Expedition Cruise Expert

California Coast

One of the more exciting trends we are seeing in cruising is the expansion of expedition cruising. This concept puts you onto a small ship and takes you to the remote corners of the world with naturalists and cultural experts to really delve into, and understand, the world around us.

As part of my professional bio, I appreciate the opportunity to educate you more on this topic, so you can understand more about expedition cruising and why you benefit from having a professional Cruise Consultant reserve your expedition cruise for you.     

In the past, expedition cruising was not really known as a luxury venture. That is changing dramatically as several luxury cruise lines — and I mean true luxury: Seabourn and Viking have both built and debuted brand new, custom-built luxury expedition ships. They join Silversea as a luxury line already in the expedition business for more than a decade.

There are several other expedition cruise lines that have decades of experience in expeditions, and these companies laid the foundation for modern expedition cruising. One of those companies is Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic. They have been leading expeditions around the globe since the late 1960s — including Antarctica, the Galápagos and many other pristine regions.

My Expedition Experience

I had the good fortune to experience Lindblad/National Geographic in 2019 as part of an experiential education trip in the San Francisco Bay area. Although the Bay Area is my home, this 5-day “Wild California Escape” provided me with fresh insight on this beautiful part of North America. And because of this experience, I’m more qualified to assist you in arranging your expedition voyage.

Our expedition cruise began aboard National Geographic Venture, with a departure from San Francisco. We cruised along the California coast to Angel Island, a National Historic Landmark and the largest natural island in San Francisco Bay. Venture then sailed to Monterey Bay, an epicenter for biodiversity; then Vallejo, located at the southern tip of California wine country; and, finally a return to San Francisco.

This trip was much different than a typical ocean cruise. Being such a small ship, we were able to reach so many places that a larger ship could not. We easily stepped on and off Zodiacs for quick access to nature on land. The smaller number of passengers led to a sense of immediacy and camaraderie with our fellow guests. And the educational nature goes above and beyond anything I’ve ever experienced. We enjoyed Recaps after dinner and made plans for the following day. We heard from marine biologists and other experts not only in formal presentations but in casual conversations we were able to strike up on board. We saw plenty of whales, dolphins and seals and it was amazing to see so many in their natural environment. Our ship was able to easily change direction or take the time to follow wildlife along – something you could never do on a larger ship that is on a strict timetable.  

Additionally, there were fun cultural aspects, such as a trip to the renowned Culinary Institute of America, at Copia. We had two winery stops, participated in a cooking demonstration and enjoyed a lunch, with wine pairings, prepared at the Culinary Institute.

The Ship Itself

I stayed in a suite with a small balcony and floor-to-ceiling sliding doors. This provided a great way to look out at the beautiful landscapes day or night. Bathrooms were stocked with botanically inspired hair products, soap and shower gels. In the spirit of eco-friendliness, rather than having plastic water bottles on the vessel, metal ones were available for use throughout the voyage. The meals served aboard were fresh, local and sourced from suppliers who share Lindblad’s values of sustainability. Breakfast and lunch were served buffet style, while dinner was a plated meal.

The ship was certainly comfortable, but with this type of expedition, it is not really meant to be about the ship. It’s about the experience with nature; what the experts can teach you about the outside world; where you are going and what you are learning. 

Is an Expedition Cruise Right for You?

If you are considering an Expedition Cruise, it’s important to have an expectation that if you want to get the most out of this trip, that you are mobile enough to take in the hikes and board the Zodiacs. This type of active adventure is what sets expedition cruising apart.

Fellow guests are curious and ask a lot of questions. If you’re the type who enjoys an outdoor-focused, activity-filled day, followed by a relaxing evening and perhaps more discussion with a glass of wine, then an expedition cruise may be perfect for you! I’d be delighted to discuss Lindblad/National Geographic or any of the other growing expedition options with you and select one that will exceed your expectations.