Can’t-Miss Adventure Cruises
See our list of the best, fun-filled adventure cruises.
By:
Stefanie Payne
Cruises for Multi-Sport Activities
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Drawn to warmer waters? Sail with Audley Travel, named by Condé Nast as a “Favorite Specialist Tour Operator” in 2010. The June Bahtra, a traditional junk-rigged schooner, takes travelers along Thailand’s mighty Mekong River to protected areas such as Ao Phang Nga National Park. This area in the Andaman Sea is known for its towering geometric rock formations and crystal-clear water, making it a perfect stop for diving enthusiasts.
Cruises to Emerging Destinations
William Warby, flickr
Travelers can also swim and snorkel in the clear ocean waters off the island nation of Papua New Guinea -- land of 800 languages, as well as home to rare and endangered birds of paradise. For a trip back in time, travel along the remote and exotic trade route of the Spice Islands in the Arafura Sea, including the Indonesian island of Komodo, home to the infamous, pre-historic komodo dragon.
Cruises for a Learning Adventure
Ekaterina Krasnikova
For those on the hunt for hidden glaciers, travel with Patagonia and Cape Horn Cruises to the communities of Punta Arenas, Ushuaia and Cape Horn in southern Chile and Argentina. The trip also includes hikes throughout Patagonia. And to see majestic Antarctica, hop aboard the Clipper Adventurer with Travcoa. You’ll sail through the wild seas of the Drake Passage, where the southwestern corner of the Atlantic Ocean meets the northeastern tip of the Pacific.
Once you’ve landed on the White Continent, watch penguins slide off the ice on their bellies into the icy water as elephant seals swim by to watch. Plus, enjoy a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to plunge into thermally heated springs in the Antarctic Ocean -- now that’s an adventure!
Small-Scale Excursions
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Another great small ship option is Windstar Cruises. Say bon voyage from the Dutch side of St. Maarten in the Caribbean. The trans-Atlantic passage ahead provides a rare opportunity to power off and relax. Best part: The small-cruise atmosphere includes big-ship amenities such as spa services, while offering plenty of time for relaxing meals and laid-back conversation on deck. Once you disembark, enjoy a glass of Portuguese tawny port in the land where it was created.
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