Dateline: Wednesday 26th June 2024 Home: "To Expedition Cruise or not to Expedition Cruise" That is the Question

The main difference with an Expedition Cruise is that the ship is equipped with a fleet of small fast Ribs, known as Zodiacs, supported by an Expedition Team that include experts on birds, mammals, sea life, geology, glaciers and many other aspects of the local and global environment. The expedition vessel is very unlikely to dock in a harbour with gangway access etc., so the Zodiacs are used to ferry people to shore, to get up close to Bird Cliffs or Icebergs for example.

Although the Silver Endeavour is well appointed (If you haven't yet looked at the link in my first Post, then do so soon since you will see what luxury I will be enjoying) with state-of-the-art suites, 4 Restaurants, bars, a Spa and shop. Unlike more conventional cruises, there is no evening entertainment,  instead, the Expedition Team, at around 6.00pm gather everyone in the Panorama Lounge (More of a theatre really) and provide a roundup of the day's activities and the plan for the next day.

At every stop the expedition team offer a range of activities to cater for everyone's level of fitness.  The activities range from heavy duty hikes, at speed and over difficult terrain to less difficult walks.  Other activities include guided Rib cruises, as I have mentioned, or kayaking. 

On my Silversea cruise last year kayaking proved very popular but with limited equipment and about 140 guests it meant that most people only got to kayak once.  So, it's rather Hobson's choice as to when you will get to kayak and this time most people will want to 'kayak with the Beluga Whales'!  I will settle for a Zodiac cruise to get closer to these wonderful creatures.

The map shows the intended Itinerary. Why do I say 'intended Itinerary' well it all depends on the weather and the sea state for shore landings or Rib cruises. Each evening the Expedition Team Leader will set out up to 3 alternative plans for the following days activities. Fro example, it may be that as we travel up the West Coast of Greenland towards the Capital Nuuk, that ice and icebergs play a role in determining where and when we can land.  Hence the title Expedition Cruise, so watch out for the posts as this adventure gets underway.  There are a few days at sea so I should have plenty of time to post, that's if I'm not too tired after day of strenuous activity. It's hard work cruising!