Departures: August 18 and September 3—2023
Experience: Join 528-passenger Maud sailing 17 days round trip from Reykjavik reveling in nearly every Arctic highlight. Visit volcanic Jan Mayenone—of Earth’s most remote destinations—in the Arctic Circle. Birds, like Brünich’s Guillemots, reign as sole residents on this moss and lichen-streaked island; surrounding waters teem with whales and seals. In Svalbard and Greenland, pristine fjords, towering mountains, and glacier-carved valleys are entrancing. Bask in the warmest welcome in Ittoqqortoormiit; less than 500 hardy souls live on this Arctic peninsula town encased by sea ice most of the year. Maud’s nature-inspired Nordic decor pops with modern artworks. The Science Center serves as the ship hub, with lectures streamed to staterooms and suites. Three fine restaurants showcase regional ingredients. Like all Hurtigruten ships, Maud emphasizes sustainability, with zero port emissions through green technology.
Viking
Itinerary: Great Lakes Collection
Departures: June 10, 2023 through September 12, 2023
Experience: Find profound adventure exploring all five Great Lakes on a 15-day voyage between Toronto and Duluth, Minnesota, on 378-passenger twins Viking Polaris and Viking Octantis. Embarking Zodiacs in an industry-first, protected in-ship hangar, makes boarding a breeze. Behold the staggering beauty of thundering Niagara Falls, as it hurls 42 millions of gallons of water down 20 stories every minute, from a boat shrouded in mist below. Hook Chinook salmon or rainbow trout on a private charter in Thunder Bay, Canada; a prized local chef cooks the catch. Glide on a glass-bottom boat over shipwrecks as an archeologist details what lies below. With 36 experts by your side, hunt for 400-million-year-old fossils, hike boreal forests, and participate in scientific research. Later, cozy up before an onboard fire pit, browse the scientist-curated library, devour a divine dinner before snuggling in your king bed.
Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic
Itinerary: Kimberley Expedition: Australia’s Wild Northwest
Departures: July 7, 17, and 27—2023
Experience: Horizontal waterfalls? Freshwater crocodiles? It’s not your imagination (or too many onboard cocktails); such rare sightings skew typical to a remote Kimberley sail. Adrenalin-charge for 12 days between Darwin and Broome, Australia, onboard 102-passenger National Geographic Orion, a casual ship with clubby flair. This remote region is so ancient, much predates fossil existence. Immense and diverse, the Kimberley’s abundance of green-drenched rainforests, contorted red rock formations, gorges, and aboriginal art, astonishes. A certified photo instructor ensures perfect pics and the naturalist staff leads explorations. In Vansittart Bay, gape at 40,000-year-old images in an outdoor aboriginal art gallery. Find sandpipers, sharks, cormorants, and egrets among ever-present wildlife. Come chill time, head to the ship’s wellness center or hot tub, and dine al fresco on sustainable choices, soaking up good wine and eye-popping views.
Atlas Ocean Voyages
Itinerary: 10 Night Edinburgh to Dublin
Departure: September 26, 2023
Experience: Pub-crawl on an 11-day Edinburgh-to-Dublin expedition onboard 200-passenger World Traveller. Of course, sampling draft beers or wee drams of whisky are a smidgen of expedition highlights. In Scotland, scan Loch Ness in search of the famed monster. Explore majestic Stirling Castle; Mary Queen of Scots was among many royals crowned here. Listen to Manx, a Gaelic language only spoken on Isle of Man, and tour the Giant’s Causeway, a Northern Ireland UNESCO World Heritage Site formed some 50-to-60 million years ago by a volcanic eruption. Back onboard, work out, then let a spa therapist unknot those kinks. After dining on globally inspired fare, stargaze with a craft cocktail in the observation lounge with a 270-degree view.
