EXPEDITION CRUISING IN THE SPOTLIGHT!

expedition cruising

Photo Credit: Skift

In the July 29 broadcast of CBS Sunday Morning™ expedition cruising was a featured segment, with the pioneer of expedition cruising, Lindblad, as the featured company.  Expedition cruising, also referred to as eco-tourism, has become increasingly popular. The piece cites expedition cruising as “one of the fastest growing sectors in the cruise business.”

Industry insiders predicted this growth a few years ago and cruise lines have responded to the demand.  In May, Cruise Industry News reported 28 new expedition ships on order and scheduled for delivery between 2018-2022.  In 2019 alone, 11 are scheduled to set sail.

One of the factors propelling this growth is that newer ships will offer luxury and comforts new to the expedition market, driving up ticket prices.  Silversea and Ponant are setting trends with purpose-built luxury expedition ships. There are no casinos or Vegas-style entertainment on these ships.  Their focus is on creating a unique 5-star expedition experience. Market source has also been game-changing. Expedition cruising is no longer a small niche segment.  Europe and Asia have been identified as top source markets.

learn expedition cruisingAnother factor is size.  Expedition ships are much smaller than today’s cruise ships, allowing them to navigate in places many ships can’t go, and that makes the world a much bigger place for the curious traveler.  This presents a unique challenge for the cruise line. How do you deliver these special experiences while respecting the pristine and delicate environmental balance of the places you visit?

The expedition segment has arguably set the bar for the industry’s proactive approach to sustainability and environmental responsibility.  Regulatory groups, stakeholders and expedition experts and leaders work proactively with the cruise lines to limit traffic, ensure that laws and regulations are followed, and that expedition leaders and staff are trained and qualified.

Expedition cruising is exciting, educational and thought-provoking.  People get the opportunity to see parts of the world not many get to see.  It gives the visitor a chance to understand the fragility of the environment, to discover new and rare fauna and flora, and hopefully understand our responsibility in protecting these treasured places.

Expedition cruising is a bucket-list item.  With the number of new ships planned, travelers will have plenty to choose from.

 

Access Cruise is a Miami based cruise marketing and sales consulting group, specializing in product and business development within the cruise industry.