Expedition Cruises

Experience the extraordinary with a once in a lifetime luxury Expedition cruise. Embrace adventure on-board purpose-built luxury expedition ships to experience the most remote and untouched natural wonders on Planet Earth. SixStarCruises’ Expedition cruise packages are crafted entirely to your needs, planned to perfection to create the trip of a lifetime. From your preferred airline and luxury accommodation choices to transfers and desired sailings, every aspect of your trip is planned to the finest of details. Our luxury Expedition experts will use their personal experience to offer first-hand advice, support and guidance on curating your dream holiday and help you embark on a journey you’ll never forget.

WHAT’S INCLUDED WITH EXPEDITION?

Ship

Expedition ships are smaller than traditional cruise ships, but still offer guests the traditional comforts of luxury cruises like spacious suites, fine dining and exceptional service. They are designed and built to navigate through smaller estuaries and shallower waters to get closer to wildlife and facilitate deeper exploration of remote destinations.

Expert Guides

A fantastic benefit of expedition cruising is the extensive array of industry-leading experts travelling on board for the duration of the trip. From horticulturalists and marine biologists to geologists and historians, these expert guides provide a unique and fascinating experience for travellers throughout their trip.

Wildlife

From swimming with turtles and interacting with penguins to admiring polar bears and reptiles in their natural habitat, expedition cruising provides explorers with the opportunity to discover fascinating wildlife up-close in a way you could never have imagined.

Experiences

Expedition itineraries offer guests the trip of a lifetime, rich with immersive experiences and unforgettable moments in some of the most remote, breathtaking parts of the planet. Expeditions offer guests plenty of opportunities to truly immerse themselves in the natural surroundings through kayaking, submersibles, hikes, zodiacs, polar plunges, cultural experiences and much more.

Destinations

Galápagos Cruises

Antarctica Cruises

Kimberley Islands

Arctic Cruises

United Kingdom

Cruiselines

Silversea

Scenic Ocean Cruises

Atlas Cruises

Seabourn

AE Expeditions

Celebrity Cruises

Experiences

Polar Plunge

Zodiac Tours

Submersible Excursions

Guided Tours

Photography

When cruising the Arctic or Antarctica, you will have the opportunity to partake in a polar plunge. This is an exhilarating and unique experience that involves jumping into the icy waters of the polar regions. This activity, often a highlight for adventurous travellers, combines the thrill of the extreme cold with the breathtaking beauty of these remote environments, creating lasting memories for those brave enough to take the leap.

Entering The Water:

Participants often enter the water one at a time, either by jumping in or using a ladder. The initial shock of the cold water can be intense, with temperatures usually hovering around freezing (0°C or 32°F).

Brief Immersion:

Most participants stay in the water for only a few seconds to a minute, as the cold can be overwhelming. The experience of the cold shock response includes rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and a strong sensation of cold.

Exiting The Water:

After the brief immersion, participants quickly exit the water, often helped by the support crew, and are provided with warm towels and blankets.

Zodiac excursions are a key highlight of any expedition cruise, offering an intimate and immersive way to explore the remote and pristine environments, get up close to wildlife and stunning landscapes. These small inflatable boats are perfect for navigating through ice, fjords, and coastal waters, allowing explorers to access areas that the ship itself can't reach.

Exploration:

Zodiacs are used to explore coastlines, icebergs, and wildlife-rich areas. The small size and manoeuvrability of the Zodiacs allow them to get close to local wildlife without disturbing their natural behaviour.

Landings:

Zodiacs also facilitate landings on remote shores and ice floes, providing opportunities for guided hikes, wildlife observation, and photography. Each Zodiac is typically accompanied by a knowledgeable guide or naturalist who provides insights into the local ecology, geology, and wildlife, enhancing the educational aspect of the excursion.

Scenic Cruising:

Some excursions focus on scenic cruising, offering spectacular views of glaciers, ice formations, and dramatic landscapes from the water.

Embarking on a submersible excursion during an expedition cruise is an unforgettable experience that takes you into the mysterious depths of the ocean, offering a unique perspective on the underwater world. Submersibles often feature a transparent, dome-shaped cockpit that provides nearly 360-degree views of the underwater world.

Access to the Deep:

Submersibles allow you to dive to depths that are otherwise inaccessible, even to advanced scuba divers. You can explore underwater landscapes, coral reefs, shipwrecks, and marine life at depths of several hundred meters.

Close Encounter with Marine Life:

The experience offers a close-up view of marine creatures in their natural habitats, often seeing species that are rarely, if ever, encountered by humans.

Controlled Environment:

The submersible provides a comfortable, pressurised environment, allowing you to stay dry and warm while experiencing the underwater world, which is especially appealing in colder waters.

Expedition guided tours allow travellers to explore remote destinations with the expertise of knowledgeable guides. Whether hiking through pristine wilderness, navigating icy fjords or visiting historic coastal villages, explorers benefit from the guides' insights into the ecosystems, wildlife, and cultural histories they encounter.

A variety of activities

Guided tours can include a variety of activities designed to engage different interests and fitness levels. From kayaking in glacial waters to snorkelling in vibrant coral reefs, each excursion is tailored to maximise exploration and discovery.

Post-tour lectures

Many expedition cruises also incorporate lectures and workshops, enriching the experience with discussions about the areas and wildlife discovered that day, as well as conservation efforts and the impact of climate change on the destination you are in.

Smaller group sizes

Guided tours on expedition often feature intimate group settings, fostering a deeper connection with both the natural environment and the local culture. This forges lasting memories and a greater understanding of our world.

Photography is a fantastic way to capture the stunning landscapes, vibrant wildlife and unique cultural moments you encounter on expedition. It not only serves as a creative outlet for photographers of all skill levels, but it also becomes a means of preserving memories from an unforgettable adventure of a lifetime.

Photography workshops

Many expedition cruises offer dedicated photography workshops led by experienced guides, who provide tips on composition, lighting and equipment to help guests enhance their skills and make the most of their photography sessions.

Unique locations and wildlife

Expedition cruises frequently provide access to unique vantage points that are off the beaten path. This offers opportunities to photograph the breath-taking backdrops wherever you are, from majestic glaciers or towering trees in the rainforest to playful wildlife, such as seals and turtles.

Ship technology

Many expedition ships have installed camera technology, where crew and guests can utilise the cameras for wildlife spottings and enjoy a close-up, live image of the animals as the ship approaches.

Flexible itineraries and smaller groups

Early morning landings and sunset excursions are often planned to maximise the beauty of natural light. With smaller group sizes, photographers can often get closer to their subjects without disturbing them, allowing for intimate and powerful shots.