Exploration Cruise Inspiration & Stories
Welcome to the Cruise Routes Blog
There’s a difference between travelling somewhere and truly experiencing it. 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.
You’ll also find practical insight and first-hand recommendations from our Cruise Consultants, shaped by personal experience and a clear understanding of what matters when planning meaningful exploration cruises.
Think of it as a place to discover new destinations, explore ideas, and start shaping where your next journey might take you.
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
India by River and Sea: A Different Way to Discover One of the World’s Most Fascinating Destinations
India has a way of staying with you. It’s there in the sound of temple bells at sunrise, the scent of cardamom drifting through a bustling market, the quiet moments watching village life unfold along a riverbank, and the conversations
The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Patagonia by Expedition Cruise
Few places on Earth capture the imagination quite like Patagonia. Stretching across the southern reaches of Chile and Argentina, this vast wilderness is home to towering glaciers, snow-capped peaks, remote fjords and extraordinary wildlife. It’s a landscape that feels untamed,
What It’s Really Like on a Tropical Expedition Cruise: Raja Ampat to the Philippines
When people think of expedition cruising, Antarctica often comes to mind. But expedition ships are just as much at home in warm waters, reaching remote islands, hidden anchorages and communities that larger vessels simply can’t. After joining Swan Hellenic’s voyage