It’s a common misconception that cruises are all about eating, drinking and not doing a lot else. While this may be true of cruises in the past, there’s nothing further from the truth these days. Yes, there is no shortage of food and plenty of opportunities to enjoy a drink on board, and yes, you’ll likely find pools and spa facilities, but these days the cruise ships are about far more than just what’s on board.
To be fair, you could spend a week on a ship with no ports of call and enjoy endless culinary delights and be pampered to your heart’s content if that’s what you wanted to do. Most cruisers however are there to see and experience different parts of the world.
The Aranui 5, for example, is a delightful mix of freighter and cruise ship allowing guests to enjoy comfortable cruise facilities as well as experiencing life on a freighter delivering supplies to remote islands in Tahiti.
Image: Aranui Cruises
Expedition cruises, whilst also offering exceptional food and facilities, are more about the destination, wildlife encounters and unique, incredible experiences. Expedition leaders want to introduce you to different cultures, educate you on the wildlife or the endemic plant species. They want you to see, feel and experience what these destinations have to offer and the shipboard experience is more to enhance the encounter, rather than the other way around.
Image: Atlas Ocean Voyages
Traditional expedition ships were very basic and geared more to those adventurous souls who didn’t mind roughing it in order to get out to the more remote areas. These days however, cruise lines have recognised that adventure and luxury can also go hand-in-hand and just because you enjoy getting out exploring, doesn’t mean you don’t appreciate a good bit of luxury too!
Combining adventure with luxury makes for incredible, unforgettable journeys, without even stepping foot inside a Spa or in a pool!