So Many Cruise Lines; How Do I Choose Part 3-Specialty Cruise Lines

 By: Mike Franks, Owner-Operator, Cruise Planners-Orange Park, FL

cruisecritics.com

So far, we have compared and contrasted the so called “popular cruise lines” such as Norwegian and Royal Caribbean with the “Luxury cruise lines” such as Paul Gauguin, Regent Seven Seas and Cunard Lines.

Sometimes, travelers are looking for a unique experience that provide the opportunity for adventure and exploration and cultural immersion. Our third and final cruise line category is Specialty Cruise Lines. Here are a few examples of what’s out there and what you can expect from each one.

It is the only Greek cruise company and the only line to board from ports in the Greek Islands. More than over 2,300 employees globally serve nearly 300,000 people from all over the world every year. Celestyal Cruises

Celestyal Cruises is considered the preeminent cruise line serving the Greek Islands and the island of Cuba. The company operates five mid-sized ships, each one cozy enough to provide highly personal service. Every cruise focuses on true cultural immersion, offering an authentic experience of the regions in which the vessels sail. Their very reasonable fares and attention to the Greek Isles make them unique.

CroisiEurope has been in business for over 40 years specializing in river and canal journeys throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa with itineraries from 4 days to 19 and all-inclusive beverages, shore excursions, free WIFI, entertainment, etc.

They operate some 50 company owned ships along with 5 other charter vessels. Their mission is to make European river cruising affordable and inviting.

Hurtigruten is a daily passenger and freight shipping service along Norway's western and northern coasts, sometimes referred to as the Norwegian Coastal Express promising "The World’s Most Beautiful Sea Voyage". Each Hurtigruten departure is a purposeful voyage providing a lifeline to the coastal communities, while exploring stunning fjords, visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites and enjoying the wildlife and nature along more than 1,000 miles of pristine coastline.

fjord travel.com

At night, enjoy hilarious comedic performances courtesy of The Second City, or watch in awe as world-class acrobats and aerialist twirl through the air in Cirque Dreams: Jungle Fantasy, Epicurean, and Steam. Spend every day discovering award-winning entertainment that's beyond anything at sea.

To discover the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, discover Ponant. This is a French registry cruise line that offers true 5-star travel aboard luxury ships full of authenticity and sophistication combining both the luxury and specialty aspects of cruising. In addition to the normal destinations offered by other luxury and popular lines, Ponant features expeditions to the Arctic Circle as well as Antarctica.

Ponant offers a total immersion experience for all of their itineraries and destinations. Their website says it this way, “sailing aboard one of our ships means enjoying rare encounters with nature in the heart of virgin territories. It means discovering other cultures and traditions, sharing memories with tribes from the other side of the world.”

Quarkexpeditions.com

Since 1991, Quark Expeditions has specialized in expedition cruising to the Arctic and Antarctica, in ships with ice-strengthened hulls used as icebreakers. Polar travelers will enjoy unparalleled technical expertise, leadership and passion for expedition trips to the Arctic and Antarctica.

Their first voyage - The Transpolar Bridge Cruise - began July 27, 1991, in Murmansk, Russia. The ship was the nuclear-powered icebreaker Sovetskiy Soyuz, an older sister of 50 Years of Victory. She sailed across the top of the world via Franz Josef Land, the North Pole, the New Siberian Islands, the Wrangel Island area and the Chukotka Peninsula. That first group of adventurers disembarked in Provideniya. 

In 1996, American Safari Cruises pioneered yacht cruising in Alaska and over time, added new destinations, adventures, vessels, and ultimately, changed our name to UnCruise Adventures. Today, they sail into the next decade of adventure; and can’t wait to share this unbelievable world with you. Their mission is to provide their guests an enriching adventure travel experience and inspire an appreciation of local cultures and the natural world.

UnCruise Adventures operates from offices at historic Fishermen’s Terminal in Seattle, Washington and Juneau, Alaska. Connection and innovation have been at the heart ever since. And driven by a fearless team and a commitment of leaving the beaten path and really exploring—experiencing—what the world has to offer. 

UnCruise understands that ecosystems are fragile, yet important, environments. And we know first-hand the impact our adventures have on sustaining local communities. One of the key components of their company’s mission statement is to actively promote environmental protection through education, actions, and initiatives that promote responsible travel.

Equally important to the ship’s physical design is the desire to create a meaningful experience for guests. Virgin Voyages feature exciting ideas in entertainment and music to provide their Sailors (not passengers or cruisers) with a strong variety of programming options.

In fact, it won’t be a cruise at all. It will be a voyage!

Combining the comfort of boutique-style cruising with the very best of cultural travel, Voyages to Antiquity offers an opportunity to explore the history, cultures and natural wonders of the Eastern and Western Mediterranean, Northern France, Iceland, Ireland and the British Isles.

Zegrahmexpeditions.com

Zegrahm Expeditions was founded more than 20 years ago by six seasoned adventurers. Each of these explorers has visited more than 100 countries; collectively, they've been to Antarctica more than 250 times. Their adventures run the gamut from journeying over 800 miles on skis to the South Pole to conducting marine research with Jean-Michel Cousteau. 

When planning a vacation, it pays to use the experience and industry knowledge of an experienced travel agent. They will help you determine what your interests are and find the perfect vacation for you and your family!

What is your dream vacation destination? Chances are there is a cruise ship going that way!

Visit my website www.landorseatravel.com or call me 1-844-TRAVEL and discover the allure of cruising!

Mike Franks is an owner/operator of Cruise Planners in Orange Park, FL. Cruise Planners specializes in ocean and river cruises, land tours and resort vacations.