Best Antarctica cruise ships: 11 new expedition vessels that will take you to the White Continent
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Since adventure cruise ships have a smaller passenger count, you’ll probably get to know more of your fellow cruisers than you would on a larger ship. Evening cocktail hours and leisurely dinners are the preferred way to unwind after a day of adventure with your new friends. Indeed, a move by traditional cruise operators to add expedition cruises to their offerings is one of the big trends in cruising right now. Cruise companies that have expedition vessels based in the Galapagos include Hurtigruten Expeditions, Lindblad Expeditions, Silversea Cruises and Celebrity Cruises. The latter is a big-ship line that, a bit incongruously, also owns a Galapagos cruise operation using vessels a small fraction of the size of the rest of its ships.
Expedition Cruises – Complete Guide to Cruising Remote Destinations
Having undergone a multimillion-dollar renovation in 2016, the Hebridean Sky is now a beautiful exploration ship that boasts many luxurious comforts. All the cabins are suites and there is a lovely lounge known as “The Club”. State of the art stabilization and presentation lounge with audio-visual facilities makes this a great ship for Antarctic trips. We have noticed that these cruises attract like-minded individuals, making them a perfect choice for solo travelers or those looking to connect with fellow explorers. If you’re someone who seeks a deeper connection with the natural world, values educational experiences led by expert guides, and relishes the opportunity to venture into the heart of remote landscapes, then an expedition cruise is for you.
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The G Expedition provides an intimate small-ship cruising experience. Completely refurbished in 2009, she boasts spacious cabins, each featuring ocean-facing windows or portholes and private en-suite facilities. Large common areas and observation decks provide panoramic views of the distinctive landscapes of some of the world's most remote regions.
Viking
We are thrilled to announce the Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners as godparents of Seabourn Pursuit, our newest ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ship. The naming of Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners serves as a symbolic gesture of stewardship and responsibility toward the environment and the communities that we visit, as well as our commitment to sustainable tourism. Intimate ships with spacious accommodations will escort you on your adventure - featuring ocean-front suites, world-class dining and a luxurious spa. Our purpose-built ships offer a wide variety of staterooms for your selection. From Nordic Balcony staterooms to the abundance of extra perks and amenities in our spacious Explorer Suites, there is no finer way to travel.
As well, flight connections to and from points of embarkation/disembarkation are often complex, which means that smart travelers will go ahead and plan to spend a few days exploring the area before leaving on the cruise. This is a travel bonus, as it allows a great opportunity to experience something totally different from the expedition cruise. In addition, once you land at an expedition cruise destination, you will often be moving over uneven terrain.
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Trees for Days
Named after famous Norwegian polar explorers, the ships are the cruise industry's first to run on electric hybrid engines. This not only saves fuel but also allows for noiseless operation in sensitive polar areas where silence can make all the difference (near a penguin rookery, for instance, or a calving glacier). They're also very stable ships, thanks to an unusual new sloping bow design -- something that can make a big difference when sailing to and from Antarctica across the notoriously rough Drake Passage. Some of the fanciest of the newcomers also have such over-the-top amenities as helicopters for sightseeing from above and submarines for seeing what lurks just under the water. At the very high end, some ships feature all-suite accommodations with butler service.
Expedition Cruising 101: What You Need to Know
There is a lovely forward-facing lounge that is enclosed in glass, making it the ideal (and warm) spot to watch the spectacular wildlife of Svalbard and the Antarctic. All rooms come with an outward facing window and have en-suite facilities. The MS Spitsbergen is part of Hurtigruten's fleet and their only cruise vessel that sails to Svalbard.
Quasar Expeditions
These 378-passenger sister ships from Viking (eight-day trips from $5,995) offer plenty of fancy toys, like six-person submarines. One upcoming Polaris trip starts in Fort Lauderdale and ends in Ushuaia, Argentina, while Octantis warms things up with a 10-day Caribbean cruise. In many ways, Endurance is like Lindblad's other ships, staffed as it is by a team of naturalists, historians, geologists, and photography instructors who interpret the world's wild places for passengers. But as the first polar-class vessel built from the keel up for Lindblad, Endurance represents a sea change from its more utilitarian forebears. Polar bear cubs emerge from their dens in April, when Arctic nature is at its most mesmerizing.
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Expedition Cruise Lines and Itineraries to Look Forward to in 2024 and Beyond - TravelAge West
Expedition Cruise Lines and Itineraries to Look Forward to in 2024 and Beyond.
Posted: Mon, 27 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Our mission is to provide up to date and comprehensive information on traveling to the Arctic, Antarctica and further afield, so that your experience is as fulfilling and safe as possible. With stabilizers and an ice-strengthened hull, the Iofee was designed to withstand the harshest of environments. Although a research-style vessel, the Iofee actually boasts a number of features found on expedition-style vessels such as a sauna, hot water spa and plunge pool!
With a complete refurbishment in 2009, the Expedition feels modern and stylish and offers an excellent deck area for wildlife viewing. Onboard you'll find plenty of panoramic windows, gym, sauna, library, restaurant and a nice bar. All cabins come with en-suite and are outward facing for best viewing experiences. Some expedition cruise ships are more rugged, offering a traditional expedition experience, while others offer a more luxurious expedition. Each expedition cruise ship we have been on has had a full bar, dining room, sun deck, and hot tubs. Many offer all-inclusive drinks or at least free wine and beer with meals.
Having recently undergone a 40 million dollar renovation at the end of 2017, the Silver Cloud is now one of the most modern and luxurious ships in the Polar regions. With just 200 passengers, the Silver Cloud is not overly large and can slip into narrow channels and bays with relative ease. There are a number of dining options including a Relais & Châteaux restaurant. There is a state if the art two-storey lecture theatre and even a butler service on request. Embarking on an expedition cruise is an investment in a once-in-a-lifetime experience, with the average cost varying widely depending on destination, duration, and the level of luxury offered onboard.
Being able to hop aboard zodiacs directly from the ship allows passengers to explore the diverse landscapes of destinations more intimately. Both of these vessels sail with a maximum of 500 passengers when operating in Antarctica, which is on the high side for an Antarctic-based vessel. If you're eager to make a lot of landings in Antarctica during a trip to the continent, Hurtigruten's newest ships may not be the best choice. With Antarctic regulations limiting landings to 100 people at a time, these ships only can land a small fraction of their passengers at any given time. High-tech touches include a GPS that lets it hover in sensitive areas without dropping anchor. I love sharing my best cruise tips with you, along with reviews of cruise destinations, shore excursions, cruise ships and cruise lines.
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