THE 7 MOST INTREPID CRUISES ON EARTH.

It’s tempting to think of cruising as a fairly unadventurous way to holiday, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! In fact, cruising is often the only way to get to some of the world’s most remote places. Here are seven of our most intrepid offerings.

1   |   NEW GUINEA ISLAND ENCOUNTER

Length: 11 nights   |   Cruise line: Princess, P&O    |   Departs: Brisbane

It doesn’t get much further off the beaten track than famously untouched Papua New Guinea. Sail from Brisbane to experience the unspoiled beaches and sparkling tropical waters of Kitava Island. Discover a woman-led culture in the Trobriand Islands and an unusual take on cricket on Kiriwina Island. And stop off in the Conflict Islands — an odd name for what might be the most peaceful place on earth.

2   |   CRUISE THE NORTHEAST PASSAGE

Length: 24 nights   |   Cruise line: Ponant   |    Departs: Tromso, Norway

Rug up, mate! Unthinkable just a few years ago, cruise ships now make the legendary journey from Norway to Alaska via the Northeast Passage — a route blocked most of the year by ice. This itinerary winds through remote Arctic waters and amongst the frozen Siberian archipelagos in pursuit of the furthest places in the Northern hemisphere. Highlights include Murmansk, one of the world’s northernmost cities, and Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya, magnificent natural sanctuaries that are part of the Russian Arctic National Park.

3   |   GALAPAGOS ISLAND SOUTH LOOP

Length: 7 nights     |   Cruise line: Celebrity Cruises   |    Departs: Baltra Island, Ecuador

Experience one of the world’s critical biodiversity hotspots onboard the intimate Celebrity Xploration, a stylish catamaran-style small ship with eight luxuriously cosy staterooms. You’ll make stops throughout the Galapagos Islands so you can spot and swim with the famous residents: Dolphins, orcas, sea lions, flamingos and much more. Walk the beautiful “white forest” of Palo Santo trees on Santa Cruz Island and visit Isabela Island’s Tortoise Center to meet hatchling turtles. Back onboard, fantastic creature comforts await.;

4   |   SINGAPORE TO THE SEYCHELLES

Length: 25 nights   |   Cruise line: Coral Expeditions     |   Departs: Singapore

Board the Coral Geographer to sail from Singapore across the vast Indian Ocean, calling in at Sumatra, exotic Sri Lanka, remote atolls of the Maldives and further on to the pristine Seychelles. You’ll be immersed in rich cultural and history in unforgettable onshore excursions. Spot elephants and leopards on a dusk expedition safari at Yala National Park in Sri Lanka. Then explore pristine waters of the Maldives before arriving in the northern Seychelles and the land of the giants! Spot the massive fronds of the Coco De Mer palm forest, enormous granite boulders that resemble modern sculptures — and the huge ancient tortoises that forage the shores.

5   |   CRUISE TO FROZEN ANTARCTICA

Length: 12 nights   |   Cruise line: Hurtigruten   |   Departs: Ushuaia, Argentina

Depart on the MS Midnatsol from Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, and enter the famously turbulent Drake Passage for the journey to the last frontier — Antarctica. Perhaps nowhere on earth feels as totally removed or as awe-inspiring. As the ship nears Antarctica, you’ll spot for icebergs bobbing nearby, and eventually, penguins and whales appearing. Board Zodiacs for unforgettable experiences on land and in the sheltered bays: You might kayak the icy waters or snowshoe across an open plain. Visit operating bases and meet the hearty lot who run them. Back onboard, you’ll enjoy fascinating lectures by Antarctic experts and unique Norwegian-inspired elements, a nod to Hurtigruten’s homeland.

6   |   NEW ZEALAND BEYOND BOUNDARIES

Length: 18 days   |   Cruise line: Crystal Cruises   |   Departs: Hobart

Follow in the footsteps of great explorers past — but without travelling too far from home! Board the Crystal Endeavor in Hobart and set off to explore the most remote of our nearby islands before ending easily in Christchurch. Highlights include the stunning Milford and Doubtful Sounds, Macquarie Island, Campbell Island, Antipodes Island and the Chatham Islands.

7   |   EXPEDITION WORLD CRUISE

Length: 167 nights     |   Cruise line: Silversea     |   Departs: Ushuaia, Argentina

And here it is. Perhaps the most extraordinary itinerary on the market. Every year Silversea unveils an incredible itinerary that takes travellers from one end of the earth to the other. The Uncharted World Tour 2021 departs from Ushuaia in southern Argentina and makes stops in 30 countries before arriving into Tromso in northern Norway. The ship even makes stops along the Antarctica peninsula and South Shetland Islands. The only thing harder than picking a highlight? Deciding how to pack for EVERYWHERE.

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