The Exploration Cruise Specialist
We specialise in a certain type of cruising – smaller ships, bigger adventures, and far more time in the places you came to see.
Cruise Routes
Explore further.
Discover more.
Cruise differently.
Not all cruises are made for exploration. But ours are – exclusively.
At Cruise Routes, we specialise in small-ship exploration cruises designed to connect you more deeply with the world’s most rewarding destinations. From the awe-inspiring isolation of Antarctica to the timeless traditions of Japan and the remarkable wildlife of the Galápagos, these are journeys where you don’t just see the landscapes, you feel them. Experiences shaped by wildlife, culture and discovery that enrich the soul, not just fill a photo album.
Welcome to Cruise Routes, the exploration cruise specialists.
Top Specialist Picks
Explore our specialist selection of small ship exploration cruises and exclusive offers, hand-chosen by our Cruise Consultants.
Cruise Routes Shortlisted at the Expedition Cruise Network Awards 2026
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- Nine culinary experiences
- Unlimited fine beverages
- Thermal spa access
- Dec 4 - 15, 2025
- Silver Wind
13 Days
From
£8,735
Per guest, with lowest fare
Meet MS EUROPA and MS EUROPA 2: Small ships for bigger journeys
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- Nine culinary experiences
- Unlimited fine beverages
- Thermal spa access
- Dec 4 - 15, 2025
- Silver Wind
13 Days
From
£8,735
Per guest, with lowest fare
Beyond the Antarctic Peninsula: Four Ways to Explore Further
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- Nine culinary experiences
- Unlimited fine beverages
- Thermal spa access
- Dec 4 - 15, 2025
- Silver Wind
13 Days
From
£8,735
Per guest, with lowest fare
Wild Orangutans: Where to Encounter the ‘People of the Forest’
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- Nine culinary experiences
- Unlimited fine beverages
- Thermal spa access
- Dec 4 - 15, 2025
- Silver Wind
13 Days
From
£8,735
Per guest, with lowest fare
Where to See Elephants in Africa: Unforgettable Encounters in the Wild
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- Nine culinary experiences
- Unlimited fine beverages
- Thermal spa access
- Dec 4 - 15, 2025
- Silver Wind
13 Days
From
£8,735
Per guest, with lowest fare
Exploring Svalbard aboard Quark Expeditions’ Ultramarine
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- Nine culinary experiences
- Unlimited fine beverages
- Thermal spa access
- Dec 4 - 15, 2025
- Silver Wind
13 Days
From
£8,735
Per guest, with lowest fare
- Watch wildlife in their natural habitat
- Zodiac rides and landings led by expert guides
- Get closer to the Galápagos' extraordinary wildlife
- Explore pristine beaches, volcanic peaks and crystal-clear waters
- Plus up to £1,500 air credit
- A favourite operator amongst our clients!
- Exceptional dining
- PONANT All Inclusive
- Expert lectures
- Luxury ship
- Fully immersive zodiac and shore excursions
- Luxury ships and inclusions
Where can we take you?
Top pick hotels
Our holidays by type
Explore our travel magazines
Find inspiration for your next adventure
Make yourself a cup of tea and get inspired with some of our most popular cruise experiences.
- Watch wildlife in their natural habitat
- Zodiac rides and landings led by expert guides
- Get closer to the Galápagos' extraordinary wildlife
- Explore pristine beaches, volcanic peaks and crystal-clear waters
- Plus up to £1,500 air credit
- A favourite operator amongst our clients!
- Exceptional dining
- PONANT All Inclusive
- Expert lectures
- Luxury ship
- Fully immersive zodiac and shore excursions
- Luxury ships and inclusions
Featured Destinations
Our journeys take travellers to some of the world’s most rewarding exploration cruise destinations – from remote polar regions and wildlife-rich archipelagos to culturally connected waterways and lesser visited coastlines.
These featured regions are just a small selection of the extraordinary places we explore across the world.
Rewarding our community of world explorers
CR:EW® (Cruise Routes Explorers of the World) isn’t your average loyalty program. From your very first booking, you’re part of the community – which includes your personal Cruise Consultant staying in touch, making personalised recommendations, selecting and inviting you to bespoke events, and organising thoughtful touches that they know will enhance your trips.
You become a member of the CR:EW® from your very first booking. No need to ‘register your interest’. And the more you travel with us, the more you benefit – not just in points, but in how well we know you, and how to make your journeys even more special.
Inspiration from Cruise Routes
This is where we share stories, insights and inspiration from the world of small ship exploration and expedition cruises. From remote coastlines and wildlife-rich archipelagos to great rivers and culturally connected journeys, these are the experiences that stay with you long after you return home.
Cruise Routes Shortlisted at the Expedition Cruise Network Awards 2026
We’re delighted to share that Cruise Routes has been shortlisted for Best Newcomer to Expedition Cruise – Travel Agency or Tour Operator at the Expedition Cruise Network Awards 2026. There’s a little more to the word newcomer in our case,
Meet MS EUROPA and MS EUROPA 2: Small ships for bigger journeys
There are ships designed to be the destination. And then there are ships designed to help you experience destinations properly. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ MS EUROPA and MS EUROPA 2 fall firmly into the latter camp. They combine spacious surroundings, excellent food
Beyond the Antarctic Peninsula: Four Ways to Explore Further
For many travellers, Antarctica begins with the Peninsula. And with its ice-filled channels, busy penguin colonies and mountains rising straight from the sea, it’s easy to understand why. But the Antarctic is enormous. Look beyond the familiar Peninsula routes and
Wild Orangutans: Where to Encounter the ‘People of the Forest’
Deep within the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra lives one of the world’s most remarkable great apes. With their distinctive red-orange hair, extraordinary intelligence and long, powerful arms, orangutans are instantly recognisable. Yet seeing one moving through the rainforest canopy
Where to See Elephants in Africa: Unforgettable Encounters in the Wild
Few wildlife experiences can match seeing an African elephant in the wild. Whether it’s a family gathering at a waterhole, a lone bull crossing the savannah or an entire herd moving quietly through the bush, these encounters often become the
Exploring Svalbard aboard Quark Expeditions’ Ultramarine
There are some places where the landscape completely changes your sense of scale. Svalbard is one of them. Located high above mainland Norway, this Arctic archipelago is a place of towering glaciers, snow-covered mountains and wildlife that has adapted to