By
Laura Hyde |
The Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) has added three new cruise members ahead of its inaugural conference, which takes place in London, UK, on 1-2 October 2024.
Antarpply Expeditions, a small ship expedition cruise operator in the Antarctica, Golden Galapagos, a luxury expedition operator in the Galapagos Islands, and Secret Atlas, an expedition micro cruise specialist taking small groups to Svalbard and Greenland, have joined the network, which launched in April 2023 to connect expedition cruise operators and provide information to inform, educate and promote their products.
“It’s fantastic to welcome three new members to the Expedition Cruise Network just ahead of our first conference, where we will be welcoming around 100 travel trade professionals to meet expedition cruise operators,” said Akvile Marozaite, CEO of ECN. “ECN provides a hub to share expertise and knowledge in the expedition cruise sector as well as to help all members grow their business sustainably. We wish our new members the greatest success in their new partnership with us.”
Antarpply Expeditions is based in the Patagonian gateway to the Antarctic, Ushuaia, and specialises in taking small groups and individual passengers to some of the most remote parts of the world. Voyages are onboard the company’s ship, Ushuaia, which is the second smallest ship operating on the White Continent.
With an 88-guest capacity, Ushuaia’s small size ensures all passengers can disembark in Antarctica at the same time
“As expedition cruise has grown, we have been impressed by how the ECN has represented the individual and unique products to professional, international retailers and we look forward to developing our business with them,” said Teodoro Gounaris, owner and CEO of Antarpply Expeditions.
Golden Galapagos operates four catamarans – Endemic, Elite, Ocean Spray, and Petrel – in the Galapagos Islands.
A suite onboard Golden Galapagos’ luxury catamaran Endemic
“We’re so excited to join ECN; it’s a great way for us to show our passion for collaboration and to keep pushing the boundaries of excellence in the travel industry,” said Luisa Córdova, CEO of Golden Galapagos. “We’re really looking forward to working with other like-minded organisations to make our sustainable practices even better and to help the Galapagos Islands become the ultimate destination for luxury travellers who care about the planet.”
Secret Atlas operates micro cruises with as few as 12 guests and a minimum of two guides onboardsmall ships capable of accessing places larger vessels cannot reach in Svalbard, Greenland, South Georgia, and Antarctica. The operator is owned by high latitude sailor Michele D’Agostino and Polar explorer Mariano Curiel.
A group of Secret Atlas passengers on the fast ice off Wahlbergoya island, in the Svalbard archipelago, which is midway between the northern coast of Norway and the North Pole
“We are excited about the opportunities that ECN will offer, which will not only bring us together with operators who share our passion for responsible tourism, but will provide us with unrivalled access to the UK travel trade and professional expedition cruise retailers from across the world,” said Michele D’Agostino, co-founder of Secret Atlas.