Top 10 Expedition Cruise Holiday Destinations
They are either sunny getaways to destinations such as the Med or the Caribbean to take advantage of the great weather or they sail to popular tourist cities such as Copenhagen, Rome and Lisbon.
Outside of that there are some more adventurous destinations offered to locations such as the Norwegian Fjords or Alaska’s inside passage.
If you are a fan of the latter, or if you are simply looking for an adventure of a lifetime, many cruisers are now taking advantage of the growing expedition cruise market, to see places they never thought they would see and to experience things they never though they would experience.
Not too long ago, expedition cruises would need you to leave the luxurious at home but nowadays many of the ships heading on expeditions are amongst the newest and most technologically advanced out there.
The big question for those looking for a new adventure is just where to go and whilst it does depend on what you like and of course the cost of the holiday, this top 10 guide to the best expedition destinations should act as a great guide to get you thinking of where you can visit- and as an inspiration for the rest of us.
Our Top 10 Expedition Cruise Holiday Destinations
Galapagos Islands
If you are a lover of wildlife and want an adventure to remember, the Galapagos Islands is the location for you.
Famed for been the inspiration for Darwin’s theory of Evolution, the islands are still home to many species you just cannot find anywhere else such as marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies.
The archipelago is located off the coast of Ecuador, on the equator, giving you great all year around warm weather for exploring.
Antarctica
Antarctica may seem like somewhere only explorers and scientists can go but that isn’t the case in the era of exploration cruising as a number of liens now offer the chance to brave to southern ocean storms to enjoy the incredible natural beauty of the continent.
Most itineraries depart from Ushuaia in Argentina and give passengers the chance to see glaciers, icebergs, penguins, seals, whales and more.
The North Pole
It is possible to visit the North Pole on a cruise ship, but it is one of most adventurous journeys needed to reach on this list.
Most ships will set sail from the Norwegian mainland or Longyearbyen and you will need to sail on a icebreaking in the height of summer, but the once in a lifetime experience will live long in the memory.
Northwest Passage
The Northwest Passage connects the Atlantic with the Pacific across the top of Canada that has an iconic status for sailors due to the historical dangers involved in the journey.
Whilst it is still a tough journey to make, the increased melting of Arctic ice has made it an easier journey, although you will still often have to cope with rough seas.
Svalbard
Svalbard is a remote archipelago in the Arctic Ocean that is the last place in Europe where you can see Polar Bears in the wild.
Owned by Norway, several mainstream lines offer itineraries calling into Longyearbyen but for those wanting to see more of the islands and take in the incredible wildlife and natural beauty, there are plenty of adventure ships letting to take more of the region in.
Aleutian Islands
Alaska is one of the world’s most popular cruising destinations and it certainly feels like you are on a remote adventure whilst you sail through the inside passage but enjoy a truly adventurous cruise in the area, you need to head for the Aleutian Islands.
The islands stretch for around 1,000 miles from mainland Alaska towards Russia in the Bering Sea and offer great ports of call including Dutch Harbor and Kodiak Island.
Some mainstream lines allow you to take in a port or two on a repositioning cruise from Alaska to Asia but to explore the smaller islands, you need to be on a smaller expedition ship.
Micronesia
As an archipelago made up of 1000’s of islands, Micronesia is almost purpose built for visiting onboard a cruise ship.
Located in Oceania, to the north of Australia and to the east of Asia, there are a number of destination in the region that are available to visit on a large cruise ship, including Guam, the Marshall Islands and Kiribati.
By visiting onboard an expedition ship, you can fully immerse yourself in the history and culture of the island chain.
Amazon
If the idea of a river cruise sounds of interest but you are just not sure that there is enough to keep you entertained sailing down the Danube or Rhine, a cruise down the Amazon could be ideal for you.
The incredible Amazon River takes you deep into the jungle and allows you to see lots of wildlife whilst an expedition cruise allows you to enjoy experiences such as jungle trekking, kayaking, birdwatching and the opportunity to understand the culture of those that live there.
Baffin Bay
Both Greenland and the east coast of Canada are easily reached onboard mainstream cruise ships but if you wish to visit Baffin Bay, between the 2, you will need to be onboard an expedition cruise ship.
Thankfully, there is a good range of options for doing just that and the best operators will not only show you the incredible local wildlife and its icebergs and glaciers, but they allow you to experience the culture of local Inuit communities.
South Pacific
The South Pacific is the ideal location for those wanting to explore several islands that can only be described as Paradise.
Perhaps more known as a hotbed of Rugby League, the likes of Fiji, Tonga and the Cook Islands all offer stunning beaches whilst French Polynesia offers the chance to explore volcanic peaks and remote atolls.
