Each issue, cruise expert Jane Archer shares her tips on selling a specific area of cruise. This time, she looks at adventure cruises
Whether clients seeking a big adventure have cruised or not, they cannot help but be wowed by the exciting places they can visit on a ship. We’re not just talking the extremes of the Arctic or Antarctica, although they are up there in the thrills department, but small ship cruises to destinations that offer excitement around every corner. It could be getting up close to fearless wildlife on an island-hopping cruise in the Galápagos, diving with sharks, rays and turtles in the South Pacific or, as in our three suggestions this month, cruises around Alaska, Australia’s Kimberley region and Iceland that venture to remote spots where big ships can’t go. Rather than glitzy entertainment, adventure cruises have biologists, geologists and other experts on board to host lectures and guide trips ashore. They are not cheap, but they are addictive; agents who get it right once can be pretty sure of a client for life.
Alaska might be favourite big ship territory, but there is more to the 49th state of the US than the Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway triangle most focus on. Choose a small ship and the adventure really starts. You’ll navigate into bays accessible only by sea, join hikes ashore, kayak up close to waterfalls and explore deep into the pristine fjords on inflatable Zodiacs in search of breaching whales, soaring eagles or prowling brown bears.
Active
Who? Uncruise
Where? Alaska
When? May 7, 2022
How long? Seven nights
How much? From $4,495pp
This new for 2022 Wild, Woolly and Wow itinerary really packs in the activities – everything from hiking and biking to all-day kayaking – and still finds time to go in search of glaciers, bears and whales. The cruise is round-trip from Juneau on the 86-passenger Legacy. Price includes transfers, alcoholic and soft drinks, and shore excursions.
Adventure
Who? American Queen Voyages
Where? Alaska
When? September 18, 2022
How long? 12 nights
How much? From £5,595pp including flights
As well as making its debut in Alaska in 2022, this company’s expedition arm will be there on Ocean Victory, a new 186-passenger expedition ship on sale through UK GSA Light Blue Travel. The cruise, from Sitka to Vancouver, promises a wild adventure with kayaking, waterfalls and glaciers. Price includes a two night pre-cruise hotel, tours, alcoholic and soft drinks, wi-fi and tips.
Eco-friendly
Who? Hurtigruten
Where? Alaska
When? May 31, 2022
How long? 14 days
How much? From £5,525pp including flights
Hurtigruten makes its debut in the 49th state next year on the 528-passenger Roald Amundsen, an expedition ship that runs on a mix of LNG and battery power. This voyage is from Seward to Vancouver and packed with kayaking, trips to glaciers and wildlife spotting. Price includes a pre-cruise hotel night, transfers, wi-fi, selected excursions and wine or beer with lunch and dinner.
Don’t sell on price. Clients in search of a bargain will not be asking for this type of holiday
A remote area in north of Western Australia, the Kimberley is three times the size of England, but has a population of a little over 36,000, so few roads you can almost count them all on one hand and a coastline that delivers adventure in spades. Cruise here and you get white-water rapids, a reef that appears out of the sea as if by magic, 80m-high waterfalls to shower under, boat trips in search of crocs, sandstone cliffs and ancient rock art.
Go Aussie
Who? Coral Expeditions
Where? The Kimberley
When? August 19, 2022
How long? 10 nights
How much? From AUD11,820pp (approx £6,273)
Australia’s Coral Expeditions is the expert when it comes to the Kimberley, with three ships there in 2022 already filling fast. This cruise, from Darwin to Broome on the 72-passenger Coral Discoverer, promises an action-packed holiday of waterfalls, helicopters, white-water, booby birds and that ‘rising’ reef. Price includes transfers in Broome, wine or beer with meals and excursions.
Go American
Who? Silversea
Where? The Kimberley
When? June 24, 2022
How long? 10 nights
How much? From £8,200pp
This cruise, from Darwin to Broome, starts with a sea day and a morning to explore Indonesia’s Matakus Island, before returning to the Kimberley, where there are Zodiac excursions, hikes, helicopter rides and fast boat rides. The cruise is on the 144-passenger Silver Explorer, Price include UK and overseas transfers, drinks, wi-fi, tips and excursions led by the expedition team.
Go French
Who? Ponant
Where? The Kimberley
When? April 8, 2022
How long? 10 nights
How much? From £7,370pp
Crocodile and bird-spotting, a flight over the beehive-like Bungle Bungle rock formation, white water and rock art are among highlights on Ponant’s Kimberley cruises. This sailing is from Darwin to Broome on the 184-passenger Le Lapérouse, a ship with a bar beneath the water line. Price includes transfers in Broome, alcoholic and soft drinks, wi-fi and excursions.
Think beyond cruise. Clients who have never set foot on a ship will jump at an adventure cruise as it is often the best or only way to see bucket-list destinations
Plenty of cruise lines call into Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland, on voyages through northern waters; the more adventurous ones set out on a small ship with an expedition team of scientists and historians on board and circumnavigate the island in search of excitement. It’s not hard to find, with gushing waterfalls, glaciers, dramatic fjords, rocks crammed with chattering seabird colonies, volcanoes and hot springs all waiting to be discovered.
Discovery
Who? Crystal Cruises
Where? Iceland
When? August 7, 2022
How long? 10 nights
How much? From £13,225pp
Glaciers, waterfalls, geothermal springs, whale-watching, river rafting and even a tour into a volcano await as Crystal Endeavor, Crystal’s new 200-passenger expedition ship, circumnavigates Iceland. The cruise is round-trip from Reykjavík and visits the island of Grímsey so passengers can step across the Arctic Circle. Price includes drinks, tips, wi-fi and selected excursions.
Consider hosting an adventure cruise event with one of the cruise lines. Nothing sells a cruise better than hearing what to expect from the experts
Natural wonders
Who? Aurora Expeditions
Where? Iceland
When? August 1, 2022
How long? 10 nights
How much? From £6,386pp
Aurora warns the itinerary for this voyage around Iceland is flexible to make the most of weather and wildlife conditions, but if all goes to plan there will be fjords, waterfalls, volcanoes and seabirds. The cruise is round-trip from Reykjavík on the 132-passenger Greg Mortimer. Price includes a pre-cruise hotel night, transfers, beer, wine and soft drinks with dinner, tours and wi-fi.
Expedition
Who? Seabourn
Where? Iceland and Greenland
When? August 21, 2022
How long? 14 days
How much? From £17,199pp
Ultra-luxury line Seabourn dons an adventure mantle next year when new 264-passenger expedition ship Seabourn Venture launches. This cruise, round-trip from Reykjavík, circles Iceland, with a detour to explore Greenland. Along the way there’s kayaking, hiking, four-by-four tours and a chance to dive in the ship’s sub. Price includes one tour a day (others available), drinks, tips and wi-fi.