Why go for a cruise when you can opt for a cruise-pedition? That’s right, expedition style luxury cruises are fast becoming the preferred luxury vacation idea, taking you to some of the most remote places in the world, but ensconced in indulgence all the way
Travel trends have a way of veering towards the most edgy, most adventurous, most off-the-track styles. The search for novelty in luxury travel has led to the emergence of expedition-style cruises, what you might call ‘Cruise-peditions.’ These cruise-peditions let travelers explore some of the most remote places in the world, while still being surrounded by all the creature comforts demanded by an indulgent experience. So if this is the idea that appeals to you, here are five destinations with cruise-expeditions leading to them:
Antarctica
Despite perennially freezing temperatures, Antarctica is literally the hottest destination for cruisepeditions. The continent offers a unique combination of amazing wildlife and breathtaking landscapes frozen in time and the Basecamp Ortelius expedition is a unique way to spend your time here. It offers you Antarctic exploration where the Ortelius acts as a floating base camp. It remains anchored for several days in specific locations, as you go about on your explorations. Kayaks and zodiacs are provided for exploration on the water or you could choose to go hiking in snowshoes. Still more adventurous? Try mountaineering in Antarctica. You’ll have stories to narrate for a lifetime.
North Pole
A sojourn into the Arctic and the North Pole has been considered the mother of all expeditions. The particular flora and fauna, the awe-inducing landscapes, the dazzling natural phenomena, and not to mention the feeling of being at the top of the world—everything comes together here. And the perfect channel for your expedition is provided by Quark Expeditions in the form of 50 Years of Victory, the world’s largest and most powerful nuclear icebreaker! Twenty years in the making, 50 Years of Victory is the first Arktika-class icebreaker to have a spoon-shaped bow, capable of breaking through ice up to 2.5 meters (9.2 feet) thick! Complete with a helicopter for shore excursions, Victory is sure to make your Arctic dreams come true.
Galápagos Islands
After the ends of the earth—the North Pole and the South Pole, we move to something wilder and teeming with life. Let sea lions and gigantic sea tortoises get up close and personal, or explore the fantastic marine life. Each island from the archipelago boasts its own unique landscape, from black, volcanic rocks to white sand beaches. The Galapagos Islands offer many expedition experiences but particularly noteworthy is the Lindblad Expeditions’ impressive National Geographic Endeavour II, equipped with a wide range of tools for exploration that help you experience “the full range of wildness on a Galápagos island trip.”
Amazon River
Caimans, Piranha and other exotic, scary creatures that you’ve only ever seen in movies. How’s that for an expedition cruise? River cruises through the jungles of Amazon promise to be everything you’ve ever imagined, and more. Of course, it wouldn’t be at all like the horror flicks you’ve seen about the Amazon, for you always have the option to retreat to the indulgence of your ‘base-camp’. Delfin Amazon Cruises would be quite right for exploring this wild, untamed part of the world, aboard the Delfin III. You are offered a range of activities such as jungle-trekking, kayaking, canopy-walking, night expeditions and yes—swimming with pink river dolphins, too.
Indonesian Archipelago
The Indonesian Archipelago holds surprises you couldn’t imagine: Venom-dripping Komodos at Komodo National Park and Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands, among a host of natural wonders including pink beaches, await you as you cruise through the islands. The 24-passenger Ombak Putih offers possibly everything you could think of, from remote beaches to forbidding jungles on the mountain side, from volcanoes to mysterious lakes, and of course, not forgetting the awe-inducing Komodo Dragons.
