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Thinking about taking your first expedition cruise? You may have questions about what life onboard is really like, how active the experience will be, whether you need to be particularly adventurous and what actually happens when the ship reaches a remote destination.
The good news is that modern expedition cruising is very different from the rugged adventure you may be imagining.
With PONANT, you can experience some of the world's most extraordinary destinations while enjoying luxury accommodation, fine dining, attentive service and a sophisticated onboard environment. The difference is that your ship is also your base for exploration.
You might board a Zodiac to explore a remote coastline, walk through a wilderness landscape, encounter wildlife, visit a tiny community or simply watch an extraordinary landscape unfold from the ship.
This guide explains what to expect from your first expedition cruise and how to decide whether expedition cruising is right for you.
At a Glance
| If you are wondering... | The short answer |
|---|---|
| Is expedition cruising only for adventurous people? | No. You can choose your level of activity. |
| Will I have to go on a Zodiac? | No. Participation in many activities is optional. |
| Is expedition cruising comfortable? | Yes. PONANT combines exploration with a high level of comfort and service. |
| Will I see wildlife? | Wildlife is often a major attraction, but sightings can never be guaranteed. |
| Do I need to be very fit? | It depends on the destination, itinerary and activities you choose. |
| What is the biggest difference from a conventional cruise? | The emphasis is on exploration, nature, wildlife and access rather than simply visiting ports. |
| Is an expedition cruise suitable for a first cruise? | Absolutely, if the destination and style of travel appeal to you. |
An expedition cruise is designed around exploration rather than simply travelling from one port to another.
Instead of following a conventional cruise itinerary focused primarily on cities, attractions and scheduled shore excursions, an expedition voyage takes you into places where the environment, wildlife and landscape are often the main attractions.
Your ship becomes a platform for exploration.
Depending on the destination, your days might include:
- Zodiac excursions
- Wildlife encounters
- Shore landings
- Guided walks
- Nature and photography excursions
- Visits to remote communities
- Lectures and presentations
- Scenic cruising
- Exploration of coastlines, islands and waterways
There is usually no requirement to participate in every activity.
One of the great advantages of expedition cruising is that you can make the experience as active or relaxed as you want.
The biggest difference is the relationship between the ship and the destination.
On a conventional cruise, you might arrive at a major port and spend several hours exploring the surrounding city.
On an expedition cruise, the ship may take you somewhere with no conventional cruise terminal at all.
There may be no road, no jetty and no town.
Instead, you might transfer into a Zodiac and travel ashore, explore a remote coastline or search for wildlife with members of the expedition team.
This is what makes expedition cruising particularly appealing to travellers who want to experience places that are difficult to reach in other ways.
There is no single formula for an expedition day because every destination is different. That unpredictability is actually part of the appeal.
A typical day might look something like this:
❖ Morning
Wake up to a completely different landscape outside your window, with rugged cliffs, cascading waterfalls or untouched wilderness replacing the scenery from the previous day. After breakfast, you may head out on an early Zodiac excursion, join a guided shore activity or explore the surrounding environment with the expedition team. Mornings are often when wildlife activity and changing light create some of the most memorable moments of the journey.
❖ Midday
After your morning adventure, return to the ship for a relaxed lunch and some downtime. You might unwind on deck while taking in the passing scenery, attend an informative lecture or presentation, or listen to the expedition team share insights about the Kimberley’s history, geology, wildlife and Indigenous culture. There is usually plenty of time to recharge before the next adventure.
❖ Afternoon
There may be another Zodiac excursion, wildlife observation, shore landing or scenic exploration.
❖ Evening
As the day winds down, enjoy dinner while sharing stories and photographs from the day’s adventures with fellow travellers. You may attend an expedition presentation, listen to the team recap the day or simply relax on deck and watch the landscape change as the sun sets. With the Kimberley’s spectacular sunsets and vast wilderness as your backdrop, even a quiet evening aboard can become part of the experience.
And then, sometimes, the entire schedule changes.
A wildlife sighting, changing weather conditions, tides or a unique opportunity identified by the expedition team may prompt a spontaneous change to the day’s plans. Rather than following a rigid itinerary, expedition cruises are designed to take advantage of these unexpected opportunities.
That flexibility is one of the defining characteristics of expedition cruising — you are not simply following a schedule; you are responding to the destination as it unfolds.
For many first-time expedition cruisers, the word Zodiac can sound more adventurous than it really is.
A Zodiac is a rigid inflatable boat used by expedition ships to transport passengers between the ship and shore and to explore areas that the main vessel cannot reach.
They allow expedition teams to get close to coastlines, beaches, rivers, ice and wildlife habitats.
Depending on the destination, a Zodiac outing may involve:
- A wildlife search
- A scenic cruise along a remote coastline
- A landing on a beach
- Exploring a river or inlet
- Photography
- Watching seabirds or marine life
- Reaching places inaccessible to the main ship
You do not need to think of every Zodiac outing as an extreme adventure.
Some are simply wonderful ways to experience the landscape from the water.
No, it's optional.
Expedition cruising offers opportunities to explore, but you are not expected to participate in every activity.
If you would rather remain onboard, enjoy the view, read a book, have lunch, or relax, that is part of your expedition experience too.
However, if you have travelled thousands of kilometres to Antarctica, the Kimberley or another remote destination, you may find that getting off the ship is one of the most memorable parts of the journey.
The important thing is to choose an itinerary and destination that matches your interests and physical comfort level.
This depends entirely on the voyage.
Some expedition activities can be relatively gentle, while others involve walking over uneven ground, getting in and out of a Zodiac or spending several hours exploring ashore.
Expedition cruises are not all equally demanding.
Before booking, consider:
- How easily you can walk over uneven surfaces
- Your comfort getting into and out of a Zodiac
- How long you are comfortable being ashore
- Your tolerance for cold, heat, wind or rain
- Whether you prefer gentle exploration or more active excursions
Always check the specific physical requirements of your chosen itinerary before booking.
This is one of the biggest misconceptions among first-time expedition cruisers.
Expedition does not mean basic.
PONANT combines exploration with the comfort expected of a luxury cruise. After a day exploring ashore or travelling by Zodiac, you return to a comfortable ship with a range of dining, relaxation and wellness facilities.
You can enjoy:
- Comfortable accommodation
- Quality dining
- Bars and lounges
- Wellness facilities
- Outdoor viewing areas
- Lectures and enrichment
- Relaxed social spaces
This combination is one of the reasons expedition cruising appeals to travellers who want adventure without giving up luxury.
💡 BlueSun Insight
Your first expedition cruise does not need to be your most adventurous holiday ever.
For a first expedition, we generally recommend choosing a destination that genuinely excites you rather than trying to find the most extreme itinerary.
If wildlife interests you, choose a wildlife-rich destination. If dramatic landscapes appeal to you, look for an itinerary where the scenery is the star. If you are fascinated by remote cultures and history, choose an expedition that combines exploration with meaningful cultural encounters.
The best first expedition is the one that makes you excited to get off the ship.
You may be surprised by how many expedition travellers would not describe themselves as particularly adventurous.
You do not have to be a mountaineer, kayaker or serious hiker to enjoy an expedition cruise.
You might simply be someone who wants to see:
- Penguins in Antarctica
- Whales in remote waters
- Crocodiles and wildlife in northern Australia
- Glaciers and dramatic polar landscapes
- Remote islands
- Rare wildlife
- Places far beyond the normal tourist trail
Expedition cruising is ultimately about access and discovery.
You decide how much adventure you want to add to that experience.
Wildlife is one of the great attractions of expedition cruising.
Depending on where you travel, you may encounter whales, seals, penguins, seabirds, polar bears, crocodiles or other wildlife in their natural environment.
But it is important to understand that wildlife is never guaranteed.
Expedition teams use their knowledge and experience to maximise opportunities, but animals are wild and conditions can change.
That unpredictability is part of what makes a genuine wildlife encounter so special.
The expedition team is an important part of the experience.
Depending on the voyage, the team may include naturalists, marine specialists, historians, geologists, photographers and other destination experts.
They provide more than guided excursions.
They help you understand what you are seeing.
Lectures and informal presentations can give context to the landscapes, wildlife, geology, history and cultures encountered during the voyage.
This means that an expedition cruise can be both an adventure and a learning experience.
This is another important question for first-time expedition cruisers.
Some expedition destinations involve open-ocean passages where sea conditions can be rough. Others spend much of the voyage in sheltered waters.
The nature of the sea conditions depends on the destination, season, itinerary and weather.
If you are concerned about seasickness, discuss the specific voyage with your cruise specialist before booking and consider the itinerary carefully.
Expedition cruising does not automatically mean rough seas.
| If you are fascinated by... | Consider... |
|---|---|
| Penguins, ice and polar landscapes | Antarctica |
| Remote Australian landscapes and wildlife | The Kimberley |
| Arctic wildlife and northern landscapes | The Arctic |
| Remote islands and marine wildlife | South Pacific and remote island destinations |
| Wildlife and dramatic natural environments | Expedition destinations throughout the world |
For a first expedition, the destination should be the starting point rather than the ship.
Choose somewhere you genuinely want to explore.
If this is your first expedition, we recommend following a simple process.
1. Start With the Destination
Decide what you most want to see and experience.
2. Consider the Season
Wildlife, weather, daylight and operating conditions can vary considerably between seasons.
3. Understand the Activity Level
Look at the expected walking, Zodiac operations, shore landings and other activities.
4. Choose the Right Ship
Consider the ship's expedition capabilities, size, accommodation, facilities and overall atmosphere.
5. Look at the Itinerary
Two cruises to the same region can provide very different experiences. Examine the ports, landing sites, days at sea and expedition opportunities.
6. Ask Questions Before You Book
A specialist cruise adviser can help. We are only a phone call away on 1300 799 758 and we are available 7 days a week too.
Your packing list will depend heavily on the destination and season, but expedition travel generally calls for practical, comfortable clothing that can be layered.
You should expect to spend time outdoors and potentially encounter changing weather conditions.
Depending on your destination, useful items may include:
- Layered clothing
- Waterproof outerwear
- Comfortable walking shoes or boots
- Warm clothing for polar destinations
- Sun protection
- Binoculars
- Camera equipment
- A small daypack
Your cruise operator will provide destination-specific packing information before departure, and requirements can vary significantly between expedition regions. You will always receive details advise before your cruise.
Expedition cruising could be an excellent choice if you:
- Love wildlife and nature
- Want to visit remote destinations
- Enjoy learning about the places you visit
- Prefer smaller ships
- Want more than conventional sightseeing
- Enjoy photography
- Are curious about different cultures and environments
- Like having the flexibility to explore
You may prefer a more conventional luxury cruise if your main priorities are:
- Large onboard entertainment facilities
- Extensive shopping
- Nightlife
- Traditional resort-style cruising
- Spending most of your holiday onboard rather than exploring ashore
Neither style is better.
They simply provide very different types of holidays.
A First-Time Expedition Cruise may sound daunting, but it is now. Here are a few frequent questions that our PONANT experts have answered for you.
Have a read of some of these FAQs, but reach out to us any time: 1300 799 758.
Yes. You do not need previous expedition or cruise experience. What matters most is that you are interested in the destination and comfortable with the level of activity involved.
No. Activities are generally optional, although the precise arrangements vary by voyage. You can choose how actively you participate.
Age itself is not the determining factor. Fitness, mobility and confidence with the activities involved are more important. Always check the specific requirements of your chosen itinerary.
A Zodiac is a rigid inflatable boat used by expedition ships to transport passengers ashore and explore coastlines, waterways and remote areas that the main ship cannot access.
It is possible, particularly during open-ocean passages, but sea conditions vary greatly by destination and itinerary. If you are prone to seasickness, discuss your concerns before booking.
They can be. PONANT combines expedition activities with luxury accommodation, dining, service and onboard facilities.
There is no single answer. The best first expedition is one that matches your interests, preferred activity level and comfort with the destination's conditions.
Expedition Cruises
Discover what expedition cruising is and why it is one of the most rewarding ways to explore remote destinations.
Choosing a PONANT Ship
Learn how destination, expedition capability, ship size and onboard lifestyle can influence your choice of ship.
Choosing the Right PONANT Ship
Compare individual PONANT ships and find the vessel that best matches your expedition.
Antarctica
Explore PONANT's Antarctic expedition options and discover what makes the White Continent so extraordinary.
Kimberley
Discover one of Australia's great expedition destinations, from dramatic gorges and waterfalls to wildlife and remote coastal landscapes.
Your first expedition cruise can be one of the most memorable journeys you ever take.
You do not need to be an extreme adventurer. You simply need to be curious about the world and willing to step beyond the usual tourist trail.
BlueSun Travel can help you choose the right destination, itinerary, ship and level of expedition for your first experience.
Tell us what you would like to discover, and we will help you find the right expedition.
Contact BlueSun Travel Today
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