Expedition Cruising

Expedition Cruising - Get more out of your shore trips!

“Early in my cruising experience, I encountered a couple who had just returned from a soft adventure cruise. I was surprised to learn that their vacation lacked almost all of the attributes that I had equated with the quintessential cruise experience. What, no production shows? No bingo? No organized activities? Years later I had the opportunity to travel on just such a ship. Ironically, I hardly missed any of those things that had previously defined a major aspect of cruising.” -- Steve Faber

As the name implies, expedition cruising is a taste of exploration and adventure in off-the-beaten-path places. It's an experience more likely torn from the pages of National Geographic than Travel & Leisure; in fact, National Geographic, under the banner of major expedition operator Lindblad Expeditions, is a prominent player in this niche. Expedition ships are small, with shallow drafts, able to inch closer to those less visited, out-of-the-way ports or scenic wonders. A seven-night expedition sailing in many ways feels more like a one-week shore excursion than a cruise.

But what sets expedition cruising apart from the norm most is the relationship between voyage and ports. On a typical ship the cruise experience is made up in equal measure by experiences ashore -- both organized and independent -- and various activities and entertainment, provided by a "cruise staff." When conventional ships add programs of an educational or informational nature they are defined as "enrichment," an augmentation to, rather than the main thrust of, the cruise experience. They are the seasoning, not the main course.

In lieu of cruise director and staff, expedition ships are led by an "expedition team," with a team leader and sometimes a support staff of academicians and scientists who deliver lectures and briefings on the politics, culture, history, geology, geography, biology, ecology or anthropology of their vessel's destinations. In this context, the educational becomes the meat and potatoes, with a soupcon of entertainment thrown in to spice things up and keep the trip from getting too serious.

Aboard an expedition ship the expedition leader often has a lot greater say in day-to-day scheduling and destinations, and both aspects are more fluid than in the daily programs of conventional ships. This permits the flexibility of changing course or plans on a dime to take advantage of weather, sea conditions, wildlife sightings or any other serendipitous occurrence.

Clearly, this format is not for everyone. One keystone of expedition cruising is the extensive use of Zodiac inflatable rafts instead of conventional tenders. Not only does this require more agility transferring to and from the ship, but often the destination is a beach or rocky shoreline lacking any sort of a pier, necessitating a "wet landing" (having to jump over the side into the water and wade to shore). Once ashore the explorations are relatively demanding of dexterity and endurance, and there is little coddling or special treatment for those who may have difficulty keeping up -- which leaves the impression that expedition cruising is barebones and Spartan to the exclusion of all pampering and refinements.

Until recently, that wasn't far from reality. However, a number of cruise lines have attempted, with some notable successes, to create a fusion between the exploratory aspects of expedition cruising and the civilized perks and service ocean cruisers have all come to appreciate.

Prime Expedition Cruising Regions

Though there are expedition-type adventures virtually anywhere on earth a boat can float, the locations most popular for sea-based exploration adventures are:
 
Alaska
Alaska’s waters are among the best for finding and observing whales. Expedition cruise captains and staff are typically expert whale behaviorists and sharp-eyed spotters. In addition, they support the work of the Alaska Whale Foundation, so research scientists may also board the ship to share their specialist knowledge. The end result means that you’re sure to have prime whale-watching experiences. Stand on the bow of the expedition ship, marveling at spectacular behavior from breaches to lunge-feeding. Listen in to their communications too, as the expedition team lowers an onboard hydrophone to capture the communications being exchanged by the whales. Watch also via footage from an underwater bow cam -- mounted to the front of our ship and streaming video images live to plasma televisions in the lounge.
 
Antarctica
Antarctica is otherworldly, as far away from anything familiar as you can get. It invites your imagination, and then, in a dazzling sleight of hand—with its light, air, ice, weather and wildlife—humbles you as no other place on earth can. However you've imagined it seems meager in comparison. And if it calls to you, an Antarctica expedition might be the single greatest adventure travel experience of your life. Travel to Antarctica and hike the landscapes, hang out with the penguins, travel with researchers, explore the undersea, kayak, and land by Zodiac where few have gone before.
 
Arctic
Arctic travel is an adventure in contrasts. Explore some of the planet’s great wonders from the sparkling ice shelves of Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, to the volcanic landscapes of Iceland, and the far reaches of the Canadian Arctic. Trace the fjords of Greenland, navigate the eastern entrance to Canada’s Northwest Passage, or take to the Arctic waters high above coastal Norway under the midnight sun in the archipelago of Svalbard. Watch for polar bears and whales, explore by Zodiac and kayak, and visit little-known towns and hamlets where hardy communities maintain their traditional way of life amid the harsh conditions.
 
Baja California
Slim as a blade, the Baja California peninsula jack-knifes from mainland Mexico, creating a cleft filled by the Sea of Cortez. Highlights of this adventure include the Pacific side with its quiet lagoons that act as a safe nursery for gray whale calves; and the Sea of Cortez where marine mammals frolic with abandon, leaping alongside the kayak as you travel.
 
Galapagos Islands
An expedition cruise to the Galapagos Islands is wholly unlike any other adventure vacation on earth. Not just because of the diversity of animals you'll see, or their staggering numbers — it's their sublime indifference to you observing them. Giant tortoises – including the legendary Lonesome George, the last of his species on earth – roam freely. Blue-footed boobies perch on rocks. The skies are filled with wheeling, courting, red-throated frigate birds. The lava rocks are piled high with motionless marine iguanas. A mind-boggling array of creatures lives in a paradise of azure waters, white beaches and cool mangrove stands. You’ll see the famous finches of the Galápagos Islands and swim with doe-eyed sea lion pups.

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For more information on when to go where on an Expedition Cruise and for more details on itineraries of diverse cruise lines, please contact us via email, phone or fax!