Expedition Cruises and Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures
In addition to river cruises and small ship cruises, there are several unique smaller ship cruise products that specialize in expedition cruises, adventure cruises, or off-the-beaten-path itineraries.
It's impossible to provide a "one size fits all" description for these -- there are simply too many different types and varieties of products. While they are not the same as expedition cruises, we also include here some unique cruises we label as "off the beaten path."
Usually, an expedition cruise foregoes some of the comforts and luxuries of ocean cruise ships. It would be unusual to find amenities like casinos and Broadway-style shows onboard an expedition cruise or an adventure cruise. Extensive spa facilities are also rare, though more upscale expedition cruises like Silversea's Prince Albert II and Orion Expedition Cruises do offer spa services onboard. But that's not to suggest one has to give up basic comforts or good cuisine on an expedition cruise. Not at all!
Some of the newer expedition ships are quite luxurious. Luxury Silversea Sea Cruises entered the market in 2008 with the upscale expedition ship, Prince Albert II.
Some expedition cruise companies or those purveying the off-beat offer worldwide itineraries, include Hurtigruten (formerly Norwegian Coastal Voyages) and pioneering Lindblad Expeditions, as well a Silversea's Prince Albert II.
Others specialize in select corners of the planet, including Orion Expedition Cruises in the South Pacific & Southeast Asia, Aqua Expeditions on Peru's upper Amazon, the Grand Iberostar Grand Amazon on Brazil's Rio Negro and Solimoes rivers, and Pandaw Cruises on Asia's Mekong and Iriwaddy rivers.
One expedition cruising destination growing in interest with discerning travelers is Antarctica, and there are several companies that offer Antarctica cruises seasonally (December - February).
For more information on expedition cruises, or off- the-beaten-path cruising, contact one of our small ship specialists or luxury cruise experts for more information on these choice offerings.
