Trazee In-Depth: Conservation Cruises

Climate change and the damaging effects from global warming have been evident since the 20th century. Due to global warming, Arctic species, such as the polar bear, find themselves in danger of extinction. Since 2008, several breeds of polar bear have been recognized as a vulnerable species, with recent predictions indicating 30 percent population decline by 2050. At the top of the food chain, polar bears remain a vital part of the Arctic ecosystem.

With this information and other wildlife endangered by climate change, conscious travel is a growing trend. Conservation travel actively supports wildlife while spreading awareness of climate change. There are many travel outfits and organizations providing accommodations, transportation and opportunities to explore wildlife and remote destinations while maintaining a low carbon footprint.

Lindblad Expeditions explore Arctic regions aboard National Geographic Explorer and Orion vessels. Venture through Norway’s fjords and Arctic Svalbard; Greenland and Canada; or Nordic passages through Iceland and Faroe Islands.

Each expedition boasts incredible views both on board and off while guests actively explore the landscape. Sail under the towering bird cliffs of Noss, in route to visit thousands of puffins in the Faroes, or Iceland’s vast Vatnajökull icecap, the third-largest in the world.

Lindblad’s ships provide an intimate travel experience, with 50–100 guestrooms per vessel. Ships are sustainably crafted and designed to meet strict specifications for environmental protection.

Once on land, travelers dynamically experience world-class destinations by hiking terrain, walking through quaint towns and kayaking along the coast. Professionals on board each vessel are well versed in the region’s natural history and assist travelers with photos and wildlife spotting.

A post shared by Lindblad Expeditions (@lindbladexp) on Apr 13, 2017 at 7:34am PDT

AdventureSmith Explorations, another preferred conservation travel outlet, offers a wide variety of travel destinations through its sustainable travel organization. Trips are available across the Americas, Europe, the Polar Regions and Pacific Asia. Each expedition boasts unique itineraries, showcasing local societies and wildlife in bucket-list destinations.

Part of AdventureSmith’s mission is to give back to the communities they explore by creating meaningful connections with travelers to the region. AdventureSmith’s vessels include small ships, yachts and lodges, all staffed by local citizens.

Travelers are immersed in the local culture and explore wildlife with local guides while giving back to the small economy. AdventureSmith also adheres to a strict leave-no-trace policy, promising to keep destinations in better shape than they were found.

In 2005, AdventureSmith introduced the industry’s first Carbon-Free Cruising program. By calculating carbon emissions each year, AdventureSmith uses proceeds to neutralize greenhouse gas of the same value. In addition to the carbon-free initiative, AdventureSmith partnered with Trees for the Future, planting trees in every destination visited. AdventureSmith pioneered a sustainable travel example and strives to spread awareness and goodwill through its conservation efforts.

Travel partners World Wildlife Fund and Natural Habitat Adventures provide travelers with a variety of conservation vacation options. Natural Habitat joined forces with Lindblad in 2016, now providing small-ship explorations for immersive, sustainable travel across the world.

A post shared by SEEtheWILD (@seethewild) on Apr 6, 2017 at 2:52pm PDT

Search by region, wildlife and interest through World Wildlife Fund’s vast list of sustainable vacations, all boasting incredible wildlife sightings in unbelievable destinations. Explore Borneo’s protected tropical island habitats for the opportunity to observe orangutans and endangered sea turtles in their natural habitat.

See the Wild provides sustainable travel for budget-friendly expeditions by partnering with conservation organizations such as See Turtles, Red Travel México and Love Volunteers. Amazon animal welfare programs begin at $640, per person, exploring Ecuador’s Amazon. Travelers can assist in animal rescue efforts during a two-week vacation opportunity in South Africa, beginning at $390.

Other trips through See the Wild’s curated itineraries include dolphin research, education and conservation in Croatia, alongside marine biologists.

Depending on the region and conservation cruise, trips are available year-round with the most popular Arctic excursions launching May–August.

Each trip offers a unique opportunity for guests to interact with wildlife and local communities. The sustainable travel practices featured in each company provide an incredible opportunity for travelers to explore the world thoughtfully, give back, spread awareness and travel with less of an impact on the environment.