Beyond the Ice: Wildly Diverse Expedition Cruise Experiences in Different Environments

DETROIT (Feb. 27, 2024) – Expedition vessels, renowned for their icy adventures in the Arctic, now offer a spectrum of experiences throughout the year. These ships have diversified their offerings to include cultural cruises, epicurean expeditions and discovery cruises, providing a wide array of choices to cater to various interests.

CruiseCompete is currently experiencing a remarkable surge in expedition requests, boasting an impressive 24.11% uptick in inquiries from its 1.5 million members in the year 2024. These requests aren’t limited to polar regions; they span throughout the year, highlighting the growing appeal of these stunning small ships and the different adventures they are offering.

Explore 5 Lines Savoring Culinary Adventures on Expedition Voyages 

For travelers who yearn to fuse their love of exploration with their culinary passion, epicurean expedition cruises present a delectable opportunity.

These expedition lines immerse guests in the local gastronomic culture.

1. Swan Hellenic: Their Maris cruises redefine high-end cruise gastronomy, combining specialist lectures, gastronomic excursions ashore, and interaction with world-famous chefs, all culminating in extraordinary Gala Dinners that showcase culinary creativity and skills.Maris weaves the insights of the specialist lectures on board with shore excursions in which guests explore and savor local hunting and fishing, farming, foraging, and culinary traditions and cultures in the company of world-famous chefs, benefiting from their expert perspective. And, of course, every Maris chef also mixes and socializes with guests throughout their voyage in the Swan Hellenic cultural expedition cruise tradition. This extraordinary combination makes Maris an irresistible new experience in high-end cruise gastronomy.

   Additionally, the Maris chefs host cooking shows, socialize with guests throughout the voyage, and reveal select recipe secrets.

2. Atlas Ocean Voyages: Elevating Epicurean Expeditions to a sublime art form, guests are enveloped in the presence of Gastronomic Guests, including esteemed chefs or indigenous culinary mavens. Delight awaits through culinary masterclasses, oenophilic odysseys, and immersive cultural engagements spanning the vibrant tapestries of Europe, South America, and the Arctic.
3. PONANT: Embark on a Culinary Cruise to indulge in a sensorial journey through the heart of regional gastronomy. Expert-led shore excursions peel back the layers of culinary traditions, while onboard cooking classes tantalize the taste buds with regionally inspired delicacies. Traverse the culinary landscapes of the Mediterranean, Asia, and Africa in an epicurean odyssey like no other.
4. Windstar Cruises: Immerse yourself in the symphony of flavors with Wine & Food Cruises that seamlessly blend exploration with epicurean delights. From wine tastings to culinary demonstrations and gourmet dining experiences, traverse the picturesque landscapes of Europe, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia while indulging in the finer things in life.
5. Hurtigruten: Embark on Food Shore Adventures to uncover the essence of local cuisine through immersive culinary escapades. From traversing fish markets in Norway to encountering artisanal cheesemakers in the Netherlands, each destination on this gastronomic voyage, spanning Europe, Antarctica, and the Arctic, promises an unforgettable culinary revelation.

See all expedition lines here.

These expedition cruise lines prioritize food, ensuring that passengers have meaningful and educational experiences during their voyages.

CruiseCompete member-advisors are the most well-educated, forward-thinking and trusted cruise specialists in the industry. CruiseCompete is simple to use: Find the desired cruise. Request quotes. Compare personalized offers, prices, upgrades, cabin credits and more. Contact member travel advisors with questions and to book. CruiseCompete offers higher quality cruise shore excursions at substantially lower prices.