Nature's finest
Not all cruise ships resemble floating amusement parks, with swimming pools, water slides, tennis courts and climbing walls. Plenty of ships provide a relaxing, classic cruise experience without all those extra diversions - and some keep the focus on nature. Expedition-style cruise ships (still large, but smaller than their mainstream kin) seek out beautiful natural shores in places like Alaska, Antarctica and Scandinavia. Some cruise lines take passengers along traditional warm-weather routes, stopping to visit national parks, off-the-beaten-path cities, and marine sanctuaries instead of beaches and shopping streets.
Photo: Ruth Peterkin / Shutterstock.com
Here are some offbeat cruise destinations and the companies that can take you on the sailing adventure of a lifetime. (Text: Josh Lew)
Related Link: 10 overlooked eco-tourism destinations
1. Indonesia's many islands
Indonesia is one of the most diverse nations, culturally and ecologically, on Earth. Its thousands of islands, each with its own unique natural elements, make it an ideal place for a nature- or culture-themed cruise. Several companies offer trips to the more far-flung of the archipelago’s islands on classic cruise ships that resemble the wind-powered schooners that once sailed these waters, carrying spices and other goods. Other companies, such as SeaTrek Sailing Adventures, offer excursions to places like Bali, Lombok and Komodo (home of the famous Komodo dragons). SeaTrek even has a history-themed trip that follows the route of naturalist Alfred Wallace, who was one of the first people to raise the issue of conservation in Indonesia.
Related Link: Bali: Destination of the week
2. South to Antarctica
Antarctica isn't the first place that comes to mind when people dream of cruising. However, this unpopulated and icy continent is a great destination for anyone who wants to see nature at its harshest and most beautiful. For some people, a cruise to Antarctica is part of their bucket list goal of setting foot on every continent. Cruisers can see massive icebergs, glaciers, penguins, seals and other cold-climate wildlife, and also experience the kind of adventurous vibe not available at other destinations. The expedition experts at Abercrombie & Kent offer attractive cruise packages to the Antarctic that feature a strong educational element, with naturalists and scientists on-board to offer insights into the amazing landscapes, animals and ice formations nearby.
Related Link: The weird and real animals that inhabit Antarctica
3. Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands have been enchanting nature-lovers since they gained notoriety thanks to famed naturalist Charles Darwin. Celebrity Cruises, known for its bigger ships, also offers a smaller-ship cruise to the Galapagos Islands. The Celebrity “Xpedition” offers a classic cruising experience, and its smaller size makes for a more social, quiet and comfortable cruise. There is still plenty of pampering on this expedition cruiser (think gourmet meals, spa treatments, and health and fitness facilities). It also offers regular lectures and information sessions by on-board naturalists. But the star of the expedition to the Galapagos is the unique wildlife that has so enthralled nature-lovers and biologists. Onshore excursions offer the chance to view penguins, sea birds, seals, iguanas and giant turtles.
Related Link: 10 most pristine places on Earth: Galapagos Islands
4. Luxury and wildlife in Southern Africa
The Silver Wind, part of the Silversea line, has one of the most interesting annual itineraries of any passenger boat that sails the world's oceans. Each year, it spends time in the nature-lover's haven of Madagascar before heading to Cape Town, South Africa (shown here), and up the little-cruised shores of southwestern Africa. The Silver Wind is a good choice for people who want a luxurious cruise experience, but also want a chance to explore natural areas. The type of expedition cruise ships that specialize in nature-themed excursions are often quite luxurious, but unable to offer a full menu of “big ship” amenities because of their smaller size. The Silver Wind is a large vessel with salons, spas, shops, casino and several eating options. Unlike many large ships, though, the Silver Wind's optional land-based excursions are often focused on wildlife, with trips to Phinda Game Reserve and Gorah Elephant Camp, both in South Africa. The Silver Wind also stops in exotic ports like Dakar and Maputo, coastal African metropolises rarely found on cruise ship itineraries.
Related Link: Destination of the week: Cape Town, South Africa
5. Alaska's glaciers
Alaska is one of the most interesting destinations for nature cruises. With thousands of miles of untouched coastline, forests, mountains and bays, the 49th state certainly has lots of places to explore. One of the best ways to see the wilderness up close is to join a weeklong voyage by Princess Cruises. The ship journeys through the Inside Passage, so cruisers are almost always within eyeshot of Alaska's starkly beautiful coastline. On-board naturalists give presentations about marine and terrestrial animals found in Alaska. The highlight of this journey is the glaciers, which are found in abundance in Glacier Bay National Park. A cruise is a practical way to see Alaska since passengers can travel more comfortably and safely than they would if they had to travel overland or in bush plane.
Related Link: Destination of the week: Juneau, Alaska
6. Beyond the Mediterranean to the Red Sea and West Africa
Variety Cruises is a small Athens-based company that offers cruises that start in the Mediterranean and end up in exotic locales like the Seychelles and Senegal. This company's ships are smaller than the industry's resort-like giants, but they are still quite luxurious, with swimming pools and large staterooms equipped with minibars and flat-screen TVs. Even with these extra luxuries, the most attractive aspect of a cruise with Variety is the far-flung ports that passengers get to visit. Most cruise ships stick to the heavily travelled waters of the Med, but Variety takes it a step further to the beautiful, often-deserted beaches of the Seychelles, a paradise for nature-lovers and sun-seekers alike. One of Variety's most interesting trips is a seven-night expedition-style cruise that visits cities like Dakar, Senegal, and continues to some of the most important rivers in West Africa, including the wildlife-rich River Gambia (shown here).
7. The amazing Amazon
A small expedition-type vessel can provide a great Amazon cruising experience. Sure, it is possible to go for cheaper on a spartan local boat, but 150-person ships like the Iberostar Grand Amazon offer a bit more comfort, meaning that cruisers can relax and focus on taking in the sights and experiences of the Amazon. This river-worthy ship has a classic feel, with multiple decks and plenty of places to gaze at the greenery on the riverbanks. The Grand Amazon has plenty of chances for trips to the shore, where cruisers can see the rain forests and their inhabitants up close. With expensive land-based travel the only other real option for Amazon visitors, this type of cruise is actually one of the most practical ways to see the remote lands of the world’s largest rain forest.
Related Link: 7 destinations for a wellness getaway
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