Expedition cruises: The ultimate guide to cruising to remote, hard-to-reach places
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Your 4 x 4 is a Zodiac , kayak, or six-person submarine that allows you to encounter rare creatures in the wild where unexpected discovery unfolds every day. To optimize guest safety and comfort, Chairman Torstein Hagen called upon the expertise and collaboration of Viking teams, including maritime architects, interior designers, and nautical and technical staff. After the traditional steel cutting, the ceremonial keel laying ushered in the next milestone of the ship construction process.
Seabourn Expedition Guest Testimonials
Expedition cruise ship pulled free after getting stuck in Greenland - USA TODAY
Expedition cruise ship pulled free after getting stuck in Greenland.
Posted: Wed, 13 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Another big part of expedition cruising is the focus on education on the ship. While luxury may be a component for some expedition lines, broadly speaking, lounging by the pool with a drink in hand comes second to lectures from guest scientists, naturalists, and historians. Travelers on expedition cruise ships want to know about the nature and history of where they’re going, and the ships also offer easy access to get outside for wildlife viewing.
Which cruise companies offer expedition cruises?
It's a cruise that is all about getting you to an off-the-beaten-path place that, in many cases, has little or no land-based infrastructure and can be reached no other way but by ship. Originally built for oceanographic research, the Academic Shokalskiy carries just 48 passengers, making her ideal for peninsula cruising. Like many of the smaller research vessels, this vessel inna workhorse and gives passengers that real 'expedition' feeling. Boasting the latest in technology, the Midnatsol is part of the Hurtigruten fleet and is a large luxury vessel designed for Polar expeditions. The large two floor glass panoramic viewing lounge is quite special and gives travellers the best views possible throughout the cruise. The Young Explorers Program aboard the ship makes it very family friendly.
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Scenic Eclipse also was the first Antarctica-bound cruise vessel to boast helicopters to take passengers on epic (and pricey) Antarctica excursions -- and it has a submarine for underwater exploring, too. Having experienced a helicopter excursion from the vessel, I can say that it's truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Just unveiled in August 2021, World Navigator is the first vessel for Atlas Ocean Voyages, an all-new cruise operator that's focused on "luxe adventure" trips -- and it's already high on my list of favorite ships for polar exploring. Each vessel has two glass-walled "igloos" on its top deck where passengers can spend the night under the stars. Comfortable, state-of-the-art rooms with balconies; stylish restaurants and lounges with upscale, Scandinavian-inspired decor; a spa; and a yoga studio with wall-to-wall windows round out the onboard experience.
Type approval for new expedition cruise ship for Asian market - Seatrade Cruise News
Type approval for new expedition cruise ship for Asian market.
Posted: Wed, 13 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
You don't need half what you think you'll wear on an expedition cruise. Before my cruise, the piles of clothes on the bed wouldn't have fit into a steamer trunk much less a regular-sized suitcase (or two). Partly it's because I imagined that a trek down to the South Pole would be like living in a National Geographic documentary. The Penthouse Suite lets you explore the islands that inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution while you’re immersed in luxury. That said, an expedition cruise down the west coast of Greenland would be a close contender.
"Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller."
Touring from there can involve hiking over rocky areas, snowfields and ice in search of wildlife. As I've written about before, there are pros and cons of both types of Antarctica trips. Some longer Antarctica itineraries add in visits to South Georgia Island and the Falkland Islands on the way to or from Antarctica. Submit a quick trip evaluation to save 5% on your next tour with us.
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The Akademik Sergey Vavilov carries just 92 passengers, giving the ship an intimate feel whilst offering plenty of space. Full stabilised with an ice-strengthened hull, the Vavilov is extremely steady and a great option for people who suffer from seasickness. For a research vessel you get a lot of facilities including a plunge pool, well stocked library, sauna, mud room bar, lounge and dining facilities. There is also an onboard wellness program which includes yoga, meditation and massages. The Expedition is one of the smallest cruise ships in the Polar regions and offers an intimate experience that allows you to make numerous landings thanks to her small size.
I'm not sure I've ever seen anything as stunning as the Ilulissat Icefjord and the huge icebergs that spill out of it into Disko Bay. Like Antarctica, it's a land of ice and icebergs and snow, and often spectacular wildlife on display, as well as historical sites related to early explorers. It also has a cultural element that you won't find in Antarctica, as some land areas in the Arctic are home to Indigenous peoples such as the Inuit, who have occupied the areas for hundreds of years, if not longer. Once in Antarctica, you'll land by Zodiac boats to visit penguin colonies and hike through the snow to the remnants of early explorer huts, sail through ice-filled fjords, and (if you're lucky) watch whales during Zodiac boat outings. All around you will be soaring mountains, glaciers and floating icebergs. At Expedition Cruise we partner with a few tried and tested companies to ensure you get the best experience on your cruise.
Quasar Expeditions
If you hear someone say they did an expedition cruise with National Geographic, they probably mean Lindblad Expeditions. One other small cruise company, American Queen Voyages, operates a 186-passenger expedition ship in Southeast Alaska that combines wilderness experiences with more traditional cruise-type stops at the area's towns. Every sailing includes a visit to Ketchikan, Petersburg and Wrangell, as well as outdoorsy pursuits, making it a hybrid of a traditional sailing and an expedition cruise.
In 2018, I took part in just the fourth expedition cruise across the Northeast Passage by a Western cruise vessel — a monthlong trip that included many days where we never saw signs of civilization. Additional vessels operated by Russian companies also have made the journey with travelers over the years. One of the most popular research vessels for Polar expeditions, the Ortelius is an ice-strengthened vessel which will see you safe through any Arctic conditions. Accommodating 116 passengers, the vessel is quite small and easily navigates icy inlets.
These Lindblad Expeditions ships may be my favorite all-around picks for an Antarctica cruise. Tourists have been visiting Antarctica in small numbers since 1966, when adventure tour pioneer Lars-Eric Lindblad led a small group of "citizen scientists" to the Antarctic Peninsula on a chartered Argentine navy ship. But for many of the 56 years since then, a trip to Antarctica has meant a sailing on a relatively spartan vessel. Expedition cruises are often more expensive than traditional cruises. Prices vary by cruise line, destination, and whether or not you’re cruising at the peak of the season. Of course, stateroom category is also a major factor in the price you’ll pay for any cruise.
There are no frills, but you will make regular shore landings and experience the same wildlife and landscape. Research ships often feel more like real expedition cruising because of the lack of amenities. What's not included in Atlas fares are shelf liquors (a shot of Belvedere vodka will set you back $7), premium wines or Champagne. Shipboard Wi-Fi also comes at a steep price after an initial 1GB of data that is included in the fare (500MB for an additional $45, 1GB for $80 or 5GB for $350) and can only be used on one device. It's an irritation when you consider most ships let you switch between devices — and that many luxury expedition ships in the same space offer shipboard Wi-Fi for free. Still, the enrichment offerings from World Voyager's expedition team are just part of a wider entertainment program.
The blend of native culture, pioneering history, and the raw beauty of nature delivers an unforgettable experience, emphasizing conservation and respect for the wild. National Geographic Photography Expert Ricky Qi goes in-depth on the natural and cultural richness of New Zealand and the rewarding experience of teaching guests how to capture the region’s beauty. Get ready to discover the stunning natural beauty of the Galapagos while aboard Celebrity Xpedition®, a luxurious and intimate vessel that takes you around this nationally protected archipelago in the utmost style and comfort. Other unusual features include a full-blown science center with state-of-the-art gadgets and underwater drones for passenger use.
Expedition cruises are ship-based trips designed to get you to remote and hard-to-reach places that most people never get to see. One of the fastest-growing segments of cruising in recent years has been "expedition cruising," a type of cruising that involves traveling to remote, hard-to-reach places such as Antarctica on small, hardy vessels. Luxury ships can cost three times the amount of a Research vessel for the same itinerary. You an expect jacuzzis, restaurant options and well-appointed rooms with plenty of space.
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