Is expedition cruising the next big thing?

Yes, I believe it is. This is such an exciting time in the tourism industry. Expedition cruising is where river cruising was about 10 years ago – small but growing into something huge where you could travel to destinations previously done on a long coach journey perhaps. Now, An expedition cruise enables you to travel to the corners of the globe which were once inaccessible, or later, only accessible on an old Russian ship with basic accommodation and shared wash facilities. Now, you can cruise to far reaching, deserted corners of the earth in the luxury you have become accustomed.

Yesterday I attended the first expedition cruise forum in London, and was blown away by how many new ships are being built specifically for this sector, and how many different itineraries there are, in places I had never even heard of. 

We enjoyed listening to really informative and inspirational speakers, like Robin West from expedition operations & planning at Seabourn cruises, Peter Shanks from Silversea, and the very motivational Monty Halls who features on TV while exploring the world and teaching us of our responsibility to these beautiful and natural lands.

This is a really important issue – How do we maintain that balance of keeping these unspoilt places on earth, unspoilt, while allowing people to visit, learn, enjoy, and explore? will tourism destroy or help save these precious places? Monty Halls believes that because of tourism, we are helping to save them, by teaching us to care and be aware, and putting in more than what we take out of our travels. The future generations are going to be so important to the preservation of these Countries.

There are cruise ships and yachts galore with all-suite accommodation, some with ocean front balconies. All gourmet meals and beverages, room service, gratuities and fantastic excursions aboard a zodiac, on a kayak, snorkelling, or enjoying a hike trough the undergrowth, flora & fauna. Go up in a helicopter and view the scenery in all its glory from above. Some of the new ships will have submarines so you can get up close to the sea wildlife in their natural habitat and also the plant life and corals. There are always experienced and knowledgeable tour guides on every excursion. The cruise lines will often provide appropriate outer clothing for tours in cold destinations.

We met with the cruise line representatives who were excited to talk about their brand new ships and the itineraries they will be sailing. From luxury ultra yachts with a capacity for just 96 guests to luxury ships with 200 guests, still such a small amount of passengers, all like minded so you can talk about your fun, but sometimes tiring day over a drink, or 2 in the evening.

There are so many. Where do you actually start? which Countries would you like to explore first? which ship do you choose? what’s the difference between the ships and companies?

The Arctic, Antarctica, The Kimberley in North Australia, Patagonia and Cape Horn, The Galapagos Islands, Greenland, The Hebrides, Alaska, the Russian Far East, Argentina & the Falklands, or Svalbard Archipelago in Norway and they’re just the tip of the iceberg.

My favourites from what I learned yesterday: The Kimberleys – Oh wow! This is one I had never heard of, but what an amazing life experience it would be, with rugged ranges, dramatic gorges, fast changing tides, horizontal & vertical waterfalls which the small ships get up close to, freshwater swimming holes, and wildlife including whales, dolphins, crocodiles and many birds in beautiful wilderness.

The Arctic, I hear, is to be discovered before Antarctica. In the Arctic, there is no itinerary. The itinerary is built around the wildlife which you find sporadicly around the region. Polar bears, whales, arctic foxes, walrus’, and bird watching, and in Greenland there are amazing fjords and glaciers to explore.

In Antarctica, step onto the beach and stand in awe at the sheer amount of penguins you will see, emperor, royal and king, all sitting and waiting for you. Sea lions are friendly and will lay in the sunshine just watching. Landscape is awe inspiring with massive mountain ranges and hidden lakes.

The Galapagos, definitely not last on my list, but here you will see so much wildlife up close. At different times of the year there will be turtles, flamingoes penguins, iguanas, giant tortoises, whales, dolphins, birds, and so much more in their own habitat. A hint from yesterday – buy as many new clothes as you can to enter the Galapagos, as many species arrive in seeds from soles of shoes and in clothes, which are not indigenous to the islands. Also, read the clothes list requirements which the cruise line provides, or you will come unstuck wearing something unsuitable.

So, which cruise line do you choose? Hurtigruten, who offer a comfortable way to explore 12 different itineraries on their ships. Silversea, who offers their luxury, well-known and loved brand in 15 different expedition itineraries across the globe. Celebrity cruises, who takes their 6 star luxury yacht to the Galapagos Islands. Or Scenic, who is a new brand new player in the expedition sector, offering an ultra luxury yacht experience on 12 itineraries. Ponant, Aurora, and Hapag-Lloyd who are all upgrading with brand new luxury ships. Or, Last but not least, Seabourn, who are joining with two new 6 star ultra inclusive ships in 2020 and 2021, allowing you to travel in the luxury which doesn’t defer from ship to ship?

So, what’s your excuse not to do this? Time? there are 10, 12, 14, 16 day cruises for those who are working, up to 167 days on the first Silversea expedition world tour from Ushuaia to Tromso in 2021. With Seabourn introducing shorter 7 day cruises in the near future, there are no time issues. Money? yes, they are not cheap. But, I believe, you cannot place a value on a life changing experience. No-one to travel with? so many explorers travel solo. On these cruises, you are never alone. Yesterday somebody said ‘these are the friendliest cruises’. You are travelling with people with the same interests, therefore, you will always have something to talk about.

Switch off, rest your body, mind and soul, be pampered, get exhausted, be tired, rest, explore, recover.

There is still so much to discover on this wonderful earth of ours…so go do it.

Give me a call and let me help you with your expedition cruise

Celebrity expedition yacht

Scenic expedition yacht

Seabourn expedition ship

Silversea expedition ship