Expedition Cruise Lines Operating Right Now
EXCERPT / COURTESY Cruise Industry News, July 11, 2021: Expedition cruising is no longer a distant dream, with a handful of cruise lines already operating voyages in the Galapagos, Alaska, Iceland, France, the Mediterranean and Australia. More will be joining in later in 2021.
Lindblad
First sailing: In service
Ships: National Geographic Endeavour II, National Geographic Venture, National Geographic Quest, National Geographic Sea Lion, National Geographic Sea Bird, National Geographic Explorer and National Geographic Endurance
Regions: Galapagos, Alaska and Iceland
Lindblad Expeditions resumed service on June 4, with three vessels entering service in the same week. Now, the company is offering cruises to the Galapagos and Alaska – where its entire fleet of U.S.-flagged small ships will spend the summer.
In July, Lindblad also resumed sailings to Iceland with the 148-guest National Geographic Explorer. The newbuild National Geographic Endurance is also entering service in the region soon, with cruises planned to start on July 21.
PONANT
First sailing: In service
Ships: Le Bougainville, Le Lyrial, Le Dumont-D’Urville, Le Champlain and Le Bellot
Regions: Europe – Mediterranean, Iceland and France
After resuming service on June 16, PONANT is planning to offer more than 50 departures to Iceland, the Mediterranean and France this summer.
Highlights include over 30 sailings in the Mediterranean, in addition to new itineraries and ports of call. Sailing from Northern France, PONANT is also offering a unique stop at the brand’s namesake islands, Ponant Islands.
Silversea Expeditions
First sailing: In service
Ship: Silver Origin
Region: South America – The Galapagos
On its maiden voyage, the Silver Origin marked the service resumption of Silversea Expeditions. Since June 19, the newbuild is in service in the Galapagos, offering year-round expedition voyages in the Ecuadorian archipelago.
Three other Silversea Expedition vessels are set to resume service in November, ahead of the 2021-2022 season in Antarctica.
Crystal
First sailing: July 17, 2021
Ship: Crystal Endeavor
Region: Europe – Iceland and Norway
Recently named in Germany, the Crystal Endeavor is set to enter service on July 17.
As Crystal’s first expedition vessel, it will offer a series of ten-night immersive voyages circumnavigating Iceland. In September, the vessel will add an expedition to the Norwegian Fjords to its schedule.
Atlas Ocean Voyages
First sailing: August 4, 2021
Ship: World Navigator
Region: Egypt and Greek Islands
Launching service this year, Atlas Ocean announced new summer 2021 itineraries for its first, newly constructed expedition ship, the World Navigator.
The updated inaugural season includes alternating departures from Piraeus, Greece, and Alexandria, Egypt, starting August 4.
Quark Expeditions
First sailing: October 31, 2021
Ships: Ultramarine, Ocean Adventurer, World Explorer and Ocean Diamond
Region: Antarctica
Quark Expeditions is planning a service resumption in Antarctica, featuring its first newbuild, the 199-guest Ultramarine. According to its website, the new vessel is set to enter service on Oct. 31, offering expeditions from Argentina.
Three additional ships – the Ocean Adventurer, the World Explorer and the Ocean Diamond – are also poised to resume sailings in Antarctica, starting in November.
Cover photo: National Geographic Resolution, courtesy Lindblad & Natl Geo
See these Expeditions lines and ships (E) here, along with much more!
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