If you want
to combine your love of cruising with your desire for adventure, you’re not
alone. There’s growing interest in expedition cruising, because it’s thrilling
to set foot in a beautiful spot where few other visitors have been. Expedition cruises
are designed to familiarize you with the unique cultures, ecosystems and
histories of remote locations from Alaska to the Amazon.
It’s
important to know that expedition cruises put the focus on their awe-inspiring
destinations, rather than shipboard amusements. The ships are much smaller than
their ocean-going counterparts, often accommodating less than 100 passengers. Instead
of shows and casinos, you’ll have experts on board who will share their
knowledge about the destination. However, there’s no shortage of comfort.
Some cruise providers
have already announced expedition itineraries for 2020 and beyond. For example,
Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises just announced 11 new itineraries for 2021
aboard the Crystal Esprit. The
62-guest yacht will visit Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, Croatia’s Dalmatian
Coast, and in the Middle East, where port calls in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai and Abu
Dhabi; Qatar, Oman and Bahrain, or Israel, Egypt and Jordan.
Silversea
Cruises is in the process of preparing a ship for polar expeditions. The
254-passenger Silver Wind is receiving
an upgrade now, and a second refurbishment in summer 2020 will give it
ice-class status in advance of Antarctic voyages set to begin that November.
The ship will be equipped with a fleet of Zodiac boats (inflatable craft
that take you from ship to shore) and additional equipment for cruising in
remote regions. The ship’s 15-day Antarctic itinerary, roundtrip from
Ushuaia, includes the Falkland Islands, the Drake
Passage, the Antarctic Peninsula, and the South Shetland
Islands.
The Hurtigruten
cruise line focuses only on exploration voyages, and it plans an expansion to
Alaska in 2020. Voyages through the Inside Passage will call on places rarely visited
by other cruise lines, such as Petersburg, a picturesque village founded by
Norwegian fishermen. Passengers will see it all on the first hybrid-powered cruise
ship in Alaska, Hurtigruten’s MS Roald
Amundsen, equipped with large battery packs. The ship will end its first
season in Alaska by sailing the Northwest Passage from Nome to Greenland, then on
to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
For
more expedition cruise options to satisfy your taste for adventure, talk with Anita,
your professional travel advisor.
