EXPEDITION CRUISES
Carol Driver on the increasingly popular expedition cruising
FOR adventurers at heart, who fancy getting up close to some of the world’s most remote areas, while still enjoying the finer things in life, expedition cruising might just be for you.
Growing in popularity, these trips aren’t just holidays – they are once-in-a-lifetime experiences, sailing to the Galapagos, Antarctica, Papua New Guinea, Peru or Ecuador, to name a few destinations.
Travel on board stylish, purpose-built vessels, all-inclusive, and surrounded by all the first-class home comforts you could desire.
Then, safe in the hands of an experienced expedition team, head ashore in a RIB – also known as a Zodiac – to take in some of the planet’s most unique wildlife and fauna with handcrafted itineraries.
Enjoy kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, mountain biking, submarine tours and fascinating lectures as you’re immersed in areas that are renowned for their natural beauty.
Then make time for refined relaxation, from gourmet dining and in-suite butlers, to private verandas and complimentary excursions – all while leaving the crowds far behind. THE GALAPAGOS Celebrity Cruises has 16 years’ experience of travelling to the Galapagos, crafting unforgettable voyages combining onboard luxury with intrepid exploration.
Famed for spectacular wildlife, the 19 islands and 42 islets are the places to see giant tortoises, playful sea lions, shy flamingos, blue-footed boobies and lava lizards.
Here, you’ll also have the chance to meet some incredible underwater spectacles on a scuba dive – including very rare sharks – as well as take in the spectacular flora and fauna.
Take to the seas on Celebrity’s Xpedition, Flora or Xploration for what will be a spectacular adventure on Charles Darwin’s ‘enchanted isles’, found 620 miles off the coast of Ecuador.
The three magnificent ships offer six unique cruise itineraries, and 18 all-inclusive options from ten to 16 nights, taking in Quito, Ecuador, or Machu Picchu, Peru.
What’s more, they also take care of the organisational side, from pre- and post-cruise stays, flights and transfers to delicious, locally sourced meals, refreshing drinks and gratuities.
Susana Romero, director of Galapagos sales and communication, says: ‘The islands are a part of the world that feels untouchable.
‘The expedition allows guests to be truly at one with nature in a luxury fashion.
‘The expedition cruise suits “soft adventurers” with a David Attenborough feel. Guests can be within touching distance of diverse nature, while accommodating luxury experiences onboard.
‘Anyone with a keen passion for nature and exploring in a sustainable
manner, while still enjoying luxury, will love the true safari-style experience.’
REMOTE DESTINATIONS
An expedition cruise is a perfect way for holidaymakers to visit incredibly remote destinations that cannot handle large-scale tourism.
Conrad Combrink, director of expeditions for Silversea, jokes that if you can pronounce the name of the destination, it doesn’t get added to the expedition itineraries.
Sail on board one of Silversea’s all-inclusive, small luxury ships, which voyage to the seven continents and more than 900 destinations, for the adventure of a lifetime, exploring hard-to-reach areas.
From the oil-rich sheikdoms of the Middle East and the breathtaking Chilean fjords, to the tropical Edens of Polynesia and the frosted wilderness of Antarctica – each trip is unique.
Curious travellers can immerse themselves in the culture, landscape and habitat of a region with the help of experts who are on hand to illuminate the experience.
Then, after a busy day surrounded by fascinating wildlife and incredible landscapes, relax and enjoy free-flowing wines and spirits, in-suite dining, and first-class entertainment.
Combrink adds: ‘Silversea has been the leader in luxury shipboard travel for more than 25 years.
‘Our approach is all-inclusive luxury, where our guests feel comfortable, and travel with like-minded people.
‘They are curious by nature and want to travel deep into a destination with authentic experiences. That is what we aim to deliver.
‘Our ships are elegant, with understated luxury, which our guests truly enjoy and appreciate.
‘And our destination teams, specifically our expedition team, focus on delivering enriching experiences in each of the destinations we visit.’
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PLANET
Imagine exploring the depths of the ocean in a private submarine made for six – an opportunity like no other to view the world from an entirely different angle.
Seabourn is offering this world-class technology on board its newest vessels – Seabourn Venture, which will debut in summer 2021, and a yet-to-benamed sister ship arriving in 2022.
For those with luxury and adventure high on their bucket list, these expedition ships promise the most refined surroundings and world-class itineraries.
Seabourn Venture’s inaugural season will include expeditions to the Arctic, Antarctica and the Amazon, where holidaymakers can cruise in Zodiacs under cliffs teeming with birds and along jungle rivers, or choose to kayak among stately icebergs and tropical coral islands.
There will also be the opportunity to visit Viking ruins, ancient Inca sites and Amazon villages, and take in whales, walrus and seals.
Snorkel unspoilt Caribbean coral gardens glittering with iridescent fish, trek to earth-shaking waterfalls and shining, blue-white glaciers.
Then cruise in one of the two six-seater submarines – drifting past vivid reef walls and towering underwater ice cliffs.
Robin West, vice president of expedition operations at Seabourn, who led his first expedition – a small, 100-passenger vessel that sailed between Darwin and Broome – in 2005, says: ‘An expedition cruise is a holiday and an experience like no other.
‘Expedition travel changes the way you view the world. It enriches you, and educates you about nature and wildlife.
‘An expedition cruise is for anyone who wants to explore and learn more about this incredible planet.’
Expedition travel changes the way you view the world –it enriches and educates you