Great Lakes, North America Expedition Cruises

With over 50 cruises under my belt, my journey into expedition cruising is a newer - but incredibly exciting - chapter of my travel experience. I’ve recently sailed aboard Seabourn Venture, a vessel that perfectly blends luxury with true expedition capability, and I’m looking forward to further expanding my expedition knowledge with an upcoming cruise onboard Ponant.

I would highly recommend Seabourn Venture to anyone looking to embark on an expedition cruise. The ship provided a stunning selection of elegant and comfortable spaces to relax in between explorations and the team on board really brought the journey to life, sharing expert knowledge on the surrounding areas and their fascinating history.

Exploring the waters around the Isles of Scilly was a memorable introduction to expedition-style excursions. Seeing seals and puffins in their natural habitat was a joy, and kayaking added an extra sense of adventure, offering a peaceful yet immersive way to experience the coastline.

The best part of working in travel is being surrounded by a product I genuinely love. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to travel and experience true luxury - allowing me to advise with confidence and first-hand knowledge when helping plan truly special sailings for my clients.

When it comes to future adventures, Antarctica and the Kimberley Islands sit at the top of my expedition wish list. Both destinations represent the very best of expedition travel - remote, dramatic, and rich in wildlife - and I can’t wait to experience them firsthand.

My expedition cruising experience has taken me to the Galápagos Islands, sailing aboard Celebrity Flora. It’s a destination that truly stands apart, offering extraordinary wildlife encounters and a rare chance to experience nature up close.

A wide range of expedition activities brought the islands to life, including Zodiac cruising, guided hikes, kayaking, and snorkelling. Zodiac excursions were a particular highlight, allowing access to remote landing sites and close, respectful observation of wildlife. Exploring on foot and by kayak revealed the dramatic diversity of the islands, while snorkelling opened a vivid underwater world rich with marine life.

Some of my most unforgettable moments came from witnessing wildlife behaving completely naturally. Seeing dolphins and penguins moving freely through the water was a thrill, but standing face to face with the iconic giant tortoises was especially meaningful - a quiet, powerful reminder of the Galápagos’ unique place in natural history.

At the top of my expedition wish list is Antarctica, a destination I’d love to experience for its true sense of remoteness.

My expedition cruising journey has taken me deep into the Arctic, sailing aboard Greg Mortimer with AE Expeditions and Scenic Eclipse, I experienced firsthand what true expedition travel is all about -access, immersion, and moments that feel genuinely extraordinary.

Zodiac cruising and landings quickly became the heart of the experience for me. Stepping into a small Zodiac transforms everything. You’re no longer simply observing the environment from afar - you’re part of it. Skimming across cold Arctic waters in a small group, approaching shorelines unreachable by larger ships, every landing felt like a mini adventure. Being at water level brought an incredible sense of closeness to the landscape, the wildlife and the stillness of the Arctic itself, creating a powerful shared experience with those around me.

My most unforgettable moment came one evening just after 8pm, while we were listening to the expedition team speak and beluga whales. Suddenly, the captain’s voice came over the tannoy: “Polar bear, starboard side”. We watched in silence as she moved through the Arctic landscape - calm, powerful and completely at home. She slipped into the water, swimming with quiet intent as she hunted nearby harbour seals. It was nature entirely unscripted. For hours, we remained with her as she rested and wandered across the sea ice, until she finally disappeared over the mountainside. It was one of those rare encounters that leaves you changed - an experience I’ll never forget.

My passion for expedition cruising was truly ignited in Antarctica, sailing with Silversea aboard Silver Endeavour. It was a journey that changed how I see the world. You don’t just witness the scenery – you feel like you’re part of it. From Zodiac landings to kayaking through icy waters, every moment felt raw, humbling and exhilarating.

One of my most unforgettable experiences was the polar plunge. The shock, the laughter, the shared sense of achievement - it was thrilling in every sense and something I would relive in a heartbeat. Equally powerful, though in an entirely different way, was kayaking in complete stillness. For a few precious minutes, we floated in silence, surrounded by towering ice and vast wilderness. It was profoundly moving - one of those moments that stays with you forever.

My expedition experience extends beyond Antarctica. I’ve attended CLIA’s expedition conference in the Arctic, stepping aboard some of the world’s most advanced expedition vessels which deepened my understanding of what makes these journeys truly exceptional - from ship design to onboard expertise and of course, the cuisine.

What’s next on my bucket-list? The Kimberley’s. Its untamed landscapes, ancient geology and powerful sense of place perfectly embody what expedition travel means to me: going beyond the ordinary to experience the extraordinary.

My expedition cruising experience spans some of the planet’s most fascinating corners, from Svalbard in the Arctic to the Isles of Scilly. I’ve sailed aboard an exceptional range of expedition vessels, including Swan Hellenic, Atlas, Ponant, Quark Expeditions, AE Expeditions, Albatross Expeditions, and Seabourn Venture - each offering a unique perspective on exploration at sea.

Expedition activities are where these journeys truly come to life. Zodiac cruising and landings have been central to my experiences, allowing close‑up access to shorelines and landscapes that feel wonderfully untouched. Standout moments include taking the Arctic polar plunge - an exhilarating, unforgettable rush - and joining a fossil hike in the Arctic, where walking through ancient terrain brought an incredible sense of connection to the history of the region.

The Arctic holds a special place for me, with countless memories that make it hard to choose just one highlight. Experiencing 24‑hour daylight, where time seems to lose all meaning and the world is bathed in a constant glow, was extremely surreal. Combined with the exhilaration of the polar plunge and witnessing the sheer scale of expedition operations in such a remote environment, it created an experience that felt truly extraordinary.

Antarctica sits at the top of my expedition wish list, offering the perfect counterpart to my Arctic journeys. That said, Greenland is close behind, with its dramatic ice formations, vast wilderness, and rich cultural heritage.

My favourite cruise destination is Monte Carlo, but I also loved travelling on a Scenic River cruise from Budapest too, which was an amazing experience. My preferred cruise line is Regent Seven Seas because the ships are exceptional; their excursions are fantastic and the guides are very knowledgeable.

I had the privilege of sailing on Regent Seven Seas Splendor for her relaunch, where I visited Monte Carlo. It was truly incredible, and sailing on such a stunning ship with exceptional service really made it the best cruise voyage I have ever done!

Regent is undoubtedly my favourite cruise line; their ships are phenomenal, they include nearly everything in the price, the staff are fantastic and the food is beautiful. I stayed in a Splendor Suite which was incredible; their suites are well laid out and it was such a pleasure staying in one.

Since working for SixStarCruises, I’ve been able to explore a variety of incredible places, but my favourite is Canada. I got to travel on the Rocky Mountaineer experience which was breathtakingly beautiful - I couldn't recommend it enough!

My favourite cruise destination is the Bahamas. Although waking up in Malta was also incredible - the port is steeped in history, and the view from the balcony as we sailed in was absolutely perfect.

I honestly can’t choose between Silversea and Regent Seven Seas as my favourite cruise line, as they’re both equally exquisite. I love the size of their ships and the detail that goes into making sure every moment of your voyage is perfect.

My favourite part about working in travel is being able to discover remote and obscure places that many people have never even heard of. I loved cruising around the Adriatic, particularly exploring Kotor in Montenegro with Oceania Cruises. The onboard experience with Oceania was phenomenal - I really enjoyed the amazing food and friendly atmosphere.

I just love travel – my favourite cruise destination is Montenegro, which I visited whilst sailing the Adriatic. Although my favourite memory has got to be sailing from Dubai to Singapore which was fantastic. There are so many places I still wish to see, and I really enjoy assisting our guests to find the best offers so they can enjoy complete luxury at great prices. I love waking up in a different cruise port, delicious dining and the crew that always make the sailing so wonderful.

I'm Emma, a Specialist Cruise Concierge who has worked with SixStarCruises from the very start, getting to experience the most amazing countries and the luxury of 6* ships at the same time.

My favourite cruise memories took place in Norway, where we went husky sledging and saw the northern lights, a magical moment I will never forget. My preferred cruise line is Regent because I love that their accommodation is all-suite, the food is just beautiful, and the service is second to none.

The best part about working in travel is staying on board brand-new ships and hotels and meeting new people, as I learn more about their different countries and cultures.

My favourite cruise line is Regent Seven Seas Cruises - Splendour is my favourite ship. I love that all the rooms are suites on the ships, the food is just beautiful and the service is second to none. The majority of excursions are included too so you don't have to spend anything whilst on board.