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08/29/2022

11 Incredible Once-in-a-Lifetime Expedition Cruises

From Antarctica to the Galapagos, these expedition cruises are launching new routes and introducing new vessels.

Secret Atlas

Secret Atlas burst onto the expedition cruising stage in April 2022 with its low-impact, expert-led “micro cruise” program centered on Norway’s wildlife-rich Svalbard archipelago, best known for its polar bears. Accommodating a maximum of 12 guests, with a guide-to-guest ratio of 1:6, its cruises promise a more intimate experience than those of its polar region competitors.

Standouts include its nine-day Natural Wonders of Svalbard Photo Tours, offered in May 2023. Acclaimed Arctic wildlife photographer Chase Teron, will be on board to lead excursions, run workshops, and generally whip passengers’ images into shape. Between May to September, groups can also charter the operator’s vessels for private cruises of the Svalbard region, lasting between eight and 15 days.

Swan Hellenic

Swan Hellenic christened its first expedition vessel, Minerva, in Helsinki, Finland in December 2021 before she promptly set sail for the Antarctic. Swan Hellenic will launch a second ship, SH Vega, in September 2022. Vega, like Minerva, will feature 76 suites and staterooms, most with balconies, while its maiden voyages for late 2022 include a pair of tasty-looking 18-day sailings to the Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica, departing the Argentinian ports of Buenos Aires and Ushuaia on October 19th and November 5th, respectively. Proving that good things really do come in threes, Swan will debut its third vessel, SH Diana, in early 2023, featuring 96 staterooms and suites.

Silverseas Cruises

Upscale cruise line Silversea began 2022 in epic fashion by waving Silver Cloud off on its 167-day Uncharted World itinerary, billed as the first-ever expedition world cruise. Christening new ship Silver Origin, the Galápagos-based vessel is its first destination-specific ship. Known for its inventive itineraries, Silversea’s latest cruise features more than 60 maiden ports in 2023 alone, including remote destinations such as the Comoro Islands. Among the ships tasked with delivering that program is Silver Wind, relaunched in May 2022 with a hot new look, having been repurposed as an ice-class expedition ship. Speaking of ice, Silversea is at the vanguard of the “fly-cruise” trend. According to the operator, its two-hour Antarctica Bridge flight service from Punta Arenas, Chile to King George Island in the South Shetlands (set to run into 2023) should save Silver Explorer passengers two sea days each way.

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Heritage Expeditions

The hot news at New Zealand-based small ship expedition cruise specialist Heritage Expeditions is the summer 2022 launch of its new flagship vessel, the 140-passenger Heritage Adventurer. Adventurer will service a series of expedition cruises around the U.K. operated by Noble Caledonia, such as the 13-day Atlantic Island Odyssey. The ship will now sail its first proper expedition cruise for Heritage, Indonesia Explorer, in October 2022. Looking further ahead to 2023, Heritage Adventurer will set sail on a tasty trio of voyages in its New Zealand home. Top picks include The Best of New Zealand, a 15-day voyage from Queenstown to Auckland, departing on March 6th.

Hurtigruten Expeditions

New for 2022-23, Hurtigruten Expeditions has dramatically transformed its expedition cruise offerings in the Galápagos, having partnered with local operator Metropolitan Touring. Hurtigruten plans to make good use of the Ecuadoran operator’s products, not least its recently upgraded flagship, the 50-cabin vessel MS Santa Cruz II, whose new Science Corner space will underpin Hurti’s program of citizen science projects. Looking further ahead, 2023-24 will see Hurtigruten Expeditions sail its biggest ever expedition cruise program. Standouts include a program of West African small ship cruises out of Dakar, Senegal aboard MS Spitsbergen, taking in destinations such as Guinea-Bissau and the Bissagos Islands. Plus, thanks to its generous Northern Lights Promise, the venerable Norwegian line should also be a shoo-in for anyone looking to catch spectacular sightings of the Aurora Borealis.

VIVA Cruises

VIVA is a river cruise specialist that, much like Viking Cruises, chose 2022 to cross over into the expedition cruise space. For now, its program centers on the 82-cabin Seaventure, its first expedition ship, which is sailing a program of itineraries for the April to October 2022 season, focused on Northern and Western Europe as well as the Arctic. Showstopper itineraries include Eternal Ice of the Arctic, a 24-day round-trip voyage from Bremerhaven, Germany, with one departure apiece set for July and August 2022. Other selling points include the line’s comprehensive VIVA All-Inclusive offering, helping ensure passengers keep their eyes on the scenery and sightings rather than their onboard spending.

Aurora Expeditions

The big news at Australian-owned Aurora Expeditions is the launch of its seriously sexy and new purpose-built expedition vessel, the 71-cabin Sylvia Earle. Set to debut in late 2022 — and named for the eminent marine biologist, conservationist, and oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle — Aurora’s latest launch will feature a state-of-the-art Citizen Science Center and a surprisingly strong wellness offering, backed by the two jacuzzis and a swimming pool on the top deck. Fresh from celebrating its 30th year of operation in 2021, Aurora has some sorely tempting treats in store for late 2022, including its inaugural program of Northwest Passage cruises aboard its other vessel, the Greg Mortimer. Other pearls among its bumper 2022-23 cruise program include Across the Antarctic Circle and an expedition to the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, and the Azores.

Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours

Expedition cruise ships don’t come any more sleek than Scenic Eclipse II. Set to launch in 2023, this tantalizing temptress, the second in luxury line Scenic’s Eclipse series of “discovery yachts,” comes complete with onboard helicopters and Triton submarines for spiriting passengers beneath the waves to better glimpse the life aquatic. At launch, the new vessel’s packed 2023-24 season features 85 itineraries, spanning more than 50 countries and all seven continents. This includes a first foray into the South Pacific region for Scenic’s “discovery voyages” program and a strong focus on Australia for 2024. Scenic is also driving the current craze for expedition fly-cruises. Its 2023-24 Antarctica program, for example, features three new Antarctica fly-cruises to King George Island, including Beyond the Antarctic Circle.

Quark Expeditions

Expedition cruise lines are renowned for offering exceedingly experiential excursion programs and Quark is a fantastic example. Take the latest ship, Ultramarine, the gorgeous, purpose-built, Polar-class vessel it launched last year, whose pair of twin-engine helicopters offers flightseeing, heli-hiking, and helicopter-supported alpine kayaking excursions. Other cool new excursions featuring in Quark’s 2022-23 Arctic season include Tundra to Table, an Inuit Culinary Experience. Available on select Arctic voyages, it’s hosted by Inuit chefs and showcases the cuisine of Inuit communities such as Nunavut, Canada. Passengers on cruises such as Northwest Passage: Epic High Arctic can also join Inuit chefs on wild foraging excursions. Photography fans are in good hands too, with offerings such as the 14-day Spitsbergen Photography: In Search of Polar Bears voyage aboard Ultramarine.

Atlas Ocean Voyages

Luxury line Atlas sure hasn’t let the seaweed grow under its feet since launching its first vessel World Navigator in the summer of 2021. Second ship World Traveller will make its grand debut in October 2022 with three additional ships, World Seeker, World Adventurer, and World Discoverer, set to swell the fleet to five by year-end of 2024. Selling points include the “luxe-adventure” operator’s “All-Inclusive All the Way” offering, the butler service suites, its solo suites with no single supplements, and its charter flight offering to/from Ushuaia, Argentina for its Antarctica voyages. World Traveller will sail her inaugural season in Antarctica during the 2022-23 winter season with World Navigator also set to return to the white continent for her winter 2022-23 season after completing a program of Central and South America sailings in the autumn and a program of Western Europe voyages in the summer.

Seabourn

Ultra-luxe ocean cruising stalwart Seabourn is to launch the first of a pair of new PC6 Polar Class expedition ships in July 2022. With Seabourn Venture set to waves first, Seabourn Pursuit will follow in 2023. The sister ships will feature 132 oceanfront veranda suites and all manner of fun stuff, each carrying 24 Zodiacs and kayaks aplenty. The stars of the show are the two custom-built submarines that can each carry six guests and even come fitted with Champagne chillers. Other selling points include the all-inclusive tariffs and onboard educational programs centered on the Discovery Centre theatre. Among the Venture voyages to seek out is Volcanoes, The Kuril Islands & The Western Pacific, departing Kobe, Japan on September 3rd, 2023, and arriving in Brisbane, Australia on October 10th, 2023. Hot Pursuit sailings include a Northwest Passage voyage, set to sail from Kangerlussuaq, Greenland to Nome, Alaska, in August 2023.

08/04/2022

American Cruise Lines Launching First California Cruise in 2023

American Cruise Lines announced its first-ever California cruise, launching in 2023.

The eight-day San Francisco Bay voyage will explore the city, Napa Valley and the San Joaquin Valley and operate round trip from San Francisco. The new itinerary stops in Napa, Vallejo, Stockton and Sacramento, and cruises San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay, the Napa River and the San Joaquin River.

Departure dates for the new California itinerary are February 17 and 24 and March 3 and 10, all aboard the American Jazz ship. American’s new San Francisco Bay itinerary highlights the region’s historical, cultural and geographical influences, as well as the lush vineyards and flourishing agricultural communities present throughout the Bay area and its surrounding valleys.

“American continues to expand the possibilities for exceptional domestic small ship cruises across the country,” American President Charles B. Robertson said. “Exploring this beautiful region of Northern California by riverboat will provide a new opportunity for our guests to discover the Bay area and the Napa Valley in an exceptional way...many have driven there, but not many can say they have actually cruised through wine country.”

The voyages will encompass a wide range of experiences, including a scenic sail of San Francisco Bay passing by the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and Treasure Island. Local San Francisco experiences include visits to Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghirardelli Square and Alcatraz.

Other experiences include a Napa Valley Winery experience and a NASCAR-style driving experience at the Stockton 99 Speedway. The cruise also offers a guided tour of Old Sacramento’s underground city and port and a visit to the California Railroad Museum.

Tourists enjoy daily Sunrise Yoga and unique Wine Country experiences on the cruise. Special wine presentations will offer guests opportunities to learn, sip and savor regional varietals.

American’s culinary team will also give onboard cooking demonstrations on local Northern Californian cuisine and each guest will receive a local cookbook to take home.

08/04/2022

Viking Cruises' New Octantis Is So Much More than Just a Cruise Ship

Yes, clients can book a vacation onboard Viking Octantis in plush accommodations featuring the cruise line’s signature Scandinavian style. Sure, they can savor global cuisine — including nightly lobster tails — along with time in the full-service Nordic spa. And of course, they will sail to ports and destinations with the opportunity to see new things and take part in once-in-a-lifetime experiences. But don’t be fooled — Viking’s expedition arm is not your average cruise.

Viking Octantis — and soon-to-debut sister Viking Polaris — are fully equipped research vessels employing several scientists and specialists onboard; for a lucky few, their full-time job on the ship is to go about conducting their research. “It’s not just a cruise ship that happens to have a science program,” says Dr. Damon Stanwell-Smith, a marine scientist with an office at Cambridge University whose portfolio is an impressive one. He was headhunted by Viking three years ago to be its head of Science and Sustainability, leaving a pristine position as the executive director of the International Association of Antarctic Operators (IAATO).

Onboard a Great Lakes itinerary this week, he led us on a tour of the ship and into its bowels where an unbelievable bounty of equipment lies, from two $5 million submarines to a full, 400-square-foot genetics laboratory. Recreational submarines are relatively nonexistent, and passengers have the chance to dive down to the depths of their destination if the conditions are right. The only other ship that has a lab like the one here is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Navy. We’re told that Viking is in the process of transforming the lab from health-based genetics testing (aka processing PCR results) to nature-based genetics research.

No detail was too small in designing and outfitting the ship, which Stanwell-Smith assisted with. The boots provided to guests and used on expeditions in Polar regions have soles that are specially designed to not carry seeds or other environmental contagions with them in their tread; 1,000 pairs were privately commissioned by Viking to adhere to these biosecurity standards.

“It’s like the back of the vessel is paid for by the front end of the vessel,” Stanwell-Smith says, explaining that the revenue from cruise passengers helps to sustain the ship’s many significant scientific programs. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) is one of Viking’s many partners and Octantis is the 103rd civilian weather station, providing essential data back to NOAA from Antarctica or the Great Lakes where it sails. (Viking Polaris will be number 104.)

“And it’s almost like the back end of the ship justifies the travel taking place onboard,” according to Stanwell-Smith. The staff has been shocked by how popular weather balloon launches have been with passengers, which typically take place on the top deck early in the morning, before sunrise.

Stanwell-Smith explains that the difference between citizen science and primary science is that instead of passengers participating in isolated science experiments, professional scientists are conducting studies and gathering information, and guests can witness and learn about this exciting research as it’s happening. “I would benchmark Viking Octantis against any other operating research vessel,” he says.

Currently, there is an ongoing study taking place that monitors the levels of microplastics in the water. Laboratory tours are held throughout each voyage to give passengers a closer look at the activities happening there.

There are always three full-time scientists onboard — a chief scientist, a secondary scientist, and a visiting scientist — as well as three specialists, with backgrounds that span geology to ornithology. Most of the expedition crew who pilot Zodiacs, lead guided walks and even provide the safety demonstration on the first day, are also accomplished scientists working in guest-facing roles to help passengers with interpreting the nature they see around them.

On our sailing, the chief scientist is Dr. Daniel Moore, a marine ecologist specializing in genomics from the UK. He clarified that the definition of an expedition is a “journey with purpose,” which explains so much of Viking’s approach to these vessels and the guest experience.

Breaking down the significance behind the biospheres of each itinerary, from birds in the sky to rocks below the surface of the water, is the main goal of the expedition crew, and they go about it in a number of ways. Exploration Central on Deck 2 is rife with charts, maps, and tactile objects like fossils endemic to the region; it’s the place to find the experts who can discuss what lies beyond the ship.

Just across the atrium on the same deck is The Studio, where demonstrations might be held and the ship’s memorable collection of true-to-size bird replicas are displayed in their naturally resplendent colors. (The birds change depending on the itinerary and were created in partnership with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.)

Talks from Viking’s talented staff or visiting lecturers are held in The Aula, a theater akin to a lecture hall, designed in collaboration with Cambridge University. Comfortable tiered seating faces a 4K IMAX-style screen, which can be converted to display a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows behind it. You can also find storytelling over a Scotch in the ship’s secret lounge called The Hide.

Even if you pause for a cappuccino and a bite, there’s no escaping the knowledge onboard Viking Octantis. The bars and lounges on Decks 4 and 5 encompass a 4,000-volume library curated in conjunction with esteemed London bookshop Heywood Hill, as well as input from a constellation of Viking partners. There are biographies of Ernest Shackleton alongside volumes of poetry and classic literature, books on bugs, and tomes on travel writing. A week onboard can be a bit of a binge for the brain.

But beyond engaging an innate curiosity for learning, which Viking counts on its passenger base to have, the pace of a Viking expedition cruise remains comfortable and relaxing. You can still lounge by the pool sipping a cocktail in Canada on a sunny summer day and forget you’re supposed to be retaining a single thing.

So, ok — Viking Octantis is actually a cruise ship; just not like one you’ve ever sailed before. As Stanwell-Smith puts it: “We have a shiny white outside and a disruptive inside.”

07/18/2022

7 Reasons Why Iceland Is a Must-See Destination to Book Now and Into 2023

From time to time, a particular destination rises above the rest to become a hotspot for travelers around the globe. In recent years, Iceland has captured that coveted position. And for good reason. Here’s why this small-but-mighty Nordic island nation is a must-see destination for travel advisors to book for their clients now and into 2023.

1. The natural wonders are spectacular – and they’re everywhere.

This visually stunning Land of Fire and Ice was formed by glaciers and volcanos over millions of years. Visitors can see and explore vast areas of untouched wilderness, including massive glaciers and wandering icebergs, steaming geysers, active volcanoes, fiery lava fields, sculpted mountains, healing hot springs, black sand beaches, and dramatic waterfalls. Some areas are accessible only by boat while others can be hiked. Intriguing animals also inspire and delight visitors, from the quirky orange-beaked puffins to the most majestic whales.

2. It’s one of the best places in the world to see the magical Northern Lights.

Who isn’t captivated by the idea of seeing Mother Nature’s light show of the aurora borealis? Adair remembered: “I’ll never forget the first night I was there [in Iceland] and was awakened at 2 a.m. by people in the street exclaiming loudly about something … I opened my room curtains, and the Northern Lights were dancing right outside my window! I quickly put on my clothes and ran outside to enjoy them with the rest of the guests!”

3. Iceland’s geothermal hot springs heal and rejuvenate.

Soaking in the healing, geothermal hot springs while gazing at the captivating beauty of the landscape is a regular ritual for Icelanders – and it’s one that they’re happy to share with visitors. The famous Blue Lagoon maintains a temperature of 98-102 degrees year-round and offers spectacular views of snow-covered lava rocks in every direction. No wonder this is one of the most popular spots for soaking. It also happens to be located close by the main Keflavik International Airport. Just remember that there are other mineral-rich, healing waters all around the island.

4. It’s small but impressively diverse.

Iceland is a bucket-list destination for many travelers because of its uniqueness and diversity of climate, culture, and geography. There's no other place quite like it in the U.S. or Europe, and travelers are intrigued by the combination of glaciers, volcanoes, lava fields, geysers, hot springs, and the cosmopolitan city of Reykjavik in one destination .Another take on the diversification of Iceland has to do with the types of people who visit. There’s something for everyone. For adventurous travelers, you can go with GPS coordinates and a car. If you want to go hiking, there are lots of ice fields, glaciers, and waterfalls to hike to, or possibly a volcano. Or you can take a snowmobile tour out to the glaciers. A lot of the ice fields and glaciers are an easy day trip from Reykjavik. The geothermal waters are healing to both mind and body. Many of these offer spa services to go with your time spent at their location. You will find most of these in the North and West areas of Iceland. And you definitely want to take in some wildlife and go in search of the puffins and whale watching.

Iceland is also known for its social diversity, particularly in being a frontrunner for gender equality, something that is especially important to many travelers during these politically charged times that we live in.

5. Reykjavik doesn’t disappoint.

Amidst all of the wilderness adventures of Iceland sits the cool, colorful, and cutting-edge cosmopolitan city of Reykjavik. Among its attractions are art galleries, museums, all types of dining (including fresh Nordic cuisine), a lively nightlife, concerts, sightseeing, shopping, and even more parks and soaking pools. Perhaps best of all, it is easy to navigate as a walkable city.

6. This island nation is a safe haven in a challenging world.

Iceland was named the most peaceful country in the world by The Global Peace Safety Index, and it has held that position since 2008. The study tracks factors like crime rate, political conflict, levels of militarization, natural disasters, and health risks. The people are also friendly and welcoming with open arms to visitors.

7. Iceland is easy to get to, only five hours direct from New York airports.

Once you set foot in Iceland, it feels like you’ve traveled to a place far and away. But it’s a surprisingly short journey for Americans and Europeans. In fact, direct flights from New York airports only take about five hours. And the time difference is just four hours from Eastern Standard Time.