TORONTO — Last week, we asked cruise experts to share their tips on how to sell expedition cruising. This week, we’re making it even easier for you to shop around for the right voyage for your clients by profiling some of the best expedition lines in the market today.
ABERCROMBIE & KENT
Destinations: The company offers expedition cruises on six continents, from Antarctica to the North Pole. Antarctica consistently ranks among its most popular expedition destination, with more and more guests also choosing to explore places like Japan, Italy and Greece.
Number of expedition voyages: For 2024, Abercrombie & Kent is offering 17 departures as part of its Luxury Expedition Cruise portfolio. It charters a variety of PONANT ships that are selected by its experts and are designed for the destinations it explores.
What to expect: “A&K’s Luxury Expedition Cruises are always all-inclusive, from an engaging program of expert lectures, special events and curated shore excursions, to an elegant culinary program, included gratuities and complimentary Wi-Fi and laundry. Depending on the expedition, guests may also explore fascinating cities with stays in luxury hotels and signature guided A&K excursions,” says Laurence Gosset-Lukaszcyk, Director, Luxury Expedition Cruising.
What to know: The majority of A&K’s expedition passengers are between the ages of 40 and 65 and tend to be primarily Americans, along with Canadians, British, Europeans and Australians.
Starting price: Prices vary by cruise. The ‘Adriatic Voyage: Croatia, Montenegro & Greece’ cruise, for example, is priced from US$11,495 per person, double occupancy.
Current deals/promotions: With solo travel trending, Abercrombie & Kent is offering savings of up to 75% off the single supplement in stateroom categories 1-3 on some of its most popular Luxury Expedition Cruises including: ‘Italy Cruise’; ‘Cruising the Greek Isles’; ‘Cruising the British Isles: Scotland, Ireland & England’; ‘Wonders of Japan Cruise’; and ‘Antarctic Cruise Adventure.’ Other special offers for select Luxury Expedition Cruises include the ‘2024 North Pole Expedition: The Ultimate Frontier’ (upgrade to Category 4 when booking a Category 1 double occupancy stateroom, $8,000 savings per stateroom and $1,500 air credit per person when reserving air with A&K). For a complete list of savings, go to https://www.abercrombiekent.com/special-offers.
https://www.abercrombiekent.com/cruises/luxury-expedition-cruises
Abercrombie & Kent, South Georgia Island
ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES
Destinations: Atlas Ocean Voyages offers year-round expeditions, including seasonal deployments to Antarctica, the Arctic, Europe, South America and the Caribbean.
Number of expedition voyages: Year-round expedition sailings are available aboard World Traveller, World Navigator and Atlas’ newest yacht, World Voyager, on 100+ expeditions each year. There are three expedition types: Polar Expeditions by Atlas to the Arctic and Antarctica; Epicurean Expeditions to the Mediterranean and select Northern Europe voyages; and Cultural Expeditions to South America, Caribbean and Northern Europe.
What to expect: Polar expeditions include private charter air service, shore landings led by expert field guides, and sightseeing safaris by Zodiac. Epicurean Expeditions include free culinary demonstrations, wine tastings and events hosted by Taste & Traditions Experts. All expeditions include pre-paid gratuities, free cultural immersion on every voyage, dining venues with ever-changing menus, and unlimited beverages including fine wines, spirits and craft beers.
What to know: Antarctica ranks among Atlas’ most popular expedition destinations. Its ships are designed for Antarctica in mind, holding less than 200 guests for an intimate and immersive experience. Guests enjoy inclusive Zodiac safaris and landings ashore, along with roundtrip charter air from Buenos Aires plus a one-night, pre-cruise hotel. Additional Fly the Drake Expeditions options allow guests to skip the infamous Drake Passage both ways, shortening the travel time by four days. Guests fly across the Drake Passage and join the yacht in King George Island, Antarctica to being their five-night expedition.
Starting price: Fares start from $1,799 per guest.
Current deals/promotions: Current promotions include bonus savings of up to $2,000 per stateroom, second guest sails free plus free shore excursions.
https://atlasoceanvoyages.com/
Atlas Ocean Voyages, World Traveller, Observation Lounge
HX (HURTIGRUTEN EXPEDITIONS)
Destinations: HX’s itineraries span over 250 destinations in more than 30 countries. Antarctica remains its top-selling destination in the Americas, with the Galapagos – which was added to its lineup in 2022 – as its second most popular destination. Galapagos offerings are being significantly expanded, with three new routes launched in 2023. The new West Africa Archipelago Cruise was also launched in November 2023 as the only cruise itinerary sailing the West African archipelagos of both Cape Verde and the Bissagos Islands.
Number of expedition voyages: “HX is the leading operator in the expedition cruise industry, offering 60 unique itineraries across 260 departures. Our fleet of six modern, purpose-built ships is designed for exploration, with a strong emphasis on safety and sustainability. Notably, two of our expedition ships are the world’s first battery hybrid-powered cruise ships,” says Sheralyn Berry, GM of the Americas.
What to expect: Every expedition cruise with HX includes science and educational experiences, from onboard lectures to the line’s Science & Education Program, which in 2024 will donate over 1,500 cabins, support more than 30 projects and facilitate over 16,000 data submissions. HX also offers Citizen Science research projects that encourage guests to participate, plus onboard Science Centers feature museum-style exhibits and activity areas.
What to know: HX’s expedition cruises are designed to accommodate travellers of all ages and physical abilities. It offers an array of daily activities tailored to suit varying fitness levels. HX also holds the best ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) ranking of any cruise company, as assessed by Morningstar Sustainalytics in 2023. It banned the use of heavy fuel oils in 2008, and in 2019 it introduced the world’s first-ever hybrid cruise ship.
Starting price: US$1,610
Current deals/promotions: This Wave Season, HY is offering travel agents the chance to secure a spot on its largest-ever fam trip, which will take 100 agents to the Galápagos in 2024. Also for all Galapagos bookings, HX is extending its 25% commission offer through the end of Q2, plus children aged six and above enjoy 50% off in the destination. HX has also introduced a reduced deposit until March 31, 2024 that applies to adventures in Alaska, Antarctica, Galápagos, Greenland, Iceland, the Northwest Passage, Svalbard and more, sailing between March 29, 2024 and March 30, 2025.
https://www.hurtigruten.com/en-us
HX-Wilhelmina Bay, Antarctica-Credit Karsten Bidstrup
LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS
Destinations: Today, Lindblad Expeditions’ purpose-built fleet of 17 intimately-scaled expedition vessels and chartered ships sails to more than 120 countries and territories on all seven continents. Its core geographies include Alaska, Antarctica, the Arctic, Galápagos and Baja California.
Number of expedition voyages: In total, Lindblad operates more than 550 annual departures with 17 ships – 10 owned and seven leased or chartered vessels – ranging from the first two PC-5 polar class vessels for civilian expedition (National Geographic Endurance and National Geographic Resolution), to the last private four-mast ship at sea, Sea Cloud. New itineraries include A Journey from Nome to Tokyo: Ring of Fire to Ainu Culture on board National Geographic Resolution, departing Aug. 13, 2024, and Exploring East Africa and Madagascar: Wildlife and Wonders on board National Geographic Explorer, departing March 25, 2024.
What to expect: “What sets Lindblad Expeditions apart is our rich pioneering heritage comprised of decades of responsible exploration resulting in a near-endless list of industry firsts, and a truly unmatched level of expertise and safety,” says Cara Matthew, Regional Sales Director, Canada. “Combine those things with our growing suite of state-of the-art exploration tools; our globally recognized reputation for sustainable business operations; plus our near-20-year partnership with National Geographic and National Geographic Society, and it’s easy to see why we say, ‘Lindblad Expeditions is in a league of its own’.”
What to know: Lindblad is now offering a free Starlink Basic Wi-Fi plan for all guests. It also just announced that National Geographic Orion will be repositioning from the South Pacific to the Mediterranean to offer cultural expeditions in summer 2025, also marking Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic’s return to Turkey for the first time since 2014. In early January, the company also launched two new Antarctica Direct itineraries: 8-day Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake Passage and the 10-day Antarctica Direct: Sail and Fly the Drake Passage. These itineraries were designed for time-crunched travellers who still want to experience The White Continent but are unable to take two-plus weeks off.
Starting price: The five-day Wild California Escape: Channel Islands National Park expedition starts at just over US$3,200, but starting prices vary based on itinerary.
Current deals/promotions: Lindblad Expeditions is currently running its ‘New Year, New Perspectives’ promotion through March 13, 2024, which offers savings on 2024 and 2025 departures. Elements of the promotion include travel credits between $500-$2,000 per person, up to 40% savings on solo cabins, and an additional 10% on cabin fare when guests pay in full. All deals can be found at https://www.expeditions.com/special-offers.
Lindblad Expeditions, South Sandwich Islands, Antarctica
PONANT
Destinations: “We cover every destination and offer the market something quite extraordinary for guests in a small environment and a smaller group setting,” says Navin Sawhney, CEO, Americas. “We were among the first to host expeditions in Antarctica and now offer tropical and subtropical expeditions, in addition to polar itineraries, like to Australia’s Kimberley region and the Malay Archipelago.”
Number of expedition voyages: PONANT has four ships in Antarctica this season, two in Kimberley, one in Alaska and a couple of vessels in the Indian Ocean. Expedition voyages are offered across global destinations, sailing aboard ships that are among the newest and most modern on the market, including: Le Commandant Charcot; Le Lapérouse; Le Champlain; Le Bougainville; Le Dumont d’Urville; Le Bellot; and Le Jacques Cartier.
What to expect: “Our expeditions are about discovery and learning through adventure,” says Sawhney. “On our newest vessel, Le Commandant Charcot, guests can take part in treks into Antarctica and visits to the North Pole. PONANT has hardware no one else can match, and we’re the only luxury liner that can reach the true North Pole.”
What to know: New this year is an alliance with Explorer’s Club that includes nine weeks-long expeditions to the world’s most remote parts such as the Northwest Passage, Papua New Guinea and Antarctica. These journeys are enriched by expert members of The Explorers Club, including a research biologist that specializes in manatee conservation in Belize, a storm chaser well versed in climate change, and a director working with the Inuit people. There will be 12 of these expeditions beginning this year through 2026.
Starting price: Prices vary by destination.
Current deals/promotions: PONANT currently has special offers for travellers and travel agents on cruises in Alaska. Click here for details. It’s also offering A 25% PONANT bonus on the 10-night ‘Emblematic Antarctica’ expedition, with several departures available to book in 2025.
PONANT-Rio Dulce River, Guatemala-Credit Oliver Touron
SCENIC
Destinations: Scenic’s most popular expedition destinations include Antarctica, select Arctic voyages, Australia and Kimberley, Australia
Number of expedition voyages: Scenic will be offering approximately 30 different expedition departures in 2024-2025. Both its Discovery Yachts – Scenic Eclipse I and Scenic Eclipse II – will be sailing expedition voyages.
What to expect: “I would describe our expedition product as state-of-the-art technology built for pole-to-pole expedition cruises,” says Jo-Lee Shantz, Director of Marketing, Ocean Canada for Scenic. Guests can enjoy kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and Zodiac excursions with a Discovery Team comprised of up to 20 specialists.
What to know: Scenic Eclipse has unrestricted global navigation and has a Polar Class 6 rating, GPS dynamic positioning, advanced propulsion systems and customized stabilizers that are 50% larger than other ships, ensuring a comfortable and smooth sailing through the roughest of waters.
Starting price: Prices vary depending on the destination.
Current deals/promotions: Scenic is currently offering a promotion on its expedition cruises that includes savings starting at $4,000 per couple on verandah suites, or $12,000 per couple on spa or higher-level suites. Go to scenic.ca/exclusivesavings.
Scenic Eclipse, kayaking
SILVERSEA
Destinations: “We have four ships sailing expedition voyages to all seven continents so that guests can experience everything from the lush rainforests of the equatorial Pacific, to the polar extremes at the tip or toe of the world,” says Brad Ball, Silversea spokesperson. “But hands down, Antarctica is our most popular expedition destination, followed by the Galapagos.”
Number of expedition voyages: A total of four ships sail expedition voyages, including Silver Cloud (featuring 20 brand new Zodiacs and a pole-to-pole expedition itinerary); Silver Endeavour (designed for polar exploration); Silver Origin (the first destination-specific ship built by Silversea for the Galapagos); and Silver Wind (one of the most intimate ships afloat today).
What to expect: “No matter where you go, you’ll enjoy a uniquely immersive experience, expanding your global perspective and prompting you to re-evaluate what really matters. And rest assured – no creature comfort will be denied on an expedition cruise with Silversea,” says Ball.
What to know: “Our cruises are for the curious traveller who longs to see an orangutan in the wild or what lies behind the next mountain ridge. But it’s not just about wildlife or mountains; it’s about immersing yourself in the culture, landscape and habitat of a region with the help of experts who can illuminate your destination,” says Ball.
Starting price: Expedition cruises start at US$9,950 per person for a seven-day Galapagos cruise onboard the Silver Origin.
Current deals/promotions: With the $4,000 Reasons to Sail with Silversea’ promotion, guests can save up to US$4,000 per suite on a wide variety of voyages departing from Jan. 1, 2024. The offer applies to new bookings made from Dec. 18, 2023 through Feb. 29, 2024, and provides savings of US$2,000 per person on Door-to-Door All-Inclusive fares, or US$1,000 per person on Port-to-Port All-Inclusive fares. Approximately 80% of Silversea’s open voyages feature in the offer.
Silversea-Antarctica
