Initially, when I heard the term “Expedition Cruise”, I pictured myself sitting amongst a bunch of hyper-fit 30-somethings all bragging about their last marathon and one-upping each other about who climbed Everest the fastest.
I then imagined hearing muted whispers about “who brought grandma”, with suspicious glances in my direction.
I’m sure that situation does exist somewhere (in hell, most likely LOL), but it’s NOT on expedition cruise ships.
Expedition ships quite simply get you closer to nature, wildlife and scenery… often in comfort.
Expedition cruising is by FAR the biggest new trend in cruising. Expedition cruising is where River cruising was a decade ago. In other words, some people are already doing it (and loving it)… and word is getting out. Others are hearing about it and starting to get excited about it. The big cruise lines are preparing for the surge in demand and building dozens of new expedition ships.
Expedition cruises attract a wide variety of people, and only a tiny fraction would fit the description above. More likely, expedition clients are photographers, nature and wildlife enthusiasts, or more active people who have an interest in, curiosity about, and appreciation for the natural world.
Expedition cruisers are less likely to find the shopping arcades on the megaships (and their affiliated souvenir shops on land) terribly exciting.
Here’s a quick test as to whether you would be able to participate in expedition activities on a small ship:
- Can you walk for an hour (at a leisurely pace) without stopping?
- Can you sit down on the floor, and get back up again?
If you can manage these two things, you can easily manage the physical demands of an expedition cruise.
In fact, even those who might struggle with those activities can still enjoy all that an expedition ship has to offer. There is still plenty to be seen and enjoyed from the deck of a small expedition ship, without ever setting foot in a zodiac boat or kayak.
The line between small-ship luxury cruising and expedition cruising has become blurred. Gone are the days when decommissioned Soviet icebreakers were the only expedition ships available. Luxury cruise lines like Seabourn, SilverSea, and Viking all have expedition ships in the water – and they are magnificent.
The biggest advantage to Expedition ships over other ships is the places they can take you, and the types of experiences you can have while you’re there.
Some areas of this big, beautiful planet are only accessible by Expedition ship (Antarctica, for example).
Many other areas are accessible by ANY type of ship, but when visited on an Expedition ship allow you to see it from a completely different perspective. Alaska is one of those areas, and I’ll talk more about that in a moment.
Here’s a bit of an overview if you have an interest in visiting places that are somewhere remote and less accessible, and might be considering an Expedition ship:
- Food: No… the chef is not from Arctic Norway, offering pickled herring for 3 meals day. The luxury lines noted above offer their exceptional culinary programs on their Expedition ships too. Imagine eating meals designed by a Michelin starred chef with a window seat to Antarctica or the Galapagos.
- Accommodation: Your room will be larger and better appointed than any of the mass-market cruise lines, and on par with the small-ship luxury lines.
- Entertainment: There won’t be any Broadway shows, but there will be resident entertainers on board – usually a piano player or a small band.
- Activities: The onboard activities are not shuffleboard and bingo. Instead, the focus is generally on educational and enrichment activities. Some expedition lines encourage you to participate in scientific research studies conducted under the supervision of researchers on board.
- “Shore” excursions: Sometimes you are in an actual port, and the excursion options might look a lot like a regular cruise. Other places, there is not any shore infrastructure, and you’ll be doing kayaking, zodiac boating, light hiking, or walking. Some expedition ships also offer rides on helicopters or small submarines. And of course, you always have the option of enjoying these remote places from the deck of the ship with a pair of binoculars or a camera.
- Fitness Level: Those with mobility impairments will be challenged to do some of the more active excursions, however if you have passed the test above, you’ll be fine.
- Where do Expedition Cruises go? Most obviously the polar regions:
- Antarctica
- Coastal Norway
- Greenland and Iceland
- Canadian Arctic and the Northwest Passage
- Alaska
- You can also visit warm-weather areas on an Expedition cruise:
- Galapagos Islands
- Amazon River
- North American Great Lakes
- West Africa
- Central America (during repositioning season)
Not sure where to start? Many people take their first expedition cruise in Alaska or the Galapagos.
Today’s Travel Opportunities
Alaska on Ocean Victory
If you’ve already been to Alaska on a larger ship and found some of the port calls a bit “manufactured”, and wanted more in the way of scenery, wildlife, whales, and glaciers, then an Expedition ship would make Alaska worth another visit. It won’t be anything like the last time!
The Ocean Victory is a gorgeous, brand-new ship, carrying max. 186 passengers.
- Sitka to Vancouver for 13-days. Balcony Rooms start at $5399 per person for summer 2022 departures.
- Visit Frederick Sound, Endicott Arm, Tracy Arm, Petersburg, Waterfall Coast, Wrangell, Misty Fjords, Ketchikan, Kynoch Inlet, and sail the Canadian Inside Passage. The fact you haven’t heard of most of these ports is why you want to go!
- Fare includes pre-cruise hotel night, open bar, expert lectures and enrichment activities, AND kayak and zodiac excursions.
Peruvian Amazon and Machu Picchu with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
This is a 15-day package round trip from Lima.
- Departures in October or November 2022 for $12,499 per person.
- Visit Lima, Machu Picchu, the Amazon Rainforest.
- Includes 5-star cuisine, and open bar on the ship, expedition activities, gratuities
Galapagos Islands with Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity is best known for its megaships, but it also operates 3 ships in the Galapagos islands, each carrying fewer than 100 passengers.
- Prices from $5119 per person
- 7-nights round trip Baltra
- Multiple departures in 2022 and 2023.
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If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
