When it comes to exploring the world, an expedition cruise is no ordinary cruise – far from it. While there are many similarities to traditional cruising, expedition cruising offers much more in the way of learning and exploratory experiences. On an expedition cruise you’ll sail to far-flung places like Antarctica, French Polynesia, Iceland, Russia, and nearly everywhere in between, like Newfoundland and the lesser visited islands of the Caribbean. Aside from that, expedition cruising indulges adventure seekers of nearly all physical abilities with the same delectable culinary delights, accommodations, and top notch service as can be expected on the world’s most indulgent ships. What makes expedition cruising so special are the many knowledgeable experts who will provide in-depth insight every step of the way. You’ll learn from world-renowned geologists, biologists, anthropologists, and historians who can identify the wildlife or provide insight into the culture where you’re exploring.

An Epic Adventure

If you’re looking to pack in as much as possible into one expedition cruise, look no further than Silversea’s Expedition World Cruise. Silversea’s first time ever Expedition World Cruise covers six continents with a mere 254 travelers on board. This 167-day itinerary on board the Silver Cloud visits ports in 30 countries. Silver Cloud is an allsuite ship that offers butler service for every suite, complimentary Wi-Fi, a refrigerator stocked with all your favorites, personalized stationery, and premium mattresses with luxurious linens. Expertly guided excursions are complimentary. This epic journey starts in Ushuaia, Argentina where you’ll navigate south through the Drake Passage to make a few incredible stops in Antarctica. Along the way, you will be in the company of a variety of whales and orcas. Here you can explore the icy waters by Zodiac boat where you’ll witness the everyday life of millions of penguins and take in the stunning scenery. Next you’ll return back north to sail along the Chilean Fjords and western coast of South America. On an exhilarating overnight stop in Easter Island you can take in the famous Easter Island statues and Rapa Nui Park. French Polynesia will be following so you can experience beautiful Rangiroa, Bora Bora, and Champagne Beach. Of course no world cruise would be complete without a few stops in picturesque Australia to check out kangaroos, view Aboriginal arts, or catch a fish on Thursday Island. Leaving Australia, you’ll cruise north to Indonesia and Singapore. For the more adventurous, climb to the top of Indonesia’s ancient Borobudur Temple, the world’s biggest Buddhist monument. In modern and cosmopolitan Singapore you’ll sample some of the world’s greatest dining, shopping, and cultural venues. Back on ship, you’ll head west with stops in Sumatra, India, and Oman, before making way to the ancient icons of Luxor, Egypt and then to the Mediterranean. In Luxor you’ll walk where pharaohs once walked as you explore sites such as the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the colossal statue of Ramses II. After leaving the Suez Canal, you’ll head north to the remote Aegan Island of Floegandros, Greece where you can catch the most life-changing sunset you’ve ever seen. After stopping in Athens and a few other places in Greece, you’ll cruise west through the Mediterranean Sea to Tunisia, Capri, and Algeria on your way to sunny Lisbon, Portugal. In La Coruña you can hike the last part of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. Your travels will then take you north with stops in Saint Malo and Honfleur, France before docking in London, the English Coast towns of St. Mary’s and Tresco, and Pembroke in Wales. Scotland is up next with two idyllic islands, Iona and St. Kilda. Next, the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik, is the perfect place to rent bicycles, visit hip bars and street-side cafes. Other stops and sights in Iceland include Latrabjarg Cliffs, Dynjandi Waterfalls, Vigur Island, Hornbjarg Cliffs, and Akureyi. The last stretch of this incredible journey crosses the Norweigian Sea to the Svalbard Islands where you will take in views of geological formations, craggy mountains, breathtaking glaciers, and a variety of seals and seabirds. When you get to the Gjesværstappan Islands be sure to hop on a Zodiak to venture around and view one of the most significant Atlantic Puffin colonies in North Norway. After a few more stops on the northern coast of Norway, you’ve arrived at your final destination, Tromso. Whew!

A Nature Lover’s Dream

If a unique trip is what you are looking for, Crystal Cruises Russian Far East Maiden Expedition sailing from Tokyo might just be for you. This 14-night cruise on board the Crystal Endeavor will take you to volcanoes and ancient forests in scenic Japan and on to lush islands with an abundance of wildlife in unspoiled Russia. All accommodations feature private verandahs, personalized butler service, phenomenal cuisine, and first-class nightly entertainment. On board you will be joined by a team of experts that range from explorers to scientists to bring the surroundings truly alive. Starting in Toyko, you will have time to take in the enduring beauty of the Meiji Shrine, the gleaming Ginza District, and impressive Tokyo Tower. Cruising the coast of Japan, the first stop is Hakodate where you can spend the day canoeing through Onuma Quasi-National Park or hiking the volcanic landscape of Onuma Park. Next up is Rishiri Island where you can spend the day hiking Kutsukata Forest Park or biking around the base of Mount Rishiri. Leaving Rishiri Island, you’ll cruise to Japan’s northernmost city, Wakkanai where the street signs are in both Japanese and Russian. Now on to Korsakov, Russia, the gateway to the capital of YuzhnoSakhalinsk, where you can visit the Sakhalin Regional Museum, the Church of St. Nicholas, and Lenin Square. After a day of sightseeing, the small island of Tyuleniy brings upon a new adventure, wildlife viewing. This area is a breeding ground for northern fur seals and Steller sea lions. The islands of Yankicha, Srednego, Paramushir, and Atlasova will leave you breathless with their abundance of wildlife and lush landscapes that beg to be explored. You’ll continue north to Russkaya and Cape Kekurnyy where you can spend the day exploring, Zodiac cruising, and searching for wildlife. Two days are spent cruising the Zhupanova River which is renowned for its bounty of salmon, rainbow trout, and char. Serene Morzovaya Bay’s snowcapped emerald-green mountains are a nature lover’s paradise where you might catch a glimpse of the famous gigantic Kamchatka brown bear. Heading South to Chirpoy Island is where you can see black sand beaches and an abundance of wildlife such as orca whales and Steller sea lions. The last stop is the town of Otaru, which has museums, quaint shops, and restaurants, as well as Mount Yotei which offers challenging hikes and extreme crater skiing for the adventurous.

From North to South

If time is of the essence and you still want to cover a lot of territory and sites in a relatively short time, Seabourn’s 10-Day Autumn Atlantic Migration on board the Seabourn Venture should top your list. You’ll sail from St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada to Barbados. Seabourn Venture is scheduled to launch in June 2021and has with an innovative design created explicitly for the ultra-luxury expedition traveler. On board, two custom-built submarines will take guests under water for up close viewing. As well, guests have access to double sea kayaks, mountain bikes, electric bikes, and 24 Zodiacs. All accommodations are luxurious oceanfront suites with verandahs. Starting in St. John’s, the capital of Newfoundland, take time to explore the Basilica of St. John the Baptist and take in the vibrantly painted buildings that the area is known for. The first port-of-call, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, is a selfgoverning territorial overseas collectivity of France where the locals speak a metropolitan, rather than Canadian form of French. While on land, you can stroll the charming streets while taking in the whimsically colored houses. After a few days at sea, the ship docks in warm and tropically Saint George, Bermuda. The turquoise waters and pink sand beaches are perfect for relaxing the day away. Bermuda has many historic sights to check out such as Saint David’s Lighthouse, Water Street, a collection of museums, and St. Peter’s Church. Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve is home to a variety of lizards, giant land hermit crabs, humpback whales, dolphins, and a large number of bird species. Cruising south to Saint Kitts and Nevis, you can put your toes in the warm sand while enjoying a fruity beverage at one of the island’s luxurious beach clubs. There are also a number of preserved plantation houses and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brimstone Hill Fortress that are truly worth visiting. Fort- de-France, Martinique is distinctly French with a varied landscape that ranges from relaxing beaches to the imposing Mont Pelee volcano. The island also has many great hiking areas. The final port of Bridgetown, Barbados is known for its British colonial architecture. If you have time to wander around town, be sure to check out the Parliament Buildings, St. Michael’s Cathedral, St Mary’s Church, and Jubilee Gardens. Bring a warm and happy ending to your trip by enjoying rum cocktail at one of the charming sidewalk cafes.