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A Luxe Look at Expedition Cruises

Anita Carmin

Just a few years ago, you weren’t likely to hear “expedition cruises” and “luxury” used in the same sentence. Explorers setting off for, say, Greenland, the Northwest Passage or Antarctica would likely be tucking into cramped quarters on a decommissioned research ship. Fast forward to 2019: Inquisitive travelers are visiting those same remote destinations—but sleeping on high-thread-count sheets in lavish suites, a glass of champagne in hand and a butler at their service.

This new wave of luxury expedition cruising is a win-win for those wanted to kayak among seals in the Galápagos or track polar bears in the Arctic (or penguins in Antarctica) — without forfeiting any of the creature comforts they’ve enjoyed on their favorite luxury cruise lines.

A World of Discovery

expedition cruises
Image credit to Seabourn

While the polar regions and the Galápagos Islands are among the most popular expedition destinations we sell, we also arrange expeditions to:

  • Australia’s Kimberley region
  • Papua New Guinea or other Pacific Islands
  • The Amazon
  • Patagonia
  • The Sea of Cortés
  • And many more intriguing and photogenic places around the globe!

What Type is Best for You?

At Cruise Specialists, we classify our expedition offerings into three general categories to help you find the perfect cruise: The first being luxury cruise lines such as Seabourn, Silversea and Viking, which offer traditional cruise ship amenities and a wealth of specialty dining on board custom-designed, new or completely refurbished ships. The second is exploration-style cruising, with providers such as Ponant, Hurtigruten and UnCruise Adventures featuring smaller ships and a range of activities to satiate curious minds. The third is truly expedition, with Quark Expeditions, Lindblad/National Geographic and Zegrahm Expeditions leading the way as our clients’ companies of choice.

Expedition ships carry a full complement of kayaks and Zodiacs for up-close exploration. Accompanying you on these exhilarating excursions are passionate expedition leaders who, along with onboard experts, bring the destination into clear focus with in-depth lectures covering topics in history, biology, geography and geology. Expedition cruises also incorporate flexibility into their itineraries to take advantage of spontaneous, unscripted nature opportunities as they arise.

Need to Know

Because of their limited capacity and the spectacular promise of adventure, expedition cruises sell out quickly. We often receive advance notice of the most popular expeditions from our cruise line partners, so that we are able to assist your travel planning as soon as possible.

  • Learn More about our Expedition Cruises >>

More from my site

  • Expedition Cruises Let You Connect with Your Inner ExplorerExpedition Cruises Let You Connect with Your Inner Explorer
  • Newest Seabourn Fleet Member: Cruising on Seabourn VentureNewest Seabourn Fleet Member: Cruising on Seabourn Venture
  • Silversea: Expeditions As An ArtformSilversea: Expeditions As An Artform
  • Antarctica: Like Being on Another PlanetAntarctica: Like Being on Another Planet

Abercrombie & Kent Reviews, Antarctica Cruise Reviews, Atlas Ocean Voyages Reviews, Expedition Cruises, Scenic Eclipse Discovery Yacht Reviews, Seabourn Expedition Cruise Reviews, Silversea Expedition Cruise Reviews, Viking Expedition Cruise Reviews, Zegrahm Expeditions Ponant, Seabourn, Silversea

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Maggie Blehert

Her ideal travel day: venturing to a new place, learning something interesting and sharing a smile.
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Steve and Wendy Bodenheimer
Cruise Specialists Voyage Hosts reporting on their round the world journeys.
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Ralph Grizzle

The Avid Cruiser. Well-traveled and insightful. Helping you make informed cruise decisions.
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