There are several cruise lines which offer Expedition Cruises and some which say they offer them – and there is a bit of a difference between the two! At Panache Cruises, we take extra care to only work with partners who we can trust to deliver the right level of service to our customers and for the most part, this is a luxury.
When it comes to expedition cruising, there is a little difference in the service some cruise lines offer but as the whole point of an Expedition Cruise is to really see the destinations to their fullest, we find some guests will prefer a slightly more rustic experience. For those who which to be an intrepid adventurer who can retreat to supreme luxury at the end of a long day of exploring, then don’t worry as there are plenty of ships which deliver this in droves!
All of our Expedition Cruise line partners are members of IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators) and all but two are members of AECO (Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators), meaning we support the promotion of safe and environmentally responsible travel in Expedition Cruise destinations.
Some of the very best cruise lines in the world offer Expedition Cruises and in order to do this effectively, they have had to build specific ships to suit the regions. A great example of this is AE Expeditions' unique X-bow shaped vessel Greg Mortimer, which allows the ship to slice through Antarctic waters (and ice) safely, quickly, and more environmentally-friendly. AE Expeditions excel in their explorations of Antarctica and are leading the way with innovative expedition ship design.
If you're heading north especially for the Northern Lights, HX Expeditions have their brand-new MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridjtof Nansen which are packed with a host of environmentally-frinedly technologies, as well as drawing in loyal guests with their fantastic Northern Lights Promise.
Another brilliant purpose-built vessel in the global expedition fleet is the beautiful Celebrity Flora; this small ship was made specifically for exploring the remote Galapagos Islands and has features which comply with local environment regulations so as to help preserve the natural state of the region.
Other tropical-style expedition cruises visit idyllic destinations such as the South Pacific and Indian Oceans. This unique style of tropical expedition is where Ponant excel, with their expansive fleet of expedition yachts carrying guests to some of the world's most untouched and remote ports. Likewise, Silversea Expeditions are championing the Kimberley region of Western Australia as the most up-and-coming expedition destination.
Last but certainly by no means least, our partners at Seabourn have two exciting new expedition vessels joining their fleet: Venture and Pursuit. Explore the dramatic mountains and glaciers of Alaska on an epic and ultra-luxury expedition cruise. Similarly Scenic Eclipse, the World's First Discovery Yacht, has a remarkable array of voyages in Alaska, South America, Asia and Antarctica.
Take a look at the cruise lines which can take you to all the corners of the globe and give you experiences you will never forget:
Expedition voyages are the antithesis of cruising clichés and have become a firm favourite of savvy travellers seeking far horizons. See below videos from our luxury cruise line partners: