| 23% | AARONRODGERS | 12 | Packers quarterback who hosted "Jeopardy!" for two weeks in April: 2 wds. |
| 23% | KATIECOURIC | 11 | TV journalist who hosted "Jeopardy!" for two weeks in March: 2 wds. |
| 23% | WINKLER | 7 | Henry who won an Emmy in 2018 for "Barry" |
| 23% | GLENNCLOSE | 10 | Actress who cross-dressed for her role in "Albert Nobbs": 2 wds. |
| 23% | ROBINWILLIAMS | 13 | Actor who cross-dressed for his role in "Mrs. Doubtfire": 2 wds. |
| 23% | NATHANLANE | 10 | Actor who cross-dressed for his role in "The Birdcage": 2 wds. |
| 23% | COLUMBUS | 8 | Italian explorer Christopher who set sail in 1492 |
| 22% | CAMERONDIAZ | 11 | "Charlie's Angels" actress who retired from acting after appearing in 2014's "Annie": 2 wds. |