Welcome to the second instalment of our #SetForExpedition2025 blog series! I hope you've been enjoying our social media campaign on Facebook and Instagram, where we’ve been spotlighting breath-taking destinations and extraordinary voyages recommended by our expert expedition cruise operator members.
In this chapter, we will cover the rest of the world expeditions. From the Galapagos Islands to the untamed beauty of Australia's remote Kimberley coast, and Alaska, these voyages promise great experiences.
Some ten years ago, I was incredibly fortunate to work onboard an expedition ship in the Pacific Ocean. It’s a part of the world where I personally experienced unforgettable cultural encounters, snorkelled in impossibly beautiful coral reefs, and enjoyed the warm, genuine hospitality of local communities. Expedition cruising truly connects travellers to the heart of global destinations, offering experiences that go far beyond traditional travel paths.
I sincerely hope these recommendations inspire you to think beyond the better-trodden trails and dream of bold, transformative adventures!
Happy reading! Best wishes, Akvile
Warm Water Expeditions
Aqua Expeditions recommends:
Name: 12-Night Spice Islands, Raja Ampat, and West Papua Expedition
Dates: 11 OCT 2025– 23 OCT 2025
(13 DAYS)
Ship: Aqua Blu
Cost from: US$ 19,640 or £ 15,550 per adult
Start in Ambon and discover the rich colonial heritage of the Banda Islands, home to the impressive Fort Belgica. Next, visit the Koon group of islands, home to renowned snorkelling and diving sites with chances to spot hammerhead and leopard sharks. Venture to the karst island and lagoon complexes of Raja Ampat, surrounded by some of the world’s most biodiverse waters. Finally, head to West Papua, one of the most uncharted regions in all of Indonesia. Sail to the Asmat region, inhabited by its namesake indigenous tribe who are known for their rich cultural heritage. Sail deep into the jungles and visit traditional villages to gain an insight into local customs and rituals and explore the waters surrounding Momon and Triton Bay, which offer incredible snorkelling and diving sites to view sparkling coral reefs and rare marine life including whale sharks.
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions recommends:
Name: Exploring Galápagos; Roundtrip Guayaquil or Quito
Dates: various dates in 2025
Ship: National Geographic Gemini, National Geographic Endeavour II
Cost from: $13,788; £10,891
Link: https://world.expeditions.com/en/expeditions/galapagos-aboard-national-geographic-endeavour-ii
Zodiac to pristine beaches, kayak or stand-up paddleboard along volcanic shores, explore wildlife on land or under the sea. Experience the Galápagos aboard two elegant and nimble ships, well-equipped for up-close exploration. Perfect for couples, families, and solo travelers. Encounter abundant wildlife—blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, Darwin’s finches, pink flamingos, giant tortoises and more. The wildlife of Galápagos is legendary for being without fear in the presence of humans.
Coral Expeditions Recommends:
Name: Experience the Kimberley with Coral Expeditions
Dates: APR 2025– SEPT 2025
Ship: Coral Adventurer and Coral Geographer
Cost from: AUD$10,700 (Coral Deck Stateroom) / GBP £5,450 (exchange rate 05NOV24)
As the sun sets over the Kimberley, embark on an extraordinary journey with Coral Expeditions, pioneers in Australia’s remote wilderness exploration for over 35 years. Australian-owned and operated, Coral Expeditions brings deep respect and expertise to every voyage, with small-ship cruises that connect you closely to the heart of the Kimberley. Their purpose-built vessels, proudly flagged with the Australian ensign, grant the flexibility to access remote, pristine sites unavailable to foreign operators. This means more time spent immersed in the Kimberley's breath-taking landscapes and less time in transit, ensuring guests enjoy the highest levels of safety, compliance, and respect.
Coral Expeditions’ experienced crew brings the Kimberley’s rich history, natural wonders, and culture to life, creating memories that last a lifetime. Through responsible tourism, they partner with First Nations communities, fostering sustainable practices and offering authentic cultural exchanges. Visit Coral Expeditions online to make your Kimberley adventure dreams come true!
Antara Cruises recommends:
Name: Cruising in Bhitarkanika
Dates: 3 Nights 4 Days, Every Monday
Ship: MV Bhitarkanika & MV Mahanadi
Cost from: GBP£ 900 / USD$1000 per person
Lying on the coast of Bay of Bengal in Odisha, Bhitarkanika National Park, popularly called the mini-Amazon, is the second largest Mangrove ecosystem of India after the Sundarbans. Traverse the estuarine region of the Brahmani – Baitarani River systems with a chance to walk through mangrove forest to the Habalikathi beach.
Aranui Cruises recommends:
Name: Discover the Marquesas
Dates: 29 NOV 2025-10 DEC 2025
Ship: Aranui 5
Cost from: 5 256,68 € per person in a standard stateroom
Discover Aranui 5 - Authentic Cruises to French Polynesia, a unique concept of freight and passenger ship that offers a unique cultural immersion in the most remote islands of French Polynesia in the Marquesas - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Austral archipelagos. Guests will enjoy an all-inclusive formula including excursions with English-speaking guides aboard a comfortable vessel - more than half of its 103 cabins are equipped with a balcony. While passengers explore the tropical islands and experience the local culture and traditions with the warm and friendly Polynesian staff, the Aranui sailors unload the freight to these remote communities. We recommend this fascinating off-the-beaten track sailing for the soft adventure and cultural experience that it represents. Discover the heart and soul of Polynesia on the journey of your lifetime aboard the Aranui, the oldest Tahitian cruise company in French Polynesia!
Golden Galapagos recommends:
Name: The Ultimate Flexible Galapagos & Amazon Adventure: Tailored Stays from 6 Nights to Extended Journeys
Dates: multiple dates in 2025
Ship: Golden Galapagos catamarans
Cost from: $6,560 USD / £5,313.60 GBP per person.
This dual-destination journey is perfect for travellers seeking a blend of luxury, nature, and cultural connection. Combining the unique wildlife of the Galapagos Islands with the rich biodiversity of the Amazon Rainforest, it provides an intimate, tailor-made experience. Guests explore aboard a luxury Golden Galapagos cruise and unwind at the serene La Selva Eco-Lodge & Retreat, indulging in epicurean cuisine along the way. With options for 3-night stays in each destination or extended adventures, it's ideal for 2025 travellers wanting a bespoke journey that allows them to fully experience Ecuador’s extraordinary landscapes and cultures.
Where the Bears Roam Free
Maple Leaf Adventures recommends:
Name: The Great Bear Rainforest
Dates: AUG, SEPT, OCT 2025
Ship: Cascadia
Cost from: fares start from CAD $12,150.00 (around £ 7,350 and USD $ 9,300)
The Great Bear Rainforest on Canada’s Inside Passage is a land of fjords, islands and great river estuaries. There are no roads. Instead, everyone travels by water. It's the world's largest intact temperate rainforest.
The many protected, unlogged and ancient rainforests, and the quiet, nutrient-rich ocean, support wildlife and ecosystems as they would have been thousands of years ago across the continent- where grizzly bears, wolf packs and the rare, white spirit bear roam free and live from what they naturally have always lived from, including abundant salmon runs.
Our crew and company, being locally owned and operated, have been directly involved in the work to protect these ecosystems for decades and bring that knowledge to the interpretation.
We work with our friends in the Coastal First Nations of the area to steward the place, develop sustainable tourism, and give you engaging experiences of Indigenous culture on your trip.
UnCruise Adventures recommends:
Name: Discover Alaska’s Wild Northern Passages: Northern Passages with Glacier Bay & Sitka
Dates: various departures in 2025
Ship: Safari Endeavour
Cost from: £3,850 / $4,900
Link: https://uncruise.com/
Why We Recommend This TripFor those craving an intimate encounter with Alaska’s untouched beauty, this 8-day expedition with UnCruise Adventure’s aboard the Safari Endeavour is perfect. The all-inclusive itinerary (expeditions, food, alcohol, etc) offers diverse experiences, from navigating narrow fjords and watching humpback whales bubble feed to hiking the lush Tongass National Forest. Explore both the historic towns of Juneau and Sitka, rich with local culture, and gain exclusive access to Glacier Bay National Park, where fewer than 1% of visitors are able to get off the ship. Every day presents new discoveries and endless outdoor activities in one of the world’s most breath-taking regions.
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