As we move into the new year, it’s time to revisit and dust off those bucket lists and start ticking off some items after what has been a challenging couple of years. As international travel slowly returns, we are witnessing a wave of exciting new itineraries from the world’s leading luxury expedition cruise companies.
An expedition cruise provides you with the opportunity to veer off the beaten track and discover some of the worlds vast, untouched terrain. Be mesmerised by stunning natural beauty, striking landscapes and fascinating wildlife as you are led to the far corners of the earth, learning about the surrounding environment as you go. They offer a truly unique and memorable experience.
Here we explore the leading luxury expedition options happening over the next 18-months, listed in date order.
Galapagos Islands Explorer
Silversea – Silver Origin
7 days | San Cristobal to San Cristobal (Equador)
Dates: 3-10 September, 2022
Recognised as one of the world’s foremost locations for viewing wildlife, a trip to the Galapagos is undisputedly a bucket list item. On this 7-day expedition aboard Silversea’s Silver Origin you will discover a living museum that seemingly overflows with nature. Departing from and returning to San Cristobal, one of the oldest islands in the group, you will cruise to the Galapogas’ most iconic sites, spotting endless birds and marine creatures along the way, along with fascination volcanic rock formations and breath taking natural scenery. Silver Origin’s Expedition Guides will be on hand throughout the cruise, sharing their knowledge of the vast wildlife that call the Galapagos home, along with the scientific importance of the region.
Unexplored Antarctica between Two Continents
Ponant – Le Commandant Charcot
30 days | Ushuaia (Chile) – Dunedin (New Zealand)
Dates: 15 January – 13 February, 2023
Follow in the footsteps of famous Antarctic explorers on this all-new and unrivalled half-circumnavigation aboard Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot. This 30-day expedition sets sail from the far south of the American continent and ends in New Zealand. Like a real explorer, you will cross the legendary southern seas of Bellingshausen, Amundsen and Ross (the world’s largest marine protected area, the kingdom of prodigious wildlife). You will approach Marie Byrd Land, one of the last Terra nullius of our planet, and attempt to reach the little-known islands of Charcot and Peter I Islands. The power of the polar world will conquer you, leaving you with unforgettable memories of the impressive Drygalski glacier scattered with blue, the endless and constant Ross Ice Shelf, the majestic Witkins and Getz ice shelves, and the ice floe taking over the Amundsen Sea.
The Heart of the Amazon
Seabourn – Seabourn Venture
10 days | Manaus, Brazil – Iquitos, Peru
Dates: 29 March – 8 April, 2023
Explore the heart of the Amazon on this 10-day expedition aboard the Seabourn Venture. Departing from the largest city on the Amazon, Manaus in Brazil, you will set sail along the mighty Amazon River, taking in the beauty of the world’s largest tropical rainforest along the way. You will visit innumerable fascinating sites as you cruise along the river, spotting the Amazon’s prolific wildlife. Expedition team members will be on deck and in observation lounges offering insights into the passing terrain and pointing out wildlife and other highlights as you cruise along. Your expedition finishes in Iquitos, the most important Peruvian city of the Amazon region, famously known as largest city on earth that cannot be reached by road.
Spitsbergen Explorer: Wildlife Capital of the Arctic
Quark Expeditions – Ultramarine
12 days | Oslo, Norway – Helsinki, Finland
Dates: 17-18 June, 2023
The largest island of the Svalbard archipelago, Spitsbergen is known as the ‘wildlife capital of the Arctic’, and on this unforgettable 12-day voyage, you will discover why. From polar deserts to immense glaciers, the natural landscape here is just as varied as the wildlife. This journey has been designed to maximize time on Spitsbergen, providing you optimal chances to witness the remarkable array of creatures who call this spectacular yet forbidding environment home—including whales, walruses, Svalbard reindeer, seabirds by the thousands, and that most iconic of Arctic residents, the polar bear. You will have time to explore the vast tundra, appreciate the natural beauty of the surprisingly colourful Arctic wilderness, as well as take part in Quark’s range of on-board lectures and educational programs.
Alaskan Adventure
Silversea – Silver Muse
7 days | Vancouver to Seward (Anchorage, Alaska)
Dates: 13-20 July, 2023
This awe-inspiring seven-day expedition departs from Vancouver and ends in Alaska, taking in exceptional wildlife and nature experiences, fused with a healthy dose of authentic culture, art and history. You will sail the Inside Passage, watching in awe as the Silver Muse navigates its way through the intricate outlays of some of Alaska’s most staggering winter scenery, threading a needle between craggy, snow-dusted islands, and slipping glacial giants. You’ll stop off at Ketchican, the Salmon Capital of the World and the gateway to the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary. Next stop is Juneau Icefield, home to the majestic Mendenhall Glacier. You’ll also visit Skagway and Sitka in Alaska, both gateways to endless rugged beauty, thrilling scenery and ample wildlife opportunities. After cruising around the Hubbard Glacier (the largest glacier in North America) you will finish in the natural wonderland of Seward, from which Anchorage is easily reached.