{"id":5297,"date":"2007-03-30T09:50:00","date_gmt":"2007-03-30T09:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/in-pursuit-of-adventure-2\/"},"modified":"2007-03-30T09:50:00","modified_gmt":"2007-03-30T09:50:00","slug":"in-pursuit-of-adventure-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/2007\/03\/in-pursuit-of-adventure-2\/","title":{"rendered":"In Pursuit of Adventure"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/images.fotopic.net\/yb2ea7.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"cursor: pointer; width: 400px;\" src=\"http:\/\/images.fotopic.net\/yb2ea7.jpg\" alt=\"\" border=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Adventure cruising<\/span>, and its almost seamlessly interchangeable appellation, \u201cexpedition cruising\u201d, has its roots deep in the human psyche. It stems from our innate desire to inquire, explore and expand the boundaries of our environment whilst deriving intellectual rewards from the experience. Expanding on this, one could name great navigators like Magellan, Cook, La Perouse and Pytheas as some of the best known \u201cadventure cruisers\u201d. Often travelling under the veil of commerce, military expansionism, geography or science, these iconic sailors were driven by a desire to expand their own personal knowledge quite apart from obligations to their respective bankrolling empires.<\/p>\n<p>The 21<sup>st<\/sup> Century adventure cruiser is transported in vastly different vessels. Complete with state-of-the-art satellite navigation, first rate medical facilities, gourmet cuisine and comfy bunks, gone are the days of deprivation, scurvy and mythical sea monsters.<\/p>\n<p>Just as cruise travel is enjoying a very healthy resurgence despite the woes of the planet, adventure cruising, as a significant sub-set of the segment, is booming. This assertion is backed up by figures and concurs with findings from studies such as the Cendant Corporation&#8217;s &#8216;The World of Travel in 2020&#8217; where their findings indicate travellers are more and more in search of &#8220;experience-driven travel&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>But how do you tell an adventure or expedition cruise from the regular fun-afloat type?<\/p>\n<p>That which separates adventure cruising from the regular, big ship, variety is a number of factors, namely;<\/p>\n<ul style=\"margin-top: 0cm;\" type=\"disc\">\n<li style=\"\">Flexible      and adjustable itineraries to take account of changing conditions and      opportunities.<\/li>\n<li style=\"\">Products      driven by destination and experience rather than the allure or cachet of a      particular vessel.<\/li>\n<li style=\"\">Destinations      often have little or no tourism infrastructure and focus on natural,      cultural and ecological attractions.<\/li>\n<li style=\"\">Smaller,      more manoeuvrable vessels able to navigate narrow and shallow waterways      inaccessible to regular cruise ships.<\/li>\n<li style=\"\">Fewer      passengers, enabling operators to better deliver a more personal and      fulfilling experience. Typically less than 500, but often as few as just a      dozen or so.<\/li>\n<li style=\"\">Extensive      shore excursion programme, often with several disembarkations per day.<\/li>\n<li style=\"\">Cruise      staff includes lecturers drawn from academia and science able to impart      enriching interpretation during a voyage or shore time.<\/li>\n<li style=\"\">Premium      pricing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b style=\"\">Products Close to Home<o:p><\/o:p><\/b><\/p>\n<p>Here is a selection of vessels and itineraries within easy reach of <st1:country-region st=\"on\">Australia<\/st1:country-region> or <st1:place st=\"on\"><st1:country-region st=\"on\">New Zealand<\/st1:country-region><\/st1:place>, often by simple domestic airline link.<\/p>\n<p><b style=\"\">Orion Expedition Cruises<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/images.fotopic.net\/yn7piy.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"cursor: pointer; width: 400px;\" src=\"http:\/\/images.fotopic.net\/yn7piy.jpg\" alt=\"\" border=\"1\" \/><\/a><br \/><b style=\"\"><o:p><\/o:p><\/b><\/p>\n<p>Orion burst onto the domestic cruise scene amid great fanfare in late 2003. Founder and managing director, Sarina Bratton, brought with her many years of top level cruise industry experience and Orion is an amalgamation of her vision for \u201cpeople who seek the mental stimulation of new experiences, places and discovery, whilst enjoying the comfort of luxurious surroundings.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>By all accounts, MV Orion is a magnificent vessel, crewed by expert mariners and delivering large ship opulence in a gleaming, compact package. Luxury staterooms, fine dining and extensive onboard facilities like sauna, spa, gymnasium and beauty salon set her distinctly apart from others vying for the \u201cexpedition\u201d market.<\/p>\n<p>Whilst extolling the \u201cluxury\u201d aspects of this vessel, some criticism has been heard of Orion\u2019s \u201cdelivery\u201d of the shore component. This seems to be confined to earlier, or first time cruises to new destinations, and it appears that aspect of the product is improving dramatically.<\/p>\n<p>Many experienced observers of the cruise industry see Orion as something of a \u201ccrossover\u201d product, retaining the glamour and facilities of a big ship whilst pursuing itineraries and destinations usually reserved for smaller, more spartan vessels.<\/p>\n<p><b style=\"\">Coral Princess Cruises<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/images.fotopic.net\/yko8jn.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"cursor: pointer; width: 400px;\" src=\"http:\/\/images.fotopic.net\/yko8jn.jpg\" alt=\"\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><br \/><b style=\"\"><o:p><\/o:p><\/b><\/p>\n<p>Coral Princess Cruises bill themselves as pioneers of Australian expedition cruising, beginning in 1984 with an ex-WWII submarine chaser. Currently the company operates three vessels, with the two year old, full SOLAS Oceanic Princess their flagship.<\/p>\n<p>While the two smaller vessels, Coral Princess I &#038; II stay close to home, operating primarily from the company\u2019s base in <st1:city st=\"on\">Cairns<\/st1:city> to the Great Barrier Reef, Cape York and to the <st1:place st=\"on\"><st1:city st=\"on\">Kimberley<\/st1:city><\/st1:place>, Oceanic Princess ventures much further afield. Since her launch in early 2004, she has circumnavigated <st1:country-region st=\"on\">New Zealand<\/st1:country-region> and <st1:state st=\"on\">Tasmania<\/st1:state>, visited <st1:country-region st=\"on\">Papua New Guinea<\/st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st=\"on\">Vanuatu<\/st1:country-region>, <st1:state st=\"on\">New Caledonia<\/st1:state>, the Solomons and spearheaded itineraries in the <st1:place st=\"on\"><st1:city st=\"on\">Kimberley<\/st1:city><\/st1:place>.<\/p>\n<p>While she will never hold a candle to Orion for luxury appointments, she nevertheless acquits herself superbly for the intended purpose, namely close-to-shore expeditions and secluded waterways. Without a stabilisation system, she won\u2019t be offering open sea itineraries.<\/p>\n<p>Her all-Australian crew are an asset and are easily amongst the best of the local operators and the specially designed, purpose-built excursion vessel is launched from a raised platform ensuring all passengers embark and disembark from a stationery position.<\/p>\n<p><b style=\"\">North Star Cruises<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/images.fotopic.net\/y40o5f.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"cursor: pointer; width: 400px;\" src=\"http:\/\/images.fotopic.net\/y40o5f.jpg\" alt=\"\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><br \/><b style=\"\"><o:p><\/o:p><\/b><\/p>\n<p><st1:place st=\"on\"><st1:state st=\"on\">Western Australia<\/st1:state><\/st1:place>\u2019s own North Star Cruises operate the acclaimed and multi-award-winning True North, launched in just 2005. Replacing the company\u2019s older, smaller vessel, the new, sleek vessel now carries 36 passengers in 18 cabins in three classes and an 18-member, all-Australian crew.<\/p>\n<p>A bit of a slow starter in the market, North Star is now truly hitting its straps, regularly pulling off awards for their signature <st1:place st=\"on\"><st1:city st=\"on\">Kimberley<\/st1:city><\/st1:place> cruises, where their March-September voyages are the benchmark product.<\/p>\n<p>The dynamic young company now offers itineraries in <st1:place st=\"on\"><st1:country-region st=\"on\">Papua New Guinea<\/st1:country-region><\/st1:place> in November and December and is considering expanding their operations farther into the South Pacific.<\/p>\n<p><b style=\"\">World Heritage Cruises<o:p><\/o:p><\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/images.fotopic.net\/y7bj1b.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 322px;\" src=\"http:\/\/images.fotopic.net\/y7bj1b.jpg\" alt=\"\" align=\"left\" border=\"1\" hspace=\"10\" vspace=\"10\" \/><\/a>Based in the idyllic former logging <st1:placetype st=\"on\">port<\/st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st=\"on\">Strahan<\/st1:placename> on <st1:state st=\"on\">Tasmania<\/st1:state>\u2019s rugged west coast, this small ship company is best known for their relaxed buffet day cruises along <st1:placename st=\"on\">Macquarie<\/st1:placename> <st1:placetype st=\"on\">Harbour<\/st1:placetype> into the pristine <st1:place st=\"on\"><st1:placename st=\"on\">Gordon<\/st1:placename> <st1:placetype st=\"on\">River<\/st1:placetype><\/st1:place>. Branching out with a new luxury vessel, MV Discovery in 2005, the century-old family company now offers overnight cruises further up the Gordon River (Wilderness Escape Cruise), 5-day expeditions to remote Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour and, during the harsh Tasmanian winter whilst based in Queensland, to Hervey Bay and Fraser Island with a new 3-night product.<\/p>\n<p>Chosen by Princess Mary and Prince Frederick for R&#038;R after her hectic Australian tour, the MV Discovery aims squarely for high yield mainland and in-bound clients and carries just 24 passengers in 12 single class cabins. Equipped with zodiacs for shore excursions, the company also makes a fuss of their premium dining experience.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b style=\"\">To the <st1:place st=\"on\">Four Corners<\/st1:place> \u2026<o:p><\/o:p><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b style=\"\">Lindblad Expeditions<o:p><\/o:p><\/b><\/p>\n<p>No coverage of expedition cruising would be complete without mention of this truly pioneering company. Spawned from his father, Lars-Eric Lindblad\u2019s ground-breaking company Lindblad Travel, young Sven-Olaf Lindblad launched Lindblad Expeditions in 1979. <\/p>\n<p>The <st1:place st=\"on\"><st1:state st=\"on\">New York<\/st1:state><\/st1:place> based company operates a fleet of vessels of which the 3100 ton, 110 passenger <i style=\"\">National Geographic Endeavour <\/i>is perhaps the best known. She travels, quite literally to all corners of the globe including the South Pacific, Antarctica and the <st1:place st=\"on\">British  Isles<\/st1:place><\/p>\n<p><b style=\"\">Quark Expeditions<o:p><\/o:p><\/b><\/p>\n<p>Arguably the pre-eminent expedition cruising company in the world, Quark transport passengers to truly iconic destinations like the deepest Antarctic, the Canadian High Arctic, <st1:place st=\"on\">Siberia<\/st1:place> and even the North Pole. Using a fleet of seven, predominantly Russian vessels including the world record holding icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov and the world\u2019s most powerful icebreaker, Yamal, Quark was founded in 1991 and immediately began breaking records and setting new benchmarks in adventure travel.<\/p>\n<p><b style=\"\">Ecoventura<o:p><\/o:p><\/b><\/p>\n<p>This Galapagos specialist operates four vessels, each accommodating just 20 passengers or less. Recently self-accredited as \u201ccarbon neutral\u201d, Florida-based ecoventura (aka Galapagos Network) claim to offset their vessels\u2019 carbon output with a variety of projects including reforestation and methane recapture.<\/p>\n<div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Adventure cruising, and its almost seamlessly interchangeable appellation, \u201cexpedition cruising\u201d, has its roots deep in the human psyche. It stems from our innate desire to inquire, explore and expand the boundaries of our environment whilst deriving intellectual rewards from the experience. Expanding on this, one could name great navigators like Magellan, Cook, La Perouse and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5297","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5297","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5297"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5297\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5297"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5297"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5297"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}