Gone are the days when cruise itineraries meant large groups being shepherded like cattle from one tourist destination to the other, with barely any time to take in the sights. More and more people are opting for an exclusive experience: according to Cruise Industry News, the luxury cruise market is projected to welcome over a million guests this 2023, up from around 600,000 in 2019 – and that number could go up to 1.5 million by 2030.
The industry has anticipated this shift, which is why half of this year’s class of new cruise ships are smaller luxury ships. Despite carrying fewer passengers, this clientele is willing to pay a premium for a longer, more expansive itinerary and the best amenities. Luxury cruises can offer a wide array of curated pursuits for the discerning traveler looking to gain a deeper, richer understanding of the sites they’re visiting. For first-timers, immersive experiences are best enjoyed in the context of a luxury cruise: encountering nature respectfully and mindfully while still enjoying the exclusive trimmings that only premier travel can bring.
Unparalleled exploration
In our previous “How to Make a Perfect Travel Itinerary?” article, we discussed planning well without compromising spontaneity. After all, luxury travel is a hefty investment, so you never want to come away with just photos. You want a genuinely soul-stirring experience, both on and off the ship, that leaves you with a new appreciation for the world. Explora Journeys seeks to fulfill even the wildest traveler’s dreams, providing shore excursions for every agenda.
Whether you’re looking to approach the knife’s edge of nature, enjoy a well-visited tourist spot in perfect solitude, or tick off your list of must-do experiences, their Destination Experiences ensure that you don’t have to compromise your personal itinerary, even when you’re on a cruise. Along with curated pursuits, Explora allows passengers to customize their onboard experiences as well, with sophisticated lounging, immersive dining, and open-air fitness services. Choose from an expansive array of suites characterized by refined European elegance, where no room is spared from a stunning ocean-front view. Indulge in nine distinct culinary experiences and wine selections from the regional areas the ship will visit – a cultural immersion just for the palate. And with fitness spaces geared towards lowering stress while elevating energy, sojourners get one step closer to the Ocean State of Mind.
“To travel is to learn” mindset
To travel frequently is to become a student of life, constantly expanding one’s horizons and challenging pre-conceived notions about the world. However, climate change has placed many iconic locations in relative danger. As such, the cruise ship industry has restructured its itineraries so that curious passengers may foster a sense of ownership and responsibility for the environment. Take, for instance, tourists who have re-prioritized Antarctica to the top of their list, knowing full well that it’s only a matter of time before the irrevocable deterioration of the Antarctic ice sheet. As a result, Viking Cruises – whose ships are more conducive to cerebral rather than celebratory inclinations – facilitates unique, climate-sensitive learning experiences for its passengers, including in-depth lectures with expedition teams and environmental experts.
Calling itself the “thinking person’s cruise,” these adults-only ships combine the spirit of discovery with the creature comforts of cruise-ship traveling, complete with well-curated libraries, nightly documentaries, and “The Aula,” a panoramic auditorium for both classroom-style lectures and entertainment. Inspired by the iconic ceremonial hall of the University of Oslo, the auditorium’s floor-to-ceiling windows boast a 270-degree view perfect for visual learners. For lunch, one could join a Viking Resident Scientist to get answers to in-depth questions about the following location on the list. So, while travel shouldn’t feel like a task, it should take you beyond surface-level discoveries to unmask the world in its raw, unique glory. Whatever your idea is of a genuinely immersive cruise, you will find no shortage of cruise ships ready to ferry you toward your next worthwhile experience. For more travel tips, keep coming back to One Day Itinerary.