Travel Trend: Exploratory Cruises

The term “cruise” can conjure up myriad images that range from all-you-can-eat buffets to towering water slides to lido decks full of retired couples. But 2018 presents a new travel trend that involves a different type of cruise, one that allows passengers to get up, get out and play more of an explorer role rather than serving as a week-long resort lemming.

Exploratory cruises typically take place on much smaller vessels and take passengers to less-visited locales, such as the polar ice caps or mystic jungles. When not exploring the less-traveled world, onboard activities foster conversations about what surrounds travelers and informational sessions educate travelers on what they’re about to see and do.

Standard cruise conveniences (such as comfortable guestrooms and included meals) can still be found on such vessels, but the focus of the journey is less on room service and pool-side cocktails and more on on-shore excursions. Once the anchor drops, travelers can venture onto the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador, visit the Pantanal wetlands in Brazil or go ice camping in Antarctica. Other exploratory cruise options include river boating down the Amazon, Nile or Mekong Rivers. Millennials can even take part in cruises designed specifically for the age group thanks to U by Uniworld.