Luxury cruise holidays, off the beaten track
Introduction
An expedition cruise combines the luxuries of life on board a superbly appointed expedition-class vessel with exciting excursions by inflatable Zodiac dinghy and onshore explorations of local wildlife and landscape.
Scandinavian and Arctic cruises are a spectacular way to view the Norwegian fjords and watch for polar bears, while South American and Antarctic cruises sail through the fjords of Chile, or past towering glaciers and innumerable penguins and other birdlife. Whale watching is superb at either pole, depending on the season.
Cruising deep into the rainforest surrounding the Amazon is an exciting option with a growing number of cruise lines, often coupled with a multi-port tour of the Caribbean. Alternatively, a voyage to the Galápagos is a fantastic way to view abundant wildlife, with sailings out of Ecuador and Argentina. In Africa, safari cruises can easily be coupled with a spot of beach relaxation in Mauritius or the Maldives.
Top destinations for Expedition Cruises
Exploration cruises in Europe are the best way to explore Norway and the dramatic, rugged coastline here, whilst you can also push north above the Arctic Circle to discover Spitsbergen and Svalbard.
It's fair to say that South America and expedition cruising make for a happy marriage. After all, the continent's coastlines, and indeed its outlying islands, are packed full of out-of-the-way gems, tailor-made for the adventure-minded traveller.
