Just like our scuba offering, its led by our experts who are thoroughly trained in safety procedures. Imagine seeing Gentoo penguins gliding below you, or making eye contact with a Weddell seal lying on a piece of ice as you paddle by. Our sea kayaks are the ideal means by which to get some good exercise and explore the cliffs and shores of the various visitor sites. Established 30 years ago, Quark Expeditions is a key player in this sector, ratcheting up a number of tourism firsts to the polar regions. Crystal Endeavors journey to Antarctica last November was the first of eight round-trips to the White Continent from Ushuaia. We did the Loreto to La Paz cruise aboard the Westward in December 2018 - January 2019, with a 2-day rock art trip before the cruise. All of these experiences and more are available with our Arctic 2023 season, which is designed to truly immerse guests in the polar landscapes.
Browse our small cruise ship guides to learn more and find inspiration. 
Youll be part of an intimate group of adventurers to board one of Ultramarines two twinengine helicopters for a trekking excursion in an area only safely accessed by air.
Because of their wide base and tail fins, Standup Paddleboarding boards are quite stable, enabling participants after a bit of practice to stop staring at their feet and admire the surrounding scenery. Browse our small cruise ship guides to learn more and find inspiration. Our offshore treks are made to highlight the most stunning highlights of our destinations and all are accompanied by guides who will give you insights into history, ecology, and culture at every step. Along with her accomplishments as an adventurer, Levine is a "New York Times" bestselling author, an Ellis Island Medal of Honor winner, and a successful businesswoman. We detail everything from the newest vessels sailing today to how to choose your small ship by destination. Another itinerary combining highlights of the Kimberley with the spectacular Rowley Shoals Marine Park has also been added, along with two new 18-night Across the Top of Australia expeditions to some of the countrys most remote coastal regions between Cairns and Broome.
Good variety and accommodation for special food needs of the vegetarians, small child and gluten free passengers in our group. Our nimble expedition ships can navigate narrow waterways and small harbors that larger vessels cannot reach, and they're equipped with exploration tools such as kayaks or paddleboards, snorkeling gear and Zodiacs, hydrophones and underwater cameras, so that you can discover wild places close up. Seabourn Expedition voyages offer unforgettable journeys to some of the world's most remote, awe-inspiring locales. Experienceluxury and adventureas yousail through the northern and southern polar regionsandbecome an active participantin the natural world around you. Any travel issues prior to departure were addressed by AdventureSmith expeditiously and knowledgeably. Choose from catamarans, motorsailers, riverboats, barges and small yachts with as few as 8 guests up to 100+ passenger expedition cruise ships. We liked the north-to-south trip, as highlights of the trip (swim with sea lions and whale sharks) came at the end. From Antarctica to Alaska, our expedition cruisesoperated through our alliance with Lindblad Expeditionsbring you to some of the most remote and pristine places on the planet.
When I started looking at cruises, I couldn't get the idea of the small boat and personal service out of my mind.
The boutique lines refurbished South Pacific ship, Paul Gauguin, which it acquired in 2019, will sail five signature routes through French Polynesia. Dr Earle joins an expedition to the Aleutian Islands in Alaska in June. Everything was wonderful! Guests can choose from innovative itineraries. Well take you to where there are no paths at all. [I most enjoyed the] rock art: the great mural site is gorgeous, both the hike to it and the images.
Each small cruise ship seen on our website displays cabin information, deck plans and links to each small ships itineraries worldwide.
Arctic 2022 features our new polar ship, Ultramarine, innovative helicopter-supported adventure options, a unique Greenland Adventure Program, plus special itineraries that include the much anticipated return of the popular Northern Lights experience, and a voyage dedicated to photography in Spitsbergen. Theres never been a better time to visit the stunningly beautiful Antarctic. Excellent use of fresh produce and fish. Learn all about small cruise ships on this page, and use our ship finder filters to begin your small ship search. Australias dramatic Kimberley region takes centre stage for Coral Expeditions as the adventure cruise company focusses on home turf with its three ships this year. The upmarket line of Crystal Expedition Cruises made waves with its first expedition yacht, hailed as a game-changer for the luxury it brings to the planets remotest locations. Learn all the unique possibilities an expedition ship can offer, and why you should get aboard.
Seabourn Expeditions are curated by Mother Natureand our 26-person expedition team of wildlife experts, scientists, historians and naturalists who share a passion for creating unforgettable wildlife and destination experiences for our guests. Choose where youd like to explore: the Antarctic Peninsula, the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia or Patagonia. The type of small ship you choose is ultimately determined by a number of factors including your cruise destination, travel companions, preferences for onboard amenities, and so on. Tracy Arm was the next best day - we loved the feeling of isolation we got by being a small boat where others couldn't get to.
New small ship cruises, adventure trips, ships & the best deals at your fingertips. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises expeditionary vessel Hanseatic Inspiration, which caters for international guests with bilingual sailings in German and English, offers 39 voyages in 2022/23. For example, a small sailing ship may be available for an Arctic cruise, but not something found offering small ship Alaska cruise itineraries. The US-based line unveiled its first purpose-built polar vessel Ultramarine last November, taking 199 guests and equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, wrap-around deck and a water-level Zodiac hangar enabling guests to embark the ships 20-strong fleet of inflatable Zodiacs in half the average time. Seeing the glaciers and wildlife, the best! Two stabilizers and an ice-strengthened hull make this vessel ideal for polar expedition. The polar regions are waiting to be explored. There is more variety in cruise ships than most think. We loved the feeling of isolation we got by being a small boat where others couldn't get to. They were also really welcoming and open to chatting with our kids. In warm-weather destinations, members of our expert crew lead scuba diving sessions where you can experience underwater wonders from a prime perspective.
Viking Polaris follows in August with a debut Arctic season before moving to Antarctica for winter. The 230-passenger vessel is spending January and February in Antarctica before moving to the Pacific islands and onwards to Japan and South Korea. We loved the small ship experience. The perfect polar expedition doesnt just happen. Your journey to the 7th Continent will take you to the end of the world, where adventure begins. Quark Expeditions operates more ships in the polar regions than any other operator. Fantastic trip - exceeded all expectations. Read about our top cabin category picks for family travel. We met really interesting people. We loved Faith Grant. An expedition is about learning and enriching ones life through remote travel. Ultramarine is set to debut new adventure and wilderness activities ranging from heli-hiking and alpine kayaking to mountain biking. East Greenland is vast, sparsely inhabited, and stunning in its austere beauty, while West Greenland has more Indigenous communities and varied wildlife. 
Yes, you can go to Antarctica.
Do you want to explore off the beaten path? Quark also promises a first in polar adventure travel this summer with a sea, land and air exploration of Greenland as part of a one-week cruise from Reykjavik that includes an overnight back-country camping experience. This was our first cruise and we wondered about booking directly through an operator versus involving an additional layer with AdventureSmith.
From the Polar Travel Advisors who help you plan your trip-of-a-lifetime to the Expedition Teams who safely deliver it, our dedicated staff maximize your polar expedition every step of the way. We detail everything from the newest vessels sailing today to how to choose your small ship by destination. Optional Shore Excursions with a third party operator. Some have degrees in marine biology, political science, others have trained as medics, biologists, park rangers, outdoor educators and lawyers. Viking Octantis has just commenced a series of Antarctica explorations before cruising North Americas Great Lakes region from May. Company founder Todd Smith helped pioneer the concept of wilderness cruising, and since founding AdventureSmith in 2003, he and his team have matched guests with the top names in small ship cruising as well as intimate, boutique ships and lodges that may not make the radar of most travelers. Tracie does an excellent job accommodating dietary needs (we had one pescatarian; most dinners had fish appetizer or soup and main course), but needs details in advance. For more details on ships by destination, view our curated and Antarctica Ship page. Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit will provide our widest range of expedition activities yet, operated and escorted by a knowledgeable, world-class 26-person team of scientists, scholars, naturalists and more. Indulge in the feel of a private yachting experience aboard 16-guest Aqua Mare. Glaciers, Zodiacs among sea lions and eagles, whale viewing, pilot whales and great naturalists all were special. The Polar Class ship also has a two-passenger submersible for underwater exploration.
In March it relocates to the Canary Islands en route to the Mediterranean, before sailing to the Arctic for summer. We booked our trip through AdventureSmith after reading online evaluations.
Captain Bill is warm, friendly, interesting, and does everything he can to ensure that passengers have a great experience. An advantage of a small boat is that it can anchor quite close to shore, so kayak trips and skiff trips to the beach are shorter.
Learn which type of cruising is right for you in this handy comparison between small ships and big ships. Seabourn Ventureand her sister ship, Seabourn Pursuit, will provide a wide range of included shore excursions at nearly every destination the ships will visit. Now Is the Best Time to Book Your Trip of a Lifetime! How small is a small cruise ship? Flexibility is built into each itinerary, so that we can take advantage of wildlife sightings or other spontaneous opportunities that arise. Led by members of our Expedition Team, our shoreline and shallow-water kayaking excursions are treasured by those guests who want to get up close and personal and truly be one with nature as you noiselessly glide by. The more flexible schedules and more access to desirable ports is what led us to this trip. Packed with inspirational reviews, the hottest destination advice, celebrity interviews and the very latest ocean and river cruise news, it helps both new and experienced cruisers alike plan their next trip and is first choice for Britains 1.75 million annual cruise holidaymakers. The most rugged, remote, ice-lled and unexplored regions in the world are waiting to deliver the richest travel experience you will ever haveintimate wildlife encounters, diverse landscapes and exquisite natural beauty. Antarctica reaches a level of beauty that is unmatched in its simplicity, awlessness and fragility. The 200-passenger all-suite Crystal Endeavor brims with opulence, from butler service and a 1:1 staff to guest ratio to six dining venues including Japanese and Italian speciality restaurants a swimming pool and spa. Since the first tourist transit of the Northeast Passage in 1991, we've continued to deliver industry breaking firsts, including the discovery of the Emperor penguin rookery at Snow Hill Island and the launch of our new, game-changing ship Ultramarine designed to go beyond the familiar in polar exploration, to discover new places, and immerse you in the best the regions have to offer. The Sea Bird is a small ship, so naturally accommodations were small, but we enjoyed the limited number of passengers and ability to know crew and staff. Aboard a small ship, you will spend more time off the boat than on, so you can focus on the environment youre visiting instead of the elaborate onboard amenities found on larger vessels.
Our team has even interviewed ship crews so you can read what its like to captain a small ship and more! In addition to complimentary excursions, the ships will also offer optional shore excursions and Seabourn Expeditions with kayaking and two custom-built submarines at select destinations. A multi-million-dollar renovation means that the 128 guests aboard Ocean Adventurer travel to the most remote regions of the world in the utmost comfort. Tropical wildlife adventures await on Amazon River cruises that promise to bring the jungle up close and give guests a window into the lives of the indigenous tribes that live along its banks. This season marks the debut of the technologically-advanced polar vessel Ultramarine, which is a game-changer in polar adventure. We did a number of hikes, three or four kayak trips, and three snorkel excursions (fish watching; swim with young sea lions; swim with whale sharks in the La Paz harbor). Receive a special 10% savings on select Expedition voyages when you book now and pay in full. We Offer the Most Diverse Fleet in the Industry.
[The experience we enjoyed the most was] the day we started seeing whales spouting in the distance and the captain stopped the boat for a few hours while we watched at least 2 dozen whales.
Guests fly in via helicopter, then walk across the sea ice to commune with thousands of Emperor penguins and their chicks. The trip was awesome. I liked the walks, hikes, kayaking - a great mix of on- and off-boat experiences. Swimming with whale sharks: we had an unusually good experience, the sharks are really impressive; snorkeling over schools of sardines and colorful fish; some gorgeous hikes. Small cruise ships go where the big ships cant thanks to shallow drafts and flexible itineraries. Read More Rectangle Copy 10 Created with Sketch.
Our comprehensive Arctic 2022 season line-up of voyages that are designed to immerse travelers in the splendid isolation of the remote Arctic. Silver Explorer starts this year in Antarctica, having commenced its winter schedule of voyages from the new port of Puerto Williams in Chile last November. Seabourn gives you the peace of mind when planning your vacation experience. After dinner onboard, you'll be escorted ashore by Zodiac to camp out on the snow for the night in your ready-to-roll bivy sack (tents can be used upon request). The Antarctic Peninsula is an environment of exquisite isolation, rich wildlife, stimulating history and majestic landscapes. Youve arrived at a crossroads. We would do it again, as we found AdventureSmith to be definitely value added in every way.
An advantage of a small boat is that it can anchor quite close to shore, so kayak trips and skiff trips to the beach are shorter. Distinct and comfortable, refined and roomy, the 172-guest World Explorer is an all-balcony, all-suites expedition ship perfect for polar exploration. Other voyage highlights of its Arctic summer season include a photography expedition to Spitsbergen and a Jewels of the Russian Arctic itinerary. The small-group adventure travel specialist G Adventures delves into the worlds lesser-known spots on river cruises and ocean sailings on small boats. Lee & Jon were so enthusiastic and both know their stuff. We enjoyed Kyle, the bartender, who was always welcoming and especially attentive to the 6 and 8-year-olds on our trip. Experience its rugged beauty and remote isolation on an ultra-luxury expedition voyage. Our Expedition Team is comprised of seasoned veterans with rich backgrounds in marine biology, history, glaciology, geology and more. Chef Tracie is a talented cook, with many years of experience (some in outstanding restaurants), who prepares excellent food, including 3-course dinners, nicely presented, with wine pairings. Expedition cruises have come closer to home thanks to Hurtigrutens new year-round departures from the UK to Norway, alleviating the need to fly. The lush wildlife of Costa Rica makes an appearance as part of a seven-day land extension to the ships new Baja California voyage in September. What are the benefits ofAdventureSmiths small ship travel style? No experience is required. There is no wi-fi availability for almost the entire trip, so be prepared to enjoy not being connected! Included Expedition Experiences led by the onboard Expedition Team. This was a sunny day in Alaska, and they brought the happy hour out to the sundeck while we watched the whales. The cultural experiences (Petersburg and Kake) were great. I think a small boat attracts like minded people. This adventure travel company offers designated National Geographic cruises in collaboration with upmarket French boutique line Ponant, providing an expert, photographer, explorer or writer who accompanies sailings in addition to Ponants own expedition team. The vessel was awesome. Despite its remoteness, Antarctica is very accessible to adventurous travelers from all over the world during its, This comprehensive post gives you insight about what to expect when visiting the Arctic, what will you see see and when and how to get to the, Learn what makes a ship likeOcean Adventurerso special that even the expedition team insist its their favourite polar ship.. Both 378-passenger vessels will be identical, with two six-guest submarines and scientific research laboratories.
Guests fly in via helicopter, then walk across the sea ice to commune with thousands of Emperor penguins and their chicks. 
Protecting the places we visit is necessary to ensure we can continue to introduce travelers to the spectacular beauty of the polar wilderness. Levine is a world renowned expert climber, having lead climbs on the highest peak on each continent including as team captain of the first American Womens Everest Expedition in 2002. With our Worry-Free Promise, you can book your cruise with confidence knowing you have the flexibility to change your plans before and during your journey. Ascend high above the cascading coastal glaciers onto the immense polar plateau of the Greenland Ice Sheet (the second-largest ice mass in the world) and take in the immensity of this overwhelming landscape. We have the most professional and passionate team of Expedition Leaders in the world, who bring a wide range of experience to every adventure. The first 152-passenger vessel, named Minerva in tribute to Swan Hellenics original ship, was christened last November and will be followed by sister ship Vega in April.