There’s no better time than now to discover the benefits and appeal of small-ship cruising. After all, we’re all trying to lessen the number of times we’re in a large crowd. With typical passenger counts of 300 or less, small-ship and expedition-style cruise vessels keep your exposure low - and have the added bonus of a lower guide-to-passenger ratio and more expert local guides.
The question then becomes: Where should I go? To answer that, we have a series of blog posts coming up that will unveil some of the best places to discover by small ship. Today, we start with cruises focused on adventure and wildlife. We’ll offer suggestions on where to go, which itineraries to choose and what you can expect. Enjoy!
Africa
Boatside in Botswana
If you’re a wildlife lover, Botswana should be high on your bucket list. With the country’s commitment to conservation and diversity of national parks, there are countless opportunities to view the Big Five. Since banning commercial hunting in 2014 and the emergence of anti-poaching units, Botswana is emerging as an ecotourism gem. Take a canoe trip through the Okavango Delta and visit quieter parks like Nxai Pan and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. And in Chobe National Park, you can sail the Chobe River and see wildlife right from the boat for some of the best wildlife photography opportunities you’ll ever have.
Sailing the Seychelles
Meet African wildlife of another ilk in the Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean almost 1,000 miles off the coast of Kenya and Tanzania. Two important marine areas cover more than 81,000 square miles - and are kept pristine by the islands’ low population density.
Within this veritable “Garden of Eden,” wildlife enthusiasts can meet the rare Seychelles black parrot, the Seychelles giant tortoises and witness some of the world’s largest seabird colonies. In addition to visiting the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens, Curieuse Marine National Park, Veuve Nature Reserve and Morne Seychellois National Park, Seychelles sailors will experience idyllic beaches and multicultural island capital of Victoria.
Antarctica
Playing with Penguins
In the world’s wildest destination, you’ll see cathedral-size and penguins that inspire belly laughs. Sail by expedition ship - in comfort and in the presence of expert naturalists - and explore by Zodiac. Meet four kinds of penguins up close, count the seals on shore and watch for orcas and humpback whales.
Image by Susan Tuckey, Penguins2PolarBears
Galapagos Islands
Astonishing on so many levels
While the climate, volcanoes, beaches and ocean create a beautiful environment, it is really the animals that steal the show. Sail between the islands to experience all of the endemic and non-endemic species that take to the waters, the air, and the land. Eastern, Central and Northern itineraries will provide you access to the wildlife you're most interested in seeing. Small ship experiences will allow you to see more in less time, and unlike the land-based tours, are highly regulated making them a more responsible choice for the ecosystem.
New Zealand
Way Down Under
Go beyond New Zealand’s North and South islands and visit the remote archipelago known as the Sub-Antarctic Islands, collectively a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their weird, wonderful wildlife and wilderness. The number of people allowed to visit each year is restricted by the New Zealand government in an effort to protect the islands and wildlife habitats. As a result, only a few expedition small-ship cruise operators are allowed to offer these voyages.
Sail the six Auckland Islands, almost 300 miles south of the New Zealand mainland, known for the surrounding Motu Maha Marine Reserve and a healthy populations of sea lions, seabirds and whales. Tour Campbell Island, where you’ll find six species of albatross, or the Stewart Islands, renowned for their rich Maori culture and the pristin Rakiura National Park.
If it’s penguins you seek - rightly so - look for a cruise that includes Macquarie Island, where you’ll see huge colonies of Royal Penguins. Throughout the archipelago, keep an eye out for Little Blue Penguins, Yellow-Eyed Penguins, Fiordland Penguins and Snares Penguins.
Ready for a wildlife-infused adventure? Let’s chat. If you'd like to request a consultation, please fill out the information in this link! Or sign up for my weekly small-ship expedition newsletter below.
And stay tuned for our next installment of top small-ship cruise destinations … the world’s most storied rivers!