Cruise destinations have diversified considerably since the first ships left Gibraltar more than 170 years ago and this trend is expected to continue in 2024.
For many, going on a cruise means visiting Mediterranean cities or exploring the warm waters of the Caribbean. Norwegian fjords can also be part of the trip. Although these destinations can be very popular, there are many other captivating landscapes and cultures to discover, with much smaller crowds.
Here are some of the unusual destinations you can discover on adventure cruises.
Galapagos Islands
965 km east of Ecuador, in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, are the Galapagos Islands. This fascinating archipelago, the first UNESCO World Heritage Site, has almost 9,000 animal species. As protection is paramount, only cruise ships with a maximum of 100 passengers are permitted. Discover this exceptional destination on the 12-day “From Machu Picchu to the Galapagos” cruise offered by Hurtigruten.
In addition to visiting the mysterious South American cities of Lima, Cusco and Quito, cruise passengers will enjoy a tour of all of the Galapagos Islands. With a bit of luck, visitors may spot dozing sea lions, restless blue-footed goats and even nimble marine iguanas. But a visit to the Cerro Colorado turtle reserve remains an unmissable discovery. Come and meet the team helping to increase the survival rate of young Galapagos tortoises, which are at risk of extinction. Young turtles reared in semi-captivity roam freely in the 6-hectare forest before being released into the wild.
Antarctica
Considered one of the most remote places on the planet, the South Pole has a special attraction, especially for travelers who want to travel to the “seventh continent”. Many companies take visitors to its rugged, ice-covered shores, but expedition cruises bring you closer to the action.
Ships with less than 500 people are smaller, allowing them to enter bays inaccessible to larger ships. They even have zodiac and kayak disembarkation privileges (ships with more than 500 passengers do not have disembarkation privileges).
Travelers on the National Geographic Expedition’s “Journey to Antarctica” discover the spectacular landscape of the volcanic slopes of the Antarctic Peninsula. They may even spot humpback whales, leopard seals, fur seals and crab seals, as well as lots of penguins. Around 20 million pairs of nesting penguins live in Antarctica, so you have to get used to the sight and especially their smell.
Tropical islands of Japan
A must-see for many travelers, Japan offers a heady mix of neon-lit cities, immersive culture and spectacular landscapes. But beyond the capital cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Sapporo lie more than 14,000 islands, many of which remain untouched and uninhabited natural wonders.
Aboard the Japanese Subtropical Islands Ponant cruise, passengers will travel to the Ryukyu Islands, an archipelago stretching from Japan to Taiwan. Along the way, travelers can explore the UNESCO-listed area of Yakushima, which is full of ancient cedar forests, towering mountains and waterfalls, not to mention various endemic species such as the Yakushima monkey. He’ll also learn how the locals once lived by visiting a traditional village located in the country’s southernmost park: Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park. Carefully preserved dwellings reveal the way of life of the local residents during the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom from 1429 to 1879. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a traditional Eisa drumming performance.
Isle of Skye
Few people think of going on a cruise to Scotland and its violently windy coasts, which everyone knows well. Still, those who have visited know its wild beauty, and a cruise along the coast of the UK’s most northerly country is a fantastic destination.
Hebrides Cruises offers a ‘Skye and its Isles’ trip which will reveal some of the most beautiful scenery in Scotland. The journey stops at the Isles of Muck, Eigg, Rum, Canna and of course Skye. This magnificent island, often shrouded in fog, is so mysterious and picturesque that it has appeared on the screen several times in films such as Prometheus, The Wicker Man or 47 Ronin.
The short sailings of this six-night cruise allow for maximum time on land, where guided tours allow you to discover the fauna and flora (animals that can be seen include the sea eagle, red deer and cetaceans, especially the dolphin and Minke whale).
Sepik River, Papua New Guinea
Many cruises offer passengers a glimpse into the culture of a destination or region, but if you want to truly immerse yourself without giving up the cruising lifestyle, head to the Sepik River. This remote area of Papua New Guinea is inhabited by tribes who have lived there for millennia and whose ancestral traditions are still practiced.
On True North’s ‘Sepik Soiree’, travelers spend a full day on historic Ponam Island (which was a British base during World War II), swim or snorkel in Jacques Cousteau’s waters, and take a 70-nautical-mile river cruise to the village of Kambaraumba . You will be able to admire some of the art objects that the tribes are known for, such as wooden masks, shields, totem poles and drums.