Cruise Routes

03/09/2026

🚢⛴️ Meet Hapag-Lloyd Cruises 𝙈𝙎 𝙀𝙐𝙍𝙊𝙋𝘼 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙎 𝙀𝙐𝙍𝙊𝙋𝘼 𝟮 – two ships that prove you don’t need an expedition vessel to explore somewhere properly.

With a maximum of just 400 guests on EUROPA and around 500 on EUROPA 2, their smaller size opens up interesting routes, smaller harbours and less obvious ports that much larger ships simply can’t reach. 🌍

The two ships have distinct personalities, too. EUROPA offers a more intimate, classic style of small-ship cruising, while EUROPA 2 is its more contemporary counterpart, with light-filled spaces and generously sized suites.

And where can they take you? Quite a long way. 📍

🌸 Japan in spring
🦘 Australia & New Zealand
🌍 Mauritius to Cape Town
🇧🇷 Across South America
🏔️ Deep into the Norwegian fjords

Whichever route you choose, expect plenty of space, thoughtful service, good food – and time to actually experience the places you’ve travelled all that way to see.

Our advice? Choose where you want to explore first. Then decide which ship feels most like home along the way.

🔗 Read our latest article on these two vessels here: cruiseroutes.com/hapag-lloyd-europa-europa-2/

27/08/2026

Think you know Antarctica? There’s much more beyond the Peninsula... 🇦🇶

Venture further and you’ll find the shifting pack ice of the Weddell Sea, emperor penguins at Snow Hill Island, the rarely explored waters beyond the Antarctic Circle, and the remote Ross Sea – reached from the other side of the continent. 🧊

Our latest blog explores four very different ways to experience Antarctica, including voyages with Quark Expeditions, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, PONANT and Heritage Expeditions. 🚢

And if emperor penguins are high on your list? We explain which expeditions give you the best opportunities to see them – and why, in Antarctica, there are never any guarantees.

🔗 Read the full blog here: cruiseroutes.com/beyond-the-antarctic-peninsula

19/08/2026

🦧📸 Today is International Orangutan Day.

Seeing an orangutan in the wild is one of Southeast Asia’s most unforgettable wildlife experiences.

In our latest blog, we head into orangutan country to explore the rainforests of Borneo, the conservation work helping protect these remarkable great apes, and the expedition cruises that journey into this extraordinary part of the world.

From Camp Leakey in Tanjung Puting National Park to the forests of Sabah and Sarawak, these voyages offer the chance to experience orangutans as part of a much richer journey through remote islands, local communities and remarkable landscapes.

Read the full story and discover the cruises taking you into orangutan country →

https://www.cruiseroutes.com/where-to-see-orangutans-in-the-wild/

Discover where to see orangutans in the wild, learn why their conservation matters, and explore extraordinary expedition cruises through Borneo and Indonesia.

12/08/2026

🐘 Happy World Elephant Day 🌍

There’s something quietly humbling about seeing elephants in the wild – watching a herd move together, calves keeping close, and realising you’re simply a visitor in their world.

We’re celebrating these remarkable animals and the landscapes they call home.

Did you know?

🐘 Elephants are the world’s largest land animals. African savanna elephants are the biggest, with adult males sometimes weighing more than six tonnes.

👂 Their ears help keep them cool. The large surface area allows elephants to release excess body heat, which is particularly useful under the African sun.

💧 Their trunks are remarkably versatile. An elephant uses its trunk to breathe, smell, drink, communicate and pick up objects – from branches to surprisingly tiny items.

👣 They can communicate through the ground. Elephants produce very low-frequency calls, and research suggests they can detect vibrations through their feet over considerable distances.

🌿 They’re important ecosystem engineers. By knocking down vegetation, digging for water and spreading seeds, elephants can physically shape the landscapes around them.

👪 Family matters. Elephant herds have complex social relationships, with females and their young typically living in family groups led by an experienced matriarch.

🧠 They have the largest brain of any land mammal. Elephants show sophisticated problem-solving, social behaviour and memory.

🐘 There are three recognised living species: the African savanna elephant, African forest elephant and Asian elephant.

🔗 Discover the best African elephant safaris with our new blog: https://www.cruiseroutes.com/where-to-see-elephants-in-africa/

09/08/2026

A slice of Svalbard from our Jane with 🐻‍❄️🦭❄️

05/08/2026

From silent glacier fronts and unforgettable wildlife encounters, to life on board Quark Expeditions 𝙐𝙡𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙚, our latest blog shares what it's really like to explore one of the Arctic's most remarkable destinations 🐻‍❄️

🚢 Some ships are adapted for expedition cruising. 𝘜𝘭𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘦 was designed for it from the very beginning. And after our team manager Jane spent time on board on a trip to 𝗦𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗱 in June, she found it easy to see why so many experienced expedition travellers rate her so highly.

🗣️ Jane says: "Quark's guide-to-guest ratio of approximately 1:6 means there is always someone nearby to answer questions, explain the geology, identify seabirds or simply share their enthusiasm for the Arctic. The bridge is often open too, giving guests the chance to watch navigation in action while enjoying one of the best views on board."

🔗 Read more to learn about Jane's super Svalbard experience here: cruiseroutes.com/exploring-svalbard-quark-expeditions-ultramarine

29/07/2026

🐅 Today is International Tiger Day 🧡🖤

There are few wildlife encounters as memorable as catching a glimpse of a Bengal tiger in its natural habitat. And one of the most rewarding ways to experience India is by combining a river cruise with time in its extraordinary national parks.

🇮🇳 Sail the mighty Brahmaputra through Assam before exploring 𝗞𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸, where one-horned rhinoceroses, elephants and wild water buffalo roam. Continue your journey to 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich biodiversity, or venture further afield to iconic tiger reserves such as 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗲, 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗵 𝗼𝗿 𝗞𝗮𝗻𝗵𝗮, each offering a different window into India's remarkable wildlife.

Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed – and that's exactly as it should be. It's the anticipation, the quiet moments, and the privilege of seeing these remarkable animals where they belong that make the experience so special.

🔗 If you're dreaming of exploring India by river, take a look at our latest blog on this incredible region: cruiseroutes.com/india-by-river-and-sea/

Happy International Tiger Day! 🌏🐅

27/07/2026

What's it like to venture on an exotic expedition through Raja Ampat and the Philippines?

🤿 One of our cruise consultants is back from snorkelling over some of the world's richest coral reefs and exploring remote islands, where rainforest meets the sea.

After joining Swan Hellenic's voyage on their Raja Ampat & Philippines expedition cruise, our Charlie returned with plenty of stories to share. From pristine coral reefs and tiny tarsiers to warm welcomes from island communities, here’s what stood out most on this journey through Indonesia and beyond 🐠

🗣️ “Because these islands receive so few visitors, you never felt like just another tourist. You genuinely felt welcomed.”

Travelling on a small expedition ship meant reaching places larger vessels simply can't, with time to discover vibrant marine life, meet welcoming local communities, and experience one of the world's most biodiverse regions at an unhurried pace.

If you're looking for a journey that goes beyond the ordinary, Charlie's latest blog shares exactly what makes this part of the world so special.

🔗 Read about Charlie's experience here: cruiseroutes.com/raja-ampat-philippines-expedition-cruise/

24/07/2026

Imagine sailing through quiet fjords where waterfalls tumble down forested cliffs, watching humpback whales surface beside the ship, and standing in awe as a glacier calves into the sea. 🐋❄️

The real magic of Alaska happens when you travel on a small ship. With fewer guests on board, you can reach secluded bays, spend more time in the places that matter, and experience the landscapes, wildlife and communities that make this part of the world so remarkable. 🌲🦅

If Alaska has been on your mind, our latest guide explores why a small ship cruise offers a completely different perspective on this extraordinary coastline.

🔗 Read the full guide here: cruiseroutes.com/experiencing-alaska-small-ship-cruise

20/07/2026

There are few places on Earth that feel as wild and wonderfully remote as Patagonia.

🦭 Sailing through its fjords by small ship takes you far beyond the places most people can reach. One day you might watch a glacier calve into the sea, the next you could spot sea lions on the shoreline or whales surfacing alongside the ship. There are never any guarantees with wildlife – and that’s exactly what makes every sighting so memorable.

🌄 Patagonia has a way of slowing you down. It’s the silence of the fjords, the scale of the mountains and the feeling of being completely immersed in a landscape where nature still sets the pace.

If you're looking to explore further, Patagonia is a very good place to begin.