World Travel Adventure Cruise
From LoveToKnow Cruises
For some travelers, the idea of games by the pool, gourmet dining, and luxurious pampering is just plain boring. For such people, a world adventure travel cruise may be a more exciting and daring option to explore the seas.
Define Adventure
For some cruise passengers, a shopping trip in the Caribbean may be adventurous enough, but adventure cruises go far beyond typical cruise activities and popular ports of call. Also called expedition cruises, these sailings offer passengers an up close look at each destination’s flora, fauna, and culture. Cruise shore excursions are more rigorous, involving hiking or more strenuous physical exercise in order to immerse passengers in the adventure rather than simply show them tourist attractions. For example, rather than visiting a local zoo or sheltered aviary, an adventure travel cruise may involve passengers taking an extended hike to go birding for local species while guided by an experienced naturalist. Other shore excursions may include kayaking to an isolated region, Zodiac tours of relatively uncharted coastlines, snorkeling and diving expeditions, photography hikes, or historical tours.
In addition to experiencing cruise destinations in a new and intimate way, world adventure travel cruises also have a different philosophy than most mainstream cruise lines. While all cruises are conscientious about their impact on the local environment, expedition sailings seek to not only minimize their personal impact, but also to raise the awareness of their passengers about environmental and ecological concerns in the region. Environmental lectures and naturalist discussions take the place of lounge acts and casinos, and the vacations are generally more educational than their mainstream counterparts.
World Adventure Travel Cruise Destinations
Expedition cruises can be found on every continent. The most popular destinations, however, are often isolated and exotic, such as Galapagos island cruises or voyages to the Antarctic. In truth, though, an adventure cruise that delves deeply into local culture and nature can exist anywhere in the world, and other options include:
- Detailed Alaskan cruises along the Inside Passage exploring native Inuit villages.
- Sailings along Arctic shores.
- South and Central American tours focusing on ancient Mayan and Inca civilizations.
- Voyages along the Amazon River and its tributaries.
- Ring of Fire cruises spanning the volcanic region from Alaska to Japan.
- Sailings that visit remote South Pacific islands.
- Deeply cultural explorations of Europe, including Ireland, Turkey, Greece, Russia, and Egypt.
In fact, any cruise that focuses intimately on the people and culture of a region rather than its shopping and tourist attractions could be considered a world adventure travel cruise because it exposes passengers to far more than a typical cruise vacation.
How Adventure Cruise Ships are Different
Expedition ships are vastly different than the mainstream, glittery cruise ships most passengers are familiar with. Because they travel to isolated ports, adventure ships are smaller, typically hosting between 20 and 150 passengers per sailing. They may not even be “cruise ships” in the basic sense – depending on the nature of the cruise and its destination, chartered yachts or icebreaker ships may be necessary.
The interior of the ships is also vastly different from modern vessels. Most adventure ships do not have casinos, spas, or other familiar cruise ship diversions. Instead, a library stocked with relevant books and a lecture hall for educational discussions is the norm. Cruise ship cabins are adequate for passengers’ needs, but are unlikely to feature sumptuous bonuses unnecessary to the destination. While the food is still superb, it will focus on local cuisine to give passengers even more insight to the destination, and cruise ship formal nights are virtually unheard of, though a captain’s welcome and farewell dinners may be slightly more upscale than daily meals.
Preparing for an Adventure Cruise
Passengers interested in world adventure travel cruises need to prepare differently for their vacation than if they were going on a more popular itinerary. Prior to sailing, the cruise line will provide passengers with a suggestion list of specialized clothing and gear that may be necessary for them to fully participate in the destinations. For example, on a voyage that includes Zodiac tours and water landings, passengers may be asked to bring waterproof wading boots, and rain gear is often recommended for adventure cruises.
Passengers may also need to prepare for their unique cruise vacation by getting additional immunizations and providing physical reports to the cruise company. Adventure cruises are popular among mature travelers, and certifications of the passengers’ good health not only ensure they are fit for the adventures ahead, but also protect the cruise lines’ liability. Passengers are encouraged to be in good health for their voyage so they can enjoy all the tours and activities without being concerned about physical limitations.
Booking World Adventure Cruises
Making cruise reservations for world adventure travel cruises is more difficult than for traditional voyages. The cruises are typically longer – frequently lasting from 10 to 30 days – and because the ships are smaller, there are fewer sailings available. Most adventure cruises are operated by local or regional cruise lines who intimately know the culture they will be presenting, and prospective passengers should thoroughly investigate lines before choosing their voyage. Popular destinations may be booked more than a year in advance, so prompt reservations are required.
In many cases, mainstream travel agencies are not familiar with all the adventure options available, and passengers should research their voyage through online companies. Online adventure cruise retailers include:
World adventure travel cruises are a great escape not only from daily life, but also from standard and sometimes predictable cruise vacations. By understanding what expedition travel is and how it differs from more familiar cruises, passengers can find just the right voyage to explore new destinations in unique and intimate ways.
by Melissa Mayntz
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This page has been accessed 860 times. This page was last modified 05:48, 30 April 2007.
© 2006-2009 LoveToKnow Corp.
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