Reasons to cruise:
Wildlife
Time and time again research has proven that when selling a cruise, destination is everything. And really it’s no wonder. Whether it’s seeing a UNESCO World Heritage site or a natural wonder of the world, more and more people are taking trips in order to see things. And wildlife is no exception.
So whether that’s dolphins in the Amazon or whales off the coast of Alaska, why not tailor a cruise package to people that want to see certain rare and exotic animals?
One thing’s for certain, these are highly desirable bucket-list trips. And are worth a huge amount in commission.
Take a look at our guide below and let us know your thoughts.
Polar Bears
G Adventures
From plentiful wildlife to close-up encounters with icebergs and glaciers, this is a voyage of non-stop highlights.
Always on the lookout for exotic animals, you’ll explore this landscape not only by ship but also on foot and via zodiac.
Roaming polar bears, lounging seals, grazing reindeer, and colonies of birds all co-exist in this harsh land we dare only to explore a few months of the year.
Priced from £2,199pp for departures in June and July 2014
Penguins
Hurtigruten
Discover the magnificent scenery of the Antarctic Peninsula and its abundant summer wildlife of seals, penguins and whales.
The voyage departs with a flight from Buenos Aires and includes sailing Drake’s Passage.
Guests will go ashore for a close-up look at penguin colonies, modern research facilities and historic sites. The cruise also includes lectures, special hikes, kayaking and the opportunity to spend the night in a tent on the White Continent.
Price from £5,137 per person
Whales
Aurora Expeditions
Tracing the wildlife around Alaska’s Inside Passage, Aurora Expeditions threads a spectacular route through the narrow straits, remote islands and glacier-carved fjords of the Inside Passage.
Summer brings long days, breaching humpback whales and concentrations of bald eagles.
Calm waters are alive with salmon, sea lions, harbour seals, orcas and porpoise. Black and brown bears, wolves, moose and deer can be spotted roaming the temperate forests and Aurora Expeditions allows for passengers to explore the environment by foot, zodiac, kayak and paddle board.
The cruise departs once a year in May 2014 and 2015.
Price from $8,500
Iguanas and turtles
Lindblad
Galapagos cruises are proving immensely popular amongst cruise line itinerary planners and it’s easy to see why – a paradise island with some of the most unique wildlife on the planet.
See species of the giant tortoise, marine iguanas, sea lions and birds that you will see nowhere else.
Lindblad offers the opportunity to experience the Galapagos “as Darwin did – aboard a ship equipped to give you the most engaging experience possible”.
Not a bad selling point.
Prices from $5,990 per person
Birds
Heritage Expeditions
This voyage is one of Heritage Expedition’s ‘signature expeditions’ and takes passengers to visit islands including the Snares, Bounty, Antipodes, Auckland, Campbell, Macquarie and Chathams. All of which – barring the last – are registered UNESCO World Heritage sites and bird watching paradises.
Highlights including albatrosses – with ten species living within the area. Five of them exclusively.
Price from $11,000 per person
River dolphins and alligators
Abercrombie and Kent
Aria expedition cruise on the Amazon
As soon as we heard that luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent was running an Amazon itinerary, we knew it was going to be something special.
The voyage is onboard the sublime 32-guest Aria, which features wall-to-wall panoramic windows in the over-sized suites, giving a great experience while sailing down the river.
Passengers will cruise from the small village of Nauta after a one-and-a-half hour drive from Lima and explore the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve and look out for pink dolphins, alligators and an array of other species.
The ship also has use of a skiff too, to explore parts of the flooded Amazon rainforest.
Price upon request