LUXURY Expedition cruises are growing fast

ships being built to comply with all the new regulations.”

Expedition cruises, with their adventure-focused, off-the-beaten-path itineraries and emphasis on scientific inquiry, were historically undertaken aboard rugged ships without amenities such as specialty dining venues, luxurious spas and plush beds, said Colleen Mcdaniel, editor in chief of Cruise Critic. Their main purpose was exploring the destination, and guests viewed the ships as a means to an end.

“With the growth of expedition cruising, we’re starting to see that change, with new luxury ships joining the sector,” Mcdaniel said. With the luxury ships can come a luxury price tag, however. Packages tend to start at a few thousand dollars, but they can go up to $20,000 or $30,000, depending on the cruise’s length and destination, Mcdaniel said.

So far, those prices don’t seem to have deterred those craving luxury adventure. West said 80 percent to 90 percent of Seabourn’s 2023 sailings are booked, and many new cruisers are

curious about the expedition ships. According to Richard Marnell, the executive vice president of marketing for Viking, the company’s one expedition vessel has sold out faster than the ships in its regular fleet.

And although expedition cruisers appear willing to pay for the increased prices, they shouldn’t expect those fees to cover the same amenities as on standard cruise ships.

You won’t find mini-golf courses, surf pools, slides, concerts, casinos, branded restaurants or Broadwaystyle entertainment, said Monika Sundem, chief executive of Adventure Life, a travel company in Missoula, Mont. Instead, in addition to the submarines and other tiny boats such as kayaks designed for further exploration, many of the expedition ships have helicopters, larger observation decks and educators.

Seabourn’s first purpose-built expedition ship, Seabourn Venture, is off for its inaugural adventure in July. In its initial year, it’s planning on taking guests to the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, South America, Antarctica and the Amazon. Guests will be accompanied by a 26-person expedition team of scientists, historians, naturalists and wildlife experts, and they will have the opportunity to explore shipwrecks via two custombuilt submarines and 24 Zodiacs. Although scuba divers regularly dive down to about 120 feet, anything beyond this is relatively unexplored. But the submarines can dive up to 1,000 feet below, West said.

“The idea is, it’s like being in a science-fiction spaceship,” West said, although Seabourn’s sciencefiction spaceship is equipped with leather seating, air conditioning and a sound system. “It’s an incredible experience to descend down into a completely new world.”

Viking launched its first expedition ship, Viking Octantis, in January. (Its sister ship, Viking Polaris, is scheduled to launch in November.) In addition to scientists — cruises can include biologists, geologists, glaciologists and ornithologists — the Octantis contains an array of scientific equipment. It includes a 380-square-foot science lab equipped with wet and dry lab facilities; a fleet of Zodiac Milpros; two convertible Special Operations boats; and two submarines with revolving seats and 270-degree windows.

Guests aboard the Octantis

are seeking an experience they can’t find elsewhere, Marnell said. For example, in mid-april, more than 120 guests on the Octantis gathered in the rain at 7 a.m. to watch the release of a biodegradable weather balloon.

“One of the scientists gave a live lecture of what data was going to be collected,” Marnell said.

Travelers have many options for more intellectually rigorous cruise experiences. Chris Heckmann, 37, a structural engineer

VIKING Viking launched its first expedition ship, Octantis, in January. Expedition cruises are all about scientific discovery — with luxurious touches.