Exploring by water: cruising with Audley explained

By cruise specialist Jon

Some of my clients have been uncertain when I first suggested a cruise to them. But when I began explaining what cruising can look like, it soon started to sound like an experience they could see themselves having. You might have a set notion of cruising, but the reality is it comes in many guises, each with its benefits.

Using my clients’ common questions as a starting point, I can reassure you that building a water-based adventure into your trip can deeply enrich your experience.

“Are all cruise ships the same size?”

In a word, no. This is where you have a wide spectrum of choices. We select ships based on their suitability in terms of size and style for the experience that you want to have.

For example, on a trip to Italy, Croatia, and Montenegro, you can opt to spend time in Rome, Florence, and Venice, before boarding a traditional square-rigged sailing ship. You’ll leave Venice in a departure that pulls on all the romance and glamour of the golden Age of Sail. With a backward glance to San Marco, you’ll voyage into the Adriatic Sea on a ship in full sail.

For a smaller ship experience, exploring areas inaccessible to larger vessels, you may wish to look at a cruise around Hawaii’s islands, where you can delve into culture and spot wildlife in a more intimate setting. You might find yourself sailing in the Humpback National Marine Sanctuary looking out for dolphins and whales, or kayaking in waters ablaze with a rainbow of tropical fish.

We also offer midsize and larger ships, many of which have a very small passenger-to-staff ratio with highly attentive service. One of my preferred routes takes you around the islands and coastlines of Greece and Turkey. During the day, you’ll visit ancient cities, relax on golden sands, and sample local island produce. By night, you’ll retreat to a luxurious hotel-on-water-style ship.

“Will I have enough time to explore in each destination off the cruise ship?”

Journeying by ship frees up your time like no other means of travel, meaning you’ll have plenty of time to relax and explore ashore. Instead of the constant changing of hotel rooms while you move between locations, your room travels with you.

Our cruise partner Azamara is a good example of this. Dedicated to offering longer port visits, the Azamara ships dock in smaller ports and give more time than average in each destination you visit. On an Azamara cruise around Japan, you’ll stop at ten different ports with plenty of experiences to choose from ashore. You could take a deep dive into samurai culture at Kokura Castle on Kyushu or sip a cup of matcha in a teahouse surrounded by a traditional Takamatsu Japanese garden. You also have the chance to begin or end your trip with some land-based travel so you can enjoy expert-led experiences you might not have time to do during the cruise.

“How easy is it to plan a cruise and time on land?”

It can be complex to manage the details of a combined itinerary, but topping or tailing time at sea with a land-based adventure can give you a more rounded perspective on your destination. Taking care of the logistics is where we come in. Your specialist will take care of everything for you. They’ll handle every aspect, from booking flights to recommending the ideal ship stateroom. They’ll also hand-pick the stays and experiences you can enjoy on land.

I love this South America trip idea, which spans a vast geographical route, jumping between a myriad of countries that are often challenging to link in one trip. You’ll spend time in cities like Buenos Aires and Santiago, the dune-sculpted Atacama Desert, and Patagonia’s far-flung fjords. You’ll also round Cape Horn in the nautical footsteps of storied explorers and get up close to the wildlife of the Falkland Islands, before walking in the mist of the Iguaçu Falls in Brazil. That involves a lot of moving parts, but your specialist will take care of all the logistics so you can focus on getting the most out of your time on land and water.

“Is going on a cruise adventurous enough?”

Cruising can be relaxing and languid, but it doesn’t have to be. Expedition cruises are packed full of adventure. They take you to places that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to reach and give you experiences that are far removed from the normality of everyday life. After all, many of the world’s most famous adventurers explored the globe by ship.

You could take an ocean expedition to the Arctic with Quark Expeditions on a ship specifically designed to tackle the region’s ice-strewn waters. While aboard, you can spot an array of marine wildlife, from blue whales to polar bears, but you won’t spend all your time cocooned on the ship. You’ll be out and about exploring the stark tundra.

On one day you could be hopping on board an inflatable boat to get closer to towering icebergs, on the next tracking alongside wandering reindeer and musk oxen. You might spend time watching the huge walrus gatherings or kayaking alongside creaking glacial snouts. Or perhaps you’ll want to paddleboard the icy fjords, hike across the permafrost in search of Arctic foxes, or delve into former Inuit settlements.

Many of these types of expedition cruises are accompanied by leading polar researchers who can enlighten you on the icy formations and distinctive wildlife you sail past. Some of the Quark boats also feature onboard helicopters, offering you the chance to follow the flight paths of Arctic birds and get a rare glimpse of this pristine landscape from the air.

“Can cruising be tailored to me?”

Yes, it can be shaped around your preferences and passions. Not only do our specialists know the cruise routes inside and out, but they also know the vessels, the onshore experiences offered, and the facilities and activities on board. That way, they can tailor your time on the water as easily as they can shape the land-based elements of your trip. They’ll advise on everything from which ship, route, and stateroom to choose to which restaurants to book while you’re on board. They can even help you pick which side of the ship you’d prefer. No two cruise experiences will be the same.

They’ll also mix and match cruising with time on land, planning the entire trip around your preferences and interests.

Let’s say food is your passion. Your specialist might suggest a Silversea cruise (I highly recommend the one linking Australia and New Zealand). Silversea’s culinary offerings are exemplary, not only for dining but for cooking too. If you want to try your hand at preparing local delicacies tailored to your destination, you can attend a lecture, demonstration, or (on certain ships) a hands-on cooking class in the S.A.L.T. kitchen laboratory. There’s also a vast variety of cuisines to try at Silversea’s onboard restaurants.

Then, when you’re on shore, you can supplement this knowledge with guided food tours, market visits, tasting tours, and restaurant trips.

If you’d like to build some time on the water into your next trip, take a look at our new cruise offerings.