Expeditions to Antarctica typically depart from Ushuaia, Argentina, to make the 750-plus mile journey across the Drake Passage to the ice-covered continent. Antarctic itineraries offer unrivalled opportunities to explore its landscape and geological wonders.
AE Expeditions (part of Aurora Expeditions) provides a diverse excursion programme including snorkelling, scuba diving, snowshoeing, ice camping, skiing and alpine trekking. The region remains a popular expedition destination for the cruise line, which has also released new voyages to East Antarctica and the Ross Sea, departing from Hobart, Australia, and Dunedin, New Zealand.
Other popular activities in Antarctica include Zodiac excursions, kayaking and wildlife watching. “Our goal is to get guests off the ship and out into the polar landscapes as often as possible,” says Sarah Schlederer, account manager for the UK and Ireland at Quark Expeditions, who highlights unique experiences like paddleboarding with penguins and flightseeing over glaciers as available activities.
The Arctic offers a similar sense of icy adventure, along with historical culture with stunning landscapes.
“Ilulissat is the storybook Arctic town with a staggering natural backdrop,” says Steffan Danino of Albatros Expeditions. “Just a short walk from town lies the Unesco World Heritage Site of Ilulissat ice fjord, a 70 by 20-kilometre fjord completely choked with ice, produced by the largest and most active glacier outside Antarctica. The views are simply mind-blowing here and guests can explore the fjord further with a cruise amongst the icebergs.”
Canada’s Arctic beauty includes the Gulf of Alaska, home to Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage. Expedition cruises often start in Vancouver, Canada, and head north to this region where Alaska’s largest glaciers can be found. For example, Maple Leaf Adventure Company, which has been operating since 1986, offers educational itineraries along the British Columbia coast, including the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii’s remote villages.
Inland expeditions
Expedition cruises are not just for oceans; lake and river exploration is also popular. For instance, Ponant and Viking Cruises sail on Lake Superior, the world’s largest freshwater lake, with many itineraries stopping at Thunder Bay. The city entertains cruise guests with its cultural attractions such as The Spirit Garden, which is a space to honour the history and cultures of its indigenous people, and close access to the lake.
“Guests love the fresh air, forests and clean water, indigenous and global cultural influences, and friendly residents at Thunder Bay while operators enjoy peace of mind of comprehensive local shore excursion and vessel servicing capacity,” says Paul Pepe, manager of tourism for Tourism Thunder Bay.
Meanwhile, Antara Cruises offers itineraries on the Ganges River in India, highlighting ancient temples and bustling markets. The cruise line aims to connect guests with the region’s mythologies and monuments on rivers that were once the highways for trade.
Aqua Expeditions features numerous cruises in Indonesia that include visiting the Spice Islands
Diving destinations
For water-based activities, Aqua Expeditions recommends Indonesia. The country’s 18,000 islands provide the prime conditions for bespoke excursions, including snorkelling with whale sharks in Saleh Bay and swimming with stingless jellyfish in the Hidden Lake Lenmakana on the island of Waigeo.
Heritage Expeditions and Coral Expeditions also explore Indonesian islands. Heritage Expeditions provides immersive cultural interactions, like joining Malaita’s Kwaio people in a sacred dance and scientific discoveries.
“Not only do our guests tick off bucket-list adventures, but they also make meaningful contributions to science, conservation and support the remote villages they experience with us and return as ambassadors for these special places,” says Aaron Russ, director and expedition leader at Heritage Expeditions.
For over four decades, Coral Expeditions has led the way in expedition cruising and forged an industry exploring some of the world’s great wilderness regions. The Australian owned and operated company’s roots run deep in Australia and surrounds, and its commitment to sharing its wonders with fellow explorers remains unwavering.
Coral Expeditions’ small ships, designed for remote regions with shallow drafts, navigate secluded destinations like the reef systems, rivers and shores in Indonesia’s Raja Ampat Islands, Papua New Guinea’s remote villages and the coast of The Kimberley in Australia.
Recognising the value of The Kimberley as a prime destination for expedition cruises, Scenic Group has included it as a new itinerary for 2024. “The Kimberley is one of the world’s most rugged, remote and untouched wilderness regions with 80-metre-high sandstone cliffs and mangrove swamps home to crocodiles, falcons, egrets and kingfishers,” says Nick Hughes, sales strategy and partnerships director for the cruise line.
Coral Expeditions operates in Australia, including Stanley Island in the Lakefield National Park
Exploring the South
French Polynesia, with its 118 islands and low population density, exemplifies remoteness. Post-pandemic regulations have limited large ships with up to 2,500 passengers, benefiting lines with smaller expedition ships that can offer more intimate and exclusive experiences in this area.
Aranui Cruises has been taking guests to meet communities in the Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia for over 40 years and has recently expanded its range of itineraries to include the Austral Islands. The cruise line says that the archipelago of five islands introduces guests to a “mysterious” land with pristine lagoons and unique landscapes. For example, Rurutu’s coastline is dotted with basalt and limestone cliffs that shelter ancient burial sites.
South America is also a hot spot for cruise exploration. The Galapagos Islands, with their endemic species and famous for inspiring Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, are a bucket-list destination. The islands are protected as part of Ecuador’s Galapagos National Park and Marine Reserve so cruise lines must follow strict regulations. Metropolitan Touring designs itineraries focused on the “Big 15” Galapagos species while ensuring environmental responsibility.
The Patagonia Fjords are another popular destination in South America, with towering glaciers, rainforests and indigenous community visits. Australis has operated here since the 1990s, providing four-night itineraries between September and April.
“We know these waters and their wildlife intimately,” says Frederic Guillemard, sales and marketing manager for Europe and Asia at Australis. “As a cruise line, we understand what it takes to provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience without compromising on comfort in exchange for this intrepid approach.”
Various cruise lines offer trips to the Falkland Islands, 300 miles east of Patagonia, on a range of ships, from small icebreaking yachts to large luxury vessels.
Carly East, tourism coordinator at Sulivan Shipping Services, says: “The Falkland Islands are an unforgettable shore excursion. Our expert guides enhance the experience, helping guests immerse themselves in stunning landscapes and unique wildlife, from penguins to majestic albatrosses.”
Oceanwide Expeditions’ Antarctica itineraries also focus on wildlife, with opportunities to see endemic bird species in the Falklands and South Georgia. Stops at Carcass Island, Saunders Island and St. Andrews Bay offer guests close encounters with King, Magellanic, and Gentoo penguins, along with a variety of waders and passerine birds, including Cobb’s wrens and tussock-birds.
Expedition cruises meet the growing demand for adventure and discovery, and the variety of itineraries now on offer ensures each journey is memorable and deeply connected to nature.
This article was first published in the Autumn/Winter 2024 issue of Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed. Subscribe for FREE to get the next issue delivered directly to your inbox.