Expedition cruises are trips along rivers or seas on specially designed ships. They are designed to explore little-explored corners of our planet. Such cruises offer a unique opportunity to travel to remote and hard-to-reach places to observe wildlife, learn about the culture and history of different countries and regions.
On expedition cruises passengers can visit places such as Antarctica, Alaska, the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon, the Arctic and other remote corners of the world, where standard cruise ships can’t reach. The concept of expedition cruises assumes that everyone can see with their own eyes what, it would seem, is only available for viewing on TV.
Expedition cruises — directions.
Among the most popular destinations we note:
- Arctic. This is one of the most exclusive destinations where you can see the polar lights, huge ice mountains and unique flora and fauna. Arctic cruises are usually available from July to September.
- Antarctica. Another exotic and incredibly beautiful destination. Tourists will be able to enjoy incredible scenery, including ice, penguins, whales and other wildlife, as well as get acquainted with scientific research and historical sites. Antarctica cruises run from November to March.
- Tropical islands. A popular destination for those who want to spend an unforgettable holiday in the sun, sandy beaches and crystal clear seas. Throughout the year, cruises take place in the Caribbean, Hawaiian Islands, the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean.
- Asia. An interesting destination for those who want to get acquainted with the culture and traditions of the East, as well as for lovers of exotic nature. Passes along the coasts of China, Japan, Indonesia and other Asian countries.
As for cruises within Russia, they organize groups for joint voyages to the Far East or the Arctic Circle.
What ships are used in expeditions?
Vessels are used that can navigate narrow straits and channels, as well as approach large glaciers and islands. They can be of different sizes and classes, including small ships for 10-20 passengers. They go on a trip mainly in small groups, which contributes to:
- Close interaction with the surrounding nature;
- Friendly communication between passengers on the way;
- Flexibility in planning your schedule;
- Let’s maintain the stability of fragile ecosystems.
For safety reasons, all expedition cruises are accompanied by qualified personnel, including expert naturalists, Arctic guides and marine pilots.
Today, companies provide a unique opportunity to go on an exciting journey, for example, on the nuclear icebreaker “50 Let Pobeda” or the comfortable ship “Professor Khromov” from Heritage Expeditions.
Note that members of the expedition group are sent to the North Pole or any other remote place for the purpose of conducting research. The main goal is to relax and enjoy spending time in friendly company. Some people want to get closer to the amazing flora and fauna, while for others this is a unique opportunity to make a memorable photo shoot.
Weather
Weather and sailing conditions vary greatly depending on the season and geographical location. Before choosing a destination, we recommend that you seek help from specialists and find out details about cruises at the right time of year.
What clothes to choose?
For polar expeditions, it is imperative to have a warm and comfortable waterproof jacket and pants, warm mittens or gloves, thermal underwear, warm socks and comfortable shoes with good protection from cold and water. You also need to have a special headdress (insulated helmet or earflap hat with face protection).
The following items will also be useful during the expedition (binoculars, flashlight, sunglasses and seasickness pills).
On polar expeditions, temperatures can vary greatly depending on the time of day, weather conditions and terrain, so you must be able to quickly adjust clothing layers and adapt to the changing environment.
When to book a cruise?
The sooner the better. As a rule, reservations become available 1-2 years before the start of the cruise itself. There are a lot of people interested, so the first priority is not to miss the opportunity to make a reservation.
Cruise lines often offer discounts for repeat travelers or for groups of a certain number of people. When choosing a discounted package, it is always worth checking reviews from other travelers and evaluating the cost of the selected offer in comparison with similar cruises.
Expedition cruise cost
As for specific prices, they are quite high for obvious reasons. The average cost on sailboats is from 2000 euros for a 7-day program. A trip on a specially equipped expedition ship will cost approximately $2,900-30,000. The exact price depends on the destination and other determining factors. On a nuclear icebreaker to the North Pole, the cost of the tour is around $27,000.
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