The ‘C’ word has long been a difficult one for some travellers, as there are many people for whom the ship is the destination when choosing a cruise. They’re essentially picking a floating holiday resort that offers onboard entertainment, activities, pools and unlimited food and drink. And while visiting exotic parts of the world and participating in shore excursions may be part of it, for some this is just another activity.
Conversely, expedition cruising is all about the destination and the immersive experiences around it. It is very much aimed at the curious, conscious traveller. Rather than a cabaret, the onboard activities will be lectures from relevant experts on anything from penguins to the great polar explorers.
Not that these trips just focus on the polar regions. As the sector grows, more and more destinations – warm weather as well as cold – are opening up to this type of cruise. Want to explore the many islands of Japan, Indonesia or the South Pacific? Or the coastline of West Africa? Or how about a voyage along Australia’s Kimberley coast, or even circumnavigating the whole country?
There are 40-plus expedition cruise companies globally, operating around 100 ships. According to the Expedition Cruise Network (ECN), the average vessel has room for around 200 passengers. This is the other big difference to mainstream cruising: the significantly smaller size of the ship. You’re getting an experience that is more intimate.
Tour operator Secret Atlas, for example, offers ‘micro cruises’ to the polar regions for just 12 passengers. And then there are the many small boats operating in the Galápagos, as well as a growing number of river expedition operators.
With the advantage of a smaller size, the joy of expedition cruising is that it can take you places that would otherwise be difficult to reach by land or with a large cruise ship. You also get a different and, sometimes, very fresh perspective on places when you arrive by boat. There are, of course, activities – active or educational – that enhance the trip. Added to that, you will also have expert guides and crew with you. It all adds up to an enriching experience.
Expedition cruises can be a brilliant option for solo travellers, too, as it’s an opportunity to share the experience with like-minded people, whether they are travelling solo or not. There is also the companionship at mealtimes and in the evenings.
While expedition cruises used to conjure images of dormitory beds in tiny cabins on a Russian icebreaker, the times have changed in terms of comfort. It’s true that some ships have a number of multi-share cabins, and this can help keep costs down for solo travellers. But accommodation is now more likely to be en-suite cabins, or even suites, with an increasing range of luxury options.
Not that expedition cruising suits everyone. If you’re going to complain if a shore landing doesn’t happen because of adverse weather conditions, or if you can’t be bothered to go out on deck to see a polar bear, then you are probably better off not trying it!
But for those of us adventurous spirits, it’s a new world of travel. As tantalising fresh routes open up and more state-of-the-art vessels emerge, there has never been a better time to explore the planet by water.
Looking to give it a go? Here are 21 top picks for you to book now.
